Motorola bringing back Razr phone with a few upgrades

Motorola is reaching into its vault to bring back its famous Razr cellphone, but it will come with a few upgrades.

The sleek flip phone that debuted back in 2004 will be released as a smartphone - with a foldable screen.

The Wall Street Journal reports the phone will be exclusively sold through Verizon, but you'll need to shell out $1,500 to get it.

It's expected to be released sometime next month.

Apple Accidentally Reveals Radical New iPhone

In recent years, the best iPhone leaks have come ’accidentally’ from Apple, and it happens too frequently to be a coincidence. Now, with iPhone sales stalling and talk of further price cuts, Apple AAPL +0.62% is again looking to change the narrative by subtly teasing a red-hot new iPhone upgrade… 

Discovered by fan site AppleInsider, Apple has quietly filed a patent detailing how new iPhones will be able to tell you want to take a photo and automatically open the camera. Furthermore, the hardware required to do this has already been confirmed as a feature coming to iPhones this year ...

Windows 7 versus Windows 10: Here comes the final showdown

With less than a year to a major Windows 7 support deadline, it’s decision time for the PC.

It's now less than a year until Windows 7 goes out of mainstream support; after January 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7 -- unless you want to pay extra, of course.

This is a big issue for many companies: while Windows 7 is long in the tooth (it went on sale back in October 2009), it's much loved -- at least, as much as a PC operating system can be loved -- and is still widely used.

Indeed, even though Windows 10 ...

Samsung’s most expensive Galaxy S10 + will be made of something better than metal and glass

The run of the mill Samsung Galaxy S10 will be a sleek and slim glass and metal sandwich, but with the most expensive version of the handset pushing up to $1500 that model will need to offer something a bit better that sets it apart from the plebs.

According to serial Samsung leaker, Ice_Universe, Samsung is planning just that.

He claims the Samsung Galaxy S10+ with 12 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage will have a special ceramic back which is not only scratch resistant but also less likely to crack when it falls. It will also look metallic.

Samsung is of course not firs ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 in-display fingerprint scanner reportedly blocked by screen cover

One of the most anticipated rumored features coming to the Samsung Galaxy S10 is an in-screen fingerprint scanner. Unfortunately, noted case maker Armadillotek has claimed that its screen cover can block the phone from reading fingerprints.

Conceivably, this might also apply to other translucent coverings separating the display from fingerprints, from thin screen shields to thick see-through covers in protective cases. 

Until we hear back from other sources, it's unclear if this applies to any layer between display and finger or just certain ones of meet a minimum thickness ...

Android 9 Pie rolling out to Honor View 10 in the US

The Honor View 10 is one of the very few Huawei-made devices to be available in the United States. Those of you U.S. citizens who bought the popular 2017 smartphone will likely be excited to know that EMUI 9 — based on Android 9 Pie — is rolling out to U.S. variants now.

This update is build number 9.0.0.201 (C567E6R1P12) which is specifically for the Honor View 10 model BKL-L04.

Since the update carries Android 9 Pie, it comes with the usual Pie upgrades such as adaptive battery, navigation gestures, revamped UI elements, etc.

EMUI 9 also has some specific upgrades ...

Windows 10 October 2018 Update is at last being pushed automatically

The ill-fated Windows 10 October 2018 Update has hitherto been offered only to those Windows users who manually sought it, either by using the dedicated upgrade and media creation tools or by manually checking for the update in Windows Update. Three months after its initial release, Microsoft has at last started pushing it to Windows users automatically.

The update was originally withdrawn because of a data loss bug. A month after the initial release, the bug was fixed and the fixed update was made available. Even this release was limited, with a number of blocks in place due to kno ...

Dell teases new XPS laptop with Intel’s 10th-gen Ice Lake for summer 2019

In a bit of irony, Dell confirmed that it will turn its popular XPS laptops icy this summer with a refresh to its 10th-generation Ice Lake processors. The timeline was confirmed by Dell Vice President of Consumer Design Justin Lyles following Dell’s tease of a mystery Ice Lake-powered laptop during Intel’s CES 2019 keynote.

During Intel’s keynote, President of Dell Client Solutions Group Sam Burd teased that an Ice Lake-powered XPS laptop will be available by the holiday season. While that timeline means that consumers will be able to buy the laptop within the next 12 months, we won ...

The Motorola Razr is coming back as a smartphone

Lenovo, the current owner of Motorola Mobility, will release a new version of the iconic Razr cell phone, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the matter.

Like a similar phone announced at Samsung's 2018 developers' conference, the new Razr will feature a foldable screen. A patent filed in May of 2017 describes a clamshell form factor with a flexible screen that folds inward. Also like Samsung's phone, it is expected to cost at least $1,500. Two hundred thousand units will be manufactured, according to The Wall Street Journal's sources.

Motorola’s RAZR Reportedly Returning as a $1,500 Foldable Smartphone

The iconic Motorola RAZR is poised to make a big comeback as a $1,500 foldable screen smartphone, and according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, it could launch as soon as February. This comes after the tech giant dropped a nostalgic teaser video of the device back in 2016 celebrating its 12th anniversary, hinting of the flip phone’s return, however, it was actually used to promote another flagship device instead.

Prior to the iPhone and other smartphones, the Motorola RAZR was the phone to buy among flip phones thanks to its super-thin and stylish aesthetic which eventuall ...

LG will launch a phone with a second screen attachment

It's one of multiple phones launching at the Mobile World Congress trade show next month. But none of them will fold.

LG's next smartphone may have you seeing double. And no, it's not because of a foldable display.

The company will launch a smartphone, whose name hasn't been finalized, that will have an option for a second-screen attachment, according to a person familiar with the situation. The attachment, which the person describes as a sort of case with a screen, could potentially double the total screen size of the device.

It's one of multiple phones launching at ...

Leak reveals new launch details for Samsung’s upcoming foldable smartphone

Samsung all but confirmed its foldable smartphone (rumored to be called the Galaxy Fold or Galaxy Flex) will make its debut at Unpacked 2019 in San Francisco on February 20th. But in case you still need any additional convincing, Nashville Chatter spotted a certification from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (CMIIT) for a device with the model number SM-F9000 — suspected to be the Galaxy Fold.

Reports surrounding model number SM-F900 surfaced in November. SamMobile also reported that firmware version F900USQU0ARJ5 was being tested by Samsung. SM-F900U is expec ...

Next Windows 10 version will let you search without Cortana’s involvement

Today's Insider build of Windows 10, number 18317, changes how search and Cortana are used, as Microsoft is working to reposition Cortana as a productivity-focused digital assistant and integrate search with Office 365.

Currently, Windows 10 has a single text box on the taskbar that's used for searches and Cortana commands. Type a word or two and it'll search the Start menu, settings, and documents. But type a command ("tell me a joke," say) and no search is performed; instead, the command is delivered to Cortana, and she duly responds. In the new build, the text box is us ...

Android Q leak reveals system-wide dark mode and bigger emphasis on privacy

If the usual cycle holds, it’s going to be a few months before Google is ready to share anything about Android Q. But XDA Developers apparently managed to spend some time with a very early version of Android’s next big update, and although it doesn’t offer the full view, it does provide a look at some of what Google might have planned.

The biggest visual change (for now) is a system-wide dark mode. Android 9 Pie’s “theme” can be changed from light to dark, but it only really applies to the notification shade and the app launcher. XDA’s screenshots suggest that Q will extend dark mod ...

Android Pie beta now rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Note 8

After we reported earlier this month that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 could receive a beta programahead of the official Android Pie rollout, we didn’t expect the program to open quite so soon. Even so, Note 8 users will be happy to hear that their handsets will get a taste of Pie and One UI at least in beta form — for now.

This is also great news for Samsung Galaxy S8 users hoping for a beta program as beta builds have appeared on Samsung’s servers for the S8 and S8+. Reports (via Reddit and SamMobile) have come in showing that registration is now open for the One UI Note 8 beta progr ...

WORLD’S FIRST BATTERY-FREE BLUETOOTH CHIP PULLS POWER FROM THE AIR

IoT Time

Signs point to us eventually living in a world in which nearly everything around us is “smart.” Our clothes will send messages to our smartphones letting us know when they need washed, and our milk will order its own replacement as its expiration date nears.

But before the Internet of Things can fully take hold, we need to figure out a cheap and versatile way to give all these objects the ability to communicate — and the world’s first battery-free Bluetooth chip just might do the trick.

Stealing Power

On Monday, Israel-based semiconductor company Wil ...

Samsung says its foldable phone is a ‘breakthrough in technology innovation’

Samsung next month is expected to unveil two new smartphone flagships, including the Galaxy S10 that dominates mobile rumors right now, and the Galaxy F, its first foldable handset. The latter already got a soft launch back in November, but Samsung only really showed the phone’s Infinity Flex screen, as well as the new One UI user interface that will power all Samsung mobile experiences, Galaxy F included. And, according to a new report, Samsung is looking to make the most of the foldable phone experience it’s about to introduce, a form factor not many other handset vendors will have in sto ...

iPhone 11 renders show off horizontal triple-camera setup

There's a new iPhone 11 leak of a render that gives us an idea how Apple's 2019 smartphone may appear. The good news: it looks a lot better than before.

Last week, notable leaker @OnLeaks revealed a render of a possible prototype for the upcoming iPhone 11 displaying a triple-camera setup set in a square mounting. Today, he released another rendering created with partner CompareRaja that shows off a trio of lenses in a horizontal strip – which could be an alternate prototype for Apple’s next smartphone. 

Shortly after the first leak, a report from the Wall Street Journal cla ...

Samsung's mid-range Galaxy M will be the company's first notched phone

Samsung, like many other manufacturers, has been struggling with profits a bit as the smartphone market continues to stagnate. To remain competitive and appeal to millennials, its latest tactic is to introduce new features to mid-range devices first, before they reach premium handsets - a reversal of common practice in the mobile industry. The company's new Galaxy M series (now being teased on Amazon) is a prime example.

With the Galaxy M series, Samsung hopes to win back customers it lost to Xiaomi (which is currently dominating the Indian market according to research firm Counter ...

Goodbye old friend: Microsoft to end support for Windows 7 in one year

It’s not surprising to see PC users running an old version of Windows. Whether they refuse to switch to Windows 10’s service model or their IT department is lazy, it’s still pretty common to see PC’s running Windows 7.

It might be a good time to move on now. Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or free support for Windows 7 one year from today.

Windows 7 was a huge success for Microsoft. Windows tends to come in good-bad cycles, and after the much-reviled Vista, its successor arrived as a breath of fresh air. Then came Windows 8, which few people cared for, and ...

The 5G Galaxy S10 will reportedly cost twice as much as the cheapest S10 model

When the Galaxy S10 X launches next month, it’ll be twice as expensive as the most basic Galaxy S10 phone that you’ll find in stores in March. What’s the Galaxy S10 X, you ask? A report says that that’s the name Samsung chose for a very special Galaxy S10 — the 5G model that’s set to hit stores in Korea first.

The name is incredibly strange, especially considering Apple’s own iPhone X naming scheme, where X stands for “ten.” Per ETNews, X is both supposed to emphasize the fact that Samsung’s Galaxy S line will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year, but also to stand for “eXperie ...

Korg Minilogue XD synthesizer review

Can Korg improve on the best bang-for-your-buck analog synth?

When Korg introduced the Minilogue in 2016 it was a game-changer. It's a true analog polyphonic synth for around $500, and frankly, there isn't much else like it on the market. And even three years later it's still one of the best values out there in analog synthesizers.

But the market is moving fast, and Korg isn't about to let the competition lap it. So it's introducing the four-voice Minilogue XD, which takes the best parts of the entire 'logue lineup -- Microtunings and the sequencer from the Monologue, the MU ...

When will the Moto G6 receive the Android Pie update?

The Moto G6 is in line to receive Android 9.0 Pie at some point in the first half of 2019, however, Motorola has not yet set a specific date or month yet.

When will the Moto G6 get Android Pie?

Motorola has officially announced the Android 9.0 Pie update for the Moto G6. When Motorola originally announced support for Pie on its budget devices, the company noted the rollout would begin in the fall. Unfortunately, it seems Motorola began with its older devices, while Moto G6 owners will have to wait for rounds of soak testing to be done with a group of select beta testers.

Galaxy S10 needs to watch its back as rivals like Huawei come on strong

World's second-largest smartphone maker, Huawei, brought it at CES 2019. Samsung can't afford to rest on its laurels.

Samsung may have stolen CES 2019 by announcing the launch date of its upcoming Galaxy S10 (it's Feb. 20, by the way), but it was world's second-largest phone maker, Huawei, that turned out the best phone here at the show. That might not seem like much of a threat when you consider that there were few phones to speak of. Yet, the Huawei Honor View 20 has enough unique features on what will be a midprice device to make Samsung look over its shoulder.

Samsung is ...

Microsoft Releases KB4487345 Update to Fix Windows 7 Share Issues

Last week Microsoft released the January 2019 Patch Tuesday updates and included in the release were two updates that caused problems connecting to ntework shares on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. On January 11th, Microsoft has released a a stand-alone update that resolves this issue.

The two updates that caused this problem are KB4480960 and KB4480970 and when installed caused local users who are part of the local "Administrators" group to not be able to connect to remote shares on Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 Machines. Microsoft added the following informat ...

All the laptops that came out at CES 2019

We saw OLED, 240Hz displays and upgradeable laptops.

With the latest release of NVIDIA's RTX ray-tracing laptop chips, any manufacturer can make a fast and lightweight laptop. To stand out now, you need to try something new, so this year at CES 2019, the focus was on displays and eccentric designs.

Dell and HP showed that the future of gaming and multimedia laptop panels is both brighter and faster. Alienware's laptop featured an upgradeable CPU and GPU, ASUS unveiled an all-in-one-like ROG laptop and Acer's Predator Triton 900 had a singular hinge and exorbitant price tag. ...

Foldable phones are the future no one asked for

The reviews aren't promising and the demand is unclear. Is this really the future?

As the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the tech industry’s biggest show-and-tell event, comes to a close, there seems to be a consensus from industry that so-called foldable phones are the future of handheld gadgetry. And that future is now, as some hybrid tablet-phones with foldable displays are already being manufactured and will make their way into consumers' hands as soon as spring.

Prior to CES, Samsung had teased its own flexible display phone, while little-known tech company Royol ...

Redmi Note 7 announced: $150, 48MP camera, 6.3" FHD+ display, and 4000mAh battery

Xiaomi is already known as the value-for-money smartphone brand, but even in the company's own portfolio, the Redmi line-up takes the crown of value budget devices. Now, Redmi is officially an independent brand, under the supervision of new General Manager Lu Weibing (former president of Gionee). It will focus on making successful cost-effective devices for e-commerce sites and expanding into more countries. Its first smartphone is the rumored 48MP camera-toting Redmi Note 7.

Sporting a waterdrop-notch 6.3" FHD+ 19.5:9 display and a little chin (which I don't mind), the Note 7 ...

Dell on the upgradable Alienware Area 51m laptop, OLED and what's next

It's been a busy CES for Dell's Alienware gaming brand. They unveiled the most customizable laptop we've ever seen -- the Area 51m -- as well as a slim new 17-inch notebook, both of which feature NVIDIA's powerful mobile RTX graphics. And then there's OLED, which is coming to Dell's 15-inch XPS, m17 and G series machines, and it's also the star component of the huge Alienware 55 Monitor. To break down all of the news, I chatted with Matt McGowan, director of Dell's PC gaming division, on the Engadget stage at CES. The big takeaway? Dell is ready to make a big gaming splash this year.

New leak brings great news about Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and 5G Galaxy S10

We don’t have too much longer to wait until the official reveal of the Galaxy S10, if recent reports are to be believed, but there’s still plenty of time for leaks to spoil what few surprises Samsung has managed to keep under wraps. This week, the battery capacities for both the Galaxy Fold and the 5G Galaxy S10 variant were seemingly revealed, filling in yet another corner of the puzzle that is Samsung’s massive 2019 phone lineup.

According to GalaxyClub, the 5G Galaxy S10 will feature a sizable 5,000 mAh battery (product code EB-BG977ABU), which it notes is the same size as the ba ...

Lenovo’s New Alexa Powered Smart Tab is Where Google Should Take Smart Displays

After last year’s initial debut of smart displays at CES 2018, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see new models show up for CES 2019. Lenovo gave us that cute little clock version and KitchenAid introduced the ultimate kitchen version. But it’s another Lenovo smart hub like product that is probably the most important of the lot, it just doesn’t run the Google Home platform. If Google is paying attention, this is an idea they should go after.

The device is called the Lenovo Smart Tab with Amazon Alexa (buy). As you can tell from that name, it’s a smart home hub with Alexa instead of Go ...

Microsoft's latest Windows 10 19H1 release adds support for coming reserved storage feature

Microsoft is starting to test a new way that it's hoping will keep Windows 10 feature updates from failing on PCs with insufficient storage space as part of its latest Windows 10 19H1 Insider build.

Microsoft's latest Windows 10 19H1 Fast Ring test build is the first which allows users to see how Windows 10 will manage disk space, going forward. That coming storage-focused feature, known as Reserved Storage, will kick off in either today's Windows 10 build (No. 18312) or the next, depending on when testers complete a quest. 

Those Windows Insider testers who run through this ...

New Galaxy S10 Leak Reveals Samsung's Surprising Choice

Although Samsung has been careful to not say ‘S10’ during CES this week, everyone is one edge to find out more details on the South Korean’s upcoming family of flagship handsets. And it looks like one of the long-held assumptions may need to be altered.

Alongside a 5G variant in partnership with the likes of Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint - which is expected later in the year - Samsung is widely believed to have a three core models in the range. The larger-screened Galaxy S10 Plus, the jack of all trades Galaxy S10, and the entry level Galaxy S10 Lite. There’s also a suspicion of a f ...

Microsoft, Samsung and Qualcomm talk connected PCs in 2019

It's been slightly over a year a year since we saw the first crop of Microsoft's "Always connected PCs." By now, we know why a laptop that's always online is super appealing, and are well aware of the trade-offs. Making better connected notebooks in 2019 requires a team effort across software and hardware makers. They'll need to address challenges in educating the consumer, figuring out how to enable the sale of bite-sized chunks of data, as well as the evergreen desire for faster performance. One our stage at CES 2019, we talked to the following executives from Microsoft, Samsung ...

The Honor View 20 squeezes lots of quirks into a gorgeous body

To say Huawei has a complicated relationship with the United States is a pretty massive understatement, but it's still here at CES showing off laptops, a mobile photo printer and the surprisingly nice Honor View 20. (A note for people who don't routinely follow Chinese phone makers: Honor is Huawei's budget phone brand.)

Our own Richard Lai saw the Honor View 20 in Hong Kong so I won't retread too much ground — that said, it's worth revisiting what makes the phone so tantalizing.

The View 20 packs one of Huawei's Kirin 980 chipsets (the same used in the Mate 20 Pro we loved, ...

Dell’s new XPS 13 puts the webcam above the screen, and all is right with the world

Ever since Dell introduced the slim bezel XPS 13 back in 2015, reviewers and users alike have had one recurring complaint: the webcam is below the screen. As nice as having thin bezels is, this meant you’d get an unflattering view of your face at best and clear shot up your nose at worst.

That’s finally a thing of the past.

Dell today announced its revamped XPS 13 (9380), and at long last, the camera has moved above the screen. The top bezel is a tiny bit thicker because of it – Dell didn’t opt for a notch like Asus – but we doubt anyone will complain. As a bonus, the previo ...

ASUS Unveils the ROG Matrix RTX 2080 Ti With Hybrid Cooling

ASUS has announced a brand new Turing based model to their range with the ROG Matrix RTX 2080 Ti graphics card. The Matrix branding is synonymous with premium and the RTX 2080 Ti feature set looks nothing short of feature packed.

What makes the ROG Matrix RTX 2080 Ti stand out from the crowd is the use of ASUS's new Infinity Loop cooling hybrid cooling solution. Infinity Loop integrates a closed loop cooling system within the cooling shroud housing a pump, radiator and tubing within a triple fan designed cooler. Due to constraints that are associated with cramming numerous component ...

THE ALIENWARE AREA-51M IS A FULL-FLEDGED DESKTOP DISGUISED AS A LAPTOP

The ‘world’s most powerful gaming laptop’ wants to bring user-replaceable processors, graphics cards, storage, and RAM to portable computers

Alienware needed to fix the gaming laptop. Today’s laptops aren’t broken, per se — they’re thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever before. But as gaming desktops have become increasingly bombastic and over-the-top, most mobile machines are focusing on the “laptop” side of things over the “gaming” part. So what would it look like if you built a gaming laptop in 2019, one that could not only compete with its desktop counterparts but replace ...

Google Assistant lock screen access is coming to more Android devices

Here’s a quick tidbit buried beneath today’s deluge of Google Assistant news (not to mention the bizarre waking nightmare that is the CES Small World ride). The company announced today that the smart assistant will be accessible on more Android phone lock screens.

The feature was first announced back at Google’s hardware event in October, though, at the time, it was limited to the company’s new Pixel 3 handset. For security reasons, it’s available through opt-in, meaning you’ve got to tick the box in settings.

Certainly adding that kind of access to the lock screen can open ...

A Roland keyboard has Alexa built-in for voice control while you play

And the Alexa Skill will eventually be available for other instruments.

Alexa is handy for helping with a lot of activities, and soon the virtual assistant will help you control keyboard settings with your voice. Roland'slatest keyboard, a new version of its GO:PIANO, features Alexa built-in and the company says this feature offers hands-free control while you're playing. Basically, you won't have to take your hands off the keys to tweak the sound or access specific settings -- thanks to the combination of the GO:PIANO and a new Roland Alexa Skill.

The company says the goal ...

Intel’s Project Athena pushes PC makers to create ‘advanced laptops’ with 5G and AI

Intel is creating a new way to push PC makers to get ready for “a new class of advanced laptops.” Dubbed “Project Athena,” Intel’s push involves 5G and artificial intelligence support wrapped up in what looks like Ultrabooks part two. Intel is creating annual specs that manufacturers will need to adhere to for a certification process.

It all sounds very similar to the set of specifications the industry followed to create Ultrabooks, a marketing label desirable enough that it pushed some laptop makers to adopt thinner designs, faster storage, and longer battery life more quickly.

Intel's new 9th Gen desktop CPUs may have ditched integrated GPUs to take on AMD

Intel looking to tackle Ryzen 3 with cheaper, GPU-less chips?

With the launch of AMD's hotly-anticipated Ryzen 3rd Generation processors just around the corner – the new CPUs are expected to be officially unveiled this Wednesday, January 9 at AMD's CES 2019 conference – Intel has today used its CES event to finally announce it's adding six more 9th-gen Core processors, ranging from Core i3 to Core i9, set to release soon.

The new processors join the company's three existing 'flagship' 9th-generation desktop chips, which launched in October last year – the Core i5-9600K, i7-9 ...

The world's first real foldable phone is rough around the edges

And yet, I can't stop opening and closing it.

Unless you're (for some reason) a fan of personal cinema headsets, you almost certainly haven't heard of Royole. That's OK -- founder and CEO Bill Liu wanted it that way. Unbeknownst to most of the world, Royole has quietly been working to pioneer and perfect its own flexible screens since 2012, and its new FlexPai smartphone represents something of a coming-out party.

Before we go any further, though, we need to get a few things straight. Yes, this is a real product that you can buy right now. Yes, this basically unknown company ...

Intel Launches New Nervana AI Neural Network Processor With 100 Watt+ Power, Arriving in 2019

Intel has just announced a brand new class of AI processor: the Intel Nervana NNP-1. This is one of the first truly powerful AI processors that Intel has promised to produce. All previous AI chips the company made were in the mWatt of power, this one is going to be in the “hundreds of watts” of power. While no specific details were given in the demo, it was inferred that the technology will take advantage of Intel’s DL Boost technology to offer a CPU based competitor to GPUs.

Intel takes aim at the GPGPU AI market with Intel Nervana NNP AI chip with ‘hundreds of watts’ of power

Acer Announces TravelMate X3410 Business Class Notebook

In addition to the consumer focused products announced this week at CES, Acer has also announced a new business notebook this week. The TravelMate X3410 is a 14-inch notebook aimed at professionals, with several options depending on the budget and performance requirements.

Unlike the Acer Swift 7 just announced, the TravelMate X3410 is more function over form. The 14-inch laptop offers a 1920x1080 IPS display with Acer’s ComfyView matte coating. Without the thin bezels of the higher-end models, the TravelMate X3410 is quite a bit bigger, with dimensions of 328 x 239 x 20 mm (1 ...

ASUS turns to AMD for its latest TUF gaming laptops

ASUS' latest TUF gaming laptops may look about the same as before, but under the hood, it's a new ball game. Rather than packing Intel and NVIDIA parts, the 15.6-inch FX505DY (above) and 17-inch FX705DY (below) are all AMD, with a 12-nanometer, four-core Ryzen 2 3550H APU and Radeon RX 560X discrete graphics. Both models also have 1080p FreeSync displays, with the 17-inch model hitting up to 60Hz, and the 15-incher maxing out at a decent 120Hz.

Both models are designed to survive falls and "extreme environments" thanks to the mil-spec toughness and hexagonal bottom design. ...

HP at CES 2019: HP Chromebook 14 Combines AMD and Chrome OS

When the first Chromebooks were released in 2011, they were aimed at the lower end of the market and carried matching price tags. After Google launched its Pixel laptop in 2013 and proved that it was possible to address the premium segment, other makers of PCs followed on with more advanced Chromebooks that were more expensive. Eventually, Chromebooks somewhat moved away from being exclusively in the low end of the market, and towards a broader market covering multiple price ranges. With the low end market diminished by not forgotten, HP has announced that it's going to take another shot at ...

AMD 2nd Gen Ryzen Mobile processors aim to take over the laptop scene

While all eyes were trained for AMD to announced 7nm Ryzen 3rd Generationprocessors and Vega II graphics cards, the company has surprised us all with its new 2nd Gen Ryzen Mobile CPUs.

Whereas in years past AMD would only introduce a handful of CPUs, the chipmaker now has a full product stack to power everything from gaming laptops, Ultrabooks, budget notebooks and even Chromebooks – more on this last one soon.

AMD Ryzen 7 3750H: 4-cores, 8-threads, 10 GPU cores, clocked at 2.3GHz to 4.0GHz

AMD Ryzen 7 3700U: 4-cores, 8-threads, 10 GPU cores, clocked at 2.3GHz to 4.0 ...

Jack to the future for Huawei? P30 leak hints at the return of the headphone port

Huawei, currently the world’s second-largest smartphone company by sales, has won over users partly by loading its devices with a ton of new features, from wireless charging to top-class cameras and catchy cosmetic features like the colorful gradients on their shiny backsides. Now, a leaked image of its next flagship Android phone appears to reveal a surprising reverse course. According to Indian blog 91phones (and via Engadget) its next premium device, dubbed the P30, will feature a HEADPHONE JACK.

What’s that, you say? Aren’t headphone jacks so yesterday?

Well, it turns ou ...

Asus reveals power-packed mini PC boasting Intel’s 9th-gen Core i9 processor

Coupled with powerful Nvidia Quadro graphics

Asus has announced a new series of compact PCs which are packed with enough power – including 9th-gen Intel Core processors – to qualify as workstation-class computers capable of tackling the sort of intensive tasks that creative professionals might undertake.

The Asus Mini PC ProArt PA90 initially arrives as a range of three machines using Core i7 or Core i9 Intel 9th-geneation processors which boast around 30% better performance than their predecessor CPUs. The processor also benefits from liquid cooling, which is pretty nifty i ...

Google's Fuchsia OS will be able to run Android apps

Similar to how Google added Android app support to Chrome OS, it seems Google is now planning to do the same with the still elusive Fuchsia OS. As identified by 9to5google, changes made to the Gerrit code confirm that Fuchsia OS will use a specialized version of the Android Runtime (ART) to run Android apps.

As an OS can be made or broken by its library of applications, it stands to reason that Google would want to hit the ground running on the application front. Fortunately, it has the most popular mobile OS with a huge library of apps in the Play Store. It seems as though Google p ...

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 leaks with new Infinity-O display cutout

A new year, another phone leak. It’s no secret that Samsung is launching the Galaxy S10 this year, likely sometime in late February. By now the rumor mill is running in full force. We’ve seen many renders of the device and some sketchy leaks, but now we have a clear look at the device courtesy of ever-reliable leaker Evan Blass.

Okay, so maybe it’s not the clearest look in the world, with so much of the image censored. Still, it seems to confirm the hole-in-the-screen design mentioned in other rumors.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise though. Back in November, Samsung ...

Asus’ first Chrome OS tablet is for classroom use

Designed to protect against spills, drops, and key-plucking

Asus made a tablet that runs on Chrome OS for the first time, and it’s made with students in mind. The Chromebook Tablet CT100 has a 9.7-inch touchscreen and is supposed to be protected against drops by its rubberized chassis and tempered glass display.

Chrome OS is relatively new to tablets, and it has mainly been put to use in classrooms where it’s dominated US sales in recent years. The latest Asus tablet gives schools another option for devices.

Asus’ Chromebook Tablet is powered by a hexa-core OP1 proce ...

Is this Xiaomi’s foldable tablet?

A leaked video purportedly reveals a folding tablet

Foldable devices are getting more and more buzz, and we might even see one this year. Notable tipster Evan Blass tweeted a video of what could be a Xiaomi tablet that folds into thirds, though he noted that he couldn’t verify its authenticity.

Though it’s unclear if this is actually a Xiaomi product, or even if it’s anywhere near market-ready, the tablet does seem to function and respond to touch gestures before folding up without seams. 

But is it a real product, or is it a “gadget porn deepfake” as Blass noted in ...

Nokia 9 PureView price and release date might’ve finally just leaked

The Nokia 9 PureView is the Nokia phone many fans of the brand have been waiting for years to finally get their hands on. A couple of leaks earlier this week revealed the phone’s design, complete with the world’s first five-lens camera on the back, as well as its specs and features. Now, a brand new leak tells us exactly how much the phone will cost, and when it’ll launch.

A couple of Nokia-related Twitter accounts say that the phone will be released in late January, NokiaPowerUserexplains, but there’s no way to verify the information at this point. One of these accounts also mentio ...

Windows 10 tops Windows 7 as most popular OS

Just in time for the new year, a report from Net Marketshare puts Windows 10 in the top spot for desktop operating systems. It’s the first time Microsoft’s OS took the top spot since hitting the market three and a half years ago.

At 39.22 percent of the market, Windows 10’s rise isn’t an overnight success story, but it’s notable, given the rocky reception its other operating systems have received in recent years. Windows 10 just edges out Windows 7’s 36.90. The more recent Windows 8.1, meanwhile, is a distant fifth — more than a percentage point below Windows XP.

Windows 10 ...

Sony’s new camera tech supposedly better than Face ID, coming later in 2019

Sony is increasing the production of new-generation 3D ToF cameras in order to meet demand for customers in 2019, according to Bloomberg.

The sensors will power rear- and front-facing cameras on devices from several manufacturers this year, Sony executive Satoshi Yoshihara told the outlet. Mass production of the 3D cameras is expected to take place in “late summer.”

Yoshihara didn’t divulge any solid financial details but reportedly said the business was already profitable and would make an impact in the next fiscal year.

What can you do with the tech?

A 3D T ...

Google gets FCC approval to use radar-based motion sensor

The sensor allows you to control your gadgets and device features with hand gestures.

Google's motion sensors are in the making.

The search giant on Monday was granted approval from the Federal Communications Commission to deploy radar-based motion sensors, also known as Project Soli, according to Reuters. The sensors reportedly allow users to operate electronic devices using hand gestures.

The FCC's approval lets the search giant to operate the sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed and the sensors will be allowed aboard aircraft.

"Grant ...

Apple Devices Running iOS 13 Spotted in Analytics

Apple is already working on the next-generation version of iOS, iOS 13. Based on visits to the MacRumors website from Apple IP addresses on devices running iOS 13, work on the update has been picking up over the course of the last few months. 

We first spotted devices running iOS 13 in October, and in November and December, visits from iPhones with iOS 13 installed have increased. Visits slowed during late December, but should pick up again now that the holidays are over and work is continuing. 

Apple often starts work on new versions of iOS many months in advance, and we've ...

Leaked video reveals new Nokia PureView handset with FIVE cameras

Video appears to be a promotional teaser for the upcoming Nokia 9 PureView 

In it, the device can be seen featuring a whopping five cameras on the rear panel

Device may also feature an in-display fingerprint reader and a 5.99-inch display

A leaked video claims to show off Nokia's yet-to-be-released flagship smartphone.

The video, first published by MySmartPrice, appears to be a promotional teaser for the upcoming Nokia 9 PureView. 

In it, the Nokia 9 PureView can be seen featuring a whopping five cameras on the rear panel, as well as a nearly 6-inch ' ...

Samsung Leak Suddenly 'Confirms' Radical Galaxy S10

The Galaxy S10 will be heavily redesigned and eye-wateringly expensive(the intriguing Lite version aside), but a major new leak reveals why gambling on Samsung's flagship version may well be worth it… 

Fresh from a major Galaxy S10 Lite scoop, the ever-prolific, ever mysterious industry insider Ice Universe has revealed the flagship Galaxy S10+ is where Samsung will really push its design boundaries.

Having obtained official Samsung Galaxy S10+ cases, Ice Universe shows in a new video that the phone (which is expected to have a display up to 6.7-inches) has a chassis no larg ...

Broken FLAC support is a new Known Issue in the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Windows 10 users should be aware that if they update to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update it may affect their ability to listen to uncompressed music.

Since its release in 2015 Windows 10 has touted native support for FLAC encoding, which offers full quality uncompressed music. The support has however never been as full as for MP3’s however, and in the October 2018 update appears pretty broken.

With the April 2018 update users were not able to rate music or edit meta-data and in the October 2018 Update Microsoft introduced a new bug which results in existing metadata being ...

Chrome OS will block the USB ports on locked Chromebooks

You'll be able to whitelist any devices you want, though.

Even when your Chromebook is locked, bad actors can access it using a "Rubber Ducky," or malicious USB drive that mimics a keyboard. Chrome OS will soon put a stop to those attacks with a feature called USBGuard, seen in a Canary Chrome build by Chrome Story. It stops the operating system from reading code or executing commands from USB devices when your Chromebook is locked. The feature is similar to what Apple introduced in a recent build of IOS 11 that stops USB activity if a device has been locked for more than ...

The 9 best apps for your new Windows PC

Microsoft has done a good job updating its Windows 10 operating system with useful utilities and features, but there’s still room for plenty of third-party apps. If you’ve just received a new PC over the holidays, we have some favorite Windows apps that will improve your experience — and maybe your life.

We here at The Verge have rounded up our favorite and most-used apps, games, and utilities. Look for our app picks for iPhones, Android phones, PCs, and Macs; our favorite games for PCs, iOS and Android, and our top choices for the PS4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.

TWE ...

Honor View 20 hands-on: Are holes better than notches?

Ever since the iPhone X, nearly every Android device has included a notch to provide a slightly larger screen-to-body ratio. The trend’s become so rampant and so popular, Google even tailored Android 9 Pieto specifically support the feature.

Consumers clearly haven’t been happy with the notch though. Many phones in 2018 were nearly indistinguishable from one another, and those with more unique designs have been questionable in appearance. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can embed the selfie camera under the display, and Honor is taking the first step towards that realit ...

Google will reportedly introduce two new Pixel phones in early 2019

While we’re likely still a year away from Google’s next flagship smartphone, rumors and reports in recent weeks have led us to believe that we’ll be seeing a more affordable model of the current line in the near future. Adding to the pile this week is Android Police, which, citing a source familiar with Google’s plans, claims that the company will launch two new smartphones on Verizon in early spring 2019: the Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 XL Lite.

As Android Police points out, Google has focused all of its efforts on premium Android devices in recent years, which will make these the fir ...

Samsung's Remote Access Feature Sounds Like Chromecast on Steroids

CES is less than two weeks away and with it will come a whole slew of announcements about the TVs your living room will covet in 2019, but Samsung has made one announcement early that reads like a souped up version of Chromecast. Its 2019 TV sets will allow you to remote access your computer.

Or a computer. Frustratingly, the details in Samsung’s press release are spare so we don’t know which computers, tablets, and phones the new Remote Access feature will work with. VMWare, the company Samsung is teaming up with to supply the remote access ability, does offer software on most of ...

Samsung Accidentally 'Confirms' Radical Galaxy S10

We know a great deal about Samsung’s (very expensive) Galaxy S10, but a flurry of major leaks over the Christmas period have now taught us a lot more. And they stem from Samsung itself… 

Thanks to a supply chain slip-up, Samsung has accidentally confirmed exactly what the Galaxy S10 will look like. And fans of the Galaxy Note 7 will be in for a surprise.

In a series of tweets, Samsung industry insider Ice Universe has confirmedthe Galaxy S10+ will be almost identical in size to the Galaxy Note 7 after the leaker managed to obtain an official Samsung case. This comparison is ...

A new Google Chrome attack can freeze your Windows 10 device

A new exploit has been discovered in Google Chrome that can potentially freeze Windows 10 devices completely. The new bug is being used in a tech support scam that freezes Windows 10 and then tells the user that their device is infected by a virus.

The newly discovered bug uses Javascript code to create a loop and which makes it impossible to close the tab or the browser. The pop-up also claims to from the official Microsoft support website and claims that the computer is infected with a virus, which could compromise your passwords, browser history, credit card information and other ...

How to Schedule Text Messages on Android

Whether you have friends or family members who work and live different schedules than you, or you find yourself sending more “happy belated birthday” messages than you’d like, having the ability to schedule text messages ahead of time is an incredibly useful feature.

Unfortunately, only certain Android smartphones let you do this out of the box. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible if you’re using, say, a Google Pixel phone. There are multiple ways to schedule texts on Android—provided you have the right app for the job.

Schedule Texts on Samsung Smartphones

Samsung Gal ...

This Right Here Is an Incredibly Annoying Thing About Android

Everything to love about Android, there is still one deeply annoying problem. One that can be so annoying it could make you swear off the OS altogether. It takes forever for the Google’s OS updates to trickle down to products manufactured by companies like Samsung, OnePlus, and Huawei. So while Samsung S9 and OnePlus 5 owners can now rejoice in the fact that they could have Android 9 Pie by the end of the year (depending on where they live), other Android users, including owners of year-old Samsung devices, get to wait until well into next year. And that’s really stupid!

Android 9 P ...

Galaxy S10 might include one of the iPhone’s most advanced features

New code found in Samsung’s Android Pie update suggests that the company’s upcoming Galaxy S10 may include support for 3D facial recognition. While current Galaxy models already boast facial recognition, Samsung’s offering is far less secure than what Apple uses with Face ID, for example. The reason, quite simply, is that Samsung’s implementation relies upon a 2D map of a user’s face and, as a result, the devices can easily be fooled with photos and video.

As to the newly discovered code, XDA Developers found data strings that make reference to Time of Flight cameras, technology whi ...

Surface Go with Linux Review: almost the perfect open source notepad

You have probably had your fill of Surface Go reviews that seem to split the tech world in two. You’ve also most likely seen the brawls between the Surface Go and the iPad Pro, especially those revolving around the rhetoric of real PCs. So why not have yet another Surface Go review? This time, however, we’ll take a rather different spin and highlight one aspect that really does make the Surface Go a “real PC”: being able to install other operating systems like Linux. And in that regard, it is near perfect as an on-the-go Linux digital notepad.

Specs and Design

I won’t bore y ...

The GPU Compute Performance From The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 To TITAN RTX

A few days back we posted initial Linux benchmarks of the NVIDIA TITAN RTX graphics card, the company's newest flagship Titan card shipping as of a few days ago. That initial performance review included a look at the TensorFlow performance and other compute tests along with some Vulkan Linux gaming benchmarks. In this article is a look at a more diverse range of GPU compute benchmarks while testing thirteen NVIDIA graphics cards going back to the GTX 680 Kepler days.

Besides being a diverse range of NVIDIA cards looking at the raw Linux GPU compute performance, complementing that pe ...

OnePlus 5 and 5T get Android 9 Pie in their stockings this year with OxygenOS 9.0.0 release

Normally the very end of the year brings us a lull in smartphone news — holiday shopping's over and the deals are drying up, but we've still got another week or so before CES really starts making waves. But leave it to OnePlus to sneak in some Christmas Day excitement, as the company starts distribution of OxygenOS 9.0.0 OTA updates for the OnePlus 5 and 5T.

It was just a matter of time before we saw this release land, following the availability of the Pie-bestowing Open Beta 20 and 22 updates a couple weeks back. Now with any last-minute bugs hopefully identified and stomped out c ...

Next-gen Xbox may hit 4K 240FPS, says analyst

Microsoft is working on multiple new Xbox consoles in its next-gen Scarlett family of systems, including a mid- and enthusiast-grade console. But what kind of performance can we expect? Maybe 4K 240FPS?

Official details about Microsoft's new next-gen Xbox family are scarce. Sources say the higher-end system will be outfitted with AMD's powerful new Navi GPU and Zen 2 CPU architectures to surpass the Xbox One X's 4K 60FPS perf, similar to the tech that should power Sony's PlayStation 5. How much more powerful will the Scarlett Xbox system be than the Xbox One X? No one knows for sure ...

A hot new Android phone you can’t buy just set a Guinness World record

If you were looking for brand new, affordable, Android devices, you should know there’s a new toy in town that might meet your needs. The phone features an all-screen screen with a minimal notch, which is apparently an excellent design for winning a new Guinness Book world record. All you have to do is use more than 1,000 devices to create a huge dynamic display to get it. And because it’s Christmas, that display has the shape of a Christmas tree. That said, the handset might not make it to the States and other international markets.

That’s because it’s made by Chinese smartphone ma ...

Microsoft plans new 4K webcams to bring facial recognition to all Windows 10 devices, says report

Microsoft will reportedly release its own webcams in 2019 to bring Windows Hello facial recognition to all Windows 10 devices.

Microsoft could release its own external webcams next year, with one aimed at extending Windows Hello facial recognition to all Windows 10 PCs. 

Windows watcher Paul Thurrott reports that Microsoft is making the new 4K cameras for Windows 10 PCs and its gaming console Xbox One. 

The camera targeted to Windows 10 will for the first time bring facial recognition to all Windows 10 PCs. Presently Windows Hello facial recognition is restricted to ...

Here’s when to expect Android Pie updates on 20+ Samsung devices including Galaxy S8, Note 8, more

After a few weeks of beta testing, Samsung has today officially kicked off its Android Pie rollout starting with the Galaxy S9. Just a few hours after that, the company has posted a full roadmap of when to expect Android Pie updates on various Samsung devices over the next few months. Here’s what you need to know.

Confirmed directly within the Samsung Members app (via SamMobile), the company has confirmed a roadmap for Android Pie updates on over 20 different devices. That includes various smartphones of all price points as well as some tablets too. This roadmap starts off by reiter ...

The 5 best smartphones of 2018

The past year was an important one for smartphone makers. With the handset market saturated with devices from manufacturers around the world, the major smartphone companies had to step up to prove their gadgets were worth the investment.

That included rolling out improved designs, better cameras, and boatloads of performance. These five phones did all of that and more. These are the best smartphones of 2018.

Apple iPhone XR

All the power of the iPhone XS for less

Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone XR gives you practically everything offered in the company’s XS and XS Max ...

Some iOS 12.1.2 users reporting bug that kills cellular data — here’s how to fix it

After quickly releasing iOS 12.1.2 to the public just days after developers had a brief period to beta test the software update, user reports have trickled in about a bug which kills cellular data. While the issue is by no means widespread — no one from the 9to5 team has experienced it — it’s serious enough to merit a range of Twitter complaints and a Forbes article detailing the bug.

Interestingly, iOS 12.1.2 release notes are paper-thin, only mentioning two fixes — one related to eSIM functionality and the other, you guessed it, cellular connectivity issues. Specifically, the issu ...

Is an SSD or HDD better for an Xbox One external hard drive?

While SSDs bring significant loading time improvements, the premium is hard to justify for some. HDDs are a capable alternative, with average speeds and an accessible price.

HDD vs. SSD: What's the difference?

When upgrading your Xbox One storage capacity, an external hard drive is the best choice. With the console's internal hard drive built-in firmly, support for external USB 3.0 drives makes for an easy plug-and-play solution. However, you'll need to choose between two drive types.

Hard disk drives (HDDs) are the "traditional" storage solution, commonly ...

Faster wireless charging could be one of the Galaxy S10 upgrades

What are you hoping for from the Samsung Galaxy S10 next year? An improved camera? Even thinner display bezels? A fingerprint scanner built right into the screen? One of the upgrades tipped to be on the way is a boost to wireless charging speeds.

Reputable tipster Ice Universe has tweeted that "Samsung smartphone 15w charging will become history" – apparently referring to the wireless Quick Charge 2.0 technology used on the latest Samsung handsets. It's a figure that other handset makers have improved massively on recently, with the Huawei P20 Pro(for example) charging at ...

Installing iOS 12.1.2 might break cellular data, calling, and messaging

Basic functions of a smartphone should include the ability to make and receive phone calls, use messaging services, and have access to high speed internet via cellular networks. Apple's latest iOS update has broken those key features for many users.

Last week Apple released iOS 12.1.2 for the iPhone, but had some trouble along the way. Just days after releasing the initial build, a second build was pushed out to replace the first, changing only the build number, not incrementing the well recognized version number.

The main fixes of iOS 12.1.2 are intended to solve problems a ...

How to Use Windows 10’s New Sandbox

Microsoft has released an Insider Preview Build that includes the new Windows Sandboxfeature. If you’re on the Fast track, you can download and start using it today.

What is Sandbox?

In short, Windows Sandbox is half app, half virtual machine. It lets you quickly spin up a virtual clean OS imaged from your system’s current state so that you can test programs or files in a secure environment that’s isolated from your main system. When you close the sandbox, it destroys that state. Nothing can get from the sandbox to your main installation of Windows, and nothing remains after ...

Razer Announces Xbox One Wireless Mouse And Keyboard, Coming Next Year

Razer has unveiled its newest wireless keyboard and mouse, which are specifically designed to work with Xbox One. Called Razer Turret, the mouse and keyboard set retails for $250 USD.

There's nothing stopping you from using the Razer Turret on a PC, but the mouse and keyboard come with certain features that make it ideal for Xbox One. The Turret comes with both Razer Chroma and Xbox Dynamic Lighting, which pair up and cause the keyboard to light up in sync with the games you play. There's also an Xbox dashboard key that allows you to immediately return to your console's home page....

Windows 10 build 18305 for PC: Everything you need to know

Here's a closer look at the features and enhancements (including those changes that Microsoft didn't mention) available with Windows 10 build 18305.

Microsoft is now rolling out the last preview of 2018 to testers. This time around, the company is releasing Windows 10 build 18305 for devices enrolled in the Fast ring with a number of significant improvements and features.

Build 18305 is a relatively big update, which introduces new features, such as Windows Sandbox to safely run untrusted applications and password-less authentication using a Microsoft account. This flight al ...

Galaxy S10 to ship with pre-installed screen protectors, ‘Edge’ name to make a return

Remember the Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy S6 Edge that followed it? Those were the first Samsung phones to ship with curved edge displays. The Note had just one edge, while the Galaxy S6 Edge introduced the Galaxy S design we’ve come to know ever since. But next year, Samsung will do things a bit differently. Instead of just two Galaxy S10 models, both featuring edge screens, Samsung will launch a more affordable Lite phone that will feature a flat display. And a new report says the Edge moniker will make a triumphant return. Samsung’s Galaxy S10 lineup will include the Galaxy S10 Lite, t ...

XBOX ONE'S FIRST OFFICIAL KEYBOARD IS BUILT FOR THE COUCH

Razer has revealed the Razer Turret for Xbox One, a wireless keyboard and mouse combo that is specifically designed for Microsoft's latest console.

Built for "reliable gaming on the couch," the Razer Turret offers a 2.4 GHz wireless connection via a single dongle and promises a battery life of up to 40 hours on a single charge.

Utilizing Xbox Dynamic Lighting and Razer Chroma technology, owners of the Razer Turret will gain access to 16.8-million color options and lighting effects for their new hardware.

Certain games, including X-Morph Defense and Warhamme ...

Galaxy S10 5G details leaked: The most decadent Android ever made

The most impressive Samsung Galaxy S10 model of the year 2019 was leaked today with a few unique details. The Samsung Galaxy “Beyond X” it’ll be called, and it’ll feature (above all else) the latest in mobile data technology. This will be Samsung’s first 5G-capable smartphone, and it’ll look and feel a whole lot like the rest of the Samsung Galaxy S10 family.

Comments made by Ice Universe this morning confirmed some details we’ve reported before: The Samsung Galaxy S10 unit with codename “Beyond X” will be the first to feature 5G ...

Microsoft issues emergency update to fix critical IE flaw under active exploit

Microsoft has issued an emergency update that fixes a critical Internet Explorer vulnerability that attackers are actively exploiting on the Internet.

The memory-corruption flaw allows attackers to remotely execute malicious code when computers use IE to visit a booby-trapped website, Microsoft said Wednesday. Indexed as CVE-2018-8653, the flaw affects all supported versions of Windows. The vulnerability involves the way Microsoft's scripting engine handles objects in memory in Internet Explorer.

In a separate advisory, Microsoft said the vulnerability is being used in targe ...

Apple Admits the New iPad Could Be Prone to Bending

Remember when Zack Nelson from JerryRigEverything got everyone worked up into a tizzy after he bent an iPad Pro in half with his bare hands and mused whether Apple’s new tablet might be a little weak? Well, it seems he may have been onto something.

Originally, when Zack bent his iPad Pro, claims about potential design flaws were dismissed largely because his test didn’t exactly replicate a typical real-world scenario. But in the past month, a number of users on the MacRumors forums and even a writer at the Verge ran into issues with iPad Pros that showed signs of bending either out ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 Full Specs Revealed In Alleged Leak

This is the Galaxy S10. Allegedly. Right now the rumor mill is spinning faster than a pulsar and, if these renders and specs are true, Samsung will have zero surprises at the presentation of its 2019 flagship phones in February.

Phone Arena claims that this information was “tipped by an anonymous source”. The blog gives no details about the credibility of this source, so take it it with the obligatory fistful of salt.

Galaxy S10 Size and Dimensions

At 148.9 x 70.9 millimeters, the S10 would be a tiny bit bigger than the S9 (147.7 x 68.7 m ...

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update is now fully available—for “advanced” users

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update, version 1809, continues to limp out of the door. While the data-loss bug that saw its release entirely halted has been fixed, other blocking issues have restricted its rollout. It has so far only been available to those who manually check Windows Update for updates, and even there, Microsoft has restricted the speed at which it's distributed.

This particular speed bump has now been removed, and manual checking for updates is now unthrottled. That means a manual check for updates will kick off the update process so long as your system isn't activel ...

Apple Accidentally Reveals Radical New iPhone

The best iPhone leaks this year have come directly from Apple - and on toomany occasions for it to be a coincidence. Now, with stalling iPhone sales resulting in significant price cuts and legal battles pushing legally motivated iOS updates, Apple AAPL +1.28% is at it again changing the narrative by subtly teasing a red-hot new iPhone upgrade… 

Picked up by the ever-alert Patently Apple, Apple has quietly filed a patentdetailing the return of Touch ID and how it would work alongside Face ID in new iPhones. What’s more, this is Touch ID unlike anything iPhone users have experienced b ...

Chrome 72 beta: Incognito media notifications on Android, Assistant & Pie for more Chromebooks

With the latest stable release rolled out to Chrome OS, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Android, Chrome 72 is now in the beta channel. This version is a notable update for Chrome OS that begins upgrading Chromebooks to Android 9 Pie and features a native Google Assistant.

The Web Authentication API allows users to sign-in with a security key, Trusted Platform Module, or other verification method. Chrome on Windows now integrates with the operating system’s WebAuthn APIs. This enables Windows Hello for user verification and two-factor in the browser, as well as U2F ov ...

Chrome may stop websites from hijacking your browser's back button

Surf the web for long enough and you'll invariably run into a site that refuses to acknowledge your browser's back button, usually because it wants to force ads down your throat. Google might soon put a stop to those shady redirects, though. Recently published Chromium code changes show that Google is considering a way to fight back button hijacking. Chrome would look for attempts to manipulate your browser history and would flag or skip entries that you didn't specifically request.

There aren't any indications that Google would punish the site operators, although it recently starte ...

9 things you need to know about your new Apple Watch

If you receive a new Apple Watch this holiday season, don't be intimidated -- it can do a lot, and we're here to show you how.

Apple's latest smartwatch, the Series 4, can do more than just put notifications on your wrist. It's capable of making calls, calling for help if you fall, or run a single-lead EKG to let you know if something is amiss with your heart.

Going beyond the fancy health features, it's still a smartwatch, complete with apps.

Update your watch. After unboxing your watch and pairing it to your iPhone($1,199 at Amazon), you'll want to ...

iOS 12.1.2 now available to download on iPhone and iPad

Less than two weeks after the last significant iOS 12 update — one which brought a wide variety of new features and changes to the platform — Apple has returned with a smaller (but no less necessary) update.

On Monday, Apple shared iOS 12.1.2, which addresses a bug relating to eSIM activation on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, though there haven’t been any reports about eSIM issues to our knowledge. The update also includes a fix for “an issue that could affect cellular connectivity in Turkey” for all three 2018 iPhone models.

Here are the release notes for ...

For you own safety, you should never Check for Updates in Windows 10

We all know and accept that being a Windows 10 Insider will expose you to early software with potential bugs, but it turns out besides ticking the Become an Insider box there is another way to tell Microsoft you like to live on the wild side, and that is simply clicking on the Check for Updates button.

In a blog post last week Michael Fortin, Corporate Vice President of Windows revealed that clicking that button marked you out as an advanced user willing to test early versions of Windows 10 patches.

He writes:

We also release optional updates in the t ...

5 Reasons Why You Should Ditch Your Old Laptop for an Apple iPad Pro

• Apple A12X Bionic chip
• 11- or 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with 264 ppi
• Up to 1 TB of storage
• 12 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture and 4K video capture at 60 fps
• Face ID with TrueDepth Camera
• Quad stereo speakers
• USB-C connector

The latest iPad Pro is the tech giant’s most radically redesigned tablet since the debut of the original iPad in 2010. Available with an 11- or 12.9-inch display, the newcomer has a fresh new design, more power than ever, groundbreaking hardware features, and accessories that will help you make the ...

MacBook Pro battery replacement: Everything you need to know

Is the battery in your MacBook Pro disappointing? It may have been good when you first bought it, but it’s uncommon to run into serious problems with charge times, battery power, or malfunctions. Those are signs that it may be time to replace the battery in your MacBook Pro.

But swapping to a new battery isn’t always as simple as popping the old one out and snapping a new version in: It all depends on the type of MacBook Pro you have, and what’s going wrong. Here’s everything you need to know.

Built-in batteries (2009 and forward)

...

Apple Warns iPhones Have A Serious Problem

While Apple AAPL -3.14%’s latest bout of iPhone price cuts hints at wider problems, the company is now about to take action which may have existing iPhone owners questioning their loyalty to the brand… 

Picked up by The Verge, Apple has warned iPhone users that it will be pushing iOS updates in the next few days which will change core functionality in their phones. And, unlike normal updates, these changes are not about making things better.

What Apple is changing is how users will be able to resize pictures and manage applications on their iPhones. How will these functions ...

Huawei announces Nova 4 with hole-punch display and 48-megapixel camera

Huawei has announced the Nova 4 smartphone after weeks of teasing its most standout feature: the circular “hole-punch” cut-out for the 25-megapixel selfie camera. Samsung beat Huawei to the punch (...) by announcing the similar Galaxy A8s last week, but Huawei’s phone looks to have a smaller hole for the camera. We’ll have to see whether that has any implications for image quality.

Last week Huawei sub-brand Honor semi-announced the View 20, a phone that looks like it’ll have quite a bit in common with the Nova 4. Aside from the same hole-punch design, both phones also have 48-megap ...

Samsung announces updated Notebook 9 Pen with improved S pen, 8th gen Intel CPU and 15 hours of battery life

Samsung today announced the updated Notebook 9 Pen 2-in-1 PC with improved S Pen, latest Intel processors and much better battery life. The Notebook 9 Pen comes with an edge-to-edge diamond cut metal finish for a premium look and feel. And it comes in attractive new Ocean Blue color.

Samsung has also improved the S Pen that comes with the Notebook 9 Pen. It has reduced latency of up to 2x when compared to the previous model. You can also swap in your choice of three different pen tips according to your preference. The new Notebook 9 Pen is powered by 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor ...

How to disable updates for Microsoft Office apps on Windows 10

Are Office updates causing problems, or you're not ready for the new version? Use this guide to disable automatic updates for Office 365 and Office 2016 or 2019.

If you're using an Office 365 subscription to access Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, you've probably noticed new visual changes and features appear quite frequently. This is because Office, similar to Windows 10, uses automatic updates to ensure that apps are always up to date with the latest security patches, improvements, and features.

However, if the updates are causing problems in your installation, or a n ...

Why Doesn’t Microsoft Just Give Up on Cortana?

Cortana may soon recognize different voices, a feature Alexa and Google Assistant have had since 2017. Microsoft isn’t quite giving up on Cortana, but it’s slowly transforming Cortana into something other than a general-purpose digital assistant.

Who Even Uses Cortana?

Amazon has the Echo, Google has the Google Home, and Apple has the HomePod. But did you know that Microsoft has its own Cortana speaker? The Harman Kardon Invoke features Cortana. It hasn’t caught on. In fact, it’s so unpopular that it doesn’t even rank in market ...

Intel graphics cards release date, news and rumors

The GPU world may soon be Red vs Green vs Blue

For the longest time, the best graphics cards have been an all-out war between Nvidia vs AMD. However, there have been rumors floating around for a while now that Intel is building a team of GPU talent to jump in on the action. In a marketplace where Nvidia is charging exorbitant prices for the RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 and AMD is focusing on the budget market with the RX 590, we’re ready for a third party to jump into this war and spice up the market again.

If Intel approaches the ...

LG officially announces its ultralight 17-inch Gram laptop

LG has announced new 17-inch and 14-inch laptops as the latest additions to its lightweight Gram lineup. The 17-inch was first spotted as an FCC listing and then later on Best Buy on a since-deleted page. In the past, these computers have been easy on the shoulders for carrying, but what they provide in convenience, they sometimes lack in performance.

The 17-inch model weighs in at just under three pounds despite its significantly larger size. Like the smaller Gram, it’s powered by an 8th Gen Core i7 processor (the 8565U) and has 512GB of storage and 16GB RAM. Its display runs at a ...

Microsoft adds Dark Mode support and more to Office 365 for Mac

The update adds Continuity Camera support and non-Mojave-specific features.

Microsoft has released version 16.20.18120801 of Office 365 for the Mac platform, bringing support for a couple of key Mac features introduced in September's macOS 10.14 Mojave release, as well as a number of small features and user experience improvements not related to Mojave.

The headline feature is, of course, dark mode support, which requires Mojave to work. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook all support Mojave's dark theme. Also related to Mojave, you can now use Apple's Continuity Camera fea ...

Intel unveils new 10nm Sunny Cove CPUs, possibly destined for future Macs

Intel today unveiled their upcoming series of processors destined for 2019, Sunny Cove, based upon a 10nm architecture. Set for Intel’s Core and Xeon series, they could be found in upcoming Mac models seen in 2019 and beyond.

The chips are described as being “deeper, wider and smarter“, and will offer greater performance paired with reduced power draw.

The die shrink comes after a handful of delays, as Intel initially scheduled 10nm mass production for as early as 2015. Manufacturing woes pushed the date back to 2018, with the company now finally promising ...

Samsung teases new Notebook 9 Pen with 15-hour battery life before CES 2019

The 13- and 15-inch convertibles also sport a familiar blue-and-gold color scheme.

We weren't impressed with this year's Notebook 9 Pen, Samsung's attempt at a high-end ultrabook, but the company will be trying again in 2019. Samsung announced two new versions of the Notebook 9 Pen—a 13-inch and a 15-inch model—that it will show off at CES in January and release sometime in 2019. At first glance, not much seems to have changed in the new convertibles, but upon closer inspection, Samsung has made some changes that will (hopefully) make the new devices worth their inevitably high pric ...

Why Samsung Plans to Integrate Crypto Cold Storage in its S10 Series

According to SamMobile, the biggest online Samsung community, the electronics giant is planning to integrate a cold wallet system into its upcoming Galaxy 10.

Adnan Farooqui, the senior executive editor at SamMobile, wrote:

“After hearing about the trademarks for Samsung’s blockchain and cryptocurrency software, we decided to dig around a little deeper. We can confirm that the company is indeed developing one and that it may be launched with the Galaxy S10.”

Reasons Behind Crypto Wallet Integration

...

For the fourth month in a row, Microsoft patches Windows zero-day used in the wild

Microsoft also fixes 38 other security bugs, 9 of which are rated "Critical."

Today, Microsoft released its monthly security patches --known as the Patch Tuesday updates. This month the Redmond-based company fixed 38 vulnerabilities across a large set of products.

For the fourth month in a row, Microsoft patched a Windows OS zero-day vulnerability that was being exploited in the wild.

Just like in the last two months, and for the third month in a row, this zero-day was being (ab)used in nation-state cyber-espionage operations. Just like last month, there were two cyb ...

Apple releasing first iOS 12.1.2 public beta for iPhone and iPad today

One day after releasing the first iOS 12.1.2 beta to developers, Apple will make iOS 12.1.2 public beta 1 available to install on iPhone and iPad for free. iOS 12.1.2 is focused on squashing lingering bugs from iOS 12 to iOS 12.1.1 which was officially released last week.

The first iOS 12.1.2 public beta should be available shortly. Apple’s public beta program allows iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to run pre-release versions of Apple’s software ahead of the official release. Apple’s developer program requires a $99/year membership, but public beta testers can run pre-release sof ...

Android malware steals money from PayPal accounts while users watch helpless

Android trojan waits for users to enter PayPal credentials and two-factor security code before triggering money transfers.

A new Android trojan hidden inside a battery optimization app can steal money from users' PayPal accounts, ESET has revealed today, even from those protected by two-factor authentication.

Fortunately, the malicious app, named Optimization Battery, is currently available through third-party app stores only, and not through the official Play Store, meaning very few people have had phones infected by this threat until now.

Despite this, this app sho ...

WatchOS 5.1.2: How to update your Apple Watch

Get Apple's new ECG app with the latest update for the Apple Watch.

Apple first released WatchOS 5 and iOS 12 back in September, adding a new walkie-talkie mode, improved notifications, the Podcasts app and other welcome tweaks to the Apple Watch.

Last week, Apple released WatchOS 5.1.2. This update includes a critical feature for Apple Watch Series 4 owners -- the ECG app. The app enables the Watch to act as an electrocardiogram, which Apple abbreviates to ECG but which doctors usually call EKG. It will allow users to monitor their heart rhythm using a more granular method, ...

Your apps are tracking you — here’s how to stop them

Consumer actions are more useful now than waiting for government action, experts say

The apps on your phone are tracking you when you go to the grocery store, when you drive to work, and when you travel to doctor’s appointments.

Security experts have long expected various companies track users through apps, but recent investigations from the New York Times and the Associated Press have shown how invasive these practices are. This week, the New York Times purchased anonymized data from a third-party vendor, de-anonymized it, and used it to show how companies track peopl ...

Samsung Suddenly Reveals Potential Galaxy S10 Cancellation

Last week I obtained an exclusive image of Samsung’s redesigned Galaxy S10 and it shows a phone worthy of the 10th-anniversary hype. That said, Samsung may be about to undo all the goodwill after it confirmed the cancellation of a beloved Galaxy feature… 

This week Samsung gave users a glimpse into the future of its smartphone design and it features an all-new bezel-less ‘punch hole’ Infinity-O display and the end of the headphone jack.

These polarising changes are the headline attributes of the newly launched Samsung ‘Galaxy A8s’, a limited edition model (it won’t hit Europ ...

Testing Apple Watch Series 4 half marathon battery life with cellular off: over 50% after 2 hours

Two weeks ago I wrote about running a half marathon with Apple Watch Series 4 and optimizing battery life for long workouts. After almost running out of power with Apple Watch Series 3 and AirPods the year before, I made some changes that helped extend battery life this year.

Cellular was turned on for both previous races, however, which takes a noticeable hit on battery life. This weekend I had a third half marathon race to use as an opportunity to test battery life with cellular turned off…

The results? My Apple Watch Series 4 had 95% battery life just before the start of ...

Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 12.1.2 to Developers With 'Bug Fixes and Improvements'

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 12.1.2 update to developers, five days after releasing iOS 12.1.1, an update that introduced a revamped FaceTime layout, re-added Live Photos for FaceTime, and brought Haptic Touch for notifications on iPhone XR. 

Apple's release notes state that iOS 12.1.2 "contains bug fixes and improvements," so this appears to be a minor update. 

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.1.2 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer C ...

Latest Windows Insider build makes a major upgrade to, uh… Notepad

There's a new Windows Insider build out today, and the biggest changes appear to be none other than Notepad, Windows' venerable barebones text editor.

Notepad already received a significant update in the recent October 2018 Update: Microsoft added support for files with Unix-style line endings. But the work hasn't stopped there. Oh no.

The new and improved Notepad now has better Unicode support, defaulting to saving files as UTF-8 without a Byte Order Mark; this is the standard way of encoding UTF-8 data, as it maximizes compatibility with software expecting ASCII text. The ...

Samsung Kills Headphone Jack in Latest Smartphone After Years of Mocking Apple

Samsung today introduced its latest smartphone, the Galaxy A8s. It is Samsung's first smartphone with an Infinity-O display, which has a nearly edge-to-edge, uninterrupted design beyond a small hole for the front-facing camera. 

It is also Samsung's first smartphone without a headphone jack, much to the amusement of iPhone users, as Samsung has mocked Apple for over two years over its decision to remove the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016, a trend that has continued through to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. 

While on stage unveiling the new Galaxy Note ...

Google adds Lens to its iOS search app

Look up real-world items by pointing your iPhone's camera.

You no longer have to fire up Google Photos if you want to use Lens searches on your iPhone. Google has rolled the AI-based feature into its iOS search app, putting it in a more logical place than your image library. Tap the Lens icon in the search bar and you can point your device camera at books, bottles, pets and various other objects to get more answers about what you see. You can tell Lens to look at your existing images or turn on the flash when it's too dark.

The feature is starting to deploy in earnest as we ...

Yes, the New Microsoft Edge Will Support Chrome Extensions

Microsoft’s curiously vague announcement about moving the Edge web browser to Chromium has unleashed a torrent of questions about the future. Well, here’s the answer to one of the biggest questions.

Yes, the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge will support Google’s Chrome’s far more voluminous and capable library of browser extensions.

At least that’s the intention.

“It’s our intention to support existing Chrome extensions,” Microsoft’s Kyle Alden explained on Reddit.

So that’s great news.

...

Qualcomm's 5G phone push is a quest to destabilize Apple and Intel

The world's largest mobile chipmaker is using 5G phones to go after Intel and Apple -- hard. That was clear after Qualcomm's tech summit in Hawaii this week. One after the other, executives compared the speed and battery gains of Qualcomm's processors that will power 5G and 4G phones and laptops to Intel and Apple's competing models. 

The potshots came fast and furious. Qualcomm wants a piece of Intel's PC pie, and it wants to punish Apple for leaving Qualcomm chips out of current and future iPhones. It also wants to push back against the perception that Apple, with its internal mob ...

Galaxy S10 Exclusive: Samsung's New Design 'Confirmed'

While AT&T and Verizon have already teased the 5G arrival of the Galaxy S10 ‘Beyond X’, confusion reigns about the all-new design Samsung has planned. Thanks to a historically reliable contact, I believe I now know the answer… 

Working with popular case maker Ghostek (which has previously supplied me with what proved to be accurate pre-release renders of the iPhone XR, twice, and Galaxy S9), I have now attained a render of the Galaxy S10. This is not to be confused with the new flat-screen entry-level S10 or the larger Galaxy S10+ and six-camera sporting Beyond X. But this is ex ...

Hands-On with Google Fi and OnePlus 6T

Google Fi’s new compatibility with most iPhones and Android handsets is a potential game-changer. But what’s the experience really like?

To find out, I activated the service on the OnePlus 6T I’m currently reviewing. (That review will be up shortly, but the short version is that it is the single best value in flagship-class smartphones and is highly recommended.) To do this, I needed to have a Google Fi SIM on-hand, which I do. Otherwise, I would have to order one from Google, which is free.

Regarding Google Fi, which until very recently was named Project Fi, I assume you un ...

How to Use Dual SIMs on an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max

When Apple pushed iOS version 12.1.1 on Wednesday, AT&T users gained the ability to use the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max’s in a dual-SIM configuration. Verizon users will be able to set up a similar situation on their devices use it starting tomorrow, December 7.

Dual-SIM support allows you to use two active accounts on a single device. It’s a popular move internationally, but this technology doesn’t make it into U.S. phones very often. If you’re planning to give it a shot, know that your device might look a little differently than before—and come with a few ...

The new iPad Pro is a lightweight marvel

I’m sitting in a meeting with 17 other Quartz editors. Everyone else is typing away (or staring blankly) at their Apple laptops. After the meeting is over, they’ll carry these large, metal machines back to their desks, building up to tennis elbows and strained shoulders over a lifetime of office work. I, on the other hand, have joined the future. I’m writing (and definitely paying attention to the meeting) on my new iPad Pro, a lightweight marvel that has pretty much replaced my laptop in most situations.

I’ve been traveling a lot the last few months, usually ...

Google killing Allo messaging service, sending iOS users elsewhere

Allo, once the vanguard platform of Google's plans for messaging, will officially shut down in March 2019.

Until April people will be able to export any existing conversation histories they have, Google said in a blog post. Allo was originally launched in September 2016, and blended in machine learning technology such as Google Assistant.

The platform never gained widespread popularity however, and features like Smart Reply, GIFs, and desktop support were eventually wrapped backed into the Android Messages app. Development efforts will now concentrate on Messages.

Al ...

See the Galaxy S10 From Every Angle in New 360-Degree Renders

Samsung has promised a "very significant" design change with the Galaxy S10, and new renders of the S10+ — including a 360-degree video — signal exactly that.

The renders come to us via 91Mobiles and were originally published on OnLeaks. They were built based on the latest rumors and information in the wild, but haven't been confirmed by Samsung. Regardless, if the Galaxy S10+ looks like what we see here, it could represent a major shift in the company's smartphone design.

The first thing you'll notice from the renders is that the device will feature a curved scree ...

Apple makes its own $40 case for the iPhone XR, finally available after being delayed weeks past the iPhone XR launch. It's a clear case. I received one today to try out.

Should you buy one? What does it feel like?

Here's my quick hands-on review after a few hours.

It's clear, that's for sure. The packaging looks like it has nothing in it. It's funny, because you're paying $40 for this case that looks empty.

The bendable clear plastic has a sturdy feel. The whole case is stiff, and it takes some effort to wedge the iPhone XR ...

Microsoft Edge Is Coming to the Mac?

After rumors circulated that such a move was imminent, Microsoft has confirmed that it is indeed shifting from its EdgeHTML back end to Chromium, the open-source project that powers Google Chrome. In confirming the rumor, the company also said it expected this shift could allow it to introduce Microsoft Edge to macOS.

Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of Windows, wrote in a blog post on Thursday that the move marked a change toward a “better” web experience with Edge—which will be powered by the Blink and V8 JavaScript engines under Chromium—and one that on the consumer side wi ...

Qualcomm presses Apple, Intel with 5G phone and connected PC push

5G phones and always-on, always-connected laptops will lead Qualcomm's efforts in 2019.

If one thing was clear after Qualcomm's tech summit in Hawaii this week, it's that the world's largest mobile chipmaker is going after Intel and Apple -- hard. 

One after the other, executives compared the speed and battery gains of Qualcomm's processors that will power 5G and 4G phones and laptops to Intel and Apple's competing models. The potshots came fast and furious. Qualcomm wants a piece of Intel's PC pie, and it wants to punish Apple for leaving Qualcomm chips out of current and f ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 renders feature a big hole in the display

Samsung's Galaxy S phones are usually announced in the first quarter of the year, so we're still a few months out from the unveiling. We already have an idea of what the device will look like, though, thanks to renders from OnLeaks at 91mobiles.

91mobiles identifies this devices as the "Galaxy S10 Plus," and it lines up well with previous rumors about the S10. There are a whopping four cameras on the back (rumored to be a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, a main camera, and a depth camera for bokeh effects) and two cameras on the front. The front design gets dramatically ...

Apple Releases iOS 12.1.1: Details About The New Features You Should Know About

Today Apple released the iOS 12.1.1 update for the iPhone and iPad with several new features and bug fixes. Apple had rolled out three betas for developers before releasing it to the public today.

What Is Included In The iOS 12.1.1 Update?

As iOS 12.1.1 is a minor point update, it contains several new subtle features and bug fixes. Here is a breakdown of what is included in the update:

For the iPhone XR, notification preview using Haptic Touch is now supported. Apple integrated Haptic Touch on the iPhone XR instead of 3D Touch. The iPhone XS and XS M ...

Apple puts third-party screen time apps on notice

A number of app developers building third-party screen time trackers and parental control applications are worried that Apple’s increased scrutiny of their apps in recent weeks is not a coincidence. With Apple’s launch of iOS 12, the company has implemented its own built-in screen time tracking tools and controls. Not long after, developers’ third-party screen time apps came under increased review from Apple, and, in some cases, rejections and removals from the App Store.

The impacted developers have been using a variety of methods to track screen time, as there has not been any off ...

HomePod 12.1.1 Update and Shortcuts 2.1.2 Released, But No Sign of watchOS 5.1.2 Yet

Alongside the public release of iOS 12.1.1, macOS Mojave 10.14.2, and tvOS 12.1.1, Apple today released a companion 12.1.1 software update for the HomePod and updated its Shortcuts app for iOS 12 to version 2.1.2. 

The software update for HomePod is a relatively minor one, adding Siri support for Cantonese and Mandarin in China and a Cantonese dialect in Hong Kong ahead of the HomePod's release in those regions in early 2019. In addition, the LEDs on the top of the HomePod will now illuminate during Group FaceTime calls. 

The new HomePod software will be installed automatica ...

OnePlus' 5G phone isn't the OnePlus 7, but will use Snapdragon 855 chip

5G isn't even out yet and OnePlus already announced its 5G phone will be the first phone in Europe to use the Snapdragon 855 chipset. The Chinese phone brand will offer its inaugural 5G phone through UK carrier EE before making the device available through other wireless networks around the world. 

The phone-maker also confirmed that the first OnePlus 5G phone isn't going to be the OnePlus 7, the expected follow-up device to the OnePlus 6T, a CNET Editors' Choice pick. As CNET previously reported, OnePlus will spin up a second line of 5G phones that exists outside its current family ...

AMD is readying graphics cards to take on Nvidia’s GeForce RTX range

AMD is getting ready to fight back against Nvidia’s powerhouse GeForce RTXgraphics cards, preparing some impressive GPUs to be launched in 2019.

At least that’s what the company’s chief executive asserts – as is her job, naturally – with Lisa Su making some interesting comments on a recent conference call, as highlighted by Wccftech.

Su commented that AMD “will be very competitive overall and that includes the high-end of the GPU market”, adding: “Obviously there are new products out there from our competition. We will have our set of new ...

Razer Unveils New Blade Stealth 13: Quad-Core Whiskey Lake, dGPU, 4K UHD

Razer on Tuesday introduced its all-new Razer Blade Stealth 13 laptop that became a bit more compact than its predecessors, yet gained a higher resolution display, a discrete GPU support, and potentially a longer battery life.

Razer’s ultra-thin Blade Stealth 13 laptops are based on Intel’s quad-core Core i7-8565U processor paired with 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR3 memory as well as a 256 GB or 512 GB M.2 SSD (see exact specs in the table below). Being loyal to its customers among gamers, Razer now equips premium versions of its Blade Stealth 13 notebooks with NVIDIA’s GeFo ...

Microsoft open sources key Windows UX Frameworks, launches first Visual Studio 2019 preview

Microsoft is open sourcing WPF, Windows Forms and Win UI via GitHub and making available the first public preview of Visual Studio 2019.

Microsoft is making three of its most popular Windows frameworks -- Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Forms and the Windows UI XAML Library (WinUI) available under open source licenses. And the company is launching the first public preview of Visual Studio 2019 today, December 4.

Microsoft is making a number of developer-related announcements today, timed with the company's annual Connect(); conference. The open sourcing of WPF ...

Samsung Suddenly 'Confirms' Radical Galaxy S10

We already know Samsung’s 10th-anniversary Galaxy S10 is the biggest shake-up of the Galaxy range in years. There will be four models (including a new, more affordable version), up to six cameras, massive displays and ‘gradient’ colour schemes. And now Samsung isn’t even trying to hide its biggest upgrade of all… 

In a pair of official announcements which are about as subtle as a brick, both Verizon and AT&T have announced a partnership with Samsung to deliver a ‘5G Galaxy smartphone’ in the first half of 2019. And yes, we know exactly what this is.

“5G is going to be ab ...

Microsoft Will Unify Windows 10 Icons with a New Brand-Wide Design

Last week, Microsoft revealed plans to modernize its Office icon suite, but it looks like the plan is bigger than just Office. In fact, this new design language appears to be part of a bigger plan for all stock Windows icons.

If you scroll through your Windows machine’s start menu and just look at the Microsoft icons, you’ll see an array of styles and looks—some of which that date back quite a while. To modernize the look and feel of Windows 10, Microsoft will work towards updating these icons with a clean and consistent look.

This move makes a lot of sense, as we’re living ...

Surface Centaurus leaked as tomorrow’s 2-screen super-PC

Microsoft is hard at work on the next generation of PCs. According to sources familiar with the work at hand, it’s time again to focus on dual-screen devices. That means two displays, one machine, and a nightmare for repair shops worldwide! The launch of this device is likely to be important enough to appear at its own event, hosted by Microsoft, focused on a single machine.

According to sources speaking with Windows Central, Microsoft’s been hard at work on this device for “about a year.” This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of Microsoft working on a dual-screen “Surface” device, ...

MOTOROLA AND NOKIA’S NEW PHONES MAKE $350 LOOK LIKE $1,000

What matters more: how a phone looks or how it performs? “How it performs” might be the obvious answer, but how a phone looks — its design, screen, and ergonomics — vastly affects how it feels to use. If you have to make a trade-off, sometimes performance is the right choice.

That’s the story behind two of this season’s most promising new phones, the Nokia 7.1 and the Motorola One. Both phones look a lot like new iPhones, with tall screens, dual cameras, and notches on top. But they come with one critical difference: they sell for half the price — $349 for the Nokia 7.1 and $399 for ...

This Adapter Is The Easiest Way To Connect A PlayStation 2 To HDMI

As television technology evolves, it gets more difficult to connect classic consoles to modern television sets. Hooking up my PlayStation 2 for gaming and streaming via HDMI was particularly difficult, until Pound’s PlayStation 2 HD Link cable made it simple.

My original attempt at connecting my PlayStation 2 (and original PlayStation) to my capture box, currently an Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra, was a generic white box I purchased off Amazon that was labeled something like PS2 To HDMI. It worked, sort of. I got a lot of stuttering trying to record video, and some stuff wouldn&r ...

Huawei's 'hole punch' phone now has a launch date

If 2018 was the year of the notch, then 2019 might be the year of the hole punch. 

Huawei's Nova 4, a smartphone with a "hole punch" display — meaning the display only has a tiny round cutout to accommodate for the selfie camera — is set to be announced on December 17, according to a new teaser. And it might be a harbinger of things to come.

The teaser, posted by Huawei on Chinese social network Weibo (via MySmartPrice), does not reveal any new details about the device, except for the launch date. 

We've already seen what the Nova 4 looks like in a recent l ...

Microsoft is building a Chromium-powered web browser that will replace Edge on Windows 10

Microsoft is throwing in the towel with Edge and is building a new web browser for Windows 10, this time powered by Chromium.

Microsoft's Edge web browser has seen little success since its debut on Windows 10 back in 2015. Built from the ground up with a new rendering engine known as EdgeHTML, Microsoft Edge was designed to be fast, lightweight, and secure, but launched with a plethora of issues which resulted in users rejecting it early on. Edge has since struggled to gain any traction, thanks to its continued instability and lack of mindshare, from users and web developers.

< ...

iOS apps used Touch ID feature to trick users into paying hefty fees

Apple gives two scam apps the boot after they come to light.

Apple’s App Store has given the boot to two highly rated apps that abused the iOS Touch ID feature in an attempt to swindle users out of sums of more than $100, users on Reddit reported over the weekend.

The offending “Fitness Balance app” and “Calories Tracker app” promised to calculate body mass index, monitor calorie intake, and provide other health-related services. With no advanced warning, according to Reddit posts, the apps charged users fees of $99.99, $119, or 139 Euros, depending on the country of the use ...

Microsoft release 4 new Windows 10 Themes to the Store

Microsoft has released 4 new free wallpaper theme packs into the Microsoft Store. The packs appear to be centred around the landscapes and the season and include:

SNOWY MOUNTAINS

Peaks glitter under the moon, stars, and Northern Lights. Snowy sweeps reflect sunrise and sunset onto towering cliffs. Take in the views from the warmth of your desktop with this 18-image set, free from Windows 10 Themes.

FROSTY ART

Frozen bubbles, crystalline leaves, and delicate buttercups show off their fragile sparkles in this 20-im ...

AMD X570 Chipset Supporting PCIe 4.0 For Zen 2 Ryzen 3000 Series Leaks

The dust has barely had time to settle on AMD's X470 chipset, which launched alongside its second-generation Ryzen processors. Looking ahead, however, X570 is now right around the corner, or so the latest leak says. One thing that's interesting about the upcoming chipset is that it supposedly will offer PCI Express Gen 4 support.

If the X570 does indeed end up supporting PCIe 4.0, as the latest leak indicates, it will be AMD's first chipset to do so, and the first consumer platform in general. It also stands to reason that AMD's upcoming Zen 2 processors (Ryzen 3000 series) will sup ...

Windows 10 is also getting an icon design overhaul

Microsoft appears to be planning on overhauling its Windows 10 icons alongside its Office suite. The software giant revealed a new icon design for Office 365 earlier this week, and with it teased some Windows changes it has been considering. “It is a huge undertaking to build a common system and design 10 icons at the same time,” explains Jon Friedman, head of Office design at Microsoft. “Now that we have established the system we will start to scale it across all of Microsoft.”

Friedman also revealed, as spotted by Thurrott, that this Office effort is just “the beginning of a cross ...

Apple Leak Reveals Radical New iPhone Design

Multiple reports are convinced Apple AAPL -0.53%’s iPhone XS (details), iPhone XS Max (details) and iPhone XR (details) are in serious trouble with the incremental nature of their upgrades failing to excite buyers. Having tried price cuts, a new discovery suggests Apple’s next move is to bring back a much-loved feature to reignite customer interest… 

No, not the headphone jack - the other one. Ever-reliable blog Patently Apple writes that supply chain insiders have revealed Apple is seriously considering bringing back the fingerprint reader. And with a modern twist.

The mode ...

Apple may release AirPods with wireless charging in early 2019

When Apple effectively scrubbed all mention of its AirPower wireless charging mat when it didn't show up a year after its unveiling, that raised a question: would the wireless charging case for AirPods meet a similar fate? Not necessarily. Historically accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimedthat AirPods with wireless charging support should arrive in the first quarter of 2019. He also suggested that there would be more changes than you might expect. They'd update to a newer Bluetooth spec (presumably Bluetooth 5.0), possibly a new W-series chip, and would include design changes like a mor ...

The worst tech failures of 2018

It was a rough year for the technology industry: From anxiety-inducing social networks and buggy mobile devices to glitchy operating systems and killer driverless cars, we had it all.

A boatload of products, trends, and people in the tech sector really disappointed us this year. In the spirit of the season, however, we won't single out any individuals here. Instead, we'll focus on the products and trends that made us sick.`

This year was rough for the technology industry. From anxiety-inducing social networks and buggy mobile devices to glitchy operating systems and killer d ...

Samsung One UI beta update squashes a ton of bugs, breaks some things in the process

Samsung has just rolled out a new One UI update for users running the Android 9 Pie beta. This is only the second One UI beta update, so don’t expect it to be packed with features — this is simply a bug-fixing update.

The new update brings the November 1 Android security patch and weighs 748.52MB, so make sure you’re on a decent Wi-Fi connection before accepting the update.

Samsung squashed a good amount of bugs with this new update. We’re not going to type all of them out, but you can find the main bug fixes below:

• Delay of displaying a sc ...

  Galaxy S10 specs, price and release date rumors: 5G? 3 models? 6 cameras?

  Technically, we don't know anything about the Galaxy S10, the next flagship Galaxy phone we expect Samsung to announce. Samsung hasn't made the S10 official, unlike the upcoming foldable phone that it flashed on stage in November. But after nine years of Galaxy S phones fueling Samsung's rise to the top, the Korean tech giant would be crazy to stop before its 10th anniversary Galaxy S.

  Samsung's position as the world's top phone-maker is in peril. Slow phone salesare troublesome enough, but increased pressure from China's Huawei, which ousted Apple to take the No. 2 slot, should cau ...

  Tips and Tricks for the New 11 and 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Models

  Apple in October released completely redesigned 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with edge-to-edge displays, no Home button, Face ID for authentication purposes, super fast processors, and slimmer, smaller bodies. 

  For people who are new to iPad or who are upgrading from an older model, we've compiled a list of some of the best iPad-related tips and tricks that are well worth checking out if you want to get the most out of your tablet. While some of these tips are specific to the iPad Pro, many are relevant to customers who own other iPad models as well.

  • Keybo ...

    Here's a Bunch of Fun Microsoft Surface Rumors

    The year is winding down, and it’s very unlikely Microsoft will announce another major product, so naturally, we need to look forward to 2019 and beyond. Brad Sams of Thurrot has plenty of delectable rumors in his new book Beneath a Surface. Some of his claims about Microsoft’s product roadmap reinforce things we’ve heard before, while other bits are entirely new.

    Microsoft declined to comment on Sams’ book, and the author himself warned us that a roadmap is never a totally accurate picture of what a company is going to release. But if he’s rig ...

    New Android Auto update brings enhanced media and messaging services

    Back in May of this year, we had the opportunity to preview a new version of Android Auto that’s built right into the car. This allowed for things like music and messaging independent of the user’s phone, with an embedded SIM specific to that vehicle.

    That version of Auto isn’t here quite yet, but Google is still issuing updates to the traditional Android Auto app to make the user’s experience more enjoyable and much more useful.

    Today, Google is pushing updates to media and messaging on the Auto platform. Here are the four big changes:

    ...

    All the Incoming Foldable Phones for 2019

    With Google betting on a foldable future for Android, it seems all phone manufacturers are getting these type of devices ready. Even Apple is looking into this form factor that offers the convenience of extreme portability when folded and a larger screen whenever you need it.

    Clearly, foldable phones and the return of the slider phone will be the hottest trends of 2019. Our foldable phone guide shows the cats that are already out of the bag, but here are all the companies working on transformer phones right now:

    Huawei Foldable Phone

    The Huawei folda ...

    Google Pixel Slate is the Mirror Universe iPad Pro

    I have a dream of a tablet that can also be my laptop. The Microsoft Surfacealready does that. The iPad Pro tries for that, but delivers only half of the equation. And now the Google Pixel Slate claims to offer the exact things the iPad Pro lacks most, but at an equally high price. But it brings with it a host of weaknesses -- oddly, the stuff that the iPad Pro does really well.

    The Pixel Slate is like the mirror universe iPad Pro, and at nearly the same price. It has what the other lacks, and lacks what the other has. And what I'd rather have is a fusion of both products. As a work ...

    I’m even more obsessed than I thought with the hidden second screen on this new phone

    When it comes to smartphone design trends, 2018 was all about copying the notched display design the Apple used on last year’s iPhone X. Apple wasn’t the first company to slice a notch out of the top of its screen, but the iPhone X’s notch was unlike either of the two that came before it. Needless to say, this is the design that dozens of Android phone makers decided to copy. Now that 2018 is winding down and we’re heading into 2019, however, things are changing. The focus among phone makers is moving away from copying Apple and toward trying to get even closer to true all-screen smartphone ...

    Huawei poised to launch a phone with a hole in the screen instead of a notch

    Display notches are, to put it kindly, an inelegant solution to a vexing design problem. How can you get as much screen as possible in a phone while still offering a front-facing camera? Most OEMs are going to notch route, but Huawei is about to try something different: a hole. Huawei is teasing a device believed to be the Nova 4, which could beat Samsung's hole-punch phone to market.

    So far, the device has appeared in a promo image as well as part of a live Chinese web broadcast. The camera hole is clearly visible in the upper left corner of the display. It's closer to the top than ...

    The Apple Watch Series 4’s electrocardiogram feature is reportedly coming with watchOS 5.1.2

    The Apple Watch Series 4’s long-promised electrocardiogram (EKG) feature may finally get support in the upcoming watchOS 5.1.2 update, according to an Apple Store training document obtained by MacRumors.

    The feature will let the wearable device take EKG measurements using electrodes built into the back of the Watch and the digital crown, improving the Apple Watch’s ability to measure and monitor users’ hearts. Apple has received Type II FDA clearance for the Apple Watch in the US, which, as Angela Chen explains, isn’t quite the same thing as full Type III FDA approval.

    Accor ...

    Class action suit accuses Apple of selling Macs without needed dust filters

    A new class action lawsuit charges that Apple is selling iMacs and MacBooks without air filters, knowing it can lead to dust damage with processors and displays.

    The company has simply "failed to install filters for the computers' vents," according to lawfirm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, representing plaintiffs Kim Ahern, Nikolas Frenzel, and Justin Evans. The firm is actively recruiting more plaintiffs, specifically anyone with a dust-crippled iMac or MacBook made since 2013.

    Affected computers may have "dark smudges or spots" on the inside of their disp ...

    YOUTUBERS ARE GOING TO GO NUTS FOR THE NEW DJI OSMO POCKET

    BACK IN 2015, drone-maker DJI began putting some of its image-stabilization technology into hand-held camera gimbals. The first, called the Osmo, was well-received among the prosumer crowd, because it let users capture unshaky video on either a smartphone or on the device itself. Since then, DJI has released a series of updates to the Osmo, including the smartphone-supporting Osmo Mobile.

    Now DJI is putting out its most pocketable Osmo ever—suitably named the Osmo Pocket. It’s DJI’s smallest three-axis gimbal so far, measuring slightly over four inches tall. It has a tiny color touc ...

    Google Fi’s iPhone debut comes with caveats

    Three years after its debut, Google's Fi is no longer just a "project." The company announced today that its wireless service has matured enough to not only get a rebrand but also much wider device support. More importantly, not only will Fi be compatible with more Android phones, it'll work with the iPhone too (at least, it's in beta). It's a big step forward for Google Fi, which until today has been self-limited in reach. The question now is, will this be enough to get people to switch over?

    As a reminder, Fi is an MVNO, or a mobile virtual network operator, that piggyba ...

    Apple says the iPhone XR is its best-selling phone, but doesn’t provide sales figures

    Apple vice president of product marketing Greg Joswiak has commented in an interview withCNET that the iPhone XR has “been our most popular iPhone each and every day since the day it became available,” seemingly in an attempt to downplay analyst reports earlier this week that the iPhone XR was performing worse than Apple had intended.

    It’s the first official word from Apple as to how the new iPhones are performing. It arrives at a time when the company’s lineup now includes its priciest phones ever — even the “budget” $750 XR costs more than any base model iPhone ever has — along wi ...

    Apple has destroyed the potential of the Smart Connector on the new iPad Pro

    Apple moved the Smart Connector in the latest iPad Pros that debuted this fall. Many blushed over the change, but this is not only bad for the iPad Pro now, but has also hurt future expansion in this space.

    The Smart Connector on the iPad Pro had a lot of promise that wasn't fully realized. Located along the long-axis of the iPad, it allowed for some very conventional use cases with a similar footprint to that of a laptop. Advertising for the iPad Pro with this connector was probably the origin of Apple's latest push to use the device as a laptop replacement.

    There are two p ...

    Google makes it easier to pair Bluetooth headphones to all your Android devices

    Bluetooth headphones sound a lot better than they did a few years ago, but they’re still generally a pain in the butt to pair to multiple devices. Relatively few headphones allow you to be paired multiple devices, and even then, you still have to go through the pairing process with each new device.

    Apple is the only company that’s really simplified the multi-device pairing process, tieing Bluetooth headphones with its W1 chip to your Apple ID, and allowing them to automatically work across your Apple devices – and only your Apple devices. Now Google is taking a page out of Apple’s b ...

    DriveSavers claims it has a way to break into locked iPhones with 100 percent success

    Data recovery company DriveSavers is advertising a new service that claims it can recover sensitive data from a locked smartphone, including notably difficult-to-crack iOS devices. The company’s service, called Passcode Lockout Data Recovery, is advertised for regular consumers and not seemingly designed for law enforcement or any other type of official cybersecurity business. Yet The Verge was unable to directly verify the efficacy of the tool, and the offer goes against many promises made by Apple about the security of its storage.

    “The first-of-its-kind service is being offered e ...

    Google’s Project Fi Could Be Coming to the iPhone, OnePlus, and Samsung Devices

    Google’s Project Fi service could be getting a serious upgrade very soon. According to a now-removed post from BGR, which seems to be a broken embargo on an upcoming Google announcement, Google is opening up Project Fi to more devices.

    More specifically, Google could be adding support for devices from Samsung, OnePlus, as well as LG and Motorola, reports Droid Life. Some LG and Motorola devices already work with Project Fi, but Google could potentially be adding more devices from these brands to its arsenal.

    And if OnePlus and Samsung weren’t enough, Google could be adding s ...

    Canon to Unleash a 75MP+ EOS R Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera: Report

    Canon is reportedly planning to launch an high-resolution EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera with at least 75 megapixels.

    Canon Rumors is hearing from multiple known sources that Canon is developing an EOS R camera with “slightly more than 75MP.”

    While the timeframe for launch isn’t clear (and is likely far from being decided internally at Canon), the camera could show up in the second half of 2019.

    “One source added that the high megapixel EOS R will come once 4 or 5 more native RF mount lenses are announced, with one of the new lenses being ‘the best landscape lens ...

    Social music app Playlist lets you listen to music with others in real time

    A new app called Playlist aims to make music a more social experience than what’s offered today by the major music platforms like Apple Music, Pandora or Spotify, for example. In Playlist, you can find others who share your musical tastes and join group chats where you listen to playlists together in real time. You can collaborate on playlists, too.

    The app, backed by investment from Stanford’s StartX fund, was founded by Karen Katz and Steve Petersen, both Stanford engineers and serial entrepreneurs. Katz previously co-founded AdSpace Networks and another social music platform, Jam ...

    Microsoft patches several versions of Windows 10

    Microsoft has provided a number of fixes and updates to several older variants of Windows 10. The October 2018 Update/1809 did not get a new generally-available update today, however.

    It's not Patch Tuesday, but that doesn't mean Microsoft can't deliver a boatload of patches for various flavors of Windows 10 via Cumulative Updates (CUs). On November 27, Microsoft made available for download CUs for several of its older variants of Windows 10.

    By "older," I don't mean ancient. Microsoft rolled out today updates for Windows 10 1803 (the April 2018 Update); Windows 110 1709 (th ...

    The Google Pixel Slate is the anti-iPad Pro, in good ways and bad

    A week with Google's new tablet shows me what I miss most... and what I've taken for granted.

    I have a dream of a tablet that can also be my laptop. The Microsoft Surface already does that. The iPad Pro tries for that, but delivers only half of the equation. And now the Google Pixel Slate claims to offer the exact things the iPad Pro lacks most, but at an equally high price. But it brings with it a host of weaknesses -- oddly, the stuff that the iPad Pro does really well.

    The Pixel Slate is like the mirror universe iPad Pro, and at nearly the same price. It has what the othe ...

    Lenovo Smart Display update delivers new cooking features, additional Home Hub functionality, more

    Lenovo delivered the first Google Assistant smart display to market, but the Google Home Hub recently debuted with a lot of extra functions and features. Now, a new update heading out to the Lenovo Smart Display is adding more functionality to the Home Hub, as well as new cooking features, and more.

    Announced on Lenovo’s forums last week (via Droid-Life), the Lenovo Smart Display is getting a lot of extra features with its latest update. With the version 4.4.1.16+prod, owners of the 8-inch or 10-inch variants of this product will firstly be getting a ...

    Use Siri to talk to Google Assistant on your iPhone

    Talking to Google Assistant on an iPhone is hardly new -- Google released its Assistant app in 2017. But the process for getting to Google Assistant didn't involve its typical "OK Google" or "Hey Google" command.

    Instead, you had to manually open the app or launch it using a widget. It worked, but only if you really liked Google Assistant.

    With the release of iOS 12 and Siri's new Shortcuts feature, third-party apps can integrate with Apple's personal assistant. Meaning Google can now use Siri to trigger Google Assistant.

    To use the new Siri Shortcut feature ...

    Nine games on the PlayStation Classic will be PAL versions

    With the PlayStation Classic coming out next week, Sony has unveiled a few more details about the miniature console. The game selection could be considered divisive, but the real problem is going to be playback on the machine. According to a recent PlayStation blog entry, the Classic will be utilizing the PAL releases of nine games in every region.

    For those unaware, the PAL standard runs at 50 Hz as opposed to the NTSC standard of 60 Hz. This typically means games run at lower framerates to match the European standards of the time. This was a problem with PS2 games released on PS4 ...

    Latest Windows 10 update breaks Windows Media Player, Win32 apps in general

    The important data loss bug that interrupted the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, version 1809, may be fixed, but it turns out there are plenty of other weird problems with the release.

    As spotted by Paul Thurrott, the update also breaks the seek bar in Windows Media Player when playing "specific files."

    This is the kind of bug that leaves me scratching my head, wondering what changed to break such a thing, and why. The various old and new Windows media stacks are certainly complicated beasts, but it's not clear what the October 2018 Update even chang ...

    This could be our first look at a Samsung Infinity-O display

    At its recent developer conference, Samsung teased several new notch styles that it is working on for future devices. A slide presented during the keynote showed silhouettes of four phones with the new screens, labeled Infinity-U, Infinity-V, Infinity-O, and New Infinity. Thanks to a new leak, we may now have our first real look at an Infinite-O display cover glass.

    As the name implies, there is simply a circular hole in the upper left of the screen for a selfie camera. The screen cover glass (though we may also be looking at a screen protector) has curved sides and rounded bezels t ...

    Here’s how to use Duplex, Google’s crazy new service that impersonates a human voice to make appointments on your behalf

    • Google has started to roll out its artificial intelligence-powered reservation booking service, called Google Duplex, to some Pixel users.
    • The feature debuted over the summer at Google's I/O conference, where it stunned the audience with its eerily human-sounding voice, including its usage of "um" and "ah."
    • Critics first questioned the ethics of AI software making phone calls without first identifying itself to the person on the line, but Google Duplex did in fact identify itself, according to multiple businesses where Business Insider made reservation ...

      PS4 Player Wrongfully Banned Goes Viral Over Cultural Misunderstanding, Sony Swiftly Apologizes

      Wrongful bans in gaming are an unfortunate reality and they happen more than gamers might expect. When one PlayStation 4 player took to Reddit to share how he was wrongfully banned over confusion regarding his PSN account name, his gaming predicament soon went viral which prompted swift action from the folks over at Sony.

      According to the initial Reddit post that spread like wildfire, "I switched to PS4 a little over a year ago. I created my online ID, added one of my credit cards and debit card. Fast forward to today, I’ve spent a couple hundred if not a thousand or more in ga ...

      Lenovo datasheet confirms existence of new Intel 9000 series mobile CPUs

      A Twitter user going by the handle @momomo_us, who has some credit as a prolific leaker, has found a Lenovo datasheet of a laptop that features new Intel 9000 series mobile CPUs. While the document does not specify core count, clock speed, or other specifications, it does confirm that these CPUs are based on the Whiskey Lake architecture that launched in early October and implies that these new CPUs are refreshes of previous 8000 series Whiskey Lake CPUs.

      Twitter user @momomo_us spotted a datasheet for a new laptop on Lenovo's website (although how the user obtained the URL is curio ...

      New leak reportedly shows Galaxy A8s screen protector with corner hole

      Samsung’s first official reveal that it will be bringing displays with notches to the market came at its developer conference earlier this month. One of these displays, dubbed Infinity-O, will have a hole in the corner of the screen for the front camera, and it’s expected to debut on the Galaxy A8s that Samsung teased at its Galaxy A9 (2018) launch event in China. We recently got a possible glimpse at the Galaxy A8s display assembly, and a new leak is now claiming to show a screen protector for the device.

      Samsung’s mint display with the hole

      ...

      If you have an iPhone 6S or older, it's officially time to upgrade to a new phone

      • Now that Apple's new iPhones are out, there's a bigger difference than ever between the older devices and the new ones.
      • That means that if you own an iPhone 6S or older, it's probably time to start thinking about upgrading.
      • There are five key reasons why you should upgrade, including battery life, performance, design, and the camera.

      Anyone who owns an iPhone 6S or older, it's time: you probably need to buy a new phone.

      It's not an emergency, of course. It can wait until the end of your phone contract, or the holidays, or when ...

      Here's another unofficial look at the upcoming Pixel 3 Lite

      Over the last month or so we've heard quite a few rumors about a potential Pixel 3 Lite phone launch – a cheaper, less powerful version of Google's flagship phone – and now another image supposedly featuring the mid-ranger has appeared on the web.

      Posted to the Twitter feed of Russian blogger @jc_ru, the snap claims to show the new Pixel 3 Lite on the left and the existing Pixel 3 on the right. The upcoming mid-range phone reportedly has a slightly bigger 5.56-inch display, using a slightly taller 18.5:9 aspect ratio, and as with the Pixel 3 there's no sign of a notch.

      While ...

      Razer teases Xbox One wireless keyboard, mouse for early 2019

      For quite some time Microsoft had promised that keyboard and mouse support was coming to the Xbox One, and earlier this month it finally delivered the feature, with a handful of games introducing compatibility for the accessories, including Fortnite. Now that the feature is out, allowing Xbox One owners to connect just about any keyboard and mouse they already have, it’s still a matter of time before hardware specifically designed for the console is released. But rather than Microsoft, it looks like Razer is handling things.

      Back in September, when Xbox One keyboard a ...

      How I went from testing a fancy new graphics card to shouting at Windows 10

      Sometimes at Ars Technica, a staffer has to call in "sick" for reasons other than illness, emergency, or hangover. Those are all poor working states, but I would argue that one is even worse: a computer meltdown.

      Everyone on staff has suffered at least one of these (or its awful cousin, the ISP outage) and been left distracted or set back to some extent. But when the crash in question happens to the thing you're supposed to test? That's a problem.

      And when it happens because you used official Microsoft downloads? Oh, that's an Ars article.

      1809: The sign of t ...

      Galaxy Note 9 Android 9 Pie beta program hinted at by test firmware

      Samsung’s customer support staff may be wrong and clueless too many times to count, but they might have been right about the Galaxy Note 9 joining the One UI (Android Pie) beta. Well, Samsung might have, at the very least, pondered starting a Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie beta program even if it won’t actually do it. This is supported by test Pie firmware discovered by GalaxyClub for the Note 9 in Europe and South Korea.

      Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie beta still possible?

      Samsung is currently testing firmware versions N960FXXU2ZRKE...

      Roku's home screen is going to get an overhaul

      Say goodbye to the grid. Eventually, a programming-first design similar to the Roku Channel will take over.

      The future look of Roku's home screen is being built before your eyes.

      Roku, the most popular streaming-TV player in the US, has stuck with its distinctive grid of channel tiles since 2013, back when Roku had sold about 5 million of its players. But streaming video has exploded in the last five years. The number of households with a streaming player has quadrupled, and Roku now has nearly 24 million active accounts streaming video to TVs with its devices. 

      That ...

      New Windows 10 1809 block: Microsoft halts update if you use flawed Intel drivers

      Microsoft puts another block on the Windows 10 1809 rollout and says it's all part of its "controlled approach".

      The latest group that Microsoft has blocked from receiving the Windows 10 October 2018 Update are users with a set of incompatible Intel display drivers.

      Some users who update to Windows 10 version 1089 may find that external displays lose sound. Whether users are impacted depends on whether their PC OEM activated unsupported features in two versions of an Intel Audio Display Driver.

      According to Microsoft, Intel "inadvertently" release ...

      New details on Huawei's folding phone surface online

      Why it matters: A lot of focus is on Samsung’s recently unveiled folding phone tech right now, but we’ve known for a while that other companies, including Huawei, are working on similar devices. Now, the Chinese giant has reportedly presented its finished version to Korean carriers at a private event.

      According to Korean publication ET News, Huawei’s device will arrive next year. The exact date isn’t certain, but it will reportedly be unveiled at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress in February/March before launching sometime in June.

      ...

      iPhone Dual SIM Support Is Reportedly Coming to Verizon in December

      Apple’s freshly launched iPhone XR and iPhone XS lines have hardware support for dual SIM configurations, but the rollout of the feature has been a bit delayed (or in the case of AT&T, rolled back) due to issues with carriers that have not been totally sorted out yet. Verizon, however, is reportedly planning on supporting the feature by next month.

      In an internal Verizon memo obtained by 9to5Mac, the company told employees it intends to have dual SIM activations for eSIM and physical SIMs ready to go by early December:

      Currently, the iPhone does not ...

      Digital Wellbeing for Android 9 Pie exits beta, available on Google Pixel and Android One

      Last week, Digital Wellbeing 1.0 began rolling out to the beta channel of users who have been testing the features since the August launch of Android 9 Pie. Google’s take on “time well spent” is now available for all Google Pixel phones and Android One devices.

      Announced at I/O 2018 as a company-wide initiative, Digital Wellbeing is an important pillar for Google. It has since rolled out to YouTube and Google Calendar, while at the 10/9 hardware event it launched on Google Home.

      On Android, Digital Wellbeing is now hitting version 1.0 and it provides a dash ...

      Samsung is working on a Galaxy S10 with 5G and six cameras

      You might also see reverse wireless charging and other tricks.

      If you thought the Galaxy S9 was a timid upgrade, you might not have much room to complain about its follow-up. Wall Street Journal sourcesclaim Samsung is readying a full four variants of the Galaxy S10, including a 6.7-inch behemoth (nicknamed "Beyond X") that would support 5G and pack six cameras -- two in the front and four in the back. Samsung would reportedly unveil "at least" this headliner in mid-February, but its release would tied to the availability of 5G networks. The company has apparentl ...

      MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro: which one is right for you?

      Apple has more choices than ever before in its portable lineup, with a fair amount of overlap between the models, especially at the $1200 price point. AppleInsider has them all, and has suggestions for which model is right for you.

      With so much in common between these MacBooks, this is a hard decision for most. Let's break them down into the categories that really matter, starting with portability.

      Portability

      The 12-inch MacBook is by far the thinnest and lightest of them all, weighing in at only 2 pounds compared to 2.75 pounds for the Air, 3 pound ...

      Alexa is about to hit more Bluetooth headphones and wearables

      Amazon has opened up its Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit to all developers.

      Alexa connectivity looks set to arrive on a new wave of Bluetooth headphones, smartwatches and other devices after Amazon opened up its Alexa Mobile Accessory Kit. The software development kit was announcedin January, and companies including Bose, Jabra and iHome have already committed to using the SDK in their devices.

      The kit allows manufacturers to build products that hook directly into the Alexa app on iOS or Android, rather than having to create their own app or Alexa skill. It also makes sure device ...

      Apple might help bring veterans’ medical records into the modern era

      To help it make inroads in the multi-trillion dollar healthcare industry

      Apple is reportedly in talks with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to provide veterans access to electronic medical records on the iPhone, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Such a deal could help Apple make significant progress in its attempts to partner with more medical institutions and turn its mobile operating system into a repository for the storing and sharing of health data.

      The company first began discussing the plan with the agency last year, per emails seen by the WSJ, a ...

      Windows 10’s October Update Breaks Apple’s iCloud

      Windows 10’s October 2018 Update has more bugs. Microsoft won’t offer the update if you have iCloud installed, and Apple won’t let you install iCloud if you’ve already upgraded. You’ll also have trouble if you have F5 VPN software installed.

      This information comes from Microsoft’s own Windows 10 Update History page, where Microsoft is publicly tracking the October Update’s bugs.

      According to Microsoft, Apple iCloud version 7.7.0.27 has an incompatibility with the latest update. You’ll have trouble updating or synchronizing Shared Albums after upgrading. If you try installing ...

      Apple really wants you to think the iPad Pro is a computer

      Apple insists that the iPad Pro is a computer — not just a tablet. In its new advertisement for the iPad Pro, Apple says the device “can be your next computer,” is “more powerful than most computers,” and flat out that it is “a computer.” Still, while enthusiasts have been ready to embrace the iPad as a computer for years, it’s yet to grow into a fully fledged one and still faces restrictions that a normal “computer” does not.

      Whether the iPad Pro can replace your computer is a question that reviewers have repeatedly asked, but it’s new to see Apple take this angle in its marketing ...

      Exciting new details about Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and Galaxy F phones leak

      A ton of new details are starting to trickle out about Samsung’s most-anticipated 2019 smartphones — the Galaxy S10 and the foldable Galaxy F — including everything from color options to internal storage capacity and display specs. Without further ado, let’s dive in and take a look at the latest bits of news about both handsets.

      First up, the Galaxy S10 that’s expected to land in February. Per the folks over at SamMobile, these are the color options Samsung is going to offer for the S10, which we already knew would come in three models. You’ll be able to choose from black, white, ye ...

      Microsoft acquires FSLogix to enhance Office 365 virtual desktop experience

      Back in September, Microsoft announced a virtual desktop solution that lets customers run Office 365 and Windows 10 in the cloud. They mentioned several partners in the announcement that were working on solutions with them. One of those was FSLogix, a Georgia virtual desktop startup. Today, Microsoft announced it has acquired FSLogix. It did not share the purchase price.

      “FSLogix is a next-generation app-provisioning platform that reduces the resources, time and labor required to support virtualization,” Brad Anderson, corporate VP for Microsoft Office 365 and Julia White, corporate ...

      Pixel 3 bug disables the phone's camera

      The flaw effectively neuters one of Google's selling points.

      Pixel 3 owners are dealing with another software glitch, and this one could prove to be a showstopper for some. Owners on Google's forums, Redditand elsewhere (including an Engadget staff family member) report a flaw that prevents them from using the Pixel 3's official camera app. Some get a "fatal error" message when they use the camera app, while others will get a "can't connect to camera" message in a third-party app and lose access from then onward. Rebooting only temporarily fixes the issue, and it ...

      Microsoft is replacing some Surface Pro 4 with touch screen issues

      An update to the Surface Pro 4 on the 26th July this year has been causing major issues for owners of the device, effectively disabling the touchscreen on the device.

      Users report the following issues:

      • All of the keyboard/pad functions are working including zoom, scroll etc. but no screen-touch or pen response (pen button clicks still open pre-chosen programmes as they should)
      • After being shut down will only start up with long hold on power switch.
      • It now takes ages to restart (used to start in a few dreamy seconds). Begins with completely bl ...

        Barnes & Noble unveils a charging dock and keyboard cover for the latest Nook

        Bookseller Barnes & Noble unveiled its latest Nook tablet earlier this month, the Nook 10.1”, which retails for $129.99. The device went on sale last week, and according to Good eReader the company is offering a couple of useful accessories for the first time: a charging dock and a keyboard,.

        These are the first official accessories that Barnes & Noble has released for its Nook devices, although there have been third-party docks and chargers for years. This new charging dock retails for $34.95, and holds up the Nook for landscape viewing. This latest addition to the Nook lin ...

        Bendgate 2.0?: Apple's latest iPad Pro 'folds like a piece of paper'

        he Apple iPad Pro is apparently not a very durable tablet as demonstrated by Zack Nelson of the popular YouTube channel, JerryRigEverything. Zack was easily able to bend the iPad Pro with very minimal effort, which raises concerns about Apple putting build quality at stake in the quest for slimness.

        Apple's new iPad Pro is probably the best tablet in the market right now but it seems like Apple has sacrificed construction quality in the pursuit of thinness. Earlier, Filip Koroy of popular YouTube channel EverythingApplePro showed how fragile the new iPad Pros are when dropped from w ...

        Microsoft and Apple working together to resolve iCloud for Windows compatibility issues

        Following the latest Windows 10 October 2018 update, users of iCloud for Windows are facing compatibility issues. As highlighted by Windows Latest, the latest version of Windows 10 is incompatible with the latest version of iCloud, but Microsoft and Apple are said to be working together to resolve those issues.

        When Windows users attempt to install the latest version of iCloud, version 7.7.0.27, after updating to the Windows 10 October 2018 build, they’re presented with an error message. That message says that iCloud for Windows “requires Windows 7, Windows 8, o ...

        Rumored 'mid-range' Pixel 3 might include a headphone jack

        If you don't mind a plastic body and reduced performance, that is.

        Rumors have swirled for months of Google developing a lower-cost Pixel 3that would offer the core experience at a lower price, and there might be evidence it's real. Rozetked (which posted accurate Pixel 3 XL leaks) claims to have obtained photos and details of "Sargo," a mid-tier Pixel 3 device. It would share some style cues with the regular Pixel 3, but would use a 5.5-inch 2,220 x 1,080 LCD in place of the OLED screen, a plastic body, an upper-mid-range Snapdragon 670 instead of the 845 and 32GB ...

        Razer’s BlackWidow Lite turns its gaming keyboard professional

        Razer’s BlackWidow keyboard is probably the company’s most well-known gaming keyboard, and now it’s getting a more professionally focused version with the BlackWidow Lite.

        The BlackWidow Lite is a mechanical keyboard, which may raise an eyebrow for those who have co-workers who don’t enjoy the clatter of keys, but the company says that its using its Razer Orange switches for “near-silent, tactile feedback.” The keyboard also comes with additional o-rings for the keys to help cut out even more noise, if that’s your thing.

        The rest of ...

        This beautiful Galaxy F concept makes a strong case for foldable phones

        The prospect of turning a phone that’s no bigger than the current smartphone size I use into a small tablet sounds more and more exciting to me now that I’ve seen Samsung unveil the Infinity Flex display of the Galaxy F foldable handset that’s supposed to launch at some point in the first quarter of 2019. Samsung, however, didn’t really share the full design of the phone during its SDC18 keynote last week, obfuscating it with the help of an ugly protective case on stage. The images and videos it shared online were more revealing, but they didn’t paint the full picture either. So it’s up to ...

        2 Reasons Why AMD Wants You To Buy The Radeon RX 590

        Today AMD is adding a new graphics card to the Polaris family. While it's been rumored for months and the specs have leaked from all corners of the web, it's finally official: the Radeon RX 590 is here and it hits retail for a suggested base price of $279. So what's this thing all about? Is it yet another refresh? Does its performance warrant an upgrade?

        The answer depends largely on what GPU you currently own, but AMD is certainly doing its best to coax the money out of your wallet with a very compelling triple game bundle.

        Before we get into the details, know that this is ...

        Galaxy S10 will reportedly have the smartphone design we’ve always wanted

        Samsung’s Galaxy S10 is still several months away, but the flagship keeps appearing in leaks and reports, suggesting that the launch is indeed nearing. The latest story out of Korea says something we’ve come to suspect for a while now — that the Galaxy S10 will have the kind of design we’ve always dreamed about.

        In previous weeks, we saw Samsung tease and announce an Infinity-O display that’s now believed to be the screen of the Galaxy S10: A display that extends from edge to edge, featuring only a tiny hole at the top for the selfie camera. Other leakers also mentioned the new scre ...

        It’s finally here: This is the ugliest smartphone in the history of smartphones

        If there’s one thing Android users love, it’s the notch. That’s why diehard Android fans were so excited when just about every smartphone maker on the planet decided to copy Apple’s iPhone X design earlier this year.

        Just in case it wasn’t clear, we’re being sarcastic and hardcore Android fans have historically hated the notch. Apple wasn’t the first smartphone maker to cut a notch out of its display, of course, but it was the first to use the notch design seen on the iPhone X. And of course that’s the design every Android phone company decided to copy, for obvious reasons — if Appl ...

        Exploding iPhone X on upgrade to iOS 12.1 ‘definitely not expected behavior,’ says Apple

        Apple Support has responded to a report of an exploding iPhone X – occurring immediately after being upgraded to iOS 12.1 – by stating that this is ‘definitely not expected behavior’ …

        Apple offered its response on Twitter.

        That’s definitely not expected behavior. DM us, so we can look into this with you.

        Gadgets360 reached out to Rahel Mohamad, who filed the report.

        An iPhone X has apparently exploded in the US after being updated to iOS 12.1 on Wednesday. This development comes in fro ...

        Microsoft's new Windows 10 19H1 test build adds new light theme, more updating and printing options

        Microsoft's latest Windows 10 test build, No. 18282, adds a new fully light theme, more updating, printing and snipping options and more tweaks.

        Not everyone is a Windows dark-theme fan. (Hard to believe, I know.) For those who prefer to go to the light, Microsoft is introducing a new Windows Light theme -- plus a number of additional settings tweaks in its latest Windows 10 19H1 test build.

        That Windows 10 test build, No. 18282, which Microsoft is rolling out to Fast Ring Insiders on November 14, adds a new light theme which turns all system UI elements light. This includes ...

        2018 iPad Pro and Apple Pencil enhance creative work on the Mac

        The new iPad Pro is deceptively nuanced. Its all-screen design communicates obvious simplicity and clearly defined function. But beyond the display is a story that’s still being written. Is an iPad Pro for me? How far can its software be pushed? Is this really supposed to replace my Mac? These are some of the questions I set out to answer when I picked one up last week.

        When I arrived at the Apple store on iPad launch day, I told myselfthat I was just there to browse. Something about these new iPads captured my attention in a way previous ones haven’t. I left wi ...

        Apple's New 2018 MacBook Air vs. Old MacBook Air

        Apple in October gave us a major surprise with the launch of an entirely revamped, updated version of the MacBook Air, its most popular and affordable notebook option. 

        We went hands-on with the MacBook Air last week, and this week, we picked up an older MacBook Air to compare the new model to see just what's different and whether it's still worth buying the old version, which sells for $200 less than the current model. 

        The previous-generation MacBook Air is a 2015 design, but in 2017, Apple introduced 1.8GHz Broadwell-generation chips that were a slight upgrade from the 1. ...

        Night Sight camera update for Pixel 3 is awesome

        Taking low-light pictures on the Pixel 3 just got a whole lot better.

        The camera on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL is already fantastic, but with Google's latest over-the-air update available Wednesday, it gets even better. Known as Night Sight, Google first touted the feature during the Pixel 3's original launch in October. The update lets you take better low-light pictures without a harsh, unnatural flash, meaning you can capture a clear photo of your dinnerplate the next time you whip out your phone in a dim restaurant. 

        Both the Pixel 3's front- and rear-facing cameras will have N ...

        Hands-On With Apple's New 2018 Mac Mini

        Apple in late October unveiled a refreshed version of the Mac mini, marking the first update to the company's smallest desktop machine in four years. 

        We managed to get our hands on one of the new Mac mini models, and in our latest video, we unbox it and share our first impressions on the revamped machine. 

        The Mac mini's design hasn't changed, and it's still a 7.7-inch square box that's 1.4 inches thick, but it is available in a new Space Gray color rather than the traditional silver. 

        It's otherwise the same, but with the exception of a new selection of ports. The  ...

        Microsoft resumes rollout of Windows 10 version 1809, promises quality changes

        After a delay of more than five weeks, Microsoft has resumed the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. The company also promised sweeping changes in the way it approaches quality issues, including better communication with customers.

        Microsoft has resumed the rollout of Windows 10 version 1809. The re-release of the so-called October 2018 Update comes more than five weeks after the company pulled the original installation files from its download servers and stopped its scheduled delivery through Windows Update just days after its initial debut on Oct. 2.

        In a blog p ...

        Microsoft patches Windows zero-day used by multiple cyber-espionage groups

        Microsoft released today its monthly roll-up of security patches known as Patch Tuesday. This month, the Redmond-based company has fixed 62 security flaws.

        Among the 62 fixes, there is also a fix for a zero-day vulnerability that was under active exploitation before today's patches were made available.

        ZERO-DAY EXPLOITED BY MULTIPLE APTS

        The zero-day, tracked as CVE-2018-8589, impacts the Windows Win32k component. Microsoft classified the issue as an "elevation of privilege" vulnerability and says that before an attacker could use this zero-day to ga ...

        Galaxy S10 May Skip the Notch for an Infinity-O Display

        It’s Galaxy S10 rumor time!

        We’re still months away from Samsung announcing the Galaxy S10, but our first batch of rumors from a reliable source are here. Leaker @evleaks provided a “few preliminary” details about the S10’s display, cameras, fingerprint reader, and Android status.

        For display news, the rumor states that the Galaxy S10 will feature a “punch hole,” which could be in reference to one of the prototype display designs that Samsung showed off last week. Remember this post, where w ...

        Comparing the new 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro versus the older model

        The new 11-inch iPad Pro occupies roughly the same footprint as the old 10.5-inch. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro though, is a different story —it is smaller in size than the previous model with the same size screen as before, making Apple's largest tablet even more portable.

        Performance gains

        This isn't a piece on benchmarking so we won't go too in-depth in that regard, but we did want to see how better the new performed on the common Geekbench 4 tests.

        We ran both the CPU benchmark as well as got our Metal computation score. The new model earned 5010 and 1 ...

        Rumour: Windows 10 October 2018 update being re-released tomorrow

        The much delayed Windows 10 October 2018 update may be hitting our PCs as soon as tomorrow, which is this month’s Patch Tuesday.

        The rumour is via website rg-adguard.net, who has a tool for downloading Windows 10 ISOs.  They have noticed activity on Microsoft’s servers which suggest Microsoft is preparing to release the software update.

        They write:

        “The preparations for the 13th of November (Tue) are under way Another attempt to introduce the build version of 1809 in the world It is possible that until November 13 this file&rdquo ...

        Microsoft to start shipping Surface Go tablets with built-in LTE on November 20

        Microsoft soon will be selling both consumer and commercial models of the LTE versions of its smallest Surface devices, the Surface Go.

        Microsoft is starting to take preorders today, November 12, for its promised Surface Go with built-in LTE support. The devices will be generally available in the U.S. and Canada starting November 20 and in 21 additional markets as of November 22.

        Surface Go with LTE Advanced, as the coming devices will be branded, will be available in both consumer and commercial configurations, just like Microsoft's recently introduced Surface Laptop 2 and ...

        iPhone X Display Module Replacement Program FAQ: Everything you need to know

        As the first completely redesigned iPhone in years, the iPhone X wasn’t without its share of issues when it launched. Apple seemingly fixed most of them via a stream of software updates, but many users have complained about persistent issues with the screen. And Apple’s finally doing something about it. At long last, Apple is launching an iPhone X Display Module Replacement Program to address lingering touch issues. Here’s everything you need to know:

        What is the iPhone X Display Module Replacement Program?

        Apple “has determined that ...

        Samsung's foldable smartphone reportedly arriving in March for a price that'll make your eyes bleed

        So far we know only bits and pieces about Samsung's foldable phone. At the tech giant's recent developer conference, it revealed a first glimpse at the device's two displays — one a 7.4-inch foldable screen, and the other a 4.6-inch display that is active when the handset is folded. During that conference, Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh also noted that the smartphone would arrive within the first half of 2019, and that the company planned to ship a million devices within the year. Now, the Yonhap News Agency in Samsung's native South Korea has reported a few new details, including a March releas ...

        OnePlus 6T phone storms in with new 'Thunder Purple' colour scheme

        The 6T smartphone from OnePlus has only just been unveiled, but quick as a flash, the company is already here with a limited edition version. The new "Thunder Purple" colour of the phone blends from black to purple "like a thunderstorm on a summer night," explained OnePlus founder and CEO Pete Lau. 

        "We experimented extensively to test how light interacts with the colours in order to give people what might just be our most beautiful design yet." And I may well agree -- it's not a colour scheme I've seen before, and it does look stunning, at least in the photos provided by OnePlus. < ...

        Apple Admits There Are Hardware Issues With Its IPhone X And 13-Inch MacBook Pro

        On Friday, Apple announced that two of its products – the iPhone X and the 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) – have known hardware issues. Bloomberg first reported on these issues after being posted on Apple's support pages on Friday.

        Apple said that on some iPhone X devices, display screens are experiencing touch issues. Those issues include:

        The screen, or part of the screen, does not respond or responds intermittently to a user's touch.

        The screen reacts even when a user hasn't touched it.

        The company said users with eligible iPhone X devices can have th ...

        Samsung W2019 unveiled: High-end flip phone comes with flagship specs

        Samsung has unveiled the W2019, a high-end flip phone that is packed with flagship-level specifications such as 6GB of RAM and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845.

        Samsung announced the smartphone at a launch event in China, according to GizmoChina. The W2019 is the successor to last year’s W2018, which was powered by the Snapdragon 835.

        In addition to the upgraded processor, the Samsung W2019 includes new features such as dual rear cameras and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

        The Samsung W2019 has a 4.2-inch external S-AMOLED display with Full HD resolution, and a 4.2-inch ...

        OnePlus’ 5G smartphone will not be the OnePlus 7

        OnePlus already confirmed that it would release a 5G-capable smartphone in 2019, but it has said very little else since that announcement. That changed this weekend, when a OnePlus spokesperson spoke with CNET about the company’s upcoming 5G smartphone.

        For starters, OnePlus revealed that its 5G smartphone will be available in early 2019. Earlier reports already pegged that 5G smartphones would debut in early 2019, so such a release window for OnePlus’ offering makes sense. Perhaps an announcement during February 2019’s Mobile World Congress is in the cards?

        Interestingly, O ...

        Pixel 3 XL's Big Upside: Fixes Pixel 2 XL's Big Downside

        With the new 6.3-inch Pixel ($899), Google got the OLED display right. This time ditching the Pixel 2 XL's muted colors and blue tint. That makes for an almost perfect phone.

        The original sin

        I had the Pixel 2 XL from day one. Many (if not all) of the initial Pixel 2 XLs were marred by an inferior OLED display, courtesy of supplier LG Display. I had two Pixel 2 XLs with awful screens, i.e., muted colors and excessive blue shift (aka, a blue tint) -- the latter especially apparent when viewed from an angle.

        Finally, on my third try, I got a Pixel 2 XL ...

        Why Apple should add a 'dark mode' for iOS 13 and all of its apps

        We now have proof that apps drain less of your phone's battery life when they use darker colors, like black and gray.

        At a recent Android Dev Summit session, Google revealed what we've long suspected: the colors used within apps have a direct impact on smartphone battery life, and white or brighter colors are a bigger drain.

        Using an original Pixel phone, Google tested various ways the phone was draining battery life. Brightness was of course one of the most obvious factors; everyone knows that the brighter you set the screen to, the faster your battery depletes.

        Ho ...

        Best Surface Pro 6 Alternatives

        Are you looking for a new 2-in-1 product on the market, but found that Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 is not doing it for you? Don't worry, check out the best Surface Pro 6 replacement products we recommend for you right now. Whether you need more power, a smaller design, or something else, e've got you covered with our recommendations. Here are the six best Surface Pro 6 replacement new 2-in-1 products we recommend for you. There will always be one for you.

        Workaholic

        Lenovo Miix 520

        ...

        How to upgrade the RAM on the new 2018 Mac mini

        Apple reversed course this year, opting to allow for user-swappable memory on the new Mac mini. The procedure isn't as straight-forward as it could be, so AppleInsider walks you through it.

        There are many configuration options when choosing your mini between the processor, RAM, storage capacity, and an upgraded Ethernet port. Most of these cannot be changed and are soldered to the main board, but the RAM is upgradable post-purchase.

        How to replace the RAM was one of the most frequent questions we received after our in-depth 2018 Mac mini review, so we are here with answers.< ...

        Hit or miss, Samsung’s foldable phone is a big deal

        It has the potential to redefine how we use our phones, or not.

        How would I use it?

        That's what we were all thinking as Samsung's Justin Denison whipped out a prototype folding smartphone. A phone that can open up to become a 7.3-inch tablet would be pretty handy when out and about. Like when writing on the go, or watching Netflix on a train or in a hotel room, for a start. A pocket-sized device that could double in size when required would be awfully handy.

        But, the as-yet nonexistent Samsung device that will carry its Infinity Flex Display could easily crash and bu ...

        Windows 10 users seeing their erroneous product-activation issues resolved

        Microsoft's back-end activation issues which caused a number of Windows users to get false product-activation-error messages seems to be nearly fixed.

        A seeming problem with Microsoft's Windows activation servers today caused a number of Windows 10 users to see false messages informing them they were running non-activated software. At the end of the day (U.S. Eastern time) on November 8, some users were reporting these issues were resolved.

        On November 8, a number of users who had activated and licensed copies of Windows 10 Pro began receiving messages saying they needed to ...

        Google encouraging dark themes in Android apps to conserve battery life

        Users have long requested a dark theme within apps. With demand only rising due to the inherent brightness of the Google Material Theme, Google’s apps have begun to adopt night modes. Now, the company’s own research can quantify the battery savings involved with darker interfaces.

        During a session (via SlashGear) at the 2018 Android Dev Summit, Google discussed how the colors in apps directly affect battery life. Unsurprising, increased brightness results in more power usage.

        However, the more interesting finding by Googlers over the past two years is th ...

        Samsung debuts revolutionary new concept: Phones you can fold up and put in your pocket

        Those magnificent geniuses have done it at last, friends: Mankind’s dream of a phone you can fold up and put in your pocket is finally within our grubby-fingered reach.

        This is per The Verge, which reports that Samsung—operating under conditions of borderline ridiculous secrecy—showed off its first foldable tablet device today, demonstrating a 7.3-inch phone that was then folded into a functional phone of, presumably, half that size. (You can see video of it in the CNET tweet below, and despite our general sarcasm about this particular branch of technical innovation, it’s actually p ...

        Netgear’s first Wi-Fi 6 routers look like sci-fi spaceships

        The next generation of Wi-Fi is starting to arrive, and Netgear is jumping in with its first two routers: the Nighthawk AX8 and Nighthawk AX12.

        These are two very high-end routers, capable of theoretical speeds well beyond what most home internet connections can deliver. But their real standout feature is support for the next major Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ax — or what’s being newly branded as “Wi-Fi 6.”

        Wi-Fi 6 doesn’t bring with it many incredible speed leaps or fancy consumer-facing features. But its speeds should be somewhat faster, and more importantly, it’s supposed to be ...

        Apple's Phil Schiller reveals iPad Pro A12X chip design process in interview

        The A12X system-on-chip used in the new iPad Pro is extremely powerful courtesy of a few design decisions taken by Apple in its creation, a walkthrough of the new chip with Apple's Phil Schiller reveals, with one performance-enhancing example being the ability to run all eight processor cores simultaneously. 

        During the launch of the 2018 iPad Pro range, Apple advised the included A12X Bionic is a major improvement on previous models, consisting of an 8-core processor that provides up to 35 percent more performance for single-core loads, and 90-percent more for multi-core tasks. It ...

        Apple may have a less wasteful method of replacing the new MacBook Air’s battery

        Apple has developed a way to replace the new MacBook Air’s battery without swapping out the entire top of the keyboard, MacRumors reports based on Apple’s internal service guide for the device. That’s slightly more environmentally friendly than the situation on other modern MacBooks, which have so much glue inside the frame that the entire thing would have to be replaced in the event that the old battery needed to be changed.

        Apple will now give Genius workers and authorized service providers the tools needed to remove the glue from the battery, without affecting anything else. Afte ...

        Samsung's foldable phone is real and opens into a tablet

        The device will use the company's new Infinity Flex Display and be available next year.

        Samsung on Wednesday gave the first glimpse of its upcoming foldable phone, saying it'll be mass produced "in the coming months."

        Justin Denison, Samsung senior vice president of mobile marketing, showed off the phone, which is a tablet when it's fully opened and then a phone when it's closed. It uses a new display technology called Infinity Flex Display that lets you open and close the device over and over without any degradation.

        "The Infinity Flex Display represents an entirely ...

        Changing tack: Samsung to reveal some features of foldable phone this week

        SEOUL (Reuters) - Keen to make its foldable smartphone the next big thing, Samsung Electronics Co will depart from its usual policy of keeping product plans highly secret and provide some details of the phone’s key features for app developers this week.

        The goal is garnering critical feedback as new technologies will require developers to tweak apps to make sure they run smoothly when the phone folds out into tablet form.

        Samsung needs to get the foldable phone right - hoping it will reverse steep declines in profit for its mobile division and restore some of the premi ...

        AMD Previews EPYC ‘Rome’ Processor: Up to 64 Zen 2 Cores

        AMD on Tuesday formally announced its next-generation EPYC processor code-named Rome. The new server CPU will feature up to 64 cores featuring the Zen 2 microarchitecture, thus providing at least two times higher performance per socket than existing EPYC chips.

        As discussed in a separate story covering AMD’s new ‘chiplet’ design approach, AMD EPYC ‘Rome’ processor will carry multiple CPU chiplets manufactured using TSMC’s 7 nm fabrication process as well as an I/O die produced at a 14 nm node. As it appears, high-performance ‘Rome’ pro ...

        Google Pixel 3 update no longer shows ‘Charging Rapidly’ when on 5W wireless chargers

        Wireless charging has been a welcome feature on Google’s Pixel 3 devices, but it didn’t come without some gripes. One of those was an incorrect indicator on the lockscreen which showed slower wireless chargers as “Charging Rapidly.” With the latest update, Google has fixed that Pixel 3 wireless charging behavior.

        In case you’ve missed it, Google’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL do both support wireless charging. However, these devices only support speeds past 5W on approved chargers including Google’s own Pixel Stand. This allows speeds up to 10W. H ...

        Apple issues second release of iOS 12.1 just for the iPhone XR

        Apple has rolled out a new release of iOS 12.1 specifically for the iPhone XR, with the update rolling out to the iPhone model if it has not already gone through the update process with the version released seven days ago. 

        The update, released on Tuesday, brings iPhone XR users who have not moved to iOS 12.1 to the latest-generational release. Attempts by AppleInsider to perform a software update on an iPhone XR running last week's version of the release were not fruitful, and suggests it will not work for early adopters of iOS 12.1. 
        
        Tuesday's update is b ...

        The MacBook Air needs Face ID and a delightful notch

        The MacBook Air made its return last week, featuring a new Retina display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and Apple’s T2 security chip in what the company called “the most secure boot process of any notebook.” It’s an interesting choice of words because when Apple introduced the iPad Pro shortly after, it called Face ID “more secure than any tablet or computer.” Presumably, that includes the super secure MacBook Air.

        It was a jarring moment. Apple went straight from boasting about the security of its new MacBook Air to declaring it outdated and we ...

        Microsoft Broke Windows 10’s File Associations With a Botched Update

        File associations no longer work properly on Windows 10 after a buggy update. Windows won’t let you select certain applications as your defaults. We tested multiple PCs running the stable version of Windows 10, and they all had this problem.

        This is a strange bug. It affects some applications, but not others. For example, Windows 10 won’t let you make Adobe Photoshop or Notepad++ a default application for images or text files. But you can make other applications, like IrfanView, VLC, or Google Chrome, your defaults.

        For example, here’s what happens when we try setting Notepa ...

        iPhone XR benchmarks confirm essentially identical performance to the iPhone XS

        With the iPhone XR containing the same A12 Bionic chip as the iPhone XS, we expected it to offer identical performance, and this has now been confirmed. Macworld reported on the results it found from iPhone XR benchmarks …

        The iPhone XR offers the same performance enhancements over last year’s iPhone X as its more expensive siblings.

        The iPhone XR is right in line with the XS and XS Max—easily within a margin of error of a couple of percentage points. This makes it 13 percent faster in single-core performance than the thousand-dollar iPhone X o ...

        Intel Announces 48-Core Cascade Lake Xeon CPUs With 12 Memory Channels

        Intel’s server roadmap and product families have been pretty calm in recent years. The company reorganized its server chips into the Xeon Scalable family and away from the old E7/E5/E3 designations in 2017, and it overhauled the Core X series, but it hasn’t made any dramatic changes to Xeon since AMD launched the Epyc family. Those changes are apparently coming in the first half of 2019, with the launch of Intel’s latest high-end Xeon parts, Cascade Lake Advanced Performance. Unlike standard Cascade Lake chips, these chips will offer substantially more cores and support for up to 2-socket s ...

        USB TV streaming to be removed from iOS and Android Xbox apps

        A few years ago, Microsoft gave gamers the ability to stream live television to their tablets and smartphones through the Xbox app. Since then, many gamers have used this feature because not everyone owns a Windows 10 device. If you were using an iOS and Android device, then this was the only way.

        Unfortunately, it looks like the iOS and Android Xbox app will be losing this feature soon. The company has sent messages to numerous Xbox One owners — including us — which stated the following.

        It's unclear why Microsoft took this decision, but it seems like the company wants to ...

        7 of the best gaming keyboards to keep you on your mission

        Pick one of these keyboard models to help you reach your peak gaming potential.

        Many gaming keyboard brands offer similar features, but serious gamers know what sets the best keyboards apart. We looked at the features listed below, along with style, feel, and cost, to bring you our top picks for eight focused categories. 

        Switches: Keyboard switches – which sit underneath each key – pick up what you put down. Most gaming keyboards come equipped with one of a variety of different options for mechanical or membrane switches. The switches register your keystrok ...

        iPhone XS versus iPhone X - which phone unlocks faster with Face ID

        The iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max are all packing Apple's second-generation Face ID, an updated version of the biometric authentication system which is supposed to be faster than the version introduced with the iPhone X. Is there actually a noticeable difference between the already-fast and the potentially faster versions in the real world?

        he theory

        Face ID uses machine learning algorithms and the Neural Engine built into the iPhone's processor to analyze and recognize scans of the user's face made by the TrueDepth camera system, the array of sensors located in ...

        Motorola's iPhone X clone is coming to the United States for $399

        Last month, Motorola announced two new Android One devices for international markets — the Moto One and One Power. Both phones look remarkably like the iPhone X, and both have three years of promised security updates. It seemed unlikely that either phone would ever be officially sold in the United States, but Motorola has announced that the regular Moto One will be available from Best Buy on November 9th.

        The model coming to the US is equipped with a Snapdragon 625 processor, a 5.9-inch 720 x 1520 LCD screen, 4GB RAM, a 3,000mAh battery, and 64GB of expandable storage. Unfortunately ...

        Apple’s new MacBook Air faces strong Windows and iPad competition

        Steve Jobs changed the world of laptops 10 years ago when he introduced the MacBook Air by removing it from a tiny paper office envelope. It was a moment that shocked the audience at Apple’s Macworld 2008 keynote, and sent shockwaves through the entire PC market. Apple created a wedge shaped laptop that at its thickest part was still thinner than the thinnest part of the Sony TZ Series — one of the thinnest laptops back in 2008. No other PC maker had anything that could compete, and it took years for the PC market to find an answer.

        Apple’s MacBook Air from 10 years ago ...

        The Samsung Galaxy foldable phone just got beat by this

        Samsung’s Galaxy X (or F, or whatever it’ll be called) may well be beaten to the punch by a device called FlexPai. Manufactured and sold by the folks at Royole, the Royole FlexPai is, indeed, what they call “the world’s first foldable smartphone.” Given the company’s development of flexible displays over the past four months, there should probably be no doubt that they’re capable of getting this flexible smartphone to market. Now the question is: which market?

        Looking at what the Royole FlexPai does in the company’s first device preview, we can get a pretty OK idea of what’s possibl ...

        This is pretty much the Galaxy S10 of our dreams

        We still have a few months of waiting ahead before Samsung unveils its Galaxy S10 series, but thanks to a bunch of teasers and reports last week we already have Galaxy S10 teasers to look at. And the purported all-screen, no-notch design of the Galaxy S10 looks better and better with each new render.

        A few days ago, a Twitter user posted Galaxy S10 renders showing a phone with almost no bezels and a hole at the top of the screen where the selfie camera would go. Now, the same person is out with a new render of the phone.

        It all started with Samsung teasing this particular di ...

        It’s not your imagination: Phone battery life is getting worse

        Despite some notable exceptions, many 2018 smartphone batteries can’t keep up. Here’s why — and what we can do about it.

        Phone makers promise “all-day battery life.” Sure, and you haven’t stolen any of the kids’ Halloween candy.

        If you recently bought a new flagship phone, chances are its battery life is actually worse than an older model.

        For the last few weeks, I’ve been performing the same battery test over and over again on 13 phones. With a few notable exceptions, this year’s top models underperfor ...

        Apple iOS 12.1 Has Serious Problems

        iOS 12.1 has landed and it is Apple's AAPL +1.57% first major upgrade to iOS 12, bringing some major new features and important fixes. Unfortunately, however, it comes with two significant problems of its own… 

        The first is something that has become an increasing concern for Apple: lockscreen security. In short: a hack was discovered to bypass Face ID and Touch ID giving hackers access to your personal contacts. Moreover, the hack was found within just two hours of iOS 12.1 being released and it’s worryingly simple.

        Shown off by in the video below by security researcher Jose ...

        Should you upgrade to Apple's redesigned 2018 iPad Pro?

        In last year's review of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, AppleInsider called it the king of tablets. Apple's new 2018 iPad Pro is so much better in so many ways that it is hard to even think of what to call it. 

        The main question that many existing iPad Pro owners will be asking is if it's worth upgrading to the new iPad Pro generation.

        For starters, the new 11-inch base iPad Pro is priced at $799. If you're planning on using the Apple Pencil, you also have to buy the new second-generation Apple Pencil for $129, bringing the base model up to a grand total of $928. 

        Even wi ...

        This all-screen phone has a hidden second screen for no good reason, and I’m obsessed with it

        If you really stop to think about it, the past few years in the smartphone industry have been pretty boring. There’s no question that big technological advancements have been made. Screens have gotten bigger without increasing overall phone size, smartphone camera quality is simply mind-blowing now, and phones are more powerful than they have ever been before. But they all pretty much look the same now, and they all offer the same basic features. Also, have there been any truly revolutionary smartphone features that have debuted in the past couple of years? Apple’s Animoji and the new dark ...

        Microsoft's latest Windows 10 19H1 test build adds updated sign-in options for Hello, more

        Microsoft is continuing work on its Windows 10 19H1 feature update, which is expected to roll out around April 2019. On October 31, Microsoft made available a new test build (No. 18272) to Fast Ring Insider testers of that update, and with it, a number of incremental new features.

        Microsoft has redesigned the sign-in options for its Windows 10 Hello biometric authentication technology in 18272.

        "Your feedback that the previous design was cluttered, and confusing is what drove us to simplify the Sign-in options Settings. We believe this update will help you choose the sa ...

        Apple ‘Working On a Fix’ for Watches Bricked by Latest Update

        There’s always a risk involved when grabbing the latest software update for a device as soon as it’s released. You want to try out all those new features, but there’s bound to be a bug or two discovered as the masses get their hands on it. That gamble didn’t pay off for some Apple Watch Series 4 users, who discovered that watchOS 5.1 bricked their fancy new wearables.

        As 9to5Mac first reported, a small number of Apple Watch Series 4 owners have turned to Twitter and Reddit to share details of a bug that leaves their smartwatch indefinitely stuck on the boot screen, with the Apple lo ...

        Samsung and Huawei both just lost the race to unveil the first phone with a foldable screen

        Rouyu Technology will go down in history as the company that was able to beat both Samsung and Huawei when it comes to unveiling the first foldable smartphone in the world. And I’m talking about a real foldable screen, not the kind of “foldable” displays we saw on the ZTE Axon M and similar handsets. Then again, Rouyu Technology’s concept will never be as widely available or as polished as the Galaxy F and Huawei’s own foldable handset.

        The demo you’ll see in the following video shows exactly why smartphones with foldable screens sound so exciting ...

        Adding USB-C to the iPad isn’t enough to fix Apple’s messy port strategy

        Apple’s new iPad Pros are here, and if you haven’t already heard, one of the biggest changes is the switch to USB-C (and only USB-C) — unlike Apple’s iPhones, which feature Lightning as their single port.

        Many people — myself included — have taken the time to rant about how Apple refuses to put USB-C on the iPhone. It’s a decision that would have allowed basically every major Apple device to share a charger with each other and with practically every other major new electronic device released today. It’s the kind of interoperability that has essentially ...

        Samsung Suddenly Teases Radical New Galaxy Smartphone

        Samsung is rightly getting a lot of attention for its 10th-anniversary Galaxy S10. That’s not surprising when leaks have revealed its truly bezel-less design, ’ultrasonic’ in-display fingerprint reader, triple rear cameras, gradient colors and 5G. It sounds like a dream, one controversial flaw aside. But now Samsung has suddenly teased a phone which promises to be an even bigger game-changer… 

        Having subtly hinted (not once, but twice) that it plans to announce the screen bending Galaxy F early next month, Samsung has now chosen to ‘accidentally’ confirm another key part of the puzz ...

        watchOS 5.1 Update Bricking Some Apple Watches

        It appears the watchOS 5.1 update that was released this morning is causing problems for some Apple Watch owners. Multiple MacRumors readers have had issues installing the new software and are reporting that the update has bricked their devices. 
        
        Customers who are affected are seeing their Apple Watches stuck at the Apple logo loading screen after initiating the watchOS 5.1 update. 

        Some customers who contacted Apple were initially told that the update could take a few hours, but multiple people have seen no progress after three or more hours. From MacRum ...

        OnePlus 6 beta update adds Nightscape camera mode, revised navigation gestures, new ‘About’ UI

        Despite launching its latest flagship in the form of the OnePlus 6T earlier this week, OnePlus today has launched a new beta update for the OnePlus 6. With this latest beta, the phone picks up some of the beta 6T features, including Nightscape and more.

        The first big change in this update comes in the form of the camera. The OnePlus 6 adds the new “Nightscape” mode, which is arriving on the OnePlus 6T. This new option commands better low-light performance out of the 16MP camera. The results shown on the OnePlus 6T have been pretty impressive, and we’ll be doing som ...

        New Apple iPhone Problem Suddenly 'Confirmed'

        What is often overlooked about Apple AAPL +0.38%’s new iPhone XS (details), iPhone XS Max (details) and exciting iPhone XR is their similar iPhone X designs pack numerous hidden upgrades. Unfortunately, however, it has just been confirmed one of them is not working as advertised… 

        Speaking to The Verge, Verizon has confirmed that in some case the new dual-SIM functionality integrated into Apple’s iPhone XS, XS Max and XR cannot deliver 4G or even 3G speeds and leaves customers stuck with antiquated 2G.

        Verizon explains that any customer who inserts a Verizon sim card and the ...

        The New MacBook Air Has Made the MacBook a Terrible Buy

        Apple has finally updated the MacBook Air. Sort of. Because Apple doesn’t just kill old products, it’s left the old MacBook Air up for sale for $1,000. You should not buy it. Ever. If someone you love comes home with its box in their hands please slap it out of their hands. And if they come home with a brand new MacBook you might want to slap it out of their hands too, because with the many updates to the MacBook Air the MacBook is looking like a really bad buy.

        The little MacBook has never been a great buy. It’s too expensive for what it is—a very small and light laptop powered by ...

        Camera Comparison: iPhone XR vs. iPhone XS Max

        The iPhone XR and the iPhone XS models share many similarities, but one major difference is the rear camera setup. While the iPhone XS features a dual-lens camera system with both wide-angle and telephoto lenses, the iPhone XR has a single wide-angle camera lens. 

        In our latest YouTube video, we compared the cameras of the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS Max to see how much of a difference you're really going to see with the single lens camera vs. the dual-lens camera. 

        Though the iPhone XR doesn't have two lenses to work with, it still has many of the same features that are ava ...

        iOS 12.1 coming October 30th with group FaceTime, dual-SIM support, and ‘beautygate’ fix

        Ahead of its big iPad Pro and Mac event, Apple just announced that iOS 12.1 will be released tomorrow. It’s the first significant update to iOS 12 and includes the Group FaceTime feature that was removed from the initial release. Group FaceTime allows you to video chat with up to 32 people simultaneously and supports stickers, video filters, and Animoji/Memoji. The feature was held back from iOS 12.0, but apparently it’s now ready to go. The video bubble for each person gets larger whenever they speak on the call.

        iOS 12.1 also adds dual-SIM support for iPhone XS and XR, ...

        The OnePlus 6T has a secret weapon, and it’s not what you think

        Amazing tech isn’t the killer feature of the brand new OnePlus 6T, such as the in-display fingerprint sensor or the new Gorilla Glass 6 protection, which should survive multiple bumbles and fumbles. Neither are this fantastic smartphone’s drool-worthy good looks, nor a price tag that will make you do a double take, the real breakthrough here.

        No, that would be a partnership OnePlus announced with T-Mobile, as well as support for Verizon’s network – both of which make the OnePlus 6T the most accessible phone for U.S. consumers ever for the company. That’s a bi ...

        Bluetooth headphones are popular, but science confirms: mostly terrible

        Look, we get it: Bluetooth headphones are convenient. Popular models like Apple’s AirPods are for all intents and purposes the K-cup coffee machines of audio. Just like those liquid sadness brewers, Bluetooth offers a disappointing, expensive facsimile of the real deal — but many enjoy it all the same.

        Testing done for our sister site SoundGuys confirmed it’ll get you 90 percent of the way there — but not everybody is willing to accept the excuses behind ditching the headphone jack. Since USB Type-C headphones aren’t where they need to be, we have to exami ...

        Windows 10's Built-in Antivirus Is Getting A Massive Upgrade

        Using a computer without anti-malware software is not a good idea. That's why Microsoft ships Windows Defender as a core feature in Windows 10.

        You're no doubt aware that Defender -- and third-party apps like it-- offer an critical layer of protection against threats like ransomware and cryptominers. What you may not know is that they can also introduce new security risks.

        That's why Microsoft is adding a sandbox mode to Windows Defender. Sandboxing an app keeps its activities isolated from the rest of the software installed on your computer. Should something go wrong, the s ...

        Google may offer a subscription service for Android apps

        Many people aren't that fond of paying for mobile apps, but Google might have a simple solution: bundle it all in a subscription. XDA and Kieron Quinn have discovered both code references and a Google Opinion Rewards survey hinting at a "Play Pass" app subscription service. According to the survey, it might offer "hundreds of dollars" worth of apps and games for an unspecified monthly rate. There's no indication if or when Play Pass would go live, so don't count on giving it a spin just yet.

        This isn't the first Android app subscription service, but it could be t ...

        Halide developers tease iPhone XR Portrait mode support for objects & pets

        While the iPhone XR is capable of many of the same camera features as the iPhone X and iPhone XS, one area in which it falls short is Portrait mode. iPhone XR Portrait mode is limited to only working on people, not objects and animals like other iPhone models.

        The developers behind the popular camera app Halide, however, say they have found depth data on the iPhone XR and can enable Portrait mode for non-people.

        With the stock Camera app on iOS, if you try to take an iPhone XR Portrait mode image of your pet or an object, a message will appear that reads “no person det ...

        iOS icon provides clearest look yet at iPad Pro with Face ID

        You don't have to rely on tiny icons or word-of-mouth leaks to know what the next iPad Pro will look like -- Apple has provided a good clue all on its own. The 9to5Mac team has discovered an iOS icon that shows the 2018 iPad Pro in much clearer detail, including the absence of a home button (and thus the presence of Face ID) and a not-quite-edge-to-edge display. It's unclear if everything is to scale, since Apple occasionally exaggerates icon details for the sake of clarity, but there's little doubt as to what the tablet will look like.

        You may see plenty of iPhone carrier news surr ...

        The Pixel camera app will support external microphones starting October 18

        The Pixel line is known for, above all else, its wicked cameras. But one problem a certain type of mobile photography enthusiast has run into with the phones is that they don't currently allow for the use of external microphones in the default camera app. That's set to change next week, though.

        Some camera apps on Pixel actually do support external mics, making the absence of the ability in the default app even more grating. Today, though, a Google employee commented on a Pixel support thread from all the way back in 2016 to let users who have been asking about the feature for year ...

        Xiaomi Mi Mix 3: Release date, price, specs, four cameras, 5G

        If you've been keeping up with all things 5G, you might have heard that Chinese phonemaker Xiaomi is working on one of the first 5G-enabled phones you can buy. But you'll have to wait until next year for it. Announced in Beijing Thursday at the Forbidden City, the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is the latest addition to Xiaomi's line of all-screen flagship phones. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, it has a 6.39-inch display like the Mi Mix with a 2,340x1,080-pixel resolution, meaning 93.4 percent of its body is screen. (The Mi Mix 2 is just 5.99 inches, by comparison.) 

        It has four c ...

        PowerColor Radeon RX 590 outed as AMD's next graphics card

        AMD's next graphics card is almost certain to be the Radeon RX 590, and we may have our first official piece of proof of its existence.

        PowerColor, a third-party Taiwanese graphics card manufacturer, seems to be readying the release of a new Radeon RX 590 graphics card, based on product listings from the Eurasian Economic Union certification office.

        The listing points to an AXRX 580 8GBD5-3DH/OC product code, which seems to reference a factory overclocked GPU with 8GB of GDDR5 video memory, as well as an AXRX 590 8GBD5-3DH/OC product code.

        Rather than ...

        iOS 12.1 beta confirms Face ID on iPad Pro, will work in both landscape and portrait modes

        A string of code unearthed in the latest iOS 12.1 beta offers instructions to set up Face ID authentication on iPad, seemingly confirming integration of the technology in an iPad Pro refresh expected for unveiling next week. 
        

        Shared in a tweet by 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo, the iOS code snippet provides parameters for using Face ID on iPad. 

        Specifically, the code appears to be an excerpt from Apple's initial iOS device setup process, and calls for users to "Life and Rotate iPad" into portrait mode to configure Face ID. 

        "Face ID needs to be in po ...

        Anker unveils new USB-C Power Delivery charger, security camera, Bluetooth speaker, and smart projector

        Anker, a company that's well-known for making some of our favorite phone accessories, has just unveiled a few new products that will hit just in time for the holidays. Included in the announcement was the company's smallest 27W Power Delivery charger, the PowerPort Atom PD1. It's only slightly larger than a regular 5W charger that you'd find included with a cell phone at the time of purchase, but it's able to easily charge your MacBook, Chromebook, Nintendo Switch, and more quickly. Amazon will be the exclusive seller of this plug in November, and it will cost $30, which is just a few dolla ...

        Apple and Samsung fined for slowing down phones with updates

        Italian watchdog says the updates "significantly reduced" performance of the users phones.

        Apple and Samsung were fined on Wednesday for software updates that Italy's antitrust watchdog says slowed down users phones.

        The Italian Competition Authority, or AGCM, fined Apple and Samsung 5 million euros (about $5.6 million) each for releasing software updates that "significantly reduced" the performance of phones, the authority said in a release. This pushed consumers to buy new devices, according to AGCM. Apple was fined an additional 5 million euros for failing to provide adeq ...

        Windows 10’s October 2018 Update Is Probably Delayed Until November

        Microsoft stopped offering Windows 10’s October 2018 Update on October 6, as it was deleting some people’s files. Now, another ugly data loss bug has reared its head, and it won’t be fixed until November.

        M. Hamer, a Microsoft forum agent and moderator, explained this issue on October 23:

        There is a known issue in the Windows 10 October Update where the consent prompt “Do you want to replace these files” is missing when copying contents from a .ZIP file.

        With the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, if you copy or m ...

        Everything we know about the 2018 Mac mini

        It’s official: Apple’s second fall 2018 event has been confirmed for October 30 in Brooklyn, New York. Rumor suggest that Apple is going to talk about a new iPad Pro and MacBook, but there’s another device that could also get some attention: The Mac mini.

        If you’re a little surprised at that, there’s good reason. It’s been several years since the Mac mini got an update, and Apple has rarely brought up the little desktop computer square, although Tim Cook did say a year ago that, “Our customers have found so many creative and interesting uses ...

        Samsung just teased what could be its first truly all-screen, notch-free phone

        Samsung held a launch event in China today focused on its Galaxy A9s and A6s, during which the company teased an entirely new handset model with a design that forgoes a notch and will apparently join the Galaxy S10 next year in sporting an all-screen display.

        That phone is the A8s, part of Samsung’s midrange A series which will reportedly be the handset maker’s first notch-free phone that sports an edge-to-edge display. Sort of. We add that as a kind of caveat, because according to Samsung leaker extraordinaire Ice Universe, there will still be a hole drilled into the di ...

        Google Pixel 3 doesn't support Qi fast charge

        The phone's fast, 10 watt charging only works with a Made for Google-certified charger, like the Pixel Stand.

        Your brand-new Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL offers wireless 10w fast charging, but only with Google's own Pixel Stand or with upcoming Made for Google-certified models thanks to a proprietary protocol. Qi-standard chargers, even if they support 10w, are limited to 5w for Google's devices.

        The fast-charging incompatibility was pointed out to Android Police by a reader, and the site also says that the phone reports fast charging with third ...

        Apple acknowledges iCloud issues across several of its services

        Apple is experiencing some issues with some of its web based services as its system status page has now been updated to reflect multiple outages.

        While Apple won’t acknowledge it directly, only noting “slower than normal performance” with some of its services, users and third-party developers are reporting that they are not able to access their iCloud data.

        The company’s status page is reporting issues with Back to My Mac, Documents in the Cloud, Find My Friends, Find My iPhone, and a slew of other iCloud services, noting that only “some users a ...

        The Pixel 3 only supports fast wireless charging on Google-approved chargers

        One of the more convenient additions to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL this year was support for wireless charging. Google embraced the new tech with a Pixel Stand accessory that can charge both new phones while providing easy access to Google Assistant and even acting as a photo frame.

        But it turns out that there’s a catch: if you want to get the fastest wireless charging speeds out of your Pixel 3, you’ll need to own the Pixel Stand (or another, Google-licensed 10W wireless charger) to take advantage of those speeds. Otherwise — even if you’re using a third-party charger that can supp ...

        Apple 'Confirms' iPhones Have A Serious Problem

        There’s a lot to like about the iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) while, in my opinion, the budget-friendly iPhone XR is the best of the bunch. But their launches have been more mixed and having already admitted to one serious launch problem, now Apple has quietly confessed to another… 

        The company chose not to issue a public statement but instead confirmed to The Verge that the so-called ‘BeautyGate’ scandal is indeed real.

        Curiously buried within its review of the iPhone XR, Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel dropped the following news:

        “Apple told me ...

        Honor Magic 2 leak shows off a Huawei P20 Pro lookalike and a pop-up camera

        Even though Honor has yet to release the Magic 2, several lucky Chinese celebrities got some hands-on time and gave us a first look at the upcoming smartphone in action on their respective Weibo pages.

        Based on the images, it looks like the Magic 2 will feature a slide-out section that hides the 16-megapixel camera and two TOF lenses used for 3D facial recognition. Honor already touted the mechanism during IFA 2018, though it looks like you have to manually slide out the cameras instead of there being a motor to do it for you. Singer Jiacheng Wu said the sliding mechanism felt “very ...

        Qualcomm is expecting at least two 5G flagship smartphones in 2019

        If you've been wondering when to expect the first 5G smartphone on the market, there's now a somewhat official answer from none other than Qualcomm. Speaking at the 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong, Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon said that based on what his company has visibility to, they are expecting "at least two major flagships" with 5G radio next year, with the first one arriving some time within the first half of the year, and the other in the holiday season.

        This should come as no surprise given how the likes of Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi have been teasing their own 5G handset ...

        Google limits Pixel 3 wireless charging rate to standard 5W for third-party charging pads

        We already knew that Google's Assistant UI would only work on the Pixel Stand. This decision by Google, while annoying, is understandable. Less understandable is the recent discovery that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will only wirelessly charge at 10W on the Pixel Stand, with all third-party wireless chargers limited to the much slower 5W.

        A reader recently purchased a 10W Anker wireless charger to wirelessly fast charge his Pixel 3 with, only to discover that the phone was only getting a maximum of 500mA via the charging app Ampere. He contacted Anker and received this response:

        ...

        Qualcomm's Snapdragon 675 rides the multi-camera and gaming trend

        It's only been almost a quarter since Qualcomm launched its Snapdragon 670 mid-range chipset, but today, the company is already bringing out a slightly beefier Snapdragon 675, which is clearly designed with three smartphone trends in mind: Gaming optimization, multiple cameras and AI-enhanced features (including face unlock).

        Announced at the 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong, the Snapdragon 675 features Qualcomm's brand new fourth-generation Kryo CPU -- the Kryo 460 with two high-power 2GHz cores and six low-power 1.7GHz cores -- which apparently gives a notable boost to it ...

        Apple’s Phil Schiller confirms the iPhone XR name doesn’t stand for anything

        It is one of the enduring mysteries of our time: in a lineup full of otherwise neatly named products, Apple’s alternative hardware cycle iPhones have always seen an -S appended to their names, going back to the iPhone 3GS in 2009. But the question remains: what does the S actually stand for?

        Turns out, mostly nothing — according to Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller, who told Engadget in an interview that the letters the company picks for its products don’t actually stand for anything at all. That includes this year’s ...

        Samsung Galaxy Android Pie update scheduled for early 2019

        The Samsung Galaxy Android Pie update should be an exciting one. It should bring us Samsung Experience 10, with a completely fresh look. We’ve seen some teaser screenshots from a leaked Pie updated for the Note9, detailing some of the many cosmetic and usability changes the software refresh will bring.

        The question on everyone’s mind is: when will my Samsung Galaxy Android Pie update arrive? Well, the manufacturer says it’s going to happen early next year. Samsung has been teasing the Android 9 refresh on its Samsung+ app. It talks about some of the features it wil ...

        Oppo is the latest to be caught cheating on phone benchmarks

        You can add another big name to the list of phone makers found cheating on benchmarks. UL Benchmarks has delisted Oppo's Find X and F7 phones from its 3DMark charts after testing from itself and Tech2 revealed that both devices were artificially ramping up processor performance when they detected the test by name. Oppo acknowledged that it always stepped things up when it detected "games or 3D Benchmarks that required high performance," but claimed that any app would run full bore if you tapped on the screen every few seconds to signal your actions.

        UL, however, rejected t ...

        Huawei Mate 20 Pro vs P20 Pro Camera Differences – What’s Changed, Specifications, Details and More

        The Huawei P20 Pro was hailed for its triple camera system and continuing the legacy, the Mate 20 flagship phones have drastically stepped up the game and set a new benchmark for other smartphone manufacturers to chase. However, if you are wondering how the cameras on the recently unveiled Huawei Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro stack up against the triple camera system on the P20 Pro, we have simplified it for you in this comparison.

        A Recap of the Huawei P20 P20 Pro’s Triple Camera System

        First, let’s about the camera specifications. The Huawei P20 Pro ...

        Apple Set To Reveal iPad Pro & New MacBook: Report

        Apple users were expecting the trillion dollar company to announce their long-awaited iPad Pro and new low price MacBookAir at the same time as the latest iPhone X series. The new smartphone has advertisements everywhere, and I'm sure you've seen at least one of them by now. The announcement never came for the new technology though, and the internet began to speculate that they would have to wait until next year to get their hands on the new devices. All hope is not lost, as The Verge reports that Apple distributed media invites for an October 30th event at the Brooklyn Academy of ...

        Pixel 3 camera: Six tips and tricks to get the best photos

        Google's Pixel 3 ($800 at Verizon Wireless) and Pixel 3 XL ($930 at Verizon Wireless) both have one of the best cameras a phone can offer. The camera's success is partly thanks to the hardware, and partly because of its software tweaks.

        The hardware takes care of itself, but the software is something you'll need to familiarize yourself with before you can push the Pixel 3's camera to its limits. Here's what you need to know.

        Out of the box, the Pixel 3's camera will open whenever you double-press the sleep/wake button. If you enable Flip camera in Settings & ...

        This might tell us everything we need to know about the Galaxy S10’s in-display fingerprint sensor

        The Galaxy S10 is widely expected to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor, a feature Samsung has been working on for a few years now. The Galaxy S8 was first rumored to get it, but Samsung kept delaying the launch of a flagship with an in-screen fingerprint sensor on account of various development issues. A series of reports have said in recent months that up to two of the three Galaxy S10 models launching next year will feature in-display sensors, and now we have more evidence Samsung is indeed working on such screens.

        A Samsung patent application titled Electronic Device C ...

        Samsung launches Snapdragon 850-powered Windows 2-in-1

        Snapdragon 850 is Qualcomm's first chip explicitly for PC form factors.

        Samsung today announced the Galaxy Book2 (sic; the company has not put a space between the word and the number), a 2-in-1 tablet running Windows 10, powered by a Snapdragon 850 processor.

        The first generation of Windows 10-on-ARM machines were roundly criticized for the performance of their Snapdragon 835 processors. The second generation of machines, however, uses the Snapdragon 850, a variant of the Snapdragon 845 that's designed for the bigger batteries and higher power dissipation of ...

        Microsoft pushes out trio of Windows 10 cumulative updates

        The latest round of fixes comes on week after the monthly Patch Tuesday updates.

        Microsoft today pushed out another set of cumulative updates, bringing a large number of fixes to a trio of currently support Windows 10 releases. While there are no new updates for either the October 2018 or April 2018 updates, the three preceding versions are in line for today's fixes (via Neowin).

        Here's a look at all of what's new for each version.

        Fall Creators Update (build 16299.755)

        • Addresses the redenomination of loca ...

          Chrome OS Linux support to gain folder sharing, Google Drive, more

          Chrome OS has been shaping up to be the all-in-one system, combining the best of Google’s ecosystem, including Android apps, with the power of Linux apps. The latter is still in beta phase with improvements and new features in every update. Today we take a look at some of the features coming soon to Chrome OS Linux apps.

          Chrome OS first gained its Linux app support, also known as Crostini, with version 69. While it’s certainly not flawless, the support has been groundbreaking, enabling everything from full photo editors to Android Studio on Chrome OS. With upcoming versi ...

          When You Can Pre-Order the iPhone XR in Every Time Zone

          Pre-orders for the iPhone XR will kick off on Friday, October 19 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, allowing customers to purchase the third flagship iPhone in the 2018 iPhone lineup.

          Apple is planning to make the new devices available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously, so we've created a list of when pre-orders will kick off all around the world. 

          We haven't listed every time zone for every country, such as in Canada, Russia, and the United States, nor have we listed every available pre-order country, so make sure to double check your specific time zone so you' ...

          Apple's New iPhones Have A Nasty Surprise

          While Apple AAPL -0.41%’s new iPhones contain some great secret features, the iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) are iterative devices with one major problem. And now the world’s most accurate Apple insider has revealed further frustration is on the way… 

          Picked up by MacRumors, a leaked presentation from acclaimed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals Apple will follow up its 2018 ‘S year’ with more of the same in 2019. He also puts the bullet into one of Apple’s most beloved iPhone models.

          What Kuo reveals is that Apple has no plans to make any notable changes to the o ...

          How to request your personal data from Apple

          After first making the feature available in the European Union to comply with GDPR, Apple users in the US, Canada, and more can now download a copy of their personal information stored by the company. Follow along for how to request your personal data from Apple.

          Apple updated its privacy website today, highlighting new features that arrived with macOS Mojave and iOS 12 like Screen Time and Intelligent Tracking Prevention. Apple also brought its data download tool to eight more countries. Apple also said it will bring the feature to more users around the world in the coming months.< ...

          Microsoft Surface Pro 6 FAQ: What's new, black finish, accessories, and more

          If you have questions about the Surface Pro 6 we have answers in our new handy guide that gets right to the point.

          The new Surface Pro 6 is now available in select markets with more market availability expected in the coming months. Our full review goes into all the changes and performance of the new premium 2-in-1, but for those who want a TL;DR of what's new and what you need to know, we compiled this list of frequently asked questions (FAQ).

          How did Microsoft create the Surface Pro 6 black finish? Is there an option for LTE? And does the Core i5 version have a fan? You'll ...

          Huawei’s Nano Memory Cards are replacing microSD on its latest phones

          NM Cards are the exact size and shape of a Nano SIM card and go in one of the dual-SIM slots

          Alongside the slate of new phones Huawei announced today was an interesting addition: a new type of expandable storage the company is calling Nano Memory (NM), which replaces the traditional microSD card in the newly announced Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro.

          Huawei says that NM cards, which are identical in size and shape to a Nano SIM card, are 45 percent smaller than a microSD card, and come in at least a 256GB storage and 90MB/s transfer speed version that the company ...

          Google Pixel 3 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Which should you buy?

          Pure Google

          Google Pixel 3 XL

          Google refreshed its hardware and jumped to a 6.3-inch 18.5:9 display. It's not just about size though since the display is dramatically better as well. The rest of the phone builds on all of Google's strengths: simple hardware, capable specs, smooth software, and an amazing camera experience front and back. It also added wireless charging and kept stereo speakers.

          Pros

          • Large, high-quality screen
          • Great camera
          ...

          Chrome 70 released with revamped Google account login system

          Chrome 70 also comes with support for the final version of the TLS 1.3 standard and the AV1 video format.

          Google has released today Chrome 70, the latest version of its browser. The most anticipated addition to today's release is a new Chrome setting panel option that allows users to control how the browser behaves when they log into a Google account.

          Google added this new setting after the company was accused last month of secretly logging users into their Chrome browser accounts whenever they logged into a Google website.

          Many users misinterpreted this move as Goog ...

          HP boosts its ZBooks with Intel Core i9 processors

          It's also introducing the Z Club subscription service for creatives.

          It wasn't that long ago when HP launched the ZBook x360, but it's already giving the convertible and the other devices in the lineup a hardware refresh. The Studio x360, along with its non-bendy siblings, the ZBook Studio, ZBook 15 and ZBook 17, will now come with eight-gen six-core Intel i9 processors and mirrored SSD storage. HP says the new chip will make the laptops more suited for heavy workloads, such as video editing and 3D rendering.

          HP has also given the Studio's and the Studio x360's graphics perf ...

          Intel to Support 128GB of DDR4 on Core 9th Gen Desktop Processors

          One of today’s announcements threw up an interesting footnote worthy of further investigation. With its latest products, HP announced that their mainstream desktop platforms would be shipped with up to 32GB of memory, which was further expandable up to 128GB. Intel has confirmed to us, based on new memory entering the market, that there will be an adjustment to the memory support of the latest processors.

          State of Play

          Normally mainstream processors only support 64GB, by virtue of two memory channels, two DIMMs per memory channel (2DPC), and the maximu ...

          Microsoft adds dictation to Office web apps to help with dyslexia

          It'll be available in Word and OneNote in the near future.

          Microsoft has made voice dictation available for desktop Office users for months. Now, though, it's making the feature available to web users in the name of aiding those with dyslexia. The browser versions of both Word and OneNote will enable dictation sometime in the "coming weeks" so that dyslexic students can write more effectively than they would by typing. This should also help for dysgraphia (a condition that makes it difficult to write coherently) and people with mobility issues, Microsoft added.

          D ...

          Report explores the ‘sneaky subscription’ tactics that are plaguing the iOS App Store

          Subscription-based applications have become incredibly popular on iOS over recent years, and TechCrunch is out today with a look at how “sneaking subscriptions” are plaguing some App Store offerings. The report explores the various tactics employed by some developers to seemingly trick users into agreeing to App Store subscription pricing.

          In its research, TechCrunch found that the most-often offending applications are certain utilities, which offer functionality that can generally be found for free, yet rank as some of the top-grossing apps on the App Store.

          One ...

          iPhone XS Max battery outlasts Pixel 3 XL and Samsung Note 9 in latest test with new twist

          In an interesting turn of events, the iPhone XS Max battery life has bested the Samsung Note 9 and Google Pixel 3 XL in a new test. This comes after the Note 9 crushed the XS Max in a battery lifeshowdown last week. So what gives? Here’s the variable that changed…

          YouTuber PhoneBuff shared his first ever battery life test that uses a robotic setup to keep everything as even between the compared phones as possible. He kept all settings the same, except for one difference. Many readers mentioned that the Note 9 had an unfair advantage with its default screen resolution being at 1920 x ...

          Apple's New iPhones Have An Unfixable Problem

          While they hide some great secret features, even Apple AAPL -0.74% has been forced to admit its new iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) were shipped with problems. The good news is Apple fixed most of them, but new tests confirm there is one it can do nothing about… 

          Putting to bed questions about real-world performance, popular YouTube site PhoneBuff enlisted the help of robotics and discovered that for all the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max’s incredible CPU performance, battery life is a mess. Particularly the bigger model.

          What PhoneBuff discovered is the iPhone ...

          Building a better battery layer by layer

          A team of researchers from Shinshu University in Nagano, Japan is now closer to a thin, high-capacity lithium-ion battery that could open the gates to better energy storage systems for electric vehicles.

          The research team was led by professor Katsuya Teshima, director of the Center for Energy and Environmental Science (hereinafter called CEES) at Shinshu University in Japan. They published their insights online in August in Scientific Reports.

          "Lithium-ion batteries are very promising energy storage systems for electric vehicles that require relatively high ener ...

          How to change the battery in your Philips Hue Dimmer Switch

          The Philips Hue Dimmer Switch functions both as a remote and a wall switch and it runs on a single CR2450 battery that'll need to be changed from time to time. Here's how to do that.

          How to change the batteries in your Philips Hue Dimmer Switch

          1. Remove the Dimmer Switch from its cradle on the wall.
          2. Remove the battery compartment screw from the Dimmer Switch using a Phillips head screwdriver.
          3. Remove the battery compartment cover.
          4. Remove the current battery...

             How to stop Windows 10 using your internet bandwidth to upload updates to others

             The launch of Windows 10 brought an overhaul of Windows Update that includes new features to make the update process simpler. Updates are downloaded by a process called Delivery Optimization. As the name implies, this is an intelligent service which is capable of choosing the best source to get you up-to-date.

             Delivery Optimization speeds up the download process by allowing updates to be provided by sources other than Microsoft. With older Windows versions, updates always came from Microsoft’s servers. This meant that if you owned several computers, each one would need to download e ...

             Samsung’s New Chromebook Plus V2 Has LTE, Available Next Month for $599

             Samsung is expanding its Chrome OS offering this week, announcing Chromebook Plus V2 LTE. As you might imagine, given the name, it has LTE. If you didn’t already know, a Chromebook Plus V2 already exists from Samsung, but again, this one has LTE.

             Samsung didn’t provide many specs besides the LTE part, but because this Chromebook already exists, we’ll assume the specs are either identical or nearly the same. The existing V2 features a 12.2″ touchscreen display with stylus support, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, Intel Celeron processor, as well as dedicated ...

             Garmin Instinct smartwatch heads for the great outdoors

             A smartwatch for hiking, camping and other rugged pursuits.

             Adding to its large portfolio of smartwatches and fitness bands targeted at specific sports such as running, triathlon, diving and golf, Garmin's Instinct gets rugged for outdoor activity. 

             It incorporates hiking-friendly features like a three-axis compass, barometer/altimeter and support for multiple satellite systems -- GLONASS and Galileo in addition to GPS -- to minimize chances of getting lost when you wander off the beaten path.

             It also includes health-and-fitness-oriented features like a wrist-based h ...

             Upcoming 2018 iPad Pro Could Be 5.9mm Thick With No Headphone Jack

             Apple's upcoming iPad Pro could be one of its thinnest devices yet, measuring in at just 5.9mm thick, based on details shared by a leaker on Twitter who previously provided accurate details on the iPhone XS and XR ahead of launch. 

             According to Twitter user CoinCoin, the upcoming iPad Pro will measure in at just 5.9mm, and due to its thinness, there will be no room for Apple to include a headphone jack. 

             The 5.9mm estimate matches up with alleged iPad Pro dimensions shared yesterday on Slashleaks, which suggested the new iPad Pro would measure 5.86mm thick. 

             It is al ...

             Samsung’s Foldable Phone Really is a Tablet You Can Put in a Pocket

             Samsung really wants us to be prepared for a foldable phone. Whether we’ll see one in November or three years from now is anyone’s guess, but the frequency of it being hyped by the company’s mobile leader is only increasing these days. This week, during the unveiling of their 18-camera phone, the Galaxy A9,000-mid-ranger, Samsung’s DJ Koh talked about foldable things again.

             He said that it won’t be a “gimmick product,” that it will be around longer than six months, it’ll ship globally, and is definitely not another taco phone.

             He also mentioned that it’s basically a tablet t ...

             Supermicro boards were so bug ridden, why would hackers ever need implants?

             Whether spy chips reported by Bloomberg existed, attackers had much easier options.

             By now, everyone knows the premise behind two unconfirmed Bloomberg articles that have dominated security headlines over the past week: spies from China got multiple factories to sneak data-stealing hardware into Supermicro motherboards before the servers that used them were shipped to Apple, Amazon, an unnamed major US telecommunications provider, and more than two dozen other unnamed companies.

             Motherboards that wound up inside the networks of Apple, Amazon, and more than two dozen unnamed ...

             Best alternatives to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

             The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL were announced this week and are without a doubt some of the most compelling Android phones on the market. There’s a lot to love about the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, but what if they aren’t right for you? Maybe you hate the notch, maybe you just weren’t impressed by the direction the Pixel series is taking.

             Whatever the reason, there are plenty of great alternatives in the Android world.

             Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL

             If you aren’t impressed by the Pixel 3 but are due for a new phone, you might want to consider ...

             Samsung Leak Suddenly Reveals New Galaxy's Nasty Surprise

             While the future of Samsung’s folding Galaxy F is in some doubt, the future looks extremely bright for the company’s 10th anniversary Galaxy S10 and its long list of radical upgrades. But now there appears to be another very good reason to buy it: because it might be the last chance you get to own a Samsung with a much-loved feature… 

             A new report from popular Korean tech site ETNews, states Samsung is seriously considering removing the 3.5mm headphone jack from all phones after the Galaxy S10. And the logic behind this is unlikely to appease fans.

             "The USB-C port will ...

             PSN Name Change Option Confirmed For PS4, Here's How It Works

             Feature enters the PlayStation Preview Program and will be available to select users.

             If you ever wanted to change your PSN Online ID on your PS4 but were frustrated at the lack of ability to do so, there is some good news on the horizon. Sony has announced it will be testing a new feature that allows you to change your name. The much-requested PSN Online ID Change feature is currently entering PlayStation's Preview Program.

             As of now, the feature will only be available to PlayStation users that have registered as testers for previous PS4 system software betas. For those tha ...

             How to Get the Pixel 3's Coolest Features on Older Pixel Models

             Google officially unveiled the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL after weeks of rumors and, unsurprisingly, they’re packed with new features and hardware that make them an appreciable upgrade over not just Google’s past Pixel smartphones, but many of their competitors as well.

             As exited as some may be for Google’s new phones, don’t let the hype over these newcomers convince you that the Pixel 2 and 2 XL—or even the original Pixel and Pixel XL—are about to become obsolete. In fact, the Pixel 3's arrival will be a boon for all Pixel users regardless of if you upgrade, as ...

             iPhone XS/XR: How to power off, force restart, enter DFU, recovery, and more

             Now that the iPhone XS and XS Max have arrived, and with the iPhone XR being right around the corner, lots of users are buying iPhones that no longer feature a Home button. The trend, of course, began with the now one-year-old iPhone X, and as time goes on the user base of Home button-less iPhones will only continue to grow.

             If you’ve recently upgraded from a device like an iPhone 8, iPhone 7, or older iPhone, you’ve likely noticed how different it is to use a phone that lacks a physical Home button. But what about basic iPhone reset functions like how to force restart i ...

             Intel derailed its i9-9900K launch with 2 unforced errors

             The i9-9900K is upon us, along with the rest of Intel’s 9th-gen Core CPUs. The company revealed its Coffee Lake-R processors during an event yesterday that went quite well. Intel revealed its lineup of upcoming Core and Xeon chips. It also spent quite a lot of time talking about how the i9-9900K is the “best gaming CPU ever.” A day later, you would expect that people would want to talk about whether they need to upgrade and whether the price is fair, but that’s not the case. Instead, PC-hardware enthusiasts are furious at Intel for a couple of bonehead moves that it ...

             Sony confirms it’s working on the next PlayStation console

             Next-generation PlayStation is ‘necessary,’ says Sony CEO

             With the fifth anniversary of the PlayStation 4’s debut approaching, Sony has confirmed that it is developing a successor to the console.

             “At this point, what I can say is it’s necessary to have a next-generation hardware,” said Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony’s president and CEO, in an interview with the Financial Times.

             Yoshida did not name the console, so there’s no information yet on whether it will officially be called the “PlayStation 5.” There’s also no word on a release window, although John Kodera, the CEO of ...

             Windows 10 October 2018 Update rereleased to Insiders, data loss blamed on misdirected folders

             As a result, the Feedback Hub has been beefed up, and Microsoft has pledged to help those who have lost data.

             Microsoft has restarted the Windows 10 October 2018 Update to members of its Windows Insider beta team. The company had paused early downloads after discovering that Windows accidentally erased files while redirecting them to a new folder location, including Microsoft's own OneDrive. 

             Microsoft announced the October 2018 Update during its Surface press eventOctober 2. While upgrades were scheduled to roll out automatically starting October 9, users could download the ...

             The 5 Most Important Announcements from Google's Pixel Event

             Google events don’t typically elicit the same amount of fanfare as Apple’s do, but the announcements are just as enticing for both enthusiasts and anyone who likes shiny new things. This year, in an event held in New York City, the company revealed its new Pixel phones, a redux of the Pixel tablet (now with Chrome OS), a smart display, and a host of other devices it didn’t even bother mentioning (though we’ll tell you about them).

             The third-generation Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were announced after months of rumor mongering and uncorroborated hardware leaks. Both ...

             Microsoft now faces a big Windows 10 quality test after botched update

             Microsoft has pulled its latest Windows 10 update offline after some users complained of missing files. It’s the latest in a string of incidents with regular patches and Microsoft’s larger Windows 10 updates that have been causing issues for some PC users this year. While Microsoft tests Windows 10 with millions of beta testers, there are signs that this public feedback loop isn’t always working. Earlier this year Microsoft delayed its April 2018 Windows 10 update due to last minute Blue Screen of Death issues, and then had to fix desktop and Chrome freezing issues after it was shipped to m ...

             What Are Your Favorite Camera Apps for iOS and Android?

             There are way too many camera apps for iOS and Android. And if you’re anything like my friends, you just stick with the basics: the stock app your smartphone shipped with. Good enough for silly selfies, shots of your pet being lazy, and Instagrams of your food, right?

             We’ve covered a few great camera apps in our Lifehacker Packs for iOS and Android, but I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of what’s out there.

             From apps that let you drop all kinds of crazy filters on your phone post-shot to apps that dump every meaningful setting—even ...

             Asus announces midrange Chromebook with 14-inch touchscreen

             Asus quietly announced a new 14-inch Chromebook today, the C423. There’s no pricing information yet, but it’s a midrange Chromebook that comes in two variations: a non-touchscreen one that’s powered by an Intel Celeron processor, and one with a 1080p touchscreen display that’s powered by a Pentium N4200.

             The company claims this model is the first of its Chromebooks to feature a “NanoEdge design,” which means it’s got some pretty thin 5.8mm bezels. The 180-degree hinge lets the Chromebook lay flat, and it’s been “subjected to a grueling 20,000-cycle open-and-close test to ensure lo ...

             Pre-order Microsoft’s Surface Headphones on November 15th

             Microsoft caught just about everyone by surprise when it announced new noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones earlier this month at its Surface launch event. The subdued white cans, priced at $350, are set to compete with the excellent Sony 1000XM3 and Bose Quiet Comfort II headphones. Microsoft has now revealed that pre-orders for the Surface Headphones will start on November 15th and ship on November 19th.

             Microsoft's surprisingly light Surface Headphones feature Cortana integration, 13 levels of noise cancellation operated by a physical dial and intuitive touch controls. It will al ...

             iOS 12.0.1 update available, fixes Wi-fi connectivity on iPhone XS, Lightning charging issues

             Apple has issued a sub-point release for iOS 12.0.1, knocking out a few bugs involving charging, Wi-Fi connectivity, and sporadic Bluetooth connections.
             

             The update fixes a pair of relatively high-profile issues that were introduced in iOS 12. 
             
             The first fix is to charging behavior. In rare occasions, an iPhone or iPad upgraded to iOS 12 didn't start charging when connected to a Lightning cable. The update also fixes a Wi-Fi connection issue, where the iPhone XS family of devices would re-connect to a mixed network on the slower 2.4 GHz band, even if a faster 5 G ...

             One Underappreciated Android Feature Changed How We All Use Our Phones

             The battery usage indicator is one of Android’s lasting achievements.

             Google’s Android operating system recently celebrated a milestone. Google introduced it to the world 10 years ago on Sept. 23, 2008. Since its debut, Android has become one of the world’s dominant technologies, powering not just smartphones but wearables and connected home devices, too. It surpassed iOS—and crushed other platforms such as Windows Phone and BlackBerry—to become the world’s most popular mobile operating system. Along the way, it hasn’t just influenced what is ...

             Samsung Suddenly 'Confirms' New Galaxy's Nasty Surprise

             While Samsung’s 10th-anniversary Galaxy S10 is starting to look veryspecial indeed, the company has been heavily promoting an even more radical game-changer. But a new report makes me question if it is fast becoming vapourware... 

             Popular UK tech site T3 delivers the bad news, revealing Samsung’s folding Galaxy F “has been pushed back, yet again”.

             T3 says this means Samsung will not meet its well-publicised plans to unveil the Galaxy F at its San Francisco developer conference in November. In particular, this would be a bitter pill for Samsung Mobile Division CEO DJ Koh to ...

             Microsoft Pulls the Windows 10 October 2018 Update for Deleting Files

             We previously warned you that the October 2018 update for Windows 10 was deleting people’s files, and now Microsoft has basically confirmed the issue by pulling the update for now.

             Over on Microsoft’s support site, they’ve updated with a note saying they are pausing the update while they look into the issue more—and they say very clearly that if you have already downloaded the update, you should not install it for now.

             If you have been affected by the file deletion bug, they also ask you to contact them to help sort out the issue, and to stop using the device until you do—w ...

             Google Pixel Slate detachable keyboard and capacitive stylus

             Google can identify your pets in pictures, create augmented reality with a single rear camera, and isolate individual voices in a crowd. As we've learned over the past few weeks, what Google can notdo is keep a secret. We've only seen glimpses of the company's upcoming Chrome OS tablet, but now full images have been posted by MySmartPrice.

             The tablet is officially called the 'Pixel Slate,' and it features a 3:2 touchscreen (of an unknown resolution) with stylus support. There are cameras on the front and back, and the front-facing stereo speakers will probably make this a g ...

             Wear OS 2.1 is now rolling out to Google-powered smartwatches

             We reported back in August that Wear OS was getting a hefty update from Google, and the new code is apparently now rolling out to compatible smartwatches. You might want to check the update screen on your wearable and see if the software is ready to go.

             A lot of the new changes are cosmetic ones, with an improved, cleaner interface for notifications, the Google Assistant, and the newly revamped Google Fit. Wear OS should be easier to get around with the 2.1 update as well – you can use swipes from the main watch face to get to all the features that matter.

             ...

             Apple's iOS 12 update is causing sporadic issues with iPhone charging

             Multiple reports are suggesting that iOS 12 may have a bug, causing periodic and random issues with devices not charging when plugged in to a power source, or placed on a wireless charging pad without user interaction.

             At Apple's discussion board, there are currently 108 users commenting on a potential problem with either the iPhone XS or iOS 12. The fault occurs when the user connects a Lightning cable to the charge port using a common wall charger, or place the device on a Qi charging pad.
             
             Most of the time, the iPhone functions as expected, and immediately begins ch ...

             Apple's iPhone XS Has A Serious Problem

             I’ve said it before: what Apple AAPL +0.3%’s iPhone XS (details) and iPhone XS Max (details) get right, they get very right indeed. But it’s now clear their biggest weakness is not just about saving money (and making the iPhone XR look good), it’s connected a fundamental flaw that may require a recall… 

             In short: many of Apple’s new iPhones refuse to charge. The news comes following a flurry of customer complaints across Apple Support Communities, Reddit, MacRumors forums, Twitter and YouTube. And YouTube’s most popular tech channel has now shown ...

             LG Watch W7 smartwatch will allegedly launch alongside the LG V40

             LG is set to reveal the LG V40 ThinQ smartphone on October 3, but a new report claims the company will unveil something else: the W7 smartwatch, which is said to combine the mechanical hands of an analog wristwatch with a digital display powered by Google's Wear OS platform.

             Previous rumors suggested that LG’s next watch would launch back in April (which didn’t happen), but we haven’t heard much about its actual release date, aside from FCC filings hinting it's still in the works – until now. Noted leaker Evan Blass clarified that the device will be called t ...

             iPhone XS Max vs. Galaxy Note 9 drop test: Apple’s phone doesn’t crack under pressure

             It’s a battle of two of the largest smartphones on the market as drop test expert PhoneBuff on YouTube pits the new iPhone XS Max up against Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9. At the beginning of the month, shortly after the Galaxy Note 9 launched, PhoneBuff put Samsung’s latest flagship to the test against the iPhone X in a drop test showdown which the iPhone won (though not by much). So how does Apple’s biggest phone ever stack up?

             If you watched Apple’s keynote live stream earlier this month, you might remember that the company referred to the glass on the iPh ...

             The New iPhones Look Fine. But My Old One Is Better Than Ever.

             Apple’s new offerings are so good that I’m not buying a new iPhone.

             I expect to save hundreds of dollars this year and enjoy what I’ve already got, because, thanks to Apple, my old iPhone 6 is performing better than ever.

             This is the result of two unusual moves by the trillion-dollar corporation. One was Apple’s release this month of a new operating system that not only makes its new iPhones run well, but can also radically improve the performance of millions of old ones.

             The other action was Apple’s decision last winter to let iPhone ow ...

             Wear OS 2.1 now rolling out, features long-awaited redesign

             Earlier this month, Google announced a complete redesign for Wear OS. The update was designed to make everything more accessible - notifications no longer take up an entire screen, swiping left on the main screen takes you to Google Assistant, and swiping right displays health data. The quick settings has also been improved, with new shortcuts to Google Pay and Find My Phone.

             Wear OS 2.1 was promised to roll out sometime in September with the new design in tow, and Google has narrowly met that deadline. A few people have already received the new interface, but no one at Android Poli ...

             Microsoft suspends development of touch-friendly Office apps for Windows

             The focus is on the iOS, Android, Web, and Win32 versions of the apps.

             Microsoft has stopped developing new features for the touch-friendly Office Mobile apps for Windows 10, reports the Verge.

             Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile first made their debut with Windows 8.1. Their significance is twofold: they have a user interface that's designed to be touch-friendly, and they're built using Microsoft's modern UWP (Universal Windows Platform) framework. They've been regularly updated since their introduction, but no longer. The use of UWP meant that ...

             Massive Surface Pro 6 leak reveals everything

             Microsoft will hold a special event on Tuesday, October 2. Invites started going out at the beginning of the month, and several exciting things are expected to happen. First, we’re expecting an updated Surface Laptop and Surface Studio model. Then, an improved Surface Pro and Surface Book should also be unveiled, in addition to some “new gadgets”, as earlier reports hinted.

             The mother of all Surface Pro 6 leaks is coming from Vietnam. It is a massive picture gallery of the supposed upcoming model, together with its retail box and spec-list. As you can see in the pi ...

             watchOS 5.0.1 coming today, fixes a bug with the Activity Rings

             A little over a week after releasing watchOS 5 to the public, today Apple is going to be releasing its first minor update: watchOS 5.0.1. This is a small update that aims at fixing some issues with the original release, including a bug that caused an incorrect increase in exercise minutes for some users.

             Another issue that was bothering some users was one which caused the Watch to not track standing minutes during the afternoon, this update also aims at fixing this issue. The update should be available later today, over the air, for all users. We’ll update this post once it&rs ...

             Samsung debuts Note 9 in silver and brings black model to the US

             The Galaxy Note 9 has been out for over a month now, so it’s time for Samsung to get it back in the spotlight with the launch of some new colors. Though weirdly enough, they’re the most standard color options possible: silver and black.

             At launch, the Note 9 was only available in blue and lavender in the US. That was a nice change of pace, since phones so often are only available in black and white. But it also meant that those standard, toned-down color options weren’t available. (The black version did launch in other countries.)

             Now Samsung is rectifying ...

             Microsoft Office 2019: Everything You Need to Know

             You may have noticed that Microsoft began rolling out a new version of Microsoft Office early this week. That means that there are now three versions of Microsoft Office out in the wild—Office 2016, Office 365, and the brand-new Office 2019.

             If you’re curious about this new version of Microsoft Office, we’ve put together this guide to answer the biggest questions about Office 2019, such as how it differs from Office 2016 and Office 365, what features are (and aren’t) included, and when you can actually use it.

             What is Office 2019?

             M ...

             ECG Feature on Apple Watch Could Take Years to Be Approved in the United Kingdom

             Earlier this month, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 4 with a new electrocardiogram (ECG) feature that measures the electrical activity of your heartbeat, providing you with a heart rhythm classification that can be shared with your doctor. The feature isn't out yet, but it will be limited to Series 4 models in the United States later in 2018. 

             Today, 9to5Mac shared a potential time window for the launch of the ECG feature in the United Kingdom. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) explains that the process starts by examining Apple's document ...

             Just Google it: The journey from search to desktop OS

             From search engine to a browser to Chrome OS.

             It's hard to imagine, but only 10 years has passed since Google launched the Chrome browser in September 2008. A world without Chrome feels like a distant past -- it's now the most popular browser by a wide margin. Barely a year later, Google introduced Chrome OS. "It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be," Sundar Pichai, then the VP of product management, wrote in a blog post. He described Chrome OS as an open-source desktop operating system that was a "natural extension" of the browser.

             In ...

             How to Download Microsoft's Big October Update for Windows 10 Right Now

             Microsoft plans to release Windows 10 version 1809 at the beginning of October, but thanks to a little trick, you can grab the update now and take it out for an early test drive.

             To get started, you’ll need the following:

             • Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (version 1803)—but don’t install it yet.
             • Microsoft Windows 10 Media Creation Tool Helper

             As this helpful writeup from Ghacks explains, you’ll need to put the Media Creation Tool and the extracted contents of the Media Creation Tool ...

             HP ENVY X360

             HP adds a Ryzen processor and cuts some corners to deliver this low-cost 13-inch touchscreen convertible.

             WITH THE LATEST update to its Envy x360 laptop line, HP has done what has long seemed nearly impossible: Jettisoned Intel from the CPU slot. In preparing this writeup, I scoured my archives of hundreds of laptop reviews I’ve written over the years. The last time I encountered a laptop with a non-Intel processor was in 2011.

             AMD announced a mobile platform codenamed Raven Ridge, now known as Ryzen, in October 2017. While it has solid corporate sponsorship, Ryzen lap ...

             Google Chrome Has A Nasty Surprise

             With a massive 62% market share, Google GOOGL +0.05%’s Chrome dominates the web browser market. Chrome’s seamless updates are a major factor behind its success, but now the browser is under attack after its latest upgrade dropped a nasty surprise on millions of users around the world… 

             ‘Great Secret Features’ and ‘Nasty Surprises’ are my regular columns investigating the best features / biggest problems hidden behind the headlines.

             In a damning blog post entitled ‘Why I’m done with Chrome’, noted cryptographer an ...

             Xbox One’s mouse-and-keyboard era will begin in “coming weeks,” Microsoft says

             Developers will be able to choose whether to support KB+M controls in their games.

             Here at Ars, we're old enough to remember when Microsoft first claimed that full support for keyboard/mouse controls on Xbox One was "months away." (That was over 27 months ago, for those still keeping track.)

             In any case, Microsoft has announced via a Tuesday blog post that the long-promised mouse and keyboard support will finally be rolling out for Xbox Insider members "in the coming weeks." That could mean the feature is 27 weeks away, we suppose, but Microsoft als ...

             How to Downgrade Your iPhone Back to iOS 11

             For most iPhone users, updating to iOS 12 should be smooth sailing: faster speeds and fun new features for all. And while we have yet to experience any issues with iOS 12 on our devices here at Lifehacker, we have seen a number of reports from others—especially those with older devices—who feel like they’re having battery issues after updating to Apple’s latest version of iOS.

             If you’ve experienced issues with iOS 12 and they’re enough to make you run back to the safety of iOS 11, you have a little bit of time to downgrade your device before Apple stops signi ...

             The Galaxy Note 9 Has a Big Problem

             If you have a Galaxy Note 9, you might want to check the virtual buttons at the bottom of the handset's screen.

             Some Galaxy Note 9 owners are reporting that the recent, home, and back buttons on the bottom of the smartphone's screen have become less responsive in recent days. Those users, who took to Samsung forums and other sites, said that the keys were working just fine when they bought the phone, but started to become less responsive over time.

             "They seem to work fine about half the time but randomly become unresponsive," one poster wrote, according to Piunika Web, which ...

             Apple's Super Big (and Pricey) iPhone Is 'Significantly' Outselling the XS, Because of Course It Is

             When Apple announced the iPhone XS Max, there was a lot of simulated pearl-clutching from tech sites (including us), as people feigned shock and disbelief that Apple would make a handset that big, despite the XS Max’s screen being only marginally larger than what you get on a Galaxy Note 9.

             And when people started to get their hands on actual devices, reviewers continued to ham it up with videos comparing the size of Apple’s big-screen phone to former NBA players and other silly juxtapositions. But still, with as much fuss folks kicked up about the XS Max, the extra-larg ...

             Microsoft launches Office 2019 for Windows and Mac

             Microsoft is releasing Office 2019 for Windows and Mac today. The update is designed for businesses and consumers that haven’t opted into Microsoft’s Office 365 service with monthly feature updates. Office 2019 is essentially a subset of features that have been added to Office 365 over the past three years, and it includes updates to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Visio, Access, and Publisher.

             Office 2019 will include a roaming pencil case and ribbon customizations across all Office apps. Microsoft is also bringing focus mode to Word, alongside a new translat ...

             iOS keyboard cursor now works on all devices running iOS 12

             One of the iPhone’s most useful 3D Touch features is the ability to turn your keyboard into a trackpad while typing, and with iOS 12, this functionality is coming to handsets without Apple’s pressure-sensitive technology. Mashable notes that you can enable the functionality by long-pressing the keyboard’s space bar at any time, at which point you can use it to easily move your cursor without having to obscure the text with your finger.

             Apple introduced 3D Touch with the iPhone 6S, but it has opted to omit it on the cheapest of its 2018 models, the iPhone X ...

             Apple details Mojave support on Mac Pro, says some iMacs won’t support Boot Camp after update

             Following the release of macOS 10.14 Mojave this afternoon, Apple has published a pair of support documents with details for specific machines. These documents relate to installing Mojave on older Mac Pro machines, as well as Boot Camp support on select iMacs.

             First off, Apple outlines the graphic cards that support Metal and are therefore compatible with macOS Mojave on the mid-2010 and mid-2012 Mac Pro models:

             • MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDRR5
             • SAPPHIRE Radeon PULSE RX 580 8GB GDDR5
             • SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition
             • NV ...

               Your iPhone Has a Secret Texting Feature You Might Not Know About

               If you’ve ever wished there was a quicker way to easily edit your texts and notes when using your Apple devices, we’ve got good news for you.

               Apple recently released its latest version of software available for its mobile devices and iPads on Monday, and one of the most handy tools you can tap into through the new iOS 12 is its text editing shortcut.

               With iOS 12, Apple users who have devices that don’t automatically come with 3D Touch capability will now be able to utilize the feature.

               For those not familiar with the 3D Touch capability, the feature ...

               How to Stop Third-Party Apps From Reading Your Email

               Whenever you click that easy “Sign in With Google” button on a company’s website, you’re granting the app or service access to some of your information. While in some cases that might just be access to your name and email address, for others you’re giving that company the ability to read your email as well.

               Sure, that sign-on was super simple, but you’re giving something up in return.

               The Wall Street Journal did a big story on this a few months ago, which surprised a lot of people. Now, it’s warning users again that there ar ...

               Microsoft’s Windows 10 October 2018 update can’t check storage space – here’s what to do

               Uh-oh, it looks like someone forgot to include the “check to ensure there’s enough storage space before installing” feature in the October Windows 10 update.

               As PC World reported yesterday, Microsoft quietly published a support documentindicating people who attempt to run the impending October update on Windows 10 machines could find themselves rather frustrated if they don’t have enough available storage.

               While, by their very nature, updates require users to have space on their storage device to download the file, it’s usually not a bi ...

               OnePlus begins rollout of its customized version of Android Pie

               Just over one month after the official release of Android Pie, OnePlus is rolling out its version of the update to the OnePlus 6. OxygenOS 9.0, the company’s fork of Google’s operating system, delivers many of the same improvements as stock Android, including a tweaked interface, gesture navigation, and adaptive battery functionality.

               The speed at which OnePlus has rolled out this update is impressive given that many manufacturers can take months to update to the latest version of Android, if they do at all. Less than 15 percent of devices are running last year’s A ...

               Here's What You Can Do With Apple's New iOS 12 Parental Controls

               Parents, to curb your kid’s phone usage, you may no longer need to hold their chargers hostage, yell out nightly countdowns (“Three more minutes!”) or draft up elaborate tech contracts that you’ll look at exactly once. At least, if you’re on Apple devices. The new iOS 12 parental controls are here, and they allow you to manage your children’s screen time—set app time limits, block off chunks of “downtime” and track their daily habits—all from your own phone. Here’s what you can do, and how to do it.

               How to access ...

               Hands-On With Apple's New 6.5-Inch iPhone XS Max

               It's officially iPhone launch day, which means iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models are in Apple retail stores and have been delivered to customers all around the world. The first pre-orders began arriving this morning in the United States and millions of customers now have the new devices. 
               
               We got our hands on one of the new iPhone XS Max models this morning to check out that huge new screen, the new 6.5-inch size, the camera improvements, and the faster internals. 

               The iPhone XS Max's display measures in at 6.5-inches, and it features the biggest screen that Apple's e ...

               As new iPhones go on sale, studies reveal chips from Intel and Toshiba

               SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc’s latest iPhones hit stores around the world on Friday, featuring components made by Intel Corp and Toshiba among others, according to two firms that cracked open the iPhone Xs and Xs Max models.

               The studies by repair firm iFixit  and chip analysis firm TechInsights here, published this week, are among the first detailed teardowns of the phones, which reviews suggested were a subtle upgrade from the tenth anniversary iPhone X.

               Supplying parts for Apple’s iPhones is considered a coup for chipmakers and other manufacturers. Wh ...

               What to do first when you get your new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max

               The iPhone XS and XS Max will make their way into the hands of excited customers as soon as tomorrow. Before your shiny new device arrives, review these eight simple steps to ensure that you're getting the most out of your investment. 

               1 - Backup your old iPhone the correct way

               The first step is very important. If you're upgrading from an old iPhone, you need to make sure that its data gets backed up the correct way before attempting to transfer it over to a new device. 
               
               The easiest way to conduct a backup is through iCloud. Navigate to ...

               This $13 RavPower wireless charging stand will make up for your iPhone XS's lame 5W plug

               The new iPhone XS and XS Max are shipping out tomorrow, but it's not all good news: They still ship with the same 5W charger that takes forever to fill up your phone. That's why you need a wireless charger, and today, RaVPower's Qi-certified wireless charger is an all-time low of $13 so go grab one before they're all gone.

               The RavPower charging stand won't charge your new iPhone any faster, but you can't beat the desktop or nightstand convenience. It's equipped with protections to keep your phone safe while charging, with safeguards against short circuits, overheating, and over-volt ...

               Speed test shows how much faster your old iPhone will be after the iOS 12 update

               We’ve been telling you that iOS 12 is a lot faster than iOS 11 from the first days of iOS 12 beta 1. Apple promised at WWDC that iOS 12’s primary focus is performance, and that showed from the first developer release. Now that the final iOS 12 build is available for everyone to download, old iPhones users may wonder whether they should upgrade their phones or wait. The answer is definitely yes. iOS 12 is a lot better than iOS 11, and the following speed test proves it.

               YouTube channel EverythingApplePro, which performs such speed tests on a regular basis, compared iOS 12 against iOS ...

               iPhone XS teardown shows single-cell battery, few other changes from iPhone X

               While the iPhone XS shares the practically the same external appearance as the iPhone X, the first teardown of the latest Apple smartphone reveals a few changes were made to the inside, including the use of a new battery and some smaller alterations to other internal components. 

               The customary teardown of the iPhone XS, this time by FixjeiPhone, appears at first glance to be the same as the iPhone X's treatment last year. From the outset, however, the technician disassembling the device notes it is harder to gain access, with the screen a little tougher to remove than before because ...

               Samsung Galaxy A7 goes official as the company’s first triple-camera smartphone

               Samsung isn’t slow to embrace new trends in the smartphone industry. Now, after Huawei introduced the technology on its P20 Pro, Samsung is introducing its first smartphone with a triple-camera – the Galaxy A7.

               Announced today for the European and Asian markets, the latest Galaxy A7 is another mid-range Android smartphone. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s been recycled from a phone from 2015. It offers a 6-inch SuperAMOLED display, octa-core 2.2GHz chipset, up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, a 3,300 mAh battery, Android Oreo, and more. There&rs ...

               GoPro Unveils the HERO7 Black, Silver, and White Action Cameras

               GoPro has just announced the HERO7 lineup of action cameras. The family consists of three new cameras: the HERO7 Black, HERO7 Silver, and HERO7 white.

               GoPro HERO7 Black

               At the top of the line is the flagship HERO7 Black, which features improved video stabilization and a new feature called HyperSmooth.

               “HyperSmooth is the best in-camera video stabilization ever featured in a camera,” GoPro says. “It makes it easy to capture professional-looking, gimbal-like stabilized video without the expense or hassle of a motorized gimbal. And Hyp ...

               Apple Watch fire face was made with actual fire

               With the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple introduced a new, larger display. It now has rounded edges and thinner bezels. And the company took advantage of that display to introduce new fire, water, liquid metal and vapor faces. Apple didn’t use CGI to create those faces — they shot those faces in a studio.

               Many companies would have rendered those effects on a computer given the size of the display. But those are actual videos shot with a camera.

               As you can see, Apple used a flamethrower against a transparent surface, exploded a balloon at the top of a basin of water, made a color ...

               iOS 12.1 beta suggests a new iPad is coming this fall

               An identifier was found in the Setup app, but that's not the only clue.

               While exploring the Setup app in iOS 12, 9to5Mac discovered an identifier referring to an iPad labeled "iPad2018Fall". The identifier also added to a bevy of evidence and reports suggesting a new iPad Pro model is imminent.

               That's not the only hint about new iPads in the iOS 12.1 beta, though. First of all, 9to5Mac found a daemon running in iOS 12.1 that seems to suggest support for syncing Memojis across iOS devices. While some people do have multiple iPhones, not many do, and syncing l ...

               Should You Buy the New iPhone XS?

               Only if you fall into one of these five categories.

               The new iPhone XS is expensive. Like last year’s iPhone X, it costs $999. The larger XS Maxcosts $100 more—and if you opt for additional storage capacity, its price could reach nearly $1,500. With the days of carrier-subsidized hardware purchases but a shiny memory, that’s a lot of money to pay out of pocket. It makes the question “Should I buy this year’s iPhone?” all the more important.

               For some, the answer is a resounding no. Unless you’re the most devoted Apple aficio ...

               Apple Watch Series 4: The reviews are in

               After several days of testing, reviewers around the world are sharing their impressions of the redesigned, re-engineered Apple Watch Series 4: 

               The New York Times
               “The new Apple Watch is perhaps one of the most significant developments in wearable gadgets in years.”

               Women’s Health
               “The new Apple Watch health and fitness features make it a powerful device for your overall well-being. That’s because game-changing bells and whistles have elevated the Apple Watch Series 4 from an investme ...

               Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Catches Fire: Galaxy Note 7 All Over Again?

               A Samsung Galaxy Note 9 unit burst into flames inside a woman's purse, bringing back memories of the Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery fiasco that stretched from 2016 to 2017.

               It is too early to say that the Galaxy Note 9 is suffering from the same quality issues that plagued the Galaxy Note 7, but it should be very concerning for Samsung to have its latest flagship device linked with the failed smartphone.

               Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Bursts Into Flames

               Real estate agent Diane Chung from Long Island, New York claimed in a lawsuit against Samsung that she suf ...

               Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro leak shows four cameras and display notch

               It’s fair to say that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro has been a bestseller. The phone launched in India in February, and its mid-range list of specifications included the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC, 4GB/6GB of RAM paired with 64GB of storage, 5.99-inch Full HD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD, dual 12MP + 5MP (depth sensing) rear cameras, 20MP front-facing camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. It shipped with MIUI 9 on top of Android 7.1 Nougat, but it has since received an update to Android 8.1 Oreo with Project Treble support.

               The Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera shares the same device code-name (wh ...

               19 Things You Can Do in iOS 12 That You Couldn't Do Before

               Happy iOS 12 day, everybody—after being announced back in June, the final version of Apple’s mobile OS gets pushed out to eager iPhone and iPad users across the world today. You’ll need an iPhone 5C or newer or a 2013 iPad or newer (anything that could run iOS 11, essentially), and when you’ve got the software installed, here’s everything you can do.

               1) Create your own Memoji

               iOS 12 brings with it some new Animojis and more detailed face mapping (you can now... stick out your tongue), but the big addition as far as animated cartoon av ...

               Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Explodes In A Handbag

               Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Reportedly Explodes In Women’s Handbag

               Aside from the brand new Apple iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is arguably one of the most desired phones currently on the market. With it releasing such a short time ago the early reaction to it has been quite positive. It seems, however, that a few ghosts (thought put to rest) might be rearing their head again for Samsung.

               In a report via CNET, a woman owner has reported that her phone literally exploded whilst in her handbag.

               What Happened?

               The woman fro ...

               Galaxy Note 9 battery overheats, smokes out, now subject of lawsuit

               A New York woman has launched a lawsuit against Samsung after her Galaxy Note 9 “became extremely hot” and began emitting thick smoke. The issue, which the company says is the only one reported, has triggered memories of the battery explosions in dozens of Galaxy Note 7 devices.

               The New York Post reports Diane Chung was riding the elevator up to her apartment in Bayside, Queens, when her phone became too warm to use. After putting it in her bag, “she heard a whistling and screeching sound, and she noticed thick smoke,” court papers claim. She had burned her fingers trying to retriev ...

               How to download iOS 12 on your iPhone right now

               After detailing all that iOS 12 has to offer in early June, Apple is ready to release the final version of its new software. iOS 12 officially launches Sept. 17, at which point compatible iOS devices will be notified of the available update. The new update includes features like Memoji, Siri shortcuts and better notifications. But if you can't wait to play with the new features, there's a way to install it now.

               Does your iPhone or iPad support iOS 12? (Probably) 

               Rick Broida detailed which devices support iOS 12, but the cheat sheet for compatibility is if y ...

               The Most Exciting Thing Apple Announced on Wednesday

               It wasn’t one of the new iPhones. It was the health-focused update to the Apple Watch.

               In the lead up to Wednesday’s Apple event, the Apple Watch seemed like it would be a sideshow. The device would get some minor updates, while the new iPhones would be the focus. Apple may have intended that to be the case, but the iPhone updates were mostly iterative and unsurprising (though technically impressive). Instead, the new version of the Apple Watch, already the leading smartwatch in the world, emerged as the most exciting announcement from the company.

               ...

               Even the cheapest new iPhone is going to be crazy expensive

               Apple on Wednesday is expected to launch its biggest and most expensive iPhone ever, surpassing the $1,000 price tag of last year’s iPhone X.

               Apple is set to unveil a trio of new smartphones in Cupertino on Wednesday and for the first time none of the company’s new models will have a home button according to leaks and reports, with Apple set to replace fingerprints with facial recognition on all new iPhones.

               All the new phones will also come with edge-to-edge displays that feature the same notch seen in last year’s iPhone X.

               A new version of the ...

               What Will Apple Announce At Its September 12 Event? My Predictions On The New iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

               The expectations around Apple’s upcoming September 12th event are curious. On one side of the coin Apple is set to double down on the technology packed into last year’s iPhone X handset, with an update to the base mode, a phablet-sized version to increase audience appeal, and a lower-priced model to replace the four year old iPhone 6 design. The other side looks at Apple’s approach of incrementally updating the line up as a way to keep the faithful engaged as it struggles to match up with the rush of innovation seen in Android while taking no risks that may disrupt the sal ...

               Galaxy S10 Leak 'Confirms' Samsung's Nasty Surprise

               There’s a great deal of positivity surrounding Samsung’s 10th anniversary Galaxy S10, and with good reason. The company’s new flagship will be heavily redesigned, match the best iPhone X feature, deliver a cutting-edge in-display fingerprint reader and (potentially) even fast Android updates. But sadly, we now know the Galaxy S10’s biggest upgrade comes with a nasty surprise… 

               ‘Great Secret Features’ and ‘Nasty Surprises’ are my regular columns investigating the best features / biggest problems hidden behind the headlines.

               ...

               Huawei caught cheating benchmark test for P20

               Huawei has been caught optimizing some of its top smartphones to over-perform on benchmark tests. On Tuesday, AnandTech discovered that Huawei’s P20 had been programmed to maximize performance specifically when running 3DMark, a popular benchmarking app. Today, the company behind 3DMark followed up with a statement saying that it had confirmed the findings and would delist the P20, as well as three other Huawei phones with similar behavior, from its benchmark leaderboards.

               The delisted phones include the P20, P20 Pro, Nova 3, and Honor Play. Huawei admitted to this be ...

               Huawei found tampering with benchmark results, says it had to

               Benchmarks results have been driving the smartphone industry for quite some time. Manufacturers try to impress customers and each other with higher and higher results, leading to tampering with the outcome in order to look favorable in the eyes of the users.

               In a conversation at IFA 2018 in Berlin with Anandtech, Huawei official confirmed that the manufacturer is using benchmark detection software to deliver the best possible results, only because it wants to stay relevant to its competitors.

               Dr. Wang Chenglu, President of Software at Huawei’s Consumer Busines ...

               Samsung Mobile CEO hints at long-awaited foldable smartphone reveal this year

               The Android industry as a whole has overhyped the concept of foldable smartphones to the point of near exhaustion, but none is a worse offender than Samsung . It's been teasing a foldable device for many years now but the feat of actually producing one that's durable and functionally innovative enough to commercially release has clearly been too challenging — at least, up until this point. CNBC has now reported that the mobile hardware giant has plans to unveil more details about a forthcoming foldable smartphone this year.

               DJ Koh, CEO of Samsung's mobile division, told ...

               A Future for Hybrid and Battery-Electric Wing Ships

               Over the past three years, various aviation technical publications have reported on developments in hybrid and battery-electric aircraft propulsion. A French made two-seat battery powered aircraft flew a distance of 300 miles in two hours at 20,000 feet. There would likely be scope to adapt future technology developments in hybrid and battery powered aeronautical propulsion to ground effect maritime technology involving wing ships that could occupy a unique future market niche.

               Introduction

               Some 50 years ago, there were two forms of propulsion for small scal ...

               Huawei will reveal the Mate 20 on October 16

               Huawei has had a busy few days. After announcing its new Kirin 980 Chip and a the Honor MAGIC 2 during IFA this week, today the company revealed that its next flagship, the Mate 20, will be announced on October 16 in London.

               The phone will be powered by the aforementioned Kirin 980, which is the first mobile chip to use a 7nm architecture. Long story short, it should provide major speed improvements and a hefty dose of new AI capabilities. Meanwhile, rumors point to a 4,200 mAh battery, three rear cameras, and a 6.3-inch screen.

               That sounds like a beastly device, but I imagi ...

               Apple hints at gold iPhone X successor in launch invite

               Apple Inc said on Thursday it will host an event on Sept. 12 at the Steve Jobs Theater in the company's Cupertino, California, campus, where it is widely expected to unveil new iPhone models.

               Analysts believe Apple plans to release three new smartphones this year, including one with a larger display than previous models. Analysts also expect Apple to release an iPhone with a edge-to-edge display similar to the iPhone X but using less-costly LCD screen technology.

               Apple's event invitation made heavy use of the color gold, fueling speculation on social media that the company p ...

               AI to seep further into everyday life at Berlin’s IFA: Analysts

               Electronics manufacturers are betting on artificial intelligence weaving itself ever more tightly into our relationships with their products on show at this year’s IFA, the sector’s annual Berlin trade fair, analysts predict.

               Smart refigerators like this Samsung model are likely to be among the products on display at IFA tech trade fair in Berlin (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)

               “Voice control and AI are two trends dominating consumer devices industry this year, generating innovation in all segment,” Hans Joachim Kamp, president of the GFU federation which c ...

               Intel's new laptop CPUs focus on gigabit Wi-Fi and voice commands

               They could lead to a new wave of ultra-thin PCs.
               Intel already has a wide variety of eight-generation laptop processors targeting performance and gaming. But with its latest round of chips -- a new batch of U-series CPUs for mainstream laptops, and the debut of Y-series processors for very thin machines -- the company is focused on improving the ultraportable laptop experience. For one, they all feature integrated gigabit Wi-Fi, which will vastly improve your networking performance on modern AC routers. There's also a quad-core audio DSP, which will make it easier for laptops to recognize ...

               Costco is already taking $500 off the Galaxy Note 9, no 24-month contract required

               The Galaxy Note 9 is now available for everyone to buy and as per tradition, there’s already a boatload of carrier promotions available. The benchmark is Samsung’s own deal, which gets you a free Duo charger and case; AT&T and Verizon are both offering buy-one-get-one free deals, Sprint is offering a 50%-off 18-month lease, and T-Mobile is doing 50% off with an eligible trade-in.

               All of those deals require one thing, however: signing up two years of your wireless service to one provider. Oftentimes, they also require opening a new line of service, and you have to keep that new l ...

               200GB iCloud storage free for two months, courtesy of Apple

               Apple wants you to get ready for your new iPhone. Whichever you will end up buying, once they become official soon. The Cupertino-based company seems to be teaming up with the four big carriers in the US. Apparently, customers who are planning to upgrade their iPhone plans are being recommended to visit a special link.

               That special link enables customers to get two free months of 200GB iCloud storage. This would make the upgrade process seamless, as the additional cloud storage allows users to safely back up the entire contents of their phone. Once on the new phone, after signing in ...

               You can now download Windows 95 for free as an app on Windows, macOS or Linux

               If you’ve ever wanted to go back in time and relive the days of the personal computer before it had completely taken over all of our lives, you can now do so with a brilliant little app. On Thursday, Slack developer Alex Rieseberg shared a project on GitHub which condenses the entirety of the Windows 95 experience into a single app that run on modern versions of Windows, macOS, and even Linux. You can download it for free right over here.

               Virtually everything you remember about Windows 95 is here, from the outdated, blocky user interface to the standard Start menu programs that used ...

               How to Get Customizable Quick Settings and Notifications Without Updating to Android Pie

               If you’ve upgraded to Android Pie, you’ve likely found a host of new features on your device, as well as some new visual changes. One of the coolest changes is the ability to change the look, color, and layout, of the quick settings and notification display menu.

               It’s a neat addition that Pie brings with it, but the key to having this feature is updating your device to run Android Pie. And since Android Pie hasn’t rolled out for everyone yet, it’s possible you don’t have access to the new quick settings and notification features. But that doesn&rs ...

               How to Prevent the Buggy Android Pie Update on Your Pixel XL

               If you’re a Pixel XL user and have been stalling on updating your phone to Android Pie, you may want to hold off entirely.

               According to numerous user reports, the recent Android Pie rollout is preventing Pixel XLs from quick charging, even when a Quick Charge-compatible cable is plugged into an appropriate power source.

               If you happen to be one of those who updated already, and you’ve run into the Quick Charging issues, you may be out of luck for now. Though a report of the quick charge issue was noted on the Google Issue Tracker page, the ticket has since been cl ...

               Google's iOS and Android Apps Track and Store Location Data With Location History Disabled

               Some Google apps on iOS and Android devices continue to store location history even with the setting disabled, according to a new AP report citing data collected by computer science researchers at Princeton. 
               
               Location History, a feature available in Google apps like Google Maps, is an option that allows the app to display the locations that you've visited in a timeline. Princeton researcher Gunnar Acar turned off the Location History option in his Google account, but his devices continued to record the locations he had visited. 

               It appears that even with Loca ...

               Google may bring Windows 10 support to multiple Chromebooks

               It wouldn't just be for Pixelbook owners.
               You might not have to splurge on a Pixelbook if you're pining after a Chromebook with Windows 10 support. XDA-Developers has learned through source code that Campfire, the feature that would let Chrome OS dual-boot Windows 10, would be available in multiple "variants" -- that is, on more than one Chrome OS device. This wouldn't mean that any and all Google-powered PCs would have the option. Hardware makers would have to verify that Windows worked properly, and it'd be out of the question for the many Chrome machines that only have a smal ...

               iPhone X outperforms Samsung’s brand new 6.4-inch Galaxy Note 9

               Earlier today, Samsung officially unveiled its brand new (and oft-leaked) Galaxy Note 9 with a 6.4-inch display. While Samsung touts the device’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 6GB or 8GB of RAM under-the-hood, but earlier benchmarks show the device is still outperformed by the iPhone X…

               As highlighted by Tom’s Guide, who tested the Galaxy Note 9 with 6GB of RAM, the iPhone X was able to come out on top in the majority of benchmark tests.

               In Geekbench 4 testing, the iPhone X was able to outperform all other devices with a score of 10,357. That compa ...

               Apple: No, your iPhone isn't eavesdropping on you

               Tech users have long questioned whether mobile devices and smart speakers eavesdrop on their private conversations. Apple answered that question Tuesday with a resounding no.

               In a letter to federal lawmakers, the tech giant insisted that iPhones do not listen to what users are saying and said third-party app developers don't have access to audio data.

               "iPhone doesn't listen to consumers except to recognize the clear, unambiguous audio trigger 'Hey Siri,'"Timothy Powderly, Apple's director of Federal Government Affairs, wrote in the letter, which was obtained by CNN.

               < ...

               What Android Pie means for the future of smartphones

               Android Pie, the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, is stuffed with features that address some of the hottest tech controversies head-on, including smartphone addiction and privacy. It also has some changes that could create a little drama, like the missing back button.

               Google released Pie -- the name follows the company's penchant for naming its mobile OS after deserts -- on Monday. It offers some significant improvements over Oreo, and anyone with a Pixel phone can start enjoying them today. Everyone else will have to wait a few weeks or even months.

               ...

               Wondering what's draining your iPhone battery? Check this setting

               QUESTION: My iPhone battery is almost dead by the middle of the day most of the time and I suspect some new apps I installed recently might be contributing. Is there a way to check them?

               ANSWER: In the early days of the iPhone, Apple essentially paused third-party apps that were running in the background, but that all changed years ago with iOS 7.

               Starting with iOS 7, third-party apps were allowed to do much more than simply send push notifications when they were running in the background with a feature called "Background App Refresh."

               ...

               Surface Go Revealed As Microsoft's Secret Tablet

               Microsoft’s Surface Go is its latest slice of PC hardware designed to work with its cloud-based services and demonstrate competency to new market sector. But has Microsoft changed its approach to hardware or is the Surface Go a sealed PC masquerading as a tablet? The team at iFixit decided to open up the Surface Go to find out.
               Curiously, much of the Surface Go is designed like a tablet. There’s no fan to direct heat away from the CPU, neither are there any heat pipes that can be used to channel the heat away from the components. Instead thermal paste and a copper heatsink have been ...

               Another Windows 10 SKU is on its way, this time for remote desktops

               The new SKU is an install option for the latest Insider builds.
               Most of the Windows 10 builds published in the Insider program don't come with ISO disk images, so the Windows 10 installer doesn't get a ton of scrutiny. Every now and then, however, ISOs are published (in theory every time there's a build pushed to the slow channel) allowing for fresh installs. Twitter user Tero Alhonen has spotted a new installation option in the latest ISO: Windows 10 Enterprise for Remote Sessions.

               As the name rather implies, the Windows 10 variant supports multiple users logged in to multip ...

               How to save Android battery by limiting background activity

               With the help of Android Oreo, you can prevent apps from using your battery when they should be closed.

               With every release of Android, battery life gets better and better. However, there are times when things, or should I say apps, get away from you and start draining your battery. Most often this happens when an app is running in the background. When this occurs, those apps can gobble up your battery for extended periods of time, and soon your device won't have enough juice to get you through the day.

               Starting with Android Oreo, you can prevent an app from running in the ba ...

               Icon Depicting Design of Upcoming iPad Pro Models Discovered in iOS 12 Beta 5

               An icon that provides hints on the design we can expect to see in the upcoming 2018 iPad Pro models was spotted in the latest beta of iOS 12 by 9to5Mac this afternoon. 

               Located in the battery usage interface, the icon is said to be new in this beta. In line with rumors we've heard, the icon features a tablet that has much reduced bezels and no Home button, as Apple is said to be planning to replace the Touch ID Home button with a TrueDepth camera system and Face ID. 

               The icon seems to suggest that the upcoming iPad Pro models will feature thin bezels at the top and bottom of ...

               Apple Releases Fourth Public Beta of iOS 12

               Apple today seeded the fourth public beta of iOS 12 to public beta testers, giving non-developers a chance to test the software ahead of its upcoming fall release. The fourth iOS 12 public beta, which comes two weeks after the third public beta, corresponds to the fifth developer beta released earlier this week.

               Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 12 beta update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on an iOS device.

               Those who want to join the beta testing program can sign up on Apple's beta testing website, ...

               Everything new in iOS 12 beta 5

               Earlier on Monday, Apple released the fifth beta of iOS 12 to developers. AppleInsider has been digging through this most recent release and we have assembled a long list of everything that has changed this time around.
               Of note this time around, the saturation on wallpapers have been increased, reversing a change we saw a few betas back that upset some users.
               We also have more splash screens and explainers being added, which will be helpful for those upgrading once iOS 12 is released and wondering what is new.
               The last big change is that it appears once iOS 12 finally l ...

               Samsung Suddenly 'Confirms' Massive Galaxy Note 9 Upgrade

               Samsung is set to cancel the Galaxy Note range, and the asking price of the Galaxy Note 9 means it is unlikely to ride to the rescue. That said, if the Galaxy Note 9 is to go out in a blaze of glory, then the good news is it will definitely sign-off by setting a record for the range’s most famous feature…
               The Galaxy Note 9 will have a massive 4,000mAh battery. For sure. 100%. How do we know? Because a filing Samsung made with Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency ‘ANATEL’ and spotted by SamMobile states it explicitly. And this has spectacular consequences.
               The big news ...

               Flow battery for green energy doubles max voltage

               A new type of flow battery that involves a liquid metal more than doubles the maximum voltage of conventional flow batteries and could lead to affordable storage of renewable power.

               The technology has long been considered as a likely candidate for storing intermittent renewable energy. However, until now the kinds of liquids that could produce the electrical current have either been limited by the amount of energy they could deliver or have required extremely high temperatures or used very toxic or expensive chemicals.

               Assistant professor of materials science and engineering ...

               Apple's next iPhones won't use our wireless chips

               You might see the practical impact of the Apple-Qualcomm royalty feud in the very near future. As part of an earnings call, Qualcomm financial chief George Davis told investors that his company believed Apple would "solely use our competitor's modems" (read: Intel's) in the next iPhones. Given that Qualcomm would know whether or not Apple was a customer this close to an iPhone launch (new models usually appear in September), it's safe to say that the chip maker has been shut out this time around.

               It's not shocking that Apple would drop Qualcomm like a hot potato. There was ...

               Apple Macbook Pro bug patched, unleashing full-speed performance

               The bug affected all new 2018 MacBook Pro laptops, but the MacOS update is already showing promising results.

               Apple has been catching heat over the performance of its new MacBook Pro laptops, but the company is hoping its new software update will help cool off outraged power users. 

               Following reports of heat issues leading to throttled performance, Apple has determined that a simple software bug was to blame, and has released what it hopes is a quick fix. In our initial testing, the MacOS update appears to correct the up-and-down CPU throttling, and we're continuing to run a ...

               Mini Commodore 64 is coming to North America on October 9

               Already available in Europe, THEC64 Mini comes with 64 games preinstalled for your retro-gaming pleasure.
               In case you missed it, last September Retro Games announced it was going to put out a mini version of 1982's Commodore 64 called the THEC64 Mini. The system actually shipped in Europe earlier this year, and is finally coming to North America on October 9, just in time for the holiday season. It's available for preorder now for $70.
               Half the size of the original version, it comes come with 64 preinstalled licensed games including Impossible Mission II, Boulder Dash, Jumpman ...

               Scientists Are Very Close to Building the World’s Fastest Charging Battery

               Utilizing the unique properties of quantum mechanics, a new super battery will have the potential to get charged instantaneously.

               If you’re tired of waiting hours for your smartphone to charge, a new research happening at the University of Adelaide might just completely change that. The university’s newest Ramsay Fellow, Dr. James Quach aims to utilize the unique properties of quantum mechanics to build the world’s fastest charging battery that can be charged instantly.

               Dr. Quach is an expert in quantum physics and he said that the potential of instantaneous charging is poss ...

               5 affordable laptops according to your needs

               Whether you're a student on the go or want storage for your photos, these models are cheaper than you think

               Despite our reliance on technology, many of us put up with frustratingly slow laptops with poor battery life. But why? Is it the bewildering abundance of brands, countless serial numbers and confusing technical specifications, or do we just fear a replacement is going to cost the earth?

               The truth is new mid-range laptops are now genuinely affordable and can easily handle day to day needs ­– writing documents and emails, looking at family photos, streaming videos and su ...

               Gorilla Glass 6 is here to withstand your clumsy hands

               A bit of good news for the perpetually clumsy. Corning unveiled the latest version of its ubiquitous smartphone-encasing material today at an event in California. Gorilla Glass 6 is, naturally, designed to be more durable than its predecessor, introduced roughly this time two years ago.

               The big takeaways here are the ability to withstand drops from higher heights and, perhaps even more importantly to most users, multiple drops per device.

               “On average, in lab tests, Gorilla Glass 6 survived 15 drops from 1 meter onto rough surfaces, and is up to two times better than Gorilla ...

               Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 Is Very Expensive

               We know almost everything about the Galaxy Note 9. While it has problems, the good news is all Samsung’s best changes are about making things bigger. That is, until now…

               Polish tech site SpiderWeb has discovered the cost of the Galaxy Note 9 and it confirms bigger is not always better because Samsung is planning a sizeable price increase.
               In its home country, SpiderWeb cites both a local source and a Samsung representative as saying the Galaxy Note 9 will cost PLN 4,299 ($1,159) at launch. This compares to PLN 3,800 ($1,024) for the Galaxy Note 8.
               

               For context, ...

               2018 13-Inch MacBook Pro Teardown Finds Larger Battery, Redesigned Power Adapter, Tweaked Top Case and More

               iFixit on Friday started a teardown on the new 2018 MacBook Pro, discovering a new silicone membrane underneath the keyboard keys, which the site believes is an ingress-proofing measure to prevent the keys from seizing up when exposed to small particulates. 

               That was by far the most interesting bit of information about the new MacBook Pro models, but iFixit has now finished a teardown of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and has a few other tidbits to share. 
               
               Both the new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are using higher capacity batteries, with iFixit discovering a larger 58w ...

               Apple Says Third-Generation Keyboards Exclusive to 2018 MacBook Pro

               Last month, Apple initiated a Keyboard Service Program for MacBook and MacBook Pro, after determining that a "small percentage" of the keyboards in 2015-2017 MacBook and 2016-2017 MacBook Pro models may experience keys that feel "sticky," repeat, or do not respond in a consistent manner. 

               Apple did not identify a cause for the issues, which they call "behaviors," but they're believed to be caused by dust and other particulates becoming stuck in the butterfly switch mechanism underneath keycaps. 

               Apple has been servicing affected keyboards free o ...

               Everything new in Apple's 2018 MacBook Pro

               Apple just released the long-awaited new 2018 MacBook Pros, and while identical at first glance, there are a lot of features that differentiate them from the 2016 and 2017 models.

               Improvements across the line

               Both new models also include a brand new butterfly key mechanism that Apple says gives a quieter experience. With any luck, the reliability issues from the older butterfly keyboard issues have now been laid to rest, but we'll keep you up to date with that as time goes on.

               The new MacBook Pro is the first Mac to feature Apple's True Tone technolo ...

               Visualizing an 11-inch iPad Pro and bezel-free Apple Watch Series 4

               A report today from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo offered new insight into what Apple’s fall iPad and Apple Watch lineup might look like. Based on these predictions, we’ve visualized what could be in store for later this year.

               Kuo predicts that the Apple Watch will be updated with larger displays. While we’ve heard similar reports in the past, this is the first time specific 1.57-inch and 1.78-inch displays have been suggested. Apple’s current 38 and 42mm models leave generous bezels around their perimeter large enough to fit these new displays without changing the physical size of the watch ...

               Latest T-Mobile Galaxy S9 and S9+ updates hit with ‘small delay’

               Remember when T-Mobile had to pause updates for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ and it took a couple of months before new updates were released? Well, it looks like the latest update is being paused, too.

               T-Mobile announced new updates for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ this week, but they’re now on hold. A T-Mobile support rep has confirmed that there’s been a “small delay” with the updates. The good news is that the rep says that this delay isn’t as significant as the previous one and that we should hear more “in the very near future.”

               As a reminder, these new updates for the T-Mobile ...

               Apple’s Shortcuts will flip the switch on Siri’s potential

               At WWDC, Apple pitched Shortcuts as a way to ”take advantage of the power of apps” and ”expose quick actions to Siri.” These will be suggested by the OS, can be given unique voice commands, and will even be customizable with a dedicated Shortcuts app.

               But since this new feature won’t let Siri interpret everything, many have been lamenting that Siri didn’t get much better — and is still lacking compared to Google Assistant or Amazon Echo.

               But to ignore Shortcuts would be missing out on the bigger picture. Apple’s   strengths ...

               Samsung’s most innovative phone ever might launch before the Galaxy S10

               The Galaxy S9 and Note 9 may be boring, but Samsung has a spectacular year ahead, assuming it does launch its most innovative Android phone ever right alongside the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 in 2019. A piece of information coming from a well-known Samsung leaker says that Samsung is indeed going to start next year off with a bang, launching not one, but two flagship different handsets. The rumor is similar to what we’ve heard in the past, but with a little twist.

               A report said a few months back that the Galaxy S10 will be unveiled at CES 2019 next January, rather than in February ...

               Yes, your phone is spying on you and these researchers proved it

               It surely says something about the dark side of technology that as time goes on, many of us are increasingly likely to believe the worst of what’s alleged about our devices. That we’re being used, manipulated, spied on, listened to, watched, taken advantage of in service of selling ads — even if evidence is presented to the contrary.

               Some academics at Northeastern University recently set out to look into one such long-held assumption, the zombie conspiracy which no one ever seems to be able to kill over whether our phones are secretly listening to us to know which ads to ...

               How to install Linux Mint on your Windows PC

               Are you a Windows power-user? You can get and install Linux Mint running on your PC -- either to try it out or as a replacement for Windows.

               I think Linux Mint isn't just a great desktop, it's a great replacement for Windows. With Windows security problems such as WannaCry, people are starting to explore alternatives to Windows.

               I got a number of requests about switching out from Windows to the latest and best Linux. For me and many other experienced Linux users, that's Linux Mint 19. You don't need to be a Linux expert to install Mint on a Windows PC. Here's how to do it....

               Seven challenges facing the tech industry

               The tech landscape is rapidly changing, and those changes bring with them a whole raft of new challenges that the industry will have to face.

               #1: Improving battery life

               I've put this at the top of the list because it is the feature I see requested most often - by far - by laptop, smartphone, and tablet users. While the industry has focused on "thin-and-light," and also to a lesser extent on performance, improved power consumption is primarily being derived from using more efficient components.

               There's little doubt that the industry needs a batter ...

               Exploring the Newest Gmail Security and Productivity Features

               Google released a new version of Gmail last week with some improvements to both their webpage and mobile formats. This new version is the largest Gmail update in recent history, and focuses on adding new security and productivity features for their 1.2 billion users.

               Here are some of the newest features available with the new update:

               -Easy Attachments: Attachments from an email can now be viewed and downloaded directly from the inbox. This allows you to easily access your attachments without having to scroll through the thread to find them.

               -Snooze: This feature allows ...

               Think Frequently Changing Your Password is Secure? Think Again.

               You’ve heard it said that it’s a best security practice to routinely change your passwords. The idea here is that, if a password were stolen, then it would lose its value when the user goes to change it. While this sounds like solid logic, new research shows that it may actually be better NOT to change your passwords.

               This may be a hard pill to swallow for IT administrators who have always required users to change their passwords every few months or so. However, seeing as this practice could make accounts less secure, it’s worth considering.

               The idea behind this theory is that ...

               Browsers Will Soon Support Fingerprint Sign-Ins

               Just a few years ago, we’d only see fingerprint locks on the movie screens as action stars tried to deftly trick the high-security sensors. But these days, biometric authentication processes can be found on a variety of different devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. But soon we may be seeing them in our browsers, according to announcements front Google, Microsoft, And Mozilla.

               According to a report on WC3 browsers such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox will soon support biometric authentication, including fingerprint scanners, voice and facial recognition with ...

               New ATM Scam is Able to Fool Even Chip Based Cards

               If we told you that automated teller machines, or ATMs, were susceptible to hacking attacks, would you believe us? You should; there are a plethora of ways for hackers to infiltrate and steal money from ATMs, with the latest being so dangerous that even the Secret Service has issued warnings about it.

               ATMs in Connecticut and Pennsylvania have recently become complicit in identity theft schemes issued by hackers. The machines themselves have been found to be equipped with periscope skimmer devices attached inside, particularly in machines which have openable lids that provide easy acc ...

               Image 'Snapshot' Data Backup Might Be the Best Method

               Is your business still using tape as its primary method of data backup? If so, you could be missing out on a more reliable, less time-consuming alternative. Image-based, or “snapshot” backup solutions continue to be the optimal way to guarantee the continuity of your organization’s data infrastructure, and we’ll explain why.

               But first, let’s talk about why tape backup isn’t good enough in today’s business environment. Storing data backups on magnetic tape reels has long been a standard procedure, but compared to more modern data backup practices, tape has fallen short of today’s expe ...