Windows 10 1903 is Now Having Problems with Network Adapters

Microsoft has acknowledged another problem in Windows 10 version 1903 where user's are reporting that their network adapters suddenly stop working after installing a cumulative update.

In the Windows 10 Health Dashboard, Microsoft has stated that some Intel and Broadcom Wi-Fi adapters are having a compatibility issues with NEC computers and will cause the adapter to no longer work.

"Microsoft and NEC have found incompatibility issues with Intel Centrino 6205/6235 and Broadcom 802.11ac Wi-Fi cards when running Windows 10, version 1903 on specific models of NEC devices. I ...

Verizon could carry OnePlus phones beginning in 2020

Verizon may soon carry OnePlus phones. According to Android Police, sources say Verizon and the Chinese manufacturer signed a deal and that the phones could arrive in 2020. It's unclear which model (or models) that would include, but PhoneArena claims the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren Edition will be a Verizon exclusive in the US.

This is all still hearsay, though, as neither Verizon nor OnePlus have announced the partnership. Given that OnePlus is now available through T-Mobile and Sprint, a Verizon deal wouldn't be entirely surprising. OnePlus is expected to unveil the 7T at a North A ...

See how an AI system classifies you based on your selfie

Modern artificial intelligence is often lauded for its growing sophistication, but mostly in doomer terms. If you’re on the apocalyptic end of the spectrum, the AI revolution will automate millions of jobs, eliminate the barrier between reality and artifice, and, eventually, force humanity to the brink of extinction. Along the way, maybe we get robot butlers, maybe we’re stuffed into embryonic pods and harvested for energy. Who knows.

But it’s easy to forget that most AI right now is terribly stupid and only useful in narrow, niche domains for which its underlying software has been ...

OnePlus 7T Pro may debut on October 10th

You might only have to wait a few weeks more if you've been holding off for a OnePlus 7T. The historically accurate OnLeaks and Compareraja have claimed that both the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro will be unveiled on October 10th, with availability slated for October 15th. The apparent scoop also includes specs for both, although it's clear these are incremental upgrades -- you won't be in a rush to upgrade a OnePlus 7 Pro.

Both phones will reportedly tout slightly faster Snapdragon 855 Plus chips, the long-rumored 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a host of photography modes that includes ...

Laptop Review: HP Spectre x360 vs. Dell XPS 13

If you’re pricing out a new 13-inch laptop, you’ve probably considered the HP Spectre and Dell XPS lines—particularly the HP Spectre x360 and the Dell XPS 13.

Both of these laptops are the core workhorses in their respective lines, which are kitted out to appeal to higher-end consumer and business audiences. Hewlett Packard often wins corporate bidding due to its more budget-conscious pricing, though you give up some fit and finish to make those cost breakpoints. Dell machines tend to be more solidly built, but also tack on extra cost to cover those details.

All of the Hewle ...

Latest Windows 10 cumulative update causes network adapter failure for some users

Microsoft's latest round of Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 were released earlier this week, bringing a number of unexpected issues. First, the Redmond giant confirmed that problems with the Start menu and Windows Search were being investigated. Later, reports started emerging from users regarding audio issues including missing audio effects and volume sounding much lower than usual. More specifically, the problems are being faced by those on build 18362.356.

This doesn't seem to have been the last of unanticipated issues, however, as some users are experiencing network adapter ...

New Surface Leak Reveals Microsoft's Confident Challenger

Microsoft has announced a major launch event in New Yorkwhere it is widely expected to reveal the latest Surface hardware, and it looks like there could be a surprise in store for Surface Laptop fans.

Taking place on October 2nd, the latest information is that Microsoft will be updating the Surface Laptop portfolio to include its first 15-inch model. Although the Surface Book has a 15-inch screen option (and Apple is heavily rumored to up the 15-inch MacBook Pro to a 16-inch display, assuming Apple really cares about this market), the appearance of the 15-inch option with the Surfac ...

At Just $329, Apple’s New iPad May Finally Replace Your Laptop

Ever since its inception, the iPad has operated in the liminal space between toy and tool. Great for streaming movies and casually browsing, it’s never quite been enough to replace a laptop. Apple’s newest iPad may change that.

At its event in Cupertino this month, Apple revealed the specs on its newest entry-level tablet. The 7th-generation model will feature a 10.2-inch Retina display, A10 Fusion chip, smart connector for a full-sized keyboard and a host of cool new multitasking features in iPadOS.

The net effect: an iPad that’s significantly more powerful than its predece ...

iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max: 6 things you didn't know about Apple's new phones

Apple's press event, where it debuted the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, came and went on Tuesday. And while a lot of noise was made about the handsets' creepy-looking camera setups, the 11 Pro's polarizing Midnight Green color and the obnoxiously termed "slofie," there were a few other iPhone 11 features that flew under the radar.

It's understandable why these details were overlooked -- either Apple didn't make them explicit during its keynote or the features, though useful, aren't exactly "sexy." Now that the dust has settled from the Tuesday's hubbub, howev ...

Pixel 4’s latest leaks come with one disappointing news

Another day, another set of leaks for Google’s worst-kept secret of 2019. It’s probably for the best since fans will have an idea what they’re getting into before the day arrives. So far the leaks have been to everyone’s expectations, but that doesn’t mean there are no disappointing turns. In fact, even in this latest flood of new information, there is one small detail that makes the Pixel 4 look less competitive than this year’s late 2019 flagships.

The appearance of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL is hardly any secret by now. Google even preempted those leaks by confirming that it will ...

Apple’s HomePod set to gain some long overdue functionality this fall

It’s no secret that the HomePod’s software updates have been a bit sluggish, which made it all the more alarming that the device was barely touched on in yesterday’s Apple event.

Well, even as pre-launch promises are still getting ironed out, by the fall Apple says that its home smart speaker will be gaining new functionality including multi-user support, live radio and a relaxing “ambient sounds” mode, according to an updated product page on the company’s website. Some of this functionality was detailed at Apple’s June services event.

Multi-user support is “coming this fall ...

Galaxy S11 colors may have been leaked months before the phone’s reveal

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ last month, but leaks don’t care about release dates. On Tuesday, SamMobile shared its second substantial Galaxy S11 leak in as many weeks, purportedly revealing the color options for a flagship phone which almost certainly won’t be announced until 2020.

According to SamMobile, the Galaxy S11 will be available in Blue, Pink, Black, and White. All four of these colors are also available for the Galaxy Note 10 (though not in every territory). Apple expanded its color palette with the launch of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro earl ...

Comment: This is Google’s year to target iPhone upgraders with Pixel 4

More than every other major Android flagship, the Google Pixel has targeted iPhone buyers. In comparison to the rest of the Android space, the company has focused heavily on user experience over gimmicks, aesthetics over spec sheets. Its success in actually converting people away from Apple’s walled garden has been limited at best, but Pixel 4 year might pose a unique opportunity…

Pixel’s biggest strength is its camera

If you missed it, Apple just announced a bunch of new iPhones. There’s the iPhone 11, which is the followup to last year’s every-man iPhone XR. And there’s th ...

Apple stops signing iOS 12.4, blocking downgrades following jailbreak release

Following the release of a public jailbreak last month, Apple today has stopped signing iOS 12.4. This means users can no longer downgrade from iOS 12.4.1 to iOS 12.4.

A week after the jailbreak was shared publicly, Apple released iOS 12.4.1 to close the vulnerability. The jailbreak was released after it was discovered that Apple accidentally unpatched a vulnerability that was originally fixed in iOS 12.3.

The bug in question was first reported to Apple by Google’s Project Zero team. Apple detailed the fix in the security release notes for iOS 12.3. The jailbreak took advant ...

Apple Seeds watchOS 6 Golden Master to Developers

Apple today seeded the golden master version of watchOS 6, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. The new update comes two weeks after the ninth beta and over three months after Apple first unveiled the new watchOS update at the Worldwide Developers Conference. 

To install the watchOS 6 beta, you'll need the proper configuration profile, which can be obtained through the Apple Developer Center. Once the profile is in place, the beta can be downloaded using the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. The golden master version of watchOS 6 ...

Apple finally includes a fast charger with the iPhone 11 Pro

After years of rumors, Apple will finally include a fast charger with at least one of its iPhone models. Starting with the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, the company will ship an 18W power adapter inside the box. The 18W USB-C power adapter is the same one the company ships with the 2018 iPad Pro. Since the iPhone 11 Pro still features a Lightning Port, Apple is also including a USB-C to Lightning cable, which means you'll finally be to connect your iPhone to one of the company's current Macs without buying an additional cable. This marks the first time one of Apple's smartphone hasn' ...

Apple iPad 2019 hands-on: A 6th-generation iPad in a 2019 iPad Air’s body

CUPERTINO, Calif.—Apple's iPad lineup has been in considerable flux of late. Just in the past year, Apple totally overhauled both iPad Pro sizes, introduced a new iPad Air based on the chassis of the prior iPad Pro, and relaunched the iPad mini (albeit without much in the way of modern hardware to recommend it).

Today, the company's representatives took the stage to announce new iPhones, but they also revealed a major update to the entry-level iPad.

The biggest news here is that the screen is bigger, at 10.2 inches. That's thanks to a significant bezel reduction, among other ...

iOS 13 file confirms Apple is testing an augmented reality headset

Hints pulled from iOS 13 code have already shown signs of the rumored AR headset that Apple is supposedly working on, but now there's clearer proof than ever. Developer Steve Troughton-Smith points out a readme in a new release that explains to employees how they can run the augmented reality apps on an iPhone without using the actual headset.

9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo showed how the iOS 13.0 gold master and iOS 13.1 beta releases contain Apple's "StarBoard" system shell to run AR apps as well. According to Smith, the code suggests that rendering could be handled on the iP ...

6 things you may have missed during the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro launch

What did you think of the iPhone 11 keynote? The word on social media appears to be “meh”, largely because the iPhone 11 appears to be going through its Gillette razor blade period: 

“What will we do this year, guys?” 

“Put another camera in there!” 

But while the iPhone’s clearly going through a protracted period of incremental improvement there were still plenty of interesting things to take away from Tim Cook and company's talk. 

We saw the future of the iPad, worked out what the Apple Watch is actually for and discovered that nobody in the organisation or ...

Microsoft unveils all-new To Do app, encourages Wunderlist users to make the switch

Microsoft today has officially unveiled an all-new version of its To Do application as it continues to integrate features of the Wunderlist platform it acquired in 2015. The company touts that the new To Do application is a major upgrade, with a new design, deeper integration with other platforms, and more.

The To Do app features a more “polished design,” according to Microsoft. The company says colors have been overhauled, while there are also new customizable backgrounds and smaller headers. Dark Mode is also supported on Mac, and will come to iOS “soon,” according to Microsoft....

Xiaomi announces 30W Mi Charge Turbo wireless charging to debut with Mi 9 Pro 5G

Xiaomi has announced a new wireless charging standard that's the fastest to date. The standard, which Xiaomi is calling Mi Charge Turbo, will be able to push up to 30 watts to compatible devices — which, so far, means only the upcoming Mi 9 Pro 5G. Xiaomi says its upcoming wireless charging stand can charge the Mi 9 Pro 5G's 4,000 milliamp-hour battery from zero to 50 percent in under a half hour.

The original, non-Pro Mi 9 is capable of 20-watt wireless charging, which was already industry-leading. Xiaomi's 30-watt charging stand will be actively cooled, with fans that "blow d ...

Mate 30 Pro video teaser hints at design, key features

The Huawei Mate 30 series launch is mired in controversy because of the expected lack of Google Play Store support. Word is Huawei might have to tell users to install Google apps on their own after they purchase the Mate 30 or the Mate 30 Pro. The company is still under a U.S. trade ban that stops Google from doing business with it. However, that’s not stopping Huawei from heavily teasing the Mate 30 series on Twitter.

Huawei’s new Mate 30 video teaser seems like a nod to all the main features headed to the phone. We already have a bunch of rumors that give us a sense of what the Ma ...

New Google Pixel 4 promo video leak confirms nifty astrophotography mode

The Google Pixel 3 range is amongst the best camera phones money can buy but the latest leak could confirm previous rumors that the next generation Pixel smartphones will outshine the 2018 Google flagships on the camera front.

Spanish website AndroidPro has discovered what appears to be an official marketing video for the Google Pixel 4 that shows off a feature no other smartphone has been able to do before: capture the stars.

According to the video, Google has improved on the camera system's low-light performance that could add an astrophotography mode to the Pixel 4.

...

Google Docs could soon show you word counts while you type

If you want to see how many words you’ve typed in a Google Docs document right now, you currently gotta select that from a drop-down menu first: Tools > Word Count. (There’s a keyboard shortcut, sure.)

But starting this week, G Suite (read: Google Docs for business) customers can activate alive word counter that shows you word counts while you type:

“We’ve heard that displaying this information is helpful to users working on docs that require minimum or maximum word count,” writes Google.

No kidding, Google.

It should be rolled out to all G Suite users by ...

Samsung says Galaxy Fold will run ‘hundreds’ of optimized apps at launch

Samsung’s Galaxy Fold was delayed so much we were beginning to think it wouldn’t even come out this year. Luckily that all changed last week. If there’s one benefit to the delay – besides, you know, a phone that won’t immediately break – is that it’s also given Samsung and developers some time to optimize software for the world’s most famous bendy phone. Case in point: Samsung says ‘hundreds’ of apps have been optimized for the Galaxy Fold.

Samsung and Google worked closely together to make the Android more flexible for the Galaxy Fold. With Android 10, Google made it easier for app ...

iPhone 5G ‘likely’ and will drive iOS in 2020: IDC

The iPhone 11 is not expected to have 5G support but an iPhone 5G is “likely” in 2020, IDC said Monday.

That means waiting for an iPhone with 5G “later in 2020,” which will impact sales, IDC said in a research note on Monday.

And 2019 will be challenging.

2019 will remain a challenging year for iPhone shipments with volumes expected to drop to 177.9 million, down 14.8% year over year, mostly due to market maturity as well as a lack of 5G devices. –IDC Market Forecast, September 9, 2019

But the 2020 iPhone should fix things

IDC goes on to say that a “m ...

The real reason Apple hasn’t launched a pocket-sized iPhone

Apple’s new iPhone SE2 is stunning. The slim, elegant successor to the defunct SE clocks in at less than 5 inches long and 2½ inches wide. It’s 40% smaller and lighter than a flagship iPhone such as the XR and XS Max. But, thanks to the new edge-to-edge design, this pocketable little phone still boasts a screen size of around 5 inches.

The problem? The iPhone SE2, alas, doesn’t actually exist. And the AppleAAPL, -0.01% rumor mill, which is usually pretty reliable, is not predicting Tim Cook will unveil one alongside other new iPhone models at the Apple launch event on Sept. 10.

...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+: A Quick Follow-Up

I’m obviously weeks behind other reviewers when it comes to the Note 10+. So here’s a quick check-in on my experience.

It’s been mostly positive: The Note 10+ display is gorgeous, even in its default FHD+ (2280 x 1080) setting—it can be manually configured to use its native WQHD+ (3040 x 1440) resolution or HD+ (1520 x 720) instead—which I assume is a good balance of looks and battery life. I see no reason to change that, and so far, at least, the battery life has been great. I don’t really go out into the world like many people each day, but I’d be surprised if it didn’t last for a ...

Huawei Mate X will immediately be obsolete when it launches next month

Product launch schedules aren’t rocket science but those are also carefully made with certain windows of opportunity in mind. When they miss those schedules, there’s a very strong chance it will affect other products or be affected adversely. That definitely seems to be the case with Huawei’s first and so far only foldable phone that has been delayed by half a year. It may finally launch next month but it might already be outdated and replaced by a new model in just a few months.

To its credit, the Mate X didn’t undergo the same criticism and problems that Samsung’s Galaxy Fold did. ...

Redesigned Galaxy Fold fixes past mistakes: What's different about Samsung's foldable phone

The Samsung Galaxy Fold is back, and promising better behavior. After design flaws began causing reviewers' phone screens to break, Samsung postponed the Fold's release date and went back to the drawing board to fix the problem. Now, a new and improved Galaxy Fold will go on sale in September, starting in Korea and branching out throughout Asia and Europe before heading to the US. (Here's what we know about preordering the fixed Fold.)

I got a chance to go hands-on with the redesigned model, which Samsung says will avoid incurring the kind of damage that caused some reviewers' scree ...

Lenovo’s Yoga C940 15.6-Inch: Eight Cores and GTX 1650

Lenovo today introduced its brand-new Yoga C940 convertible laptop with a 15.6-inch display that is aimed at performance-driven consumers and creative professionals. In addition to a large screen, the new hybrid notebook got a discrete GeForce GTX GPU, a first for the product family.

At first glance, it looks like the Lenovo Yoga C940 15.6 is an extension of the Yoga 9-series family with a product featuring a 15.6-inch Full-HD or Ultra-HD HDR-supporting display and better graphics. It comes in an all-metal Iron Grey CNC-milled chassis featuring a 360° watchband hinge that looks very ...

Lenovo has two new Android tablets w/ Google Assistant ‘Ambient Mode’ from $119

Earlier this year, Lenovo debuted an Android tablet that doubled as an Alexa smart display. Now Lenovo is giving a pair of its Android tablets the same treatment, this time with Google Assistant Ambient Mode and prices starting at $119.

If you don’t recall the Lenovo Smart Tab, it’s a pretty standard Android tablet from the company. However, with an added dock and some software tricks, it turned into a fully functional Amazon Alexa smart display. It was a clever way to make a tablet more useful.

Today, Lenovo is launching the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab and Lenovo Smart Tab M8. O ...

Sony Xperia 5 hands on: Sony’s smaller take on the flagship

For ages, Sony has taken its best device of the year and downsized it to a more compact form factor. And so it has again here in 2019 with the Sony Xperia 5, a slightly reduced variant of the Xperia 1 that debuted earlier this year.

The new phone carries over most of the former’s specs and features, but does make a few adjustments along the way. Learn more in Android Authority‘s Sony Xperia 5 hands-on look.

Same old Sony

I’m glad to see Sony take the Xperia 1 down a notch. It was a beast of a phone and awkward to use thanks to the combination of the size and shape. T ...

Google Assistant gets new 'Ambient Mode' for phones and tablets

Among all of the hardware announcements coming out of IFA 2019, Google's using the event to talk about some software news relating to the Google Assistant.

Among these announcements, the one that sticks out to me the most is the new "Ambient Mode." When charging a phone or tablet, Ambient Mode kicks in as a Smart Display-like interface for the Google Assistant. With Ambient Mode, you can browse through your pictures on Google Photos, control smart home devices, access music playback, see upcoming calendar appointments/reminders, and more.

While not identical to the ...

Windows Insider Program Finally Cleans Up Its 19H2 Mess

Microsoft is finally allowing all Insiders in the Slow ring to actually test Windows 10 version 19H2 features: Today, it released Windows 10 18362.10019 with all 19H2 features enabled.

“Today we are releasing 19H2 Build 18362.10019 to ALL Windows Insiders in the Slow ring,” the Microsoft announcement notes. “Everyone in the Slow ring should be on the same build now with all the 19H2 features turned on.”

As you may recall, only 10 percent of Insiders in the Slow ring were previously given the opportunity to test new 19H2 features. Now, everyone in the Slow ring—those who prev ...

How to Use Android 10's Dual SIM Feature on Your Pixel 3a or Pixel 3a XL

With Android 10 rolling out, users are finding some unexpected surprises included in the update. For example, an upgrade to the Pixel 3a and 3a XL’s Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS) feature that (finally) enables true dual-SIM card support on these devices.

DSDS lets you have two SIM cards (one physical and one eSIM card) connected to separate networks—a convenient way to switch between carriers for any reason. Before the Android 10 update, Pixel 3a users were forced to swap their SIMs to access different networks; in Android 10, Pixel 3a owners can use each network simultaneously and s ...

Samsung Galaxy Fold: what has changed for the version you'll be able to buy?

Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Fold is finally being released this week, and the company has made some changes to the foldable phone for its second attempt at a full, public launch.

Back in April 2019, some tech press got their hands on the first samples of the Galaxy Fold and - after they publicized a handful of glaring flaws - less than a week later Samsung had delayed the release of its cutting edge phone, deciding it just wasn't ready for the market.

The company went back to development to fix the issues and bring out a second, refined version of the handset, whic ...

Samsung’s A-Series 5G Smartphone: Galaxy A90 5G

With multiple makers of smartphones launching expensive high-end 5G smartphones this year, it was a matter of time before more reasonably priced 5G handsets emerge. Samsung is among the first companies to introduce a 5G-enabled smartphone that promises not to break the bank. In addition to faster networks support, the Samsung A90 offers a bunch of first-class features, including an advanced SoC as well as premium imaging capabilities.

Equipped with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display featuring a 2400×1080 resolution and a raindrop selfie camera module, the Galaxy A90 5G is based on Qual ...

USB 4 is official, brings faster speeds and 100W charging support

There’s a new USB spec in town and it brings faster speeds with it. Announced earlier this year, the USB-IF has signed off on the latest standard. Of course, USB 3.2 is far from commonplace so it is going to be a while before you see USB 4 compatible products.

So what’s new with USB 4?

USB 4 doubles the peak data transfer rate from 20Gbps to 40Gbps. It uses the same dual-lane architecture as USB 3.2 but doubles individual lane-transfer speeds to 20Gbps to reach a cumulative 40Gbps. You will need USB 4 certified cables to take advantage of these speeds. Of course, Thunderbolt ...

Samsung launches its first 5G-integrated CPU

Today, Samsung announced the launch of its newest mobile processor, the Exynos 980. This system-on-chip, which should enter mass production later this year, includes an integrated 5G modem, NPU (neural processing unit), and Mali G76 GPU.

How much should we care about 5G?

5G itself is probably not going to be a very big deal for most people. Aside from how relatively few and scattered 5G networks are for now, the really big speed increases for 5G happen on 5G FR2, the millimeter-wave band. The problem is, RF at millimeter wavelength has near-zero penetration—signals are easil ...

The New Magic Number for Gaming Laptops Is 300Hz

Gaming laptops were out in force today at IFA in Berlin, as both Acer and Asus held their main press conferences just before Europe’s biggest consumer electronics show opens to the public. But while I was buried in computers of all shapes and sizes, two beefy gaming laptops caught my eye: The Acer Predator Triton 500 and the Asus Zephyrus S GX701. Not because they’re particularly beautiful, or come with flashing RGB lighting—they’re notable because they both boast 300Hz displays.

If that sounds ridiculous, it sort of is. Up until now, the fastest refresh rate on a gaming laptop was ...

How to try Android 10’s best new features

If you’ve got a Pixel or the Essential Phone, chances are that you’ve got — or are about to get — the full stable release of Android 10, which has a bunch of interesting new features that are worth checking out.

But where do you find them? I installed Android 10 on my original Pixel XL late yesterday (yes, I’ve still got the first version of the Pixel — so sue me), and except for a few stylistic changes, the new features weren’t immediately obvious.

You can find them easily enough, though, if you know where to look.

INSTALLING ANDROID 10

First, of course, you ...

Category-defining foldable device inspires new mobile experiences with custom UX, mobility and powerful multitasking

Samsung Electronics today announced the launch of the Galaxy Fold—a completely new category of mobile technology—available in Korea on September 6, followed by select countries including France, Germany, Singapore, U.K., U.S., and more, in Cosmos Black and Space Silver. With a 5G-ready option in select countries, consumers will be able to unfold the future on the fastest network speeds available.

Galaxy Fold was designed to inspire new experiences: When closed, you can access your essentials on the cover display comfortably with one hand, and when opened, you can explore new ways to ...

How to fix high CPU usage after installing update KB4512941 on Windows 10

Are you seeing unexpected processor spikes after installing Windows 10 update KB4512941? You're not the only one — Here's how you can fix it.

On August 30, Microsoft started rolling out update KB4512941 to address a slew of issues with devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903), but it appears that the update is causing some new problems.

According to a number of complaints from users seen here and here on Reddit, Microsoft forums, and Feedback Hub app, after installing update KB4512941 — which bumps the version to build 18362.329 — Task Manager may report ...

OnePlus TV will come in 55" size with QLED display according to company exec

Earlier today, a regional vice president for OnePlus tweeted out details regarding the hotly anticipated OnePlus TV, revealing that it will come in a 55" size (among others, most likely), and the 55" version will sport a QLED panel. Also, although we were pretty sure that the OnePlus TV would be "smart" thanks to Android TV based on prior leaks, @androidtv_rumor confirms that Google has just certified a new device named "Dosa."

Previous leaks via the Bluetooth Launch Studio (which enumerates product listings approved for use with the tech) have included ...

OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7 get Android 10 open betas on launch day

Today is the official stable launch day for Android 10. On the same day as that launch, the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro Android 10 open betas are available.

While an open beta of Android 10 is certainly not the same as a stable version, OnePlus’ open betas usually are quite reliable. This means that a large chunk of OnePlus 7 Pro owners will have access to a fairly-stable version of Android 10 on the same day as Pixel owners get the official release.

Below, you’ll find the official changelog for this Open Beta 1 for the two OnePlus 7 devices. This changelog shows the differe ...

Apple patents Watch band that could ID you from your wrist skin

It looks like Apple is playing with the idea of making the Apple Watch’s band a bit smarter.

As spotted by PatentlyApple, the company was granted a handful of patents this morning, all focused on bringing new tricks to the Watch by way of the band.

The first patent describes a sensor built into the Watch or the watch’s band that could use infrared to build a thermal image of your wrist and its identifying traits (like skin texture/arm hair) to identify who is wearing it — sort of like a fingerprint, but from your wrist.

Unlike most of Apple’s other devices, the Apple ...

LG imagined the best answer to the Galaxy Note 10, and it’s foldable

When the first Galaxy Note launched at IFA 2011, it was quite a head-turner. Samsung wasn’t the first company to manufacture a smartphone with a huge display, but the original Note turned out to be the best concept of its kind. Moreover, the phone had an additional signature feature, the built-in stylus, which was not available on any other device. Fast-forward to 2019, and the Note line still lives, in spite of that massive Note 7 battery disaster, with the Note 10 representing the best possible smartphone Samsung can mass-produce right now.

One thing did change over the years; the ...

Google Maps for Android adds a Street View layer

The amount of fun you can get out of Google Maps Street View is endless. Between the frequent Buzzfeed articles detailing the same funny/creepy locations to check out, the searching for your own house, and the attempts to find funny place names, Maps is more than just a navigation service. With that being said, though, most of the funny stuff has been done on a PC, as the desktop implementation of Street View is a little more feature-rich. That is until now. The Google Maps Android app was just updated to fall more in line with the browser implementation of Street View.

Previously, ...

Apple’s iPhone 11 event: What to expect

All eyes will be on Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., next week when the tech giant unveils its latest iPhones.

The tech giant is expected to launch three new iPhones at the event next Tuesday. It'll be held at the Steve Jobs Theater on the company's campus, according to reports.

“The main event of next week's launch will be the flagship iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone 11 Pro Max, as these smartphones represent the crux of improvements coming in this year's releases,” Wedbush Securities analysts Daniel Ives and Strecker Backe wrote in a research note. “The new triple c ...

USB4 brings better speeds and compatibility — but loses the space in the name

The organizations behind the widely used USB standard have released some new info on the latest iteration of the interface, and it’s nothing but good news for consumers. It’ll be faster and bring improved compatibility, with no need to pay close attention to which cable or port you’re using. And pedants take note: there’s no longer a space after “USB” and the number.

USB4, as it’s now styled (versus USB 4), was announced in March with a few promises regarding features, but now the actual technical specifications have been released to anyone who cares to inspect them. It’s another st ...

Google finally adds image blocking to Gmail on the iPhone

Google today added a new setting to the iOS version of its Gmail app that will let you more easily block unwanted email tracking. The setting in question, the ability to prevent Gmail from automatically loading attached images, used to be found only on the web version of Gmail. Toggling that setting on allows Gmail to block incoming images, including invisible email trackers hiding in the body of email messages that, in most cases, will tell senders when and sometimes even where you opened the message.

This is a pretty clear response to the Superhuman controversy that erupted back i ...

Dell XPS 15 7590 review: The OLED screen is the star

Dell's XPS 15 laptops are high-end, high-spec machines with a starting price of £1,499 (inc. VAT; £1,249.17 ex. VAT), rising higher if you want an OLED display. As well as the OLED option (the first time this technology has made an appearance in an XPS laptop), features include discrete graphics, long battery life, up to 2TB of SSD storage, 9th generation Intel processors, and Wi-Fi 6. It may pack a premium price, but the XPS range offers a lot of bells and whistles.

With a starting weight of 1.8kg the 15-inch XPS 15 7590 is no ultraportable. It's relatively bulky too, measuring 357 ...

Windows 10 Gets a Cloud Reset Feature, Here’s How it Works

The Windows 10 20H1 Update will introduce a new cloud recovery feature that allow users to reset their PC using Windows files downloaded from Microsoft’s servers.

Historically, when Windows users use the "Reset this PC" feature, Windows 10 will reinstall Windows using files already found on the computer.

With Cloud Recovery, Microsoft wants to make the process of recovering a corrupted installation of Windows 10 much easier by downloading a fresh copy of Windows files directly from Microsoft, without the need of Windows media.

"The cloud download optio ...

iOS 13 code hints Apple may be testing an AR headset

Apple's long-rumored plans for an augmented reality headset appear to be taking shape. MacRumors claims to have seen documentation for an internal iOS 13 build that points to work on AR headset support. They reference a "STARTester" app that can switch to a head-mounted mode, a "StarBoard" shell (a possible parallel to iOS' Springboard) for stereo AR apps and code references to special modes, views and scenes. It even references a codename for one device, Garta, that might be linked to the previously rumored T288 project.

Earlier stories have painted varying pict ...

New iPhone 11 Leak Reveals Apple's Single Biggest Advantage

With just over a week until Tim Cook takes to the stage and the hand-picked audience prepares to act surprised at the new hardware, the final details of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are coming into focus. And there’s a solitary advantage that many will be picking up.

Support for the Apple Pencil is (finally) expected to arrive in the iPhone.

The Apple Pencil was launched alongside the iPad Pro, bringing Apple’s implementation of stylus input to its platform. Since then it has supported more of the iOS powered tablets but has not made the jump to the sm ...

Most 5G phones we’ve seen so far have been variants of products at the top end of manufacturers’ lineups: see the Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, and so on. Samsung’s latest 5G phone, however, is the Galaxy A90 5G, which means it fits into its mid-range Galaxy A lineup below phones like the S10 and Note 10.

Samsung has recently released other Galaxy A models that focus on high-end features like quad-camera systems and flip-up camera mechanisms as part of a strategy to combat aggressively competitive Chinese manufacturers. And to be clear, the Galaxy A90 5G would have s ...

Warning Issued For Millions Of Microsoft Windows 10 Users

Windows 10 users haven’t had it easy in recent months. And while some problems were out of Microsoft’s control, the company has brought a lot of problems on itself. And now users need to watch out for another. 

Picked up by the eagle eyes of Windows Latest, users are warning that Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 update is hitting performance hard. And what’s most frustrating is Microsoft was warned about this prior to release, shipped it anyway and continues to ignore it. 

Showing up for anyone who hits the ‘Check for updates’ button in Windows Update, KB4512941 was released to ...

Galaxy Note 10 Plus Vs iPhone XS Max: Performance, Camera & Design

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 lineup is official, and a big question that’s on everyone’s mind is how well do the freshly launched gadgets compare against Apple’s 2018 iPhones. The iPhones XS and XS Max are among the best smartphones in the market right now, despite it being a year since their launch. Samsung’s Note 10 lineup features brand new displays coupled with camera features that make them a complete (non-iterative) upgrade over their predecessors.

So, if you’re wondering how well the Galaxy Note 10 lineup stacks up against the iPhones, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve taken ...

The iPhone-Hacking Sites Google Found Apparently Went After Android and Windows Users Too

Those hackers Google’s researchers sussed out earlier this week apparently went after more than just iPhone users. Microsoft’s operating system along with Google’s own were also targeted, according to Forbes, in what some reports are calling a possibly state-backed effort to spy on the Uighur ethnic group in China.

Google’s Threat Analysis Group was the first to discover the scheme earlier this year (news of the campaign was first disclosed Thursday). It involved a small group of websites aiming to infect visitors’ devices to gain access to their private information, including live ...

Huawei confirms Mate 30 will land on September 19th

Huawei has confirmed the launch date for its next flagship phone line. In a short teaser video posted to Twitter, the company says that the upcoming Mate 30 series will be unveiled in Munich, Germany on September 19th. The tagline for the event is “Rethink Possibilities.”

Huawei will indeed have had to rethink the possibilities of its Mate 30 phones — Google toldThe Verge that they won’t be allowed to ship with core Google services on board, as US companies are still banned from doing business with Huawei. We called the Mate 20 Pro “the best phone America can’t get” last year, but i ...

IPhones infected with spyware over two years in serious hacking incident

Security experts are calling a newly announced security vulnerability the worst yet affecting Apple's iPhone.

Researchers say suspected nation-state hackers infected Apple iPhones with spyware over two years in what security experts called an alarming security failure for a company whose calling card is privacy.

A mere visit to one of a small number of tainted websites could infect an iPhone with an implant capable of sending the smartphone owner's text messages, email, photos and real-time location data to the cyberspies behind the operation.

"This is definitel ...

Samsung's First Bixby Speaker Still Isn't Out, But Now There's a Mini Version

More than a year ago, alongside the reveal of the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung announced that it was working on a smart speaker powered by its Bixby digital assistant called the Galaxy Home. And even though the original Galaxy Home still hasn’t gone on sale, it seems Samsung already has a Galaxy Home Mini in the works.

Rumors of a smaller Bixby speaker have been swirling around for a little while after an FCC filing from Samsung popped up earlier this spring, but now, it seems the Galaxy Home Mini is ready for testing after Samsung posted a signup page on its Korean website (first detaile ...

Microsoft unveils new tablet experience for Windows 10

Microsoft is planning to redesign the tablet experience for Windows 10. The software giant has started testing a new design for 2-in-1 convertible PCs that will keep the user interface more similar to the existing desktop design. Currently, Windows 10 throws you into a more tablet-optimized UI that removes task bar icons and puts the Start menu full-screen when a device automatically switches into “tablet mode.” Microsoft is now walking back some of those changes, while keeping some touch-optimized elements for 2-in-1 PCs.

In the new tablet experience, the desktop will remain in ful ...

Google's Pixel 4 XL Beats Pixel 3 XL With Six Upgrades

I’ve owned (and reviewed) Google's Pixel 3 Xl since launch and whilst my initial and long-term impressions are positive overall, there are serious issues Google needs to address in the upcoming Pixel 4. 

The most glaring problems surfaced after a few months with the device and I’m not alone in thinking so - the Google Product forums are active with complaints. The good news is that Google has room to improve and a solid base to do it on. 

Pixel phones are fundamentally good devices and Google is ostensibly a few upgrades away from comfortably the best phone of this generatio ...

Garmin’s Newest Smartwatch Gets Its Power From a Surprising Place

The Garmin Fenix series is the one to buy for those who head out on long trail runs,hiking trips and backpacking adventures. Garmin announced its newest edition, the Fenix 6 series, right as the UTMB begins. The UTMB is revered in the trail running world for its gritty terrain throughout the Alps in Chamonix, France, and you’re likely to spot athletes using the new Fenix series there. The latest releases boast a plethora of added features, but one of the most surprising is the ability to solar charge.

The highest-end model, the 6X Pro Solar, features a solar panel on the watch face ...

OVERHAULED CHROMEBOOK SETTINGS MENU IS AVAILABLE IN CHROME OS 76

Chrome OS ushered in a small but significant change to the overall settings menu UI for Chromebooks, and I still advocate that the tiny shift in the sidebar menu makes a big difference from a usability standpoint. That change is not what we’re here to talk about as it rolled out in Chrome OS 76 without any flags or additional settings needed. This new overhaul is not a small change and it holds some pretty staggering differences compared to what we’ve seen for years.

First off, to understand where this is all going, we need to talk about what the differences are between Chrome and C ...

Dark Mode Comes to Microsoft Outlook on Android

As a part of Microsoft’s big Dark Mode reveal for Microsoft 365, the company also announced that dark mode is coming to Outlook on mobile. That means a full dark experience for Android and iOS in the near future for everyone, with the first wave starting today.

The dark mode, like others, is there to help ease eye strain or when a bright white screen is not appropriate. You’ll find the darker theme in both your inbox and the built-in calendar of Outlook when activated.

Microsoft will give everyone a toggle to turn on dark mode, but with Android Q, they’ll be ready for the sy ...

Samsung's Stunning Smartphone Will Make You Forget Its Galaxy Fold Mistake

Has Samsung revealed the designs under consideration for the Galaxy Fold? Ahead of an expected relaunch of the folding smartphone at Berlin’s IFA in September, a new design patent filed this month shows the thoughts of the South Korean company in terms of hinge placement

The design patents were first reported by Ilse Jurrien at Let’s Go Digital, who have provided Forbes with this exclusive concept rendering of the new design.

What has caught my eye about these patents is the filing dates. They were published on August 26 2019, but filed just twelve days previously, on August ...

Sony announces super fast A6600 and A6100 mirrorless cameras

Sony has announced two new APS-C mirrorless cameras: the flagship A6600 and the lower-tier A6100. The A6600 has several high-end features that position it as the successor to the A6500, which was introduced in October 2016.

Like the A6500, the new A6600 features 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a 24.2-megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS image sensor, and super fast autofocus (AF), which can find the subject in 0.02 seconds. It also has Real-Time AF tracking and the new Real-Time Eye AF tracking that originally debuted in the A6400, which we reviewed earlier this year. Sony has added a 3.5 ...

Huawei Mate 30 can’t launch with official Google apps, says Google

Huawei may face a major roadblock for its next flagship phone, the Mate 30 — it won’t be able to launch with Google apps and services due to the White House banning US companies (like Google) from doing business with the Chinese telecommunications firm, according to a report from Reuters.

That means that the Mate 30 — and presumably, other upcoming devices like the now-delayed foldable Mate X — could be severely limited at launch. They’ll still run Android, which is at its core open-source software that’s freely available. But Google has confirmed to The Verge that the Mate 30 and M ...

iPhone 11 Surprise As Invisibility Effect Confirmed By Apple

The recent rush of leaks around the new iPhone handsets have given us a good idea on what to expect. The latest leak reflects well on the advanced camera software expected to feature in the iPhone 11 family when they are launched next month.

And the leak comes from an impeccable source… Apple.

Earlier this week Apple released a point update to the beta of iOS 13. Tucked away inside the code of iOS 13.1 are some notes regarding the video encoding software. The new version of the iOS operating system will support encoding HEVC videos with an alpha channel, as PhoneArena report ...

What’s new in iOS 13.1 beta 1?

Apple today surprisingly released the first developer beta of iOS 13.1, despite the fact that iOS 13 is not yet publicly available. Read on as we roundup all of the changes and everything new in iOS 13.1 beta 1.

One key focus in iOS 13.1 is seemingly restoring features that were initially available in iOS 13 but removed later in the beta testing process. This includes things such as Shortcuts Automations and the Share ETA functionality in Apple Maps.

So what does this release mean for iOS 13? It’s hard to know for sure – but it seems likely that Apple is planning to release ...

New Lenovo ThinkPad laptops with 10th generation Intel CPU have launched

The release of Intel's 10th Gen chips has seen many device manufacturers release updated versions of their most popular laptops and now Lenovo is following suit with the launch of new ThinkPads that will feature the chip giant's latest processors.

However, design-wise these new laptops are quite similar to the company's previous models, though they do feature better specs and some sport Intel's Project Athena label which means they're guaranteed to provide at least nine hours of battery life.

The new seventh generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon will include Intel's 10th Gen Comet L ...

The 10 best features of the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 you might have missed

Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 is out and available for all to buy, and for those who are reading this on their shiny new Note 10, or thinking of buying it, there are some cool features to know about.

Oftentimes, it can be hard to follow what Samsung's added to its new smartphone. The company takes an "everything under the sun" approach, and the Note 10 is no different.

New features and improvements have been added to the Note 10's note-taking ability, camera, and S Pen, and one feature even extends the Note 10 onto your Windows 10 or macOS computer.

Check out th ...

Dell launches new enterprise-focused Chromebooks

Google is bringing Chrome OS to the enterprise with the launch of two new business-focused Dell Latitude laptops running the search giant's operating system.

Dell's Latitude line is already popular with enterprise users running Windows 10 but the company worked together with Google for more than a year to create two new Chromebook Enterprise devices that can be easily managed by organization's IT departments.

These new Chromebooks will come bundled with a range of Dell's cloud-based support services that make it easier for IT admins to control how the devices are rolled out ...

Microsoft announces Surface event for October 2, could launch new dual-screen hybrid

Microsoft today announced that it will hold a Surface-focused event on October 2nd in New York City. This event comes in the midst of Apple’s fall event season, with the company expected to introduce new iPhones, iPads, and a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

As detailed by The Verge, Microsoft is developing a new dual-screen Surface device. This is designed to be a dual-screen tablet and laptop hybrid. While it’s a possibility we’ll see it at the October event, it’s not necessarily certain – but The Verge says Microsoft is targeting a release in 2020.

Microsoft demonstrated this new dev ...

Note 10 Plus camera night mode helps Samsung catch up to rival phones

Samsung's Galaxy cameras have a history of excellence, but have struggled to keep up with low-light night mode shots compared to rival devices, like the best-in-class Huawei P30 Pro and Google Pixel 3. Baking in a dedicated night mode into the Note 10 and Note 10 Plus changes that -- it's the difference between night and day. 

The dedicated night mode feature arrived over the air for Galaxy S10 phones in a software update after criticism (including mine) over the then-new automatic night mode that Samsung called Bright Night Shot.

Cameras, along with screen quality and batte ...

This new Google feature helps fight your Android app addiction

If your apps are sucking up too much of your time, you can outsource some self-discipline. Focus Mode is a new feature, announced in May, that brushes aside distracting apps -- maybe for you it's Facebook, YouTube or Instagram -- while you mentally dive into what you need to do, by applying a timer that keeps you from accessing certain apps for a set amount of time. When the time's up, Google will unpause the app.

Focus Mode is Google's latest feature intended to promote something it calls digital health. It builds off Wind Down mode, a part of Android's Digital Wellbeing feature se ...

The best gaming laptop performers of 2019

AMD and Nvidia are (still) fighting it out for gaming dominance, with new products like the Nvidia RTX Super line and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 series. Right now, the landscape can be confusing, but generally the best gaming laptops are running Nvidia's RTX graphics, which first came to desktop PCs in late 2018, and to laptops in January 2019.

For this roundup, we've taken all the laptops with discrete graphics hardware we've tested over the past year and a half and ranked them based on 3D performance. Below are those with top performance from that group, and you can also scroll throug ...

LineageOS adds official support for OnePlus 6T and 7 Pro

The LineageOS custom ROM is best known for its wide range of device support. In the past month alone, the project has added the Razer Phone, Zenfone 6, and other phones to the official roster. It seems a bit strange that they weren't already available, but ports for the OnePlus 6T and 7 Pro are now live.

LineageOS has now added support for the OnePlus 6T (code-named fajita) and 7 Pro (guacamole), thanks to the work of maintainers LuK1337, PeterCxy, and Tortel. Both devices are receiving daily builds based on LineageOS 16 (Android 9 Pie). Since these are officially-sanctioned releas ...

Leaked PlayStation 5 design looks out of this world in renders

The design of the PlayStation 5 reportedly leaked through patent drawings, featuring a much different look compared to the console’s predecessors.

The patent, spotted by Dutch blog Let’s Go Digital, was submitted in Brazil in May and published on August 13 at the World Intellectual Property Office, where it falls under the category of electronic devices. It appears that Sony’s technical director, Yushiro Ootori, is the man behind the concept.

Let’s Go Digital later created renders for the drawings found in the patents, potentially showing the first look at the PlayStation 5. ...

Snapdragon 875 Could Be Qualcomm’s First 5nm SoC; Additional Snapdragon 865 Details Also Leaked

As we move closer and closer to the end of the year, Qualcomm will hold an announcement possibly announcing the Snapdragon 865, which we’re definitely excited for. However, it looks like before the latter is officially unveiled, a potential name of its successor, the Snapdragon 875 Mobile Platform has come forth and is expected to be made in partnership with TSMC.

TSMC Already Commenced Risk Production This Year, With Its 5nm+ Manufacturing Process Slated for Mass Production in 2021

According to a fresh report published on Sina, a few details surrounding the Snapdragon 865 M ...

RTX 2080 Ti Super is apparently exclusive to the (not always working) GeForce Now RTX

Nvidia recently announced that their beta game streaming service, GeForce Now, would get the upgrade from Pascal to Turing and with it, ray tracing – only it didn’t. Not only were users reporting that ray tracing options were absent, but the performance was up to 50% worse, leading the more inquisitive to investigate and discover their games were running on a new GeForce RTX T10-8 GPU -- along with a variety of new and inadequate CPU and memory configurations.

Ten days ago we wouldn’t have been able to say what the T10-8 is, but last week’s AIDA64 update included a reference to it a ...

Google’s betting on SMS 2.0 to get its messaging groove back

Google’s gotten a lot of grief for its messaging strategy, and rightly so. While Facebook and Apple have seen their messaging platforms become indispensable to users and businesses alike, Google has launched a litany of apps whose pithy names (Buzz, Wave, Allo, Hangouts, and the list goes on) couldn’t save them from the dustbin of chat history. 

But lately it seems like the search giant has got its messaging groove back.

Getting to RC-yes 

By now you’re probably familiar with RCS, the new telecom standard that’s supposed to rescue old fashioned text messaging from th ...

iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11R and 11 Max: The specs, features and prices we expect from Apple in September

With all the buzz about the 2020 iPhone, what exactly are we going to see this year?

We expect Apple to unveil a brand-new iPhone in less than three weeks. And yet, oddly, many of the rumors -- and nearly all of the most exciting rumors -- about forthcoming Apple phones do not concern that particular model, expected to be called the iPhone 11. Rather, most of the really cool stuff is slated to debut on the following iPhone, which probably won't be introduced until September 2020. 

So, then, what exactly are we getting this year? 

According to a series of reports publ ...

Workplace digital assistant startup Capacity raises $13.2M from Midwestern VCs

Solving information scatter inside enterprises seems to be the founding idea behind dozens of enterprise software startups. Capacity, which recently rebranded from Jane.ai, is raising new cash to tackle the issue with its corporate data search platform.

The company just closed a $13.2 million Series B, funded entirely by Midwestern private investors and angels.

The St. Louis workplace startup helps its customers pull all of their organizational data together into a platform that makes company information more accessible to people inside the company. It’s all done through a c ...

Microsoft, Intel and others are doubling down on open source Linux security

Microsoft is continuing its broad ongoing push to contribute with open sourceprojects, joining the newly created Confidential Computing Consortium, an initiative launched by The Linux Foundation which aims to provide better security for data which is actually in use by apps on a computer, or in the cloud (as opposed to at rest, or not being used).

Microsoft is far from alone in this endeavor, and is joined by Intel in the consortium, along with ARM, Baidu, Google Cloud, IBM, Red Hat and other tech giants.

The overarching aim is the adoption of ‘confidential computing’ and th ...

iOS 13 and macOS Catalina: Enterprise Preview

Wait, no, don't close the tab! Don't you do it! Yes, it's enterprise. I know. But, just hold on a hot damn second. These new features for iOS 13, iPadOS, and macOS Catalina in enterprise are cool. Mostly because I kinda love what they just might be hinting at for the future of all of Apple's operating systems… and for all of us.

Security

I'm going to break this into three parts. Well, two parts actually since the first part, security, I covered already in my hour-long macOS Catalina video.

That includes read-only system volumes, kernel extensions, DriverKit, Gatekeep ...

Android Q has a name: Android 10. Here's how you'll use it

Google just announced Android Q will be called Android 10, and that we should expect its official release in a few weeks. Software and operating system updates like Android 10 add new features and capabilities and can be refreshing if you're growing tired of your phone. Google released the first beta of Android Q in March, and more recently, released the sixth -- and final -- beta before the official launch. 

With each beta release, Google has added new features to Android 10 beyond what the company announced and previewed at Google I/O in May. There's a Bubbles notification feature ...

iFixit teardown takes a look inside the Note 10+ 5G

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G will be available online and in stores tomorrow. Just in time, the folks at iFixit are sharing a peek inside the new device. Most notably, the phone borrows one major design queue from the iPhone, and it won't be super easy to repair.

Like the iPhone X, the Note 10+ positions the motherboard at the top half of the phone. While this allows the battery to be wider, it requires cables between mother and daughterboard. Those block access to the battery. They can be moved to the side, but they'll add a challenge to repairs.

Speaking of repairs, iFix ...

The Bose Portable Home speaker sports sleek looks and 360-degree sound

Bose has long been a huge player in the world of portable speakers – and its latest model, the Bose Portable Home Speaker, should serve to cement that reputation even further.

The new Bluetooth speaker packs wireless connectivity, a 12-hour battery life and 360-degree audio into a super compact form, coming in at just 2.3 pounds (around 1kg).

The best portable speakers of 2019

All the best wireless speakers we've reviewed

Staying close to home? Check out the Bose Home Speaker 500

The Bose Portable Home Speaker, which will be available in black and sil ...

Dell Launches Their Vostro 13 5391 Laptop: 10th Gen Core For Road Warriors

Capping off Dell's spate of laptop updates, today the company also announced an updated Vostro 13 laptop for small business. The relatively inexpensive Vostro 13 5391-series feature a solid build quality along with numerous enhancements that will be appreciated by business users, road warriors, and even consumers. The new machines pack Intel’s 10th Gen Core processors and a discrete GPU into a thin and light package.

The Dell Vostro 13 5391 comes in an aluminum and plastic chassis that is 14.9 mm thick, with total system weights starting from 1.18 kilograms, which is comparable to m ...

Microsoft pushes out small system update for Xbox 360

Do you still have an Xbox 360 lying around? If so, there's a surprise update for the console available now. As you'd expect from an update for the aging console, there's nothing significant here, however.

The release notes for the update only cite "minor bug fixes and improvements." So, if you're still using your Xbox 360, your console may operate a little better after the update, but it's unclear what issues it addresses.

In 2019, however, you'll probably want to start eyeing an upgrade to an Xbox One if you're still holding onto an Xbox 360. The newer console inc ...

Case Maker Expecting Smaller Apple Pencil for Upcoming 2019 iPhones

At least one case maker is expecting Apple Pencil support for the upcoming 2019 iPhones, despite no solid rumors suggesting the new devices will work with the Apple Pencil. 

Case site Mobile Fun is, as of this morning, stocking an "iPhone 11 Pro" case from Olixarwith a built-in mini Apple Pencil holder. The case maker seems to believe Apple is designing a smaller version of the Apple Pencil that will work with at least the larger 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max successor. 

The case in question is a rendering, not a real case, and it therefore doesn't offer concrete evidence ...

Intel reveals first AI chips

Intel has unveiled two new CPUs designed for large computing centers which will be the chipmaker's first to utilize artificial intelligence (AI).

The two chips are the company's first offerings from its Nervana Neural Network Processor (NPP) line and one will be used to train AI systems while the other will handle inference.

The Nervana NNP-T, codenamed Spring Crest, will be used for training and comes with 24 Tensor processing clusters that have been specifically designed to power neural networks. Intel's new system on a chip (SoC) provides users with everything they'll nee ...

Microsoft tests more control for apps that restart with Windows 10

As much as PCs have changed in recent years, at least one thing has stayed the same: at some point, you'll need to restart your computer. With that in mind, the first of next year's two big Windows 10 updates could offer a subtle but helpful tweak to how the operating system handles restarts.

As part of the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview Build (build 18965, if you're counting), Microsoft is testing a new setting that gives Windows users more explicit control over whether their apps automatically launch when they restart their PC. Outside of the latest Preview Build, the option th ...

Google Go now works on your regular Android phone (even with a bad connection)

There are a lot of pretty nifty apps designed for Android Go, Google’s version of Android designed to work best on entry-level devices. Google Go is one of those apps which brings the power of Google in a very, very tiny app package (just over 7MB!).

Previously, you could only use Google Go on an Android Go device or in specific countries, but now everyone can enjoy the “lite” version of the main Google app. Just click here to visit the app’s page on the Google Play Store or click the button at the bottom of this article.

The Google Go app might be small in size, but it’s pr ...

Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser is now in beta

Microsoft today launched the first beta builds of its new Chromium-based Edge browser for Windows and Mac. The new beta channel, which will see a new update roughly every six weeks, will join the existing dev and canary channels, which will continue to see daily and weekly updates, respectively.

Over the course of the last few months of preview releases in the existing channels, Microsoft gathered about 140,000 pieces of feedback. With this — and a sufficient amount of telemetry it also received from early adopters — the company now feels that it knows enough about how well Edge wor ...

Nvidia Game Ready Update brings ultra-low latency mode, integer scaling, and more

Why it matters: Nvidia released some "Game Ready" drivers today in conjunction with Gamescom. The new drivers utilize the capabilities of its GeForce RTX or GeForce GTX 16-Series GPUs. Added features include integer upscaling for retro and pixel-art games, lower latency, and freestyle sharpening to DX and Vulkan games.

Nvidia had some exciting news to share at Gamescom 2019. In addition to ray tracing and Android support for its game-streaming platform GeForce Now, Nvidia has also released driver update (436.02) bringing integer scaling, freestyle sharpening, an ultra-low ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+

There's a lot going on with the Galaxy Note 10+ ($1,099.99 and up), Samsung's biggest phone. There always is; the Note line is the epitome of Samsung's technology. It's where the company piles all of its features in, with price and size being no object. And I admire it, but I find it hard to love. A lot of this comes down to how many phones Samsung's been slinging out this year with similar features, as well as my own growing lack of patience with $1,000+ handsets. Ultimately, the Galaxy S10+ ($799.99 and up) and the smaller Galaxy Note 10 ($949.99) are slightly more affordable ways to get ...

Dell Reveals Alienware 34 Curved Monitor: WQHD IPS with 120Hz G-Sync

Dell this week has introduced its new top-of-the-line curved gaming display, the Alienware 34. The new AW3420DW monitor resembles its predecessor from 2017, with the same resolution and G-Sync functionality, however it builds upon that with a greater display brightness, a different design, and features an IPS panel with Nano Color technology.

The Alienware AW3420DW is the company’s latest flagship display that is based on an IPS panel featuring a 3440×1440 resolution, 350 nits brightness, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a 120 Hz native refresh rate, a ‘fast’ GtG response ...

Gmail’s new spelling and grammar check works in real-time on the web

At the moment, Gmail’s built-in spell check functionality has to be enabled manually and brings users into an editing mode. Google is now rolling out real-time spelling detection that can make automatic corrections, as well as grammar suggestions.

On the web, the current “Check spelling” feature has to be enabled from the “More options” menu in the bottom-right corner of the compose window. All errors are highlighted in red with a click offering suggestions. After you make any change, you have to manually “Recheck” the email.

Spell check suggestions now work in real-time. Er ...

Dell Launches 55-Inch Alienware OLED Display: 4K at 120 Hz with Deep Blacks

Today at Gamescom, Dell has officially launched its new flagship OLED gaming monitor, the Alienware 55. First demonstrated back at Computex, the display uses a 4K OLED panel featuring a 120 Hz refresh rate, making it among the fastest 4K monitors available. The Alienware 55 supports AMD’s FreeSync variable refresh rate technology, which is what sets the monitor apart from OLED UHDTVs, yet not in its HDR implementation.

The Alienware 55 is based on a 55-inch OLED panel featuring a 3840x2160 resolution, 400 nits peak brightness, a 130,000:1 contrast ration, a 0.5 ms gray to gray respo ...

REDMI 8A REAL IMAGE APPEARS ONLINE WITH A SNAPDRAGON 439 SOC AND 5000 MAH BATTERY

After the announcement of the 64MP sensor by Xiaomi, there have been speculations about an upcoming Redmi smartphone to use this sensor. Yesterday, a new Redmi device appeared on TENAA. This smartphone with model number M1908C3IC uses a waterdrop display and a dual rear camera. It also has a Redmi logo on both sides as well as a rear fingerprint sensor. Now, we have the first real image of this smartphone which is believed to be the Redmi 8A.

Like the TENAA image, we have the dual rear camera, LED flash and rear fingerprint sensor in a vertical alignment. These sensors are in the mi ...

Intel's 10th-gen 18-core beats Core i9-9980XE by 11%, Ryzen remains faster

Why it matters: Intel’s next glorious 18-core behemoth has thundered into the Geekbench 4 arena where it has vanquished the i9-9980XE by 11% in the multi-core test, a bold display of dominance for an engineering sample. But can it handle the heat of the Ryzen 9 3950X it was doubtlessly built to combat? Apparently not, given the unreleased Ryzen chip scores 12% higher in the multi-core, and 9% higher in the single-core.

Before we tread further into the forest of CPU stats and figures, let me remind you that public Geekbench entries are very limited indicators. Geekbench results overe ...

Apple Watch Series 5 Could Come in Ceramic, Titanium

Apple's software betas just can't keep secrets.

Less than a week after the iOS 13 beta suggested a Sept. 10 debut for the iPhone 11, the watchOS 6 beta is tipping people off about what kind of Apple Watch models to expect this fall.

The leak was spotted by iHelpBR, which also broke the news about iOS 13tipping the iPhone 11's launch date. According to the site, Apple's watchOS 6 includes setup screens that refer to titanium and ceramic cases for the Apple Watch.

There's currently no titanium version of the Apple Watch. The Series 2 and Series 3 versions of the Apple ...

Microsoft releases new patches for the Windows 10 October Update and older versions of the OS

Microsoft has quietly released new optional updates for older versions of Windows 10 this weekend, including the October 2018 Update. If you’re still running this version of the OS, the build 17763.720 (KB4512534) is now available for you with the following fixes:

Improves the reliability of push notifications about app deployments to Microsoft HoloLens 1 devices.

Addresses an issue that prevents Windows Hello Face Authentication from working after a restart.

Addresses an issue with downloading digital rights management (DRM) files from certain websites using Microso ...

Apple Accidentally Reveals Stunning Apple Watch Series 5 Upgrade

Apple Watch Series 5 is almost certainly going to be unveiled next month alongside the new range of iPhones. It looks highly likely that Tuesday, September 10 will be the big day.

And a new leak has just confirmed that the smartwatch will be available in different finishes from the current range.

I say confirmed because the leak comes from an unimpeachably good source: Apple.

In an exclusive report by iHelp BR, Filipe Esposito has spotted something very interesting in the watchOS 6 operating system developers' beta.

It was Esposito, by the way, who spotted th ...

MIT experts find a way to reduce video stream buffering on busy WiFi

Is there anything more annoying that trying to watch a video on a slow internet connection shared with a bunch of other users? Skips, endless buffering, and ugly pixelation can ruin the experience of watching a movie or TV show when everyone in your house is trying to stream at the same time.

Now a team from MIT have come up with a tool to help multiple people share a limited WiFi connection. The group from the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed the Minerva system which analyzes videos before playing them to check how much they would be im ...

Everything the iPhone 11 needs to be successful

Commentary: The next iPhone doesn't need a radical redesign, but it does need some solid upgrades and new features to be a success.

Every year in September, Apple holds an event to announce the next iPhone. And with the iPhone 11 (or whatever it'll be called) looming near, it's time for Apple to step up. iPhone sales fell 12% in the fiscal third quarter, more people are trading in their iPhones for Androids, and rivals like Samsung's Note 10 and 10 Plus are packed with an abundant amount of compelling features. The iPhone doesn't need a radical redesign, but for Apple to really make ...

Dell’s new XPS 13 2-in-1—a notable redesign—goes on sale today

Today, Dell began taking orders in the US for the new 2019 version of the XPS 13 two-in-one convertible laptop. In this update, the XPS 13 two-in-one has seen a hardware redesign, with a different hinge and keyboard. And many people will be glad to hear that the laptop's formerly infamous webcam is now placed above the screen, not below. (That has been one of our main criticisms of this otherwise strong laptop in previous reviews of this product line.)

In terms of internals, the new XPS 13 two-in-one sports 10th-generation Intel Core CPU options ranging from the Core i3-1005G1 at th ...

Google search isn’t showing new content due to indexing issues

Google is having indexing issues today, meaning that some new content across the internet is not showing up in search results. A look at the Top Stories in Google News, for example, shows that while some of the stories are from the last couple hours, many are from yesterday. Search Engine Land first reported on the issues.

The company confirmed on Thursday at 4:28AM ET that it was seeing reports of indexing issues, and later added that it was seeing “issues in the URL Inspection tool within Search Console.” Google said that the URL issue was fixed as of 11:41AM ET, but it hasn’t pro ...

Apple Has Begun Software Locking iPhone Batteries to Prevent Third-Party Replacement

Apple has begun locking its batteries with software to prevent third-party replacements from reporting their status properly. The company is apparently activating a feature that it’s previously built into its products. The message persists, even if you swap in a genuine Apple battery, and it’s an attempt to shove customers towards using Apple and Apple-authorized resellers to the exclusion of third-party stores.

According to Justin at The Art of Repair, via iFixit, the message will pop up if you replace the battery on an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max. The messaging from Apple pops up in ...

Blackmagic announces Pocket Cinema Camera 6K

Blackmagic Design has revealed its latest compact camera for cinematography, the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. It looks pretty similar to the 4K camera introduced last year, which is to say that it looks like a Minolta SLR from 1993, but it has a bigger sensor — it shoots in Super 35 format (similar to APS-C) with a resolution of 6144 x 3456.

Resolution aside, the switch to Super 35 will allow for much better low-light performance and control over depth of field. The 6K camera also uses Canon’s EF lens mount, rather than the 4K’s Micro Four Thirds, and Blackmagic is claiming 13 stops of ...

Galaxy Note 10 Plus: A 6.8-inch phone that kills the headphone jack

Take one look at the Galaxy Note 10 and it's clear that Samsung is attempting something different this year. First, there's not just one Note 10, but two: the 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 10, starting at $949, £899 or AU$1,499, and the 6.8-inch Note 10 Plus, which starts at $1,099, £999 or AU$1,699. (See how to preorder a Note 10 here.) The phones turn color up a notch with a brilliant prismatic backing on two of its color options, shining back the rainbow. And -- you might want to brace yourself -- Samsung has killed off the headphone jack in both Note 10 phones.

The Galaxy Note 10 and Not ...

Where the 2013 Mac Pro went right — and wrong

Unlike the original Mac Pro introduced on August 7, 2006, the 2013 version is already fading into memory and may be remembered for its flaws instead of its benefits.

The first-ever Mac Pro would go on to define the best that Apple was capable of, and it was the range that would become a kind of canary for the company's attitudes. Whenever the consensus was that Apple was ignoring its pro users in favor of consumers, it was always because the Mac Pro was lagging behind. We've now seen how opinions of the firm changed as soon as the 2019 Mac Pro was shown, but we've been here before.< ...

Everything new in iOS 13 beta 6

Developer beta 6 of iOS 13 has been released. Here are all the changes found this time around including tweaks to folders, Control Center, and more.

Several apps have new splash screens upon launch after updating. The App Store touts the new update location —as well as Apple Arcade. Photos teases the new video editing and immersive experience. Game Center also has a splash screen when launching an app that utilizes it.

Dark mode now has its own top-level toggle inside of Control Center. This avoids the annoyance of having to 3D Touch on the brightness toggle. It can be enabl ...

Apple's Version of ASMR Is Like Nails on a Chalkboard to Me

Once again, Apple has made shivers run down my spine—but not in a good way. Today, as part of its “Shot on iPhone” campaign, Apple released a series of four ASMR videos to its YouTube channel. There’s some lady whisperingabout weird shit, a dude carving wood, crunching noises on a hike, and what’s supposed to be soothing rainfall.

ASMR is big on YouTube, with categories ranging from nerdy cosplay to glamorous baking channels. Some fans say the amplified sounds give them relaxing, tingling sensations—a sort of eargasm if you will. For me, ASMR feels like I’m a ghost and someone’s pou ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Unpacked event: How to re-watch the show online

Samsung usually schedules several events throughout the year, but the most interesting, by far, are the "Unpacked" events for its updates to the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note lines. The latest Unpacked, on Aug. 7, focused entirely on the Galaxy Note 10.

Also: Galaxy Note 10: Rumours, features, and release date

As with many smartphone launches, you were able to stream the show online. Although the live stream itself has now concluded, Samsung kept it available so that people can tune in and watch or re-watch whenever they have time.

How to watch Samsung's Galaxy ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Note 10 Plus unveiled starting at $949: Everything Unpacked

Samsung's summer Unpacked event, traditionally the company's annual unveiling of its big-screen Galaxy Note line of phones, brought us the Galaxy Note 10. We went into the event with some big expectations for it.

The event took place just weeks after the company announced that the Galaxy Fold will relaunch sometime in September after fixing problems with the screen. But the Note, which used to be the flagship in which Samsung debuted the latest and greatest technologies, has some work to do to get out of the shadow of the Fold. And as frequently happens when newer, pricier models a ...

Google's Pixel 4 could have an extra-fast OLED screen

Google may lean on considerably more than touch-free gestures to reel in would-be Pixel 4 buyers. Sources for 9to5Google claim that both the base Pixel 4 and the larger Pixel 4 XL will include fast 90Hz OLED displays marketed under a "Smooth Display" name. Much like the OnePlus 7 Proand a few other devices, you'd get a silkier, more responsive screen that could be ideal for playing games and watching high frame rate videos.

There might also be more camera tricks in store. It's no secret that the Pixel 4 line will have dual rear cameras (a 12MP standard shooter and a 16MP t ...

Samsung didn’t mention Bixby once during its entire Galaxy Note 10 event

Not once during Samsung’s Unpacked event for the new Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plusdid anyone on stage say the word “Bixby.” Samsung’s virtual assistant — positioned as an alternative to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri — was never directly brought up over the course of the Note’s introduction and several other product sequences featuring the Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Tab S6, and other devices. Bixby wasn’t included in any demonstrations of the Note 10’s many new software tricks, productivity enhancements, and features designed with convenience in mind.

It was a remarkable exc ...

How to Get Google Assistant to Read Notifications From Third-Party Apps

Google Assistant has quietly received a major upgrade to its messaging features, giving the AI helper the ability to read messages from third-party apps.

The lack of official announcement for the new feature is odd, especially considering Android users have wanted this functionality for some time. Previously, Google Assistant could only read messages from Android Messages and Google Hangouts aloud—and not very well, either. Now, the sky is the limit: Google Assistant can read your messages from third-party apps such as Slack, WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram, and even Google’s own finick ...

Samsung Just Beat the iPhone Where It Matters Most

If you live in the United States and you own a Samsung, chances are that you are enjoying much better download speeds than people using iPhones. That’s one of the findings from independent network analysis firm Opensignal.

According to the company’s latest report — published this month under the title “How the smartphone affects mobile network experience” — Samsung users in the United States “experience download speeds 8.2 Mbps faster than iPhone users” on average. In Norway, if you have a Galaxy you will enjoy a whooping 14 Mbps advantage over iPhone users and 12 Mbps more than Hua ...

Google Images on desktop adds a side panel and feels more purpose-driven

If you’re browsing Google Image search results today, you might notice a new interface element: A sticky side panel that displays any images you click on, providing a closer look at the specific image you want to see, including related images, additional info like ratings, price and in-stock status, ingredients and cooking times, depending on whether you’re searching for products, recipes or something else.

The new sidebar replaces a full-width, in-column interface element, with the advantage that the new interface allows you to continue to browse the image result thumbnails returne ...

Test your Google Pixel 3 to see if it has this annoying camera issue

Although the Google Pixel 3 camera is one of the best you can get in a smartphone, it appears there could be a substantial issue plaguing the handset at the moment. According to numerous reports on the internet, the camera gets shaky when capturing photos or video.

You can read the complaints on places such as Reddit and Google’s own product support forums (as spotted by Android Police). The general consensus seems to be that the Google Pixel 3 camera issue is a hardware problem which could be related to either the optical image stabilization (OIS) or autofocus hardware. It does not ...

CVE-2019-1125 "SWAPGS" Is The Newest Spectre Vulnerability

CVE-2019-1125 was made public today or also referred to as the "SWAPGS" vulnerability as a new variant of Spectre V1 affecting Windows and Linux with Intel (and according to mixed information, AMD - though the current Linux kernel patches at least seem to only apply to Intel) x86_64 processors. 

The SWAPGS vulnerability allows attackers to gain read access to privileged memory and builds off existing Spectre fixes. Red Hat has a great write-up on the technical side of this new vulnerability. There is also the CVE text. 

Microsoft has already patched Windows 10 quie ...

We believe Apple will announce the iPhone 11 on this day

Every year, Apple needs to whip up something exciting if it wants to get people hyped about the next iPhone. The same holds true especially for this year. With iPhone sales falling 12% in the fiscal third quarter, profits expected to dip to $9.6 billion and more people trading in their iPhones for Androids, the company needs to make sure its iPhone 11, 11R and 11 Max (or whatever they'll be called) will be compelling enough to draw new customers or keep current customers updating.

So when will Apple officially announce the 2019 iPhones? The company hasn't sent out invitations to any ...

This leak might be our first look at the unreleased OnePlus 7T Pro

Anyone who follows OnePlus phone releases has been wondering whether the Chinese smartphone maker would launch more handsets this year since the 7 series was introduced a few months ago. That’s because the OnePlus 7 series comes in three different versions for the first time, including the regular model, the 7 Pro, and the 7 Pro 5G. We now may have our answer, because it appears as though the upcoming OnePlus 7T Pro just leaked for the first time.

Posted on Weibo and picked up by SlashLeaks, these images purportedly show the OnePlus 7T Pro. We’re looking at an all-screen phone encas ...

Update Your Nvidia Drivers Right Now to Fix Critical Vulnerabilities

Windows: Most gamers love updating their graphics card’s drivers to score the best performance for their favorite titles. But even if you’re a “filthy casual,” you’re going to want to make sure your system’s Nvidia drivers are up to date. Nvidia recently found a few critical vulnerabilities in its display driver that need fixing, pronto.

As Nvidia noted in a Friday security bulletin, five different issues impact Windows users running GPUs from the company’s GeForce, Quadro, NVS, or Tesla lines. (For most people, that’s just GeForce—everything else is for professional workstations or ...

We believe Apple will announce the iPhone 11 on this day

Every year, Apple needs to whip up something exciting if it wants to get people hyped about the next iPhone. The same holds true especially for this year. With iPhone sales falling 12% in the fiscal third quarter, profits expected to dip to $9.6 billion and more people trading in their iPhones for Androids, the company needs to make sure its iPhone 11, 11R and 11 Max (or whatever they'll be called) will be compelling enough to draw new customers or keep current customers updating.

So when will Apple officially announce the 2019 iPhones? The company hasn't sent out invitations to any ...

Check Out the Silence Unknown Callers Feature in iOS 13 for Blocking Spam Calls

Spam phone calls have become increasingly problematic in the United States over the course of the last few years, and most people receive multiple spam calls per week, and some, per day. 

Apple is aiming to help combat spam phone calls in iOS 13 with a new "Silence Unknown Callers" feature, which does what the name suggests - it silences incoming phone calls from numbers that are not in your contacts list. In our latest YouTube video, we checked out this feature to demonstrate just how it works. 

With the Silence Unknown Callers feature activated, all incoming call ...

Asus Zenfone 6 now available for pre-order in the US

The Asus Zenfone 6 will soon be available in the US. B&H has it available for pre-order – here’s the link – but note that the shipping date is yet to be set.

The 64GB model costs $500 and while the phone has a microSD slot, you may want to go up to the version with 128GB storage anyway – that’s $550. Both versions come with 6GB of RAM. By the way, the card slot can house two SIMs in addition to the microSD card (it’s not either-or like with hybrid slots).

Last year, the Zenfone 5z launched at that exact same price point - $500. That’s right, unlike Samsung, OnePlus and A ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10: Latest rumors, features, and release date

On Wednesday, Samsung is all but guaranteed to announce the Galaxy Note 10 at an Unpacked event in Brooklyn. Over the past few days, weeks, and even months, we've seen a steady stream of leaks and rumors surrounding the company's latest phablet.

From early rumors that the Note 10 wouldn't have any buttons to more recent leaks indicating there will be two sizes of the Note 10 this year -- there's been a lot to keep up with lately. 

Samsung's Galaxy Note line may not be a wild success like the Galaxy S-series, but each Note release has made waves of its own. With the Note seri ...

Apple will end up doing what Intel could not

With its recent billion dollar purchase to take Intel's scrapped 5G modem business off its hands, Apple is more in control of its destiny than ever.

A cursory analysis would quickly reveal that Cupertino is more than happy to lessen its reliance on Qualcomm, a company that Apple is unlikely to send a Christmas card to any time soon.

It continues Apple's long tradition of bringing more of its component design in-house, and while Intel could not hit its own targets, the silicon powerhouse that is Apple is more than likely to turn that around in the coming years.

That w ...

Razer’s new Viper is a light and fast ambidextrous wired gaming mouse

The $79 Razer Viper is the lightest wired gaming mouse I’ve ever used. It weighs just 69 grams, which I learned is the weight of two standard-sized light bulbs. What are the benefits of such a feather-light gaming mouse? It depends on who you ask. Those who prefer a hefty mouse with added weights won’t want much to do with it, but during my week with the Viper, I really liked how easy it was to flick along the mouse pad whenever the in-game moment demands some brisk, twitchy movement.

The relative weightlessness — at least compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I’ve been using, wh ...

Android Q Engineering AMA Tidbits: Time-based Dark Theme, Screen Recording, more

With the release of Android Q Beta 5, Google announced that they would be hosting a Reddit AMA, to answer our burning questions about Android Q and almost everything else Android related. That AMA took place this afternoon, with the Android engineering team providing fun and interesting tidbits about, among other things, Android Q and what may be coming with Android R.

Screen recording

In the early releases of the Android Q beta, it was possible, with only a minor Settings change, to enable a handy, built-in screen recording UI. Unfortunately, this screen recorder was short- ...

Razer’s new Viper is a light and fast ambidextrous wired gaming mouse

The $79 Razer Viper is the lightest wired gaming mouse I’ve ever used. It weighs just 69 grams, which I learned is the weight of two standard-sized light bulbs. What are the benefits of such a feather-light gaming mouse? It depends on who you ask. Those who prefer a hefty mouse with added weights won’t want much to do with it, but during my week with the Viper, I really liked how easy it was to flick along the mouse pad whenever the in-game moment demands some brisk, twitchy movement.

The relative weightlessness — at least compared to the Logitech G502 Lightspeed I’ve been using, wh ...

Android Q Engineering AMA Tidbits: Time-based Dark Theme, Screen Recording, more

With the release of Android Q Beta 5, Google announced that they would be hosting a Reddit AMA, to answer our burning questions about Android Q and almost everything else Android related. That AMA took place this afternoon, with the Android engineering team providing fun and interesting tidbits about, among other things, Android Q and what may be coming with Android R.

Screen recording

In the early releases of the Android Q beta, it was possible, with only a minor Settings change, to enable a handy, built-in screen recording UI. Unfortunately, this screen recorder was short- ...

Google will start using its text-to-speech technology for emergency calls on Pixels

Google is adding an automated text-to-speech feature to the Phone app on Pixel devices, enabling a one-tap system to relay location information to medical, fire, or police responders without the need for speech.

The system is simple: when on an emergency call, the Phone app will now offer three additional buttons, labeled “Medical,” “Fire,” or “Police.” Tapping the button will activate a text-to-speech feature that will read out a message informing the operator that the caller is using an automated service, describing the kind of help the caller needs and the caller’s current locati ...

Intel Reveals New 10th-Gen Core Processors Suitable for MacBook Air and Base 13-Inch MacBook Pro

Intel today introduced its first 10th-generation Core processors, codenamed Ice Lake. Built on a 10-nanometer process, the chips are designed for thin-and-light notebooks, meaning they could potentially make their way to future entry-level 13-inch MacBook Proand MacBook Air models. 

Intel says the Ice Lake chips have increased board integration, allowing manufacturers like Apple to release notebooks with sleeker designs. The chips also feature Intel's all-new Gen11 graphics architecture for up to double the graphics performance, and integrated Thunderbolt 3 and Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax ...

Update to iOS 12.4 Right Now to Block New Vulnerabilities

Most of you are running iOS 12. And that’s a good thing, because you’re getting a speedier experience with as many patched bugs and vulnerabilities as possible. It’s especially important, too, given that Google researchers recently disclosed six serious iOS vulnerabilities that Apple fixed up in the iOS 12.4 release earlier this month.

The problem? It’s twofold. First, there are still plenty of people who aren’t using iOS 12 for whatever reason—and likely not even iOS 12.4. Though Apple’s own statistics don’t break down specific iOS versions, the company shows that roughly 13 percen ...

New ‘Sex Simulator’ Ransomware Pops Up on Android

Many people keep their most important files on a mobile device without ever thinking about backing them up to a computer. That makes their phones a prime target for ransomware, and there’s a new attack spreading to Android phones right now. The new Android Filecoder.C malware uses weird “sex simulator” landing pages to trick people into downloading it, but you’ll pay for that click with more than your self-respect. 

The Filecoder.C malware first appeared on Reddit and XDA Forums as spammy messages directing people to the aforementioned sex simulator. Yes, people clicked on the links ...

Google unveils advanced G Suite protection for high-risk employees

Google is levelling up its security for businesses. The company unveiled a host of new protections for its G Suite, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Cloud Identity customers at the Next Tokyo summit. G Suite Enterprise admins can choose to enroll high-risk employees in an advanced protection program, automatically receive anomalous activity alerts and enable one-click access to additional apps.

A version of the Advanced Protection Program it launched two years ago is now available to G Suite business clients who are high-risk for a targeted online attack, such as IT administrators, C ...

Here is the teeniest gaming laptop you ever did see

Few designs can be called timeless and iconic enough to translate well into miniature versions of themselves. Horses is obviously the main one, but the ThinkTiny, a miniature version the Lenovo ThinkPad comes pretty close. Created by Paul Klinger, the ThinkTiny uses the laptop’s iconic red TrackPoint nub as a joystick for classic arcade games like Snake, Tetris, and Lunar Lander.

The tiny laptop runs on an ATtiny1614 microcontroller and features a 128 x 64 OLED screen. It’s all housed in a 3D-printed case that’s complete with a glowing “Think” logo. Sadly, the ThinkTiny cannot runDo ...

7 times Google was behind the curve with its Pixel phones

The Google Pixel phones represented a major shift for Google back in 2016, as the Mountain View company sought to take a bigger role in the design of its phones. The results have been pretty neat to say the least, as the phone series delivers top-notch camera quality and lean, clean software.

However, Google’s Pixel phones haven’t always been ahead of the curve, as the company has often been seriously late to the party with several ubiquitous features. Let’s take a look at a few times Google Pixel phones had questionable missing features.

1. Water resistance

The orig ...

AMD CEO Confirms 7nm High-End Navi Radeon RX GPUs and 7nm Mobility Ryzen CPUs – Aimed at High-Performance Gaming PCs and Notebooks

AMD announced their Q2 2019 earnings yesterday and revealed a bunch of information on their upcoming 7nm products during the earnings call. The products that were highlighted include the Ryzen processor series and the Radeon RX graphics series for mainstream and high-end desktop PCs.

AMD CEO Confirms 7nm Navi High-End Radeon RX Graphics Cards For Enthusiast Desktop PCs and 4th Gen Ryzen CPUs For High-End Notebooks

During the Q/A session, the question was raised about the high-end 7nm Navi graphics cards and 7nm mobility processors to which AMD’s CEO, Dr.Lisa Su, replied that ...

Google Play Pass spotted in testing, provides ‘access to hundreds of premium apps’

Google’s work on a “Play Pass” subscription first came to light last June. The company has now confirmed that it’s in active testing, with the first screenshots detailing a monthly service that provides “access to hundreds of premium apps.”

Thanks to images acquired by Android Police, we now know that “Google Play Pass” lets subscribers “Try new apps and master all your favorites, without interruptions.” According to these details, Google Play Pass features a “curated catalog” in the hundreds.

The service includes both applications and games, with Google’s copy touting “fitn ...

AN IPHONE APP THAT PROTECTS YOUR PRIVACY—FOR REAL THIS TIME

THE DATA ECONOMY has too often betrayed its customers, whether it's Facebook sharing data you didn't even realize it had, or invisible trackers that follow you around the webwithout your knowledge. But a new app launching in the iOS App Store today wants to help you take back some control—without making your life harder.

The Guardian Firewall app runs in the background of an iOS device, and stymies data and location trackers while compiling a list of all the times your apps attempt to deploy them. It does so without breaking functionality in your apps or making them unusable. Plus, ...

Nvidia Shield TV finally gets Android 9 Pie and much more in latest update

Today, Nvidia announced the Shield Experience Upgrade 8.0 update for the Shield TV. The update finally brings Android 9 Pie to the Shield TV, the first Android TV device to get Google’s latest version of Android.

Pie streamlines the interface to make it easier to access your apps and settings. Along with an updated interface are updated colors, improved organization, and a streamlined set-up process. There’s also a heavier emphasis on Google Assistant, with an enlarged microphone icon and search area at the top of the main menu.

The update also highlights the updated Hulu wi ...

The Galaxy Tab S6 shows Samsung isn’t giving up the tablet fight

It’s no secret that Android tablets are in an awkward position. While Apple’s iPad remains an important part of its product line-up, even Google has given up on making an equivalent. But Samsung hasn’t given up on Android tablets just yet. Today it announced the Galaxy Tab S6. It’s clear the tablet has taken some inspiration from the new iPad Pro, but it has a few tricks of its own too.

First, the specs:

10.5″ Super AMOLED Display

6GB + 128 GB or 8GB + 128GB RAM and storage configurations

Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9610

7,040 mAh battery (15 hours batte ...

AMD Releases New Chipset Drivers For Ryzen 3000: More Relaxed CPPC2 Upscaling

It’s been nearly three weeks since AMD’s launch of the new Ryzen 3000 series CPUs and our extensive coverage of the new parts. Among one of the things that didn’t quite go as smoothly is AMD’s BIOS and software situation where as things were still very much in flux following the launch.

One issue that was repeatedly brought up by the community over the past weeks was the new CPU’s idle behaviour both in terms of temperature as well as voltages. In particular, the new parts seemingly looked like they rarely idled at lower performance states and instead looked to remain at high freque ...

How to Change the Size of Your App Icons in iPadOS 13

One of the more jarring experiences you’ll encounter when updating your iPad to Apple’s iPadOS 13 this fall—including having to call it that from now on—are the slightly smaller icons now gracing your iPad’s Home screen and pages.

Like a juice cleanse, this icon diet is only a temporary fad. It appears Apple is going to let you revert back to the beefier icons you’ve been using all this time if you prefer your apps to look like a delicious thicc steak than a lean patty. At least, that’s my impression based on the latest iPadOS 13 beta—version 5!—which now comes with a little setting ...

Gears 5 Xbox One controller possibly leaks

Gears 5 is a third-person shooter that launches in September and The Coalition keeps on providing us with new details about the upcoming game. Recently, Gears 5 Multiplayer Design Director Ryan Cleven discussed servers and balance tuning. The franchise will feature 60 Hz servers for the first time with Gears 5 and there is one tuning setup across core and competitive multiplayer modes.

The servers that track action at 60 Hz should make shooting feel much more precise. This should give every shot more meaning. You can read Cleven's comments on Twitter below.

The Coalition wan ...

This might look like the next Apple Watch, but it’s actually Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 2

There’s no smartwatch as popular as the Apple Watch, and Apple keeps selling millions of units every quarter. Apple’s smartwatch is quite easy to tell apart from its main competitors, as its design is instantly recognizable. But come next week, Samsung will launch a Galaxy Watch 2 that looks very familiar.

“The best I can do is pass along details from trusted sources. Nothing I say should ever be taken as gospel until the press release is out,” prominent leaker Evan Blass commented on Twitter about a recent Galaxy Note 10 specs leak he posted. “Unless there are pictures,” he followe ...

Massive Note 10 Plus 5G revealed in several leaks

We’re just starting to see leaked images of the stylus-packing Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and its higher-specced Plus version, but there’s something new in the mix: leaked information on and images of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G.

The first image came courtesy of reputable leaker Evan Blass (who supplied earlier leaks of the Note 10 Plus, among others), who tweeted out what appears to be ad copy pairing the new handset with Verizon’s next-generation network, which reads: “Galaxy Note10 Plus 5G meets Verizon 5G. Pre-order today and get a Note10 free.*” He followed it up with a twee ...

Google is getting rid of Android Auto's smartphone UI — here's why

The new Android Auto started rolling out today (and it's pretty good), but unfortunately, all of its various improvements are only coming to in-car displays. The version of Android Auto you can run on your phone's screen standalone won't be getting the same face lift — and as a matter of fact, it's eventually going away entirely (though we're not sure exactly when). Here's what's happening.

Why is Google phasing out Android Auto's smartphone mode?

The short answer is that Google wants to get rid of the need for a discrete driving mode app on your phone. The long answer is, w ...

Apple iMessage Flaw Allows Remote Attackers to Read iPhone Messages

Remote exploitation can be achieved with no user interaction.

Five bugs in Apple’s iMessage service for the iPhone have been uncovered that require no user interaction to exploit, including one that would allow remote attackers to access content stored on iOS devices.

First discovered by Google Project Zero security researcher Natalie Silvanovich, Apple has fully patched four of the flaws as part of the 12.4 iOS update.

CVE-2019-8646 is the bug that allows an attacker to read files off a remote device with no user interaction. An exploit could leak the SMS database, ...

Microsoft Working on ‘Cloud Download’ Recovery Option for Windows 10

Microsoft has seemingly abandoned the idea of rolling out new distinct versions of Windows every couple of years. Instead, it just releases more updates for Windows 10. It let one update sneak out before it was ready last week, showing off a revised Start menu. That build also has another secret to spill. Microsoft is apparently working on cloud recovery options in Windows 10, PCMag reports. 

We’ve all been there: some horrible, data-destroying thing has happened to your computer, and you need to reinstall Windows. At times like that, the last thing you want to do is dig through box ...

Another Nintendo Switch Game Gets VR Support

If you happen to own Nintendo's new VR Kit, Captain Toad has an adventure for you. Nintendo Europe has announced that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker has a free software update which uses the virtual reality goggles--and it's available now.

Captain Toad's new mini VR adventure lets you view courses in 360 degrees and explore four courses in virtual reality. One lets you pan around the stage to better gauge what's around pillars and obstacles, while another puts you in a minecart to hunt for treasure. Check out the announcement trailer below.

Treasure Tracker isn't the only ga ...

Samsung to fight falling profits with midrange phones, 'mainstream' 8K

As Samsung expected, its Q2 profit is off from last year's by about 56 percent. An operating profit of $5.6 billion (6.6 trillion Korean won) is no small figure, but obviously not up to par for the electronics giant, and follow a similar result in Q1 of this year. A big reason for the fall is a drop in prices for memory chips, which Samsung is a major supplier of for products like smartphones and servers. It's also negatively affected by weak iPhone sales since it supplies Apple with parts, and is facing slower sales for its own high-end phone models.

Last year Samsung was looking t ...

Android TV Getting Hulu With Live TV Support

This week, Hulu announced that Android TV will soon be a supported platform for its Hulu + Live TV service.

Detailed by Hulu, “Starting in early August, Hulu + Live TV and our updated UI will be available across a variety of Android TV devices, including Sony’s Android TVs, NVIDIA SHIELD, Xiaomi Mi Box, and Hisense Android TVs.”

Hulu says that in order to get some Live TV action fired up on your Android TV, keep checking this Google Play listing for when it’s compatible with your Android TV device.

New LG UltraFine 5K display now on sale, works with Mac or iPad Pro

Apple is now selling a new generation of the 5K LG UltraFine display. For the first time, the 5K UltraFine is now compatible with the iPad Pro, finally offering a 5K display option for 2018 iPad Pro users.

Previously, the 5K UltraFine display would only work over Thunderbolt. Now, it can output 5K over USB-C DisplayPort, which means it can now work with any of Apple’s current Mac and iPad Pro lineup.

Up to now, it has been basically impossible to find a compatible display that the iPad Pro can drive at full 5K resolution. The USB-C port enables a wide range of connectivity, ...

Everything New in iOS 13 Beta 5: iPad Home Screen Options, New Volume Levels, Updated Share Sheet and More

Apple today released the fifth beta of iOS 13 to developers, bringing new bug fixes and adding and refining various iOS 13 and iPadOS features. 

In the fifth beta, changes and updates are getting more minor than changes made in earlier betas, but beta 5 still has some notable additions and feature removals worth highlighting. 

- iPad Home Screen - in iPadOS, there's a new feature in the Settings menu that lets you customize the Home screen. You can set the app grid to be 4x5 or 6x5, which results in bigger or smaller icons. The "More" setting shows up to 30 smaller ...

Windows 10 19H2 Update: Everything you need to know

Following the May 2019 Update, the next major release of Windows 10 will be the 19H2 Update. Appropriately code-named for the second half of the year 2019, this update is still in beta testing with Slow Ring Windows Insiders and is set to be released sometime in the fall.

While it will not bring a major overall to Windows as previous versions have, there are still a few changes coming in 19H2. Here’s everything you need to know about the next major update coming to Windows 10.

PRICE AND RELEASE DATE

With Windows 10 19H2, Microsoft made significant changes to the way ...

Everything we know so far about Apple’s upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro

We first heard about Apple’s plans for a 16-inch MacBook Pro back in February through an investor note from Ming-Chi Kuo. Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the new MacBook’s design, price, screen, and more.

Read on as we round up everything we know about Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Design

When he first reported the larger MacBook Pro’s existence back in February, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo teased that it would have an “all-new design.” It still remains unclear as to what exactly this means, but there are a few logical possibilities.

A report from Di ...

Watch what happens when you bend a foldable phone past its breaking point

YouTuber JerryRigEverything‘s claim to fame is his collection of phone torture tests – especially the parts where he tries to break a phone by bending it with his beefy arms. But what happens when that phone is actually meant to bend?

At first, it seems the perfect foible, until you remember bendable phones are only meant to bend one way.

The star of this most recent bit of tech gore is the Royole Flexpie, a phone that beat Samsung and Huawei to the punch in making the world’s first foldable phone. 

Before the folding test, JerruRigEverything – who’s real name is Zac ...

Apple’s future iPhone might add a time-of-flight camera — here’s what it could do

We’re still a few months away from Apple announcing its 2019 iPhones, but rumors have already started for next year’s models, with the ever-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming in his latest report that two of the 2020 iPhones will feature a rear time-of-flight (ToF) 3D depth sensor for better augmented reality features and portrait shots, viaMacRumors.

It’s not the first we’ve heard of Apple considering a ToF camera for its 2020 phones, either. Bloomberg reported a similar rumor back in January, and reports of a 3D camera system for the iPhone have existed since 2017. Other ...

The Pixel 4 proves the "Big Smartphone Reveal" is dead, and that's fine

Today, Google fully detailed two of the as-yet-unannounced Pixel 4's features most likely to receive top billing when it debuts in October: 3D facial recognition and radar-powered gesture controls. While only the Soli radar stuff is truly novel in the smartphone industry, Google will also be launching first Android phone with truly secure face unlock rivaling that of Apple's in the iPhone X (other Android phones have used it, but Android as an OS couldn't fully take advantage of it yet).

Following on the tease of the phone and its design earlier in the summer, Google is providing an ...

Forget Apple's iPhone 11, This Is The Smartphone To Buy

Apple is being surprisingly open about the iPhone you should buy, and it’s not the iPhone 11. Moreover, this just confirmed it. 

In a new report attained by MacRumors, famed Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo has confirmed that Apple will now upgrade all three of its 2020 iPhones to 5G. Kuo previously revealed that Apple planned to only upgrade its two premium iPhones to the next-gen standard, but that changed after it acquired Intel’s smartphone modem business. And that’s just the start. 

Kuo also explains that all three 2020 iPhones will support 5G with mmWave and sub-6GHz spectru ...

Galaxy Note 10 Exclusive Reveals Samsung's Surprising Design Change

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 is going to divide opinion. The two new modelsget a lot right and a lot wrong, but a stunning new leak has revealed one area where they will be truly class-leading. 

Hugely popular Samsung insider Ice Universe has revealed that the flagship Galaxy Note 10+ will have the highest screen-to-body ratio of any smartphone, thanks to a combination of stunningly thin bezels and a redesigned camera. 

Breaking down the details, Ice states that the Note 10 bezels will measure just 2mm (top), 3.7mm (bottom) and 1.5mm (sides) while the all-new central front camer ...

LG's CineBeam ultra short throw 4K projector is a budget buster

In brief: With a peak brightness of 2,700 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, the HU85LA is said to produce clear images in any indoor environment. That's great news if you're looking to set up shop in a living room without blackout curtains.

LG at the Consumer Electronics Show in January demoed an impressive ultra short throw projector in the LG HU85LA. Now more than seven months later, it’s finally available although coercing your wallet to agree to the purchase could prove difficult.

The LG HU85LA can project a 90-inch image from just 2.2 inches away. Pull it ...

Verizon Moto Z2 Force Getting Pie, Which Means 5G Moto Mod Support

We learned recently that Motorola decided against shipping out Pie to the Moto Z2 Force for customers on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. However, the Pie update was still green lit for Verizon, because without the Pie update, the phone wouldn’t support the 5G Moto Mod, and thus, not be able to access Verizon’s mobile 5G network.

Today, that Pie update is rolling out to Moto Z2 Force owners on Verizon.

While having Pie is great, and it comes with all of the features you expect to be inside of Pie (new navigation options, improved Do Not Disturb, etc.), this update brings supp ...

New iPhones won’t be the only competition for the Galaxy Fold this September

Three months after it indefinitely delayed the device, Samsung finally announced a revised September release date for the Galaxy Fold on Wednesday. As well as putting it in line to potentially compete with Apple’s 2019 iPhone models, releasing it in September also means Samsung’s foldable will have to more directly compete with Huawei’s Mate X. Huawei’s take on the foldable smartphone also broke cover this week after being spotted in the hands of Huawei consumer business CEO Richard Yu at the Shenzhen International Airport, according to a Weibo post spotted by Gizchina.

Although Yu ...

Apple's new MacBook Pro keyboard could launch this year

The scissor keyboard could replace the butterfly design in the Pro as well as the Air in 2019.

Apple is reportedly planning to launch a scissor keyboard on its rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro later this year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the tech giant would be replacing the unpopular butterfly keyboard in 2019 rather than 2020, according to MacRumors Thursday.

Apple had rolled out its butterfly switch design starting with its computer revamp in 2015 in an effort to make the laptops lighter and thinner. But users complained about sticky keys, as well as letters typing in dupl ...

Apple to acquire the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business

Cupertino and Santa Clara, California — Apple and Intel have signed an agreement for Apple to acquire the majority of Intel’s smartphone modem business. Approximately 2,200 Intel employees will join Apple, along with intellectual property, equipment and leases. The transaction, valued at $1 billion, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, including works council and other relevant consultations in certain jurisdictions.

Combining the acquired patents for current and future wireless technology with Apple’s ex ...

Apple's Three Upcoming iPhone 11s Reportedly Confirmed

After countless leaks and renders, a report from 9to5Mac confirms all three versions of the alleged iPhone 11 and their flagship features are coming soon.

According to insider Guilherme Rambo, “people have seen the devices” that are meant to replace the current line of iPhone X products. Each of the three new models will have the same screen resolutions as their predecessors, including one model with a limited LCD.

Each model will also sport brand new A13 processors code-named “Cebu.” The chipset will power a new “Smart Frame” camera tech, which records outside standard fram ...

Google brings its hearing assistance app to older Android phones

Google's app for the hard of hearing is now within reach of many more people. The tech firm's Sound Amplifier app now supports devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later, not just 9.0 Pie like it did months ago. You won't need a relatively cutting edge device to understand a conversation or sound from a TV -- just a decent set of headphones. There's a new look with a visualization feature, too.

We've asked Google what changed to allow Sound Amplifier on older phones and will let you know if it can elaborate. The initial version required Android Pie's Dynamic Processing Effect. ...

Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro already challenged by Huawei's MagicBook Pro

Huawei's sub-brand Honor has just released a new laptop that's positioned to challenge Apple's expected 16-inch MacBook Pro, and it has a 16.1-inch display of its own in an Ultrabook form-factor, Gizmochina reports.

The new Honor MagicBook Pro has all the trappings of an Ultrabook, including some of the latest trends in screen design. Honor has reduced the screen bezels on either side of the display to just 4.9mm. This let's it fit a 16.1-inch display into a laptop with a form factor closer to that of a 15.6-inch laptop. And, it's weight stays trim, too, at about 3.75 pounds (1.7 kg ...

New Start screens revealed for Windows and Xbox

On Wednesday, Microsoft revealed new looks for the Windows 10 and Xbox start screens: one deliberately, and one inadvertently.

A “canary” daily build of Windows 10 leaked into the wild on Wednesday, revealing a new, spartan Windows 10 Start menu. It does away with the tiled look and feel of the traditional Start menu, and replaces it with a sea of icons that look more like the “Share” option that accompanies a file.

Images of the new Start menu were captured by various Twitter users. (Unfortunately, PCWorld’s Insider machine was offline at the time. Microsoft’s Dona Sarkar, ...

The Pixel 4 is stealing one of the iPhone XS’s signature features – and we couldn’t be happier

When the Pixel 4 launches this fall, it’ll feature several signature features, some more exciting than others. For example, the phone will pack the first dual-lens camera in Pixel history, and we know that thanks to Google’s official Pixel 4 teaser that showed the phone’s rear design. Several reports also claimed that the front side of the handset will house at least two features that were never before seen on Pixel handsets, including one that’s not available on any other smartphone to date. Now, Google just confirmed one of them in the best possible way.

Leaks a few days ago showe ...

Google sets new privacy standards for Chrome extensions, but will they be enforced?

Browser extensions have become a critical attack vector, especially since many of them require access to all sites. Some malicious extensions were able to read passwords as you type them in or mine cryptocurrency in the background before Google removed them. Google has implemented several new changes for extensions over the past few months, and new ones will come into effect this October.

The first new requirement is that extensions can only request access "to the least amount of data." For example, if someone made an extension that changed how Android Police looks, it co ...

Revamped Xbox One home screen layout coming soon

Ever since the Xbox One launched in 2013, Microsoft has continued to iterate on the software. While it was initially slow and quite buggy, now it's stable and packed with features. Despite the fact that the company's next console, Project Scarlett, is coming out in Holiday 2020, that hasn't stopped the team from working on the Xbox One.

Today on Xbox Wire, Xbox Insider Team Lead Bradley Rossetti said that a new home screen layout is coming to the console, along with updated voice commands. The new layout looks sleek and should speed up the interface. You can read about all the chang ...

Galaxy Fold Ready for Launch starting from September

At Samsung, we’ve always focused on pioneering the next generation of mobile innovation: new products and technologies that push the entire industry forward and help users do what they can’t. Earlier this year, we announced Galaxy Fold—Samsung’s first foldable device, and the beginning of an entirely new mobile category. Since then, we’ve made improvements to Galaxy Fold to ensure consumers have the best possible experience.

Samsung has taken the time to fully evaluate the product design, make necessary improvements and run rigorous tests to validate the changes we made. These desig ...

This Wireless Charger Just for AirPods Is Equal Parts Awesome and Overkill

Studio Proper is a product design studio based in Australia (Melbourne) that makes really elegant cases, stands and charging accessories for your favorite products. A lot of what it makes, if we’re being honest, are things you didn’t know you wanted until you see them — but probably still don’t need. Take its newest creation, the Wireless Charging Dock for Apple Airpods ($75), which does exactly as its name describes.

The dedicated wireless charger will only work with AirPods that have a wireless charging case (which anybody can buy on Apple’s website for $79), making it fairly limi ...

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active Gets a Big Ol’ Update

Samsung’s newest watch, the Galaxy Watch Active, picked up a sizable update this week that improves Bixby, general usability, activity tracking, and heart rate alerts. It’s a big one!

The images below describe exactly what the new stuff is, so I’m not going to go too deep on this. The basics are that Bixby on your Watch Active can now control SmartThings, start customized exercise routines, find out time differences between cities, and learn your style to become more useful over time.

Samsung is also tweaking their app drawer to be less annoying and now work with side-to-sid ...

The 11 iPhone apps I couldn't live without

My iPhone X is my most-used gadget. It's my alarm clock in the morning, in my hands all day long, and it's the last thing I see before I go to bed.

The magic of the iPhone lies in its applications. There are literally millions of different apps out there, for every kind of need: If you want to learn how to cook, or edit your photos to look like artwork, or learn another language, or anything else you can possibly think of, there's probably an app for that.

Your favorite iPhone applications might be way different than mine, and that's okay! But these are the 11 applications I ...

Google Welcomes Android TV to Soundbars

After months and months and months of delays, the Android TV-powered JBL Link Bar finally went up for sale two weeks ago. Neither Google or Harman/JBL acknowledged that fact, but have now done so today. Android TV is officially available on a soundbar.

As a refresher, the JBL Link Bar is indeed a soundbar that includes full Android TV. It connects to your TV through a single cable to provide the Android TV experience you might get from a box, like the SHIELD TV. Of course, as a soundbar you get the extra benefit of it featuring sound as well to hopefully improve your TV’s audio expe ...

Release of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti SUPER graphics card could depend on AMD

With the latest SUPER upgrades from Nvidia joining the company’s extensive lineup of graphics cards, there has been some speculation that the green team could also release a SUPER variant of the top-end GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. Although an Nvidia executive has categorically stated there are no plans to release such a product, it may depend on what AMD has in store.

The graphics card market struggle between Nvidia and AMD has been particularly vigorous this year so far, and that state is unlikely to change throughout the rest of 2019. While AMD has its Navi-based offerings to tempt gamer ...

How to Set Up Wireless Audio Sharing in iOS 13

iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 come with a new feature that makes it much easier to share audio with your friends. Sure, you can go the “two of you use one half of a pair of earbuds” route, but that isn’t the best way to experience music or watch videos—both listeners miss out on one channel of audio, after all. And while you could always get a 3.5mm splitter, we doubt you’re rocking out with your friends that much.

The new iOS (and iPadOS) audio-sharing feature uses Bluetooth to split audio between two different devices. Specific requirements change depending on which sharing method you use ...

New Samsung Note 10 rumor suggests ‘Zoom Audio’ and stylus gesture control

We’re weeks away from the Samsung Note 10 launch on August 7, but the rumor mill is running at full steam. The latest claims the smartphone will get a few radical new features, like gesture controls through the S-Pen audio and video that only records audio from one source. 

Other details seem to confirm previous rumors, like a two-model release (the standard Note 10 and a larger Note 10 Pro), but the more exciting claims are new. According to Greek site TechManiacs, which cited a knowledgeable source, the S-Pen will support gesture controls to navigate and produce context-appropriat ...

Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless earbuds review

Good sound and great noise cancelling make for a solid AirPod competitor -- particularly for Android users

I would have had a review of the WF-1000XM3s up sooner, but they arrived while I was traveling. That was a bummer for two reasons. First and most obviously is the fact that I hate being late with a review. Second and more selfishly, I really wanted to try them out on those 16-hour flights I just took to Hong Kong and back.

It’s a use case for Sony’s new fully wireless earbuds. The company’s clearly got the Bose market firmly in its sights with a pair of premium buds spo ...

Hands-On With the New July 2019 13-Inch MacBook Pro

Apple earlier this month introduced a surprise update to its MacBook Pro line, overhauling the entry-level 13-inch machine to bring it in line with more expensive models that were updated back in May. 

We went hands-on with the new MacBook Pro to take a look at the new features, including a Touch Bar, an updated processor, a new keyboard, and more. 

Prior to the update, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro hadn't been refreshed since 2017, so it was the last remaining MacBook Pro still using older keyboard technology that retained a row of function keys. 

The new mode ...

RTX 2080 Super matches the Titan V in leaked benchmark

Why it matters: The GPU scene has seen no shortage of action and beautiful, glorious competition lately at every price point but one: the $700+ mark. Finally, it appears the venerable GTX 1080 Ti will be replaced by a worthy competitor, the RTX 2080 Super. Tipped to release on July 23 for $700 and bringing around a 10% performance boost with all the extra RTX goodness, it’ll be a fan favorite for sure.

As seemingly happens before every GPU release, the RTX 2080 Super has appeared in the Final Fantasy XV public benchmark database with a score of 8663, roughly the same as the Titan V. ...

Windows 7 vs Windows 10: The next big challenge

It's been some time since Windows 10 overtook Windows 7 to become the most used PC operating system, but with the final end of Windows 7 support looming, there's still much work to do.

With six months until Windows 7 goes out of extended support there's quite a lot of data around to provide at least a rough picture of the current state of play.

According to a survey by IT company Kollective of 200 UK and US decision makers, just under one in five large enterprises haven't migrated to Windows 10, even though that's a significant number that's still down from 43% when the comp ...

Microsoft Begins Testing Windows 10 Controlled Feature Rollout

Microsoft has started testing the new Window 10 Controlled Feature Rollout feature with Windows Insiders in the Slow ring. This feature allows Microsoft to slowly roll out new features without releasing entirely new builds.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that starting with Windows 10 Insider 19H2 builds, Microsoft would be testing a new feature called Controlled Feature Rollout or CFR. Using this feature Microsoft can ship builds with disabled features that are gradually enabled by Microsoft to small groups of users.

This allows Microsoft to test these new features ...

How to Use Faster Context Menus in the Latest iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 Beta

The fourth iOS 13 and iPadOS beta has rolled out for developers, and while there are the usual list of changes and bug-fixes in Beta 4, one of the more interesting tweaks is a much more responsive Context Menu that you’ll be able to pull up on any device running iOS or iPadOS 13.

To try it out, simply long-press your finger on any app. You’ll need to spend less time doing so than you otherwise would on an iOS 12-running iPhone XS—the “Haptic Touch” feature that serves as its substitute for 3D Touch.

Apple has even dropped a new, special command in this Context Menu: “Rearran ...

Samsung Readying 12Gb LPDDR5 Mobile DRAM for Galaxy Note 10

Ahead of flagship phone announcements, Samsung usually announces the beginning of mass production for upgraded RAM and processors. This week, it has announced an industry-first 12Gb LPDDR5 mobile DRAM for, “premium smartphones.” We’re assuming this means it’ll be inside the Galaxy Note 10.

According to Samsung’s presser, this DRAM is optimized for enabling 5G and AI features, which seems like great timing with 5G networks popping up all over the world.

For the nerds here, the DRAM is capable of data rates consisting of 5,500Mbs and is approximately 1.3x faster than previous ...

This is apparently a Nokia feature phone running Android

Nokia's been killing it in the Android space for the last couple of years. Under the ownership of HMD Global, we've seen a relentless number of Nokia handsets dominate the mid and low-end market, but now thanks to a hands-on photo, we have our first look at a new venture for the company — an Android-powered feature phone.

The photo comes via 9to5Google, and if this is legit, we're looking at a phone running Android without a touchscreen of any kind.

Taking a look at the interface, the home screen has a microphone icon in the top-center, likely an easy shortcut to the Google ...

Delete These Banned Apps From Your Android Phone

Google recently removed several apps from the Google Play Store after discovering they violated the Play Store terms of service—and, more importantly, could be used as stalkerware. That doesn’t mean they’re deleted from your Android device, though, so now’s a great time to remove them.

If you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, “stalkerware” involves giving a third party access to another user’s device, location data, and other sensitive information. These apps often present themselves as “normal” tracking tools—for employee activity on company phones or your children’s whereabouts (a mo ...

What to Expect From the 2019 iPhones: Hands-On With Dummy Models

Ahead of every new iPhone release, we're inundated with rumors, part leaks, mockups, and dummy models, all of which give us a good idea of what to expect when new devices launch. 

2019 is no exception. We've seen all of the above, and now, we've managed to get our hands on three dummy models of the upcoming iPhones, which offer up a look at the designs and feature changes we're likely to see later this year. 

Like the 2018 iPhone lineup, the 2019 iPhone lineup is expected to include three iPhones: a 5.8-inch OLED device, a 6.5-inch OLED device, and a more affordable 6.1-inch ...

Galaxy Tab S6 shown off in every angle and color with S Pen and new design

Trading the headphone jack for dual cameras and a wirelessly charging S Pen.

We saw some obfuscated leaks of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Tab S6 a couple of weeks ago, but a scoop from Android Headlines gives us a complete collection of product renders, showing off the tablet and some of its accessories in all their glory.

We're expecting to see the Galaxy Tab S6 unveiled at Samsung's upcoming Unpacked eventalongside the Note 10, or possibly a bit later on this year at IFA in Berlin, and these leaks show that we can expect three color options; blue, gray, and rose gold.

...

What’s new in iOS 13 developer beta 4?

Apple today has released the fourth developer betas of iOS 13, iPadOS 13, tvOS 13, and watchOS 6 to developers. Read on as we recap all of the changes in today’s updates.

Apple released macOS Catalina beta 4 to developers yesterday, and the update did not include any major changes other than normal beta bug fixes and improvements. Today’s updates to iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS are likely a bit more fruitful.

If you spot any changes in iOS 13 beta 4, or the other new betas from Apple today, let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @9to5Mac.

What’s new in iOS ...

Sony a7R IV: First Impressions and Real-World Photos

A few weeks ago, Sony asked me if I wanted to do a quick test run with the (at that time) unannounced Sony a7R IV. I was pleasantly surprised as I (and I am sure many others) expected the a7S III to come out first. I agreed and was excited to be one of the first in the world to test the new camera.

Full disclosure: The author, photographer Albert Dros, is a Sony Global Ambassador of Imaging.

I was only able to test the camera for about 2.5 days, so I can’t go too in-depth. This article is about my first impressions.

Note: I was only able to shoot in JPEG with the cam ...

Here's Microsoft's updated roadmap for Chromium-based Edge features for the enterprise

Microsoft is enabling enterprise features by default in the Dev Channel builds of Chromium-based Edge. Here's what's available to IT pro testers now and what's coming later.

Late last week, Microsoft officials said they were ready for IT pros to start kicking the tires of the coming Chromium-based Edge browser. But it wasn't until today, July 16, that we got some updated details about what Microsoft is doing for businesses with its new browser. 

In a new blog post, Microsoft officials said the Dev Channel for Chromium-based Edge ("Chredge") now has enterprise featu ...

Apple Seeds Seventh Beta of iOS 12.4 to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the seventh beta of an upcoming iOS 12.4 update to developers, one week after seeding the sixth iOS 12.4 beta, and two months after releasing iOS 12.3, a major update that introduced a revamped TV app. 

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.4 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over the air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center. Public Beta testers can download the beta over the air.

There were no new features discovered in the first six iOS 12.4 betas, so it's not entirely clear what's coming in t ...

Google homescreen redesign rolling out to Lenovo Smart Displays

With the Nest Hub Max in May, Google introduced a new homescreen for Smart Displays. Already available on the Nest Hub, this revamped — and somewhat controversial — redesign is now rolling out to Lenovo Smart Displays.

The Ambient Mode — which allows for fullscreen clocks or Photo galleries — stays the same. When users tap the screen, the current background is blurred while a Google News “Top stories” card slides in from the right. This is the default card if media is not playing or you have no upcoming events.

Time and day/date appears in the bottom-left corner, while the w ...

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855+, Which is Probably Headed for the Note 10 and Pixel 4

Qualcomm unveiled a new version of its Snapdragon 855 this morning, called Snapdragon 855+. Sort of like how we had the Snapdragon 820 and 821 back in 2016, this new 855+ is a slightly improved version of Qualcomm’s high-end mobile processor to help take us through the rest of the year.

What’s different? Qualcomm bumped the CPU up from 2.84GHz to 2.96GHz. They also boosted the GPU by 15%. That’s it. Those are the only two differences. Oh, they added a “+” or “Plus” to the name too.

It’s still a 7nm chip that is ready for 5G connectivity and will likely power the next wave of ...

Sony WH-XB900N review: How much bass is too much bass?

Whether you work remotely or commute, chances are you’re constantly on-the-go, making quiet time a rare indulgence. Sony recently released a more affordable pair of ANC headphones, the Sony WH-XB900N, to accompany you on your daily subway excursion. These bass-heavy, lightweight cans are a great Beats alternative and boast Sony’s top-tier noise-canceling technology for less than the rest.

What are the Sony WH-XB900N like?

These are lightweight for on-ear headphones (254g), which is especially important if you intend to use them for travel. Ample memory foam padding on the he ...

Stunning Apple Leaks Confirm Disappointing New iPhone

The drip of leaks from the once impenetrable Apple has become a stunning tsunami. From details of the circuit board, through close examination of the camera unit, to 3D prints of the leaked CAD models, it’s possible to come up with a very clear view of Apple’s upcoming iPhones. And the picture is pretty boring. Looking at the information in aggregate, I keep coming back to one simple question.

Apart from the hardcore fanatics, who exactly will be interested in 2019’s new iPhone?

2019’s iPhones will come with iOS 13 and Apple has a number of new software features in the code ...

Windows 10 preview could bring Alexa to your PC's lock screen

Amazon Alexa can be helpful on Windows, but you can't quite treat your PC like a supersized Echo when third-party voice helpers don't work until you've signed in. That might not be a hurdle in the near future. Microsoft has released a Windows 10 preview on the Slow ring that allows the use of third-party assistants "above" the lock screen. The company doesn't mention Alexa by name, but it's the only major AI helper on Windows beyond Cortana -- Amazon would just have to update its app to enable voice commands in more situations.

There aren't other major updates, although ar ...

Apple Insider Leaks Radical iPhone Redesign

iPhone fans, it’s time to save you from an expensive mistake. We already know almost everything about Apple’s surprisingly disappointing iPhone 11and we also know the company has more ambitious iPhone plans. And now they look even better. 

Building on an explosive report from JPMorgan, China Times has attained information from a presentation by multinational investment bank Credit Suisse which reveals Apple is planning a far more radical iPhone than we imagined. In fact, it has the potential to be the most exciting iPhone the company has made in years. 

Credit Suisse says Ap ...

Galaxy Note 10 availability details leak to complete the picture

The Galaxy Note 10 has been leaked to death by now, but one thing that was left undecided was its launch date and price. Samsung has already announced when the phone will be unveiled but, as always, the exact details of when it would hit shelves have yet to be revealed. With less than a month left, that information is coming out to give prospective buyers the chance to save up and prepare for the most expensive Galaxy Note phones yet.

The price of the Galaxy Note 10 isn’t that surprising. The line has always been more expensive than its Galaxy S counterparts though. With every year, ...

Windows 10 KB4507453 Cumulative Update Causes Restart Alert Loop

The Windows 10 KB4507453 Cumulative Update released by Microsoft on July 9 is reportedly causing a restart notification loop on some of the computers where it was installed.

This issue was reported by Windows users on several websites and computer support forums across the web [1, 2, 3], with all of them describing the exact same problem — being told to reboot their devices again to finish installing the KB4507453 update even though it was already installed.

While multiple Windows 10 Version 1903 and Windows Server Version 1903 users have been already impacted by this issue ...

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 revealed in these leaked photos

Samsung will reveal the Galaxy Note 10 smartphone on August 7.

But fans don’t need to wait until next month to see the phone for the first time — photos of the device have already been published by the Federal Communications Commission.

On Thursday, the FCC published routine certification documents on Samsung’s upcoming high-end smartphone. One document, focusing on the testing environment, included several photos of the unannounced device.

The images reveal that the Galaxy Note 10 will not include a headphone jack, following a trend set by Apple in 2016, when it rem ...

Google to roll out redesigned News tab

Google will soon unveil a refreshed News tab that places a priority on publishers, rather than headlines. The company today tweeted a preview of the redesigned news section for the desktop version of its search engine, which will roll out to users over the next few weeks. The change falls in line with recent efforts by the search giant to be more responsive to the needs of publishers and cut down on fake news.

While it's too early to tell what exactly the revamped News tab will accomplish, it's clear that it's a step in an entirely different direction. A look at the "Before and ...

Google defends letting human workers listen to Assistant voice conversations

Google is defending its practice of letting human employees, most of which appear to be contract workers located around the globe, listen to audio recordings of conversations between users and its Google Assistant software. The response comes after revelations from Belgian public broadcaster VRT NWS detailed how contract workers in the country sometimes listen to sensitive audio captured by Google Assistant on accident.

In a blog post published today, Google says it takes precautions to protect users identities and that it has “a a number of protections in place to prevent” so-calle ...

iPhone 11: What to expect and why waiting may be your best option

You might want to remain patient before buying your next iPhone.

Sure, the expected unveiling of Apple’s iPhone 11 (if that's what it's called) is still roughly two months away, and all we are going on at this stage are leaks and rumors. 

But there are already hints that the 2019 iPhone upgrade cycle will be comparatively modest, if not actually a bit of a bore, with far more significant changes coming in 2020. Most notably, if you’re looking for an iPhone compatible with the blazing-fast 5G networks that carriers have started to roll out, you’ll almost certainly have to wai ...

Google has stopped the rollout of Android Q Beta 5 OTA update

Android Q Beta 5 rolled out to devices today via OTA updates on beta-enrolled Pixel phones. It seems an issue has cropped up for a number of users, and Google has subsequently announced that the OTA update rollout of Android Q Beta 5 has been temporarily stopped.

Late this evening, Google added an update to the top of the Android Q Beta 5 announcement post on Reddit, spotted by Android Police. The company hasn’t shared much information on why the update has been stopped, other than to say that some users are running into an issue with installing the update.

We’re aware of an ...

Galaxy Note 10 image leaks spoil Samsung's party

So much for Samsung maintaining even the slightest bit of secrecy around the Galaxy Note 10 ahead of its August 7th debut. Both Ishan Agarwal (via MySmartPrice) and WinFuture have obtained what look to be official press images for the regular Note 10 and its larger Note+ counterpart (shown above). As you might have suspected, the two phone appear to push the Galaxy S10's nearly-all-screen concept even further. The more rectangular design has virtually no bezel, and the only interruption is a hole-punch camera located at the top center of the display.

You will find a few tidbits else ...

APPLE'S NEW MACBOOK PRO GOES ALL IN ON THE TOUCH BAR

THE SUMMER IS a time for rejuvenation, don’t you think? A time to reflect on what’s important and what can be let go. That applies also to Apple’s laptop line, which on Tuesday got a midsummer refresh. It involves shuffles and spec bumps big and small, but mostly: If you need a MacBook Pro, hope you like the Touch Bar.

The Touch Bar, first introduced in 2016, had already subsumed most of the MacBook Pro line. But until now, the entry-level, 13-inch MBP retained physical function keys. Its status as a holdout earned it an unofficial nickname: MacBook Escape, after the key that the To ...

The Raspberry Pi 4 doesn’t work with all USB-C cables

The Raspberry Pi 4 is a great little beast, but Tyler Ward identified a flawin the USB Type-C connector. The Raspberry Pi Foundation confirmed to TechRepublic that the design flaw is real, and that your Raspberry Pi 4 might not work with all USB-C cables.

It’s not really a dealbreaker, but you can expect a future board revision with a proper implementation of the USB-C protocol. But if you find yourself scratching your head and you don’t understand why your Raspberry Pi is not powering up, now you know why.

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released the schematics of the board ...

AMD's Third Generation Ryzen CPUs Are Just Terrific

AMD did it. It produced a ridiculously fast series of CPUs that use a lot less power than their competitors and predecessors while also being cheaper and adding some bonus features, like PCIe 4.0 support, only hardcore PC users need. The new $500 Ryzen 9 3900X and $330 Ryzen 7 3700X deliver on many of AMD’s promises about power and price from the last several years.

(I should note right at the outset that there’s a catch in the form of a very annoying flaw that could ruin installation for first time builders. It’s minor, if potentially devastating, so I won’t detail the complaint un ...

New AirPods 3 reportedly on track to launch by the end of 2019

Apple refreshed the AirPods only a few months ago, although it was a relatively minor upgrade that included a new H1 chip and a case that can be recharged wirelessly (which was supposed to work with the now-canceled AirPower universal charger). But Apple is expected to launch a third version of its wireless earbuds by the end of the year, complete with a new design, new features, and higher price points.

The news comes from a Wedbush research note seen by 9to5Mac that claims the AirPods 3 will deliver design enhancements as well as waterproofing. That would also explain the higher p ...

Zoom for Mac made it too easy for hackers to access webcams. Here’s what to do

As this post was being reported, Zoom developers reversed their previous position and issued an update that changes the contested behavior.

"Initially, we did not see the Web server or video-on posture as significant risks to our customers and, in fact, felt that these were essential to our seamless join process," Zoom's Jonathan Farley wrote. "But in hearing the outcry from our users in the past 24 hours, we have decided to make the updates to our service."

The update makes the following changes:

complete removal of the local Web server and

...

AMD Radeon RX 5700 vs RX 5700 XT: what's the best AMD GPU for you?

Right now, we're having a tough time thinking of a better time to buy a new graphics card, thanks in large part to the new Nvidia Super RTX graphics cards, and of course, AMD Navi. Why's that? Well, before the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and RX 5700 XT, we've never seen graphics cards this affordable that can provide such amazing performance in this price range. 

But, no matter how awesome these graphics cards are, it can be hard to decide once and for all which AMD graphics card is best for you – especially when they're priced so closely together. 

Luckily, here at TechRadar we've s ...

Serious Zoom security flaw could let websites hijack Mac cameras

Today, security researcher Jonathan Leitschuh has publicly disclosed a serious zero-day vulnerability for the Zoom video conferencing app on Macs. He has demonstrated that any website can open up a video-enabled call on a Mac with the Zoom app installed. That’s possible in part because the Zoom app apparently installs a web server on Macs that accepts requests regular browsers wouldn’t. In fact, if you uninstall Zoom that web server persists and can reinstall Zoom without your intervention.

Using Leitschuh’s demo, we have confirmed that the vulnerability works — clicking a link if y ...

Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS

Apple today released the second public betas of iOS 13 and iPadOS to its public beta testing group, two weeks after seeding the first public betas and a week after the third developer beta. The public beta gives non-developers a chance to test out iOS 13 ahead of its upcoming fall launch date. 

Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 13beta 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, which gives users ac ...

Sony is making a foldable, rollable tablet ready for late 2019

It’s not just Samsung and Huawei who are getting into the foldable phone bandwagon. Almost everyone is doing it, including OPPO and Xiaomi and even Microsoft. The ones you don’t expect to be making one are those who are struggling to even stay afloat. And yet, surprisingly enough, Sony is rumored to be doing exactly that. Even better, it will have a rollable “Nautilus Design” when others can barely do simple foldable screens.

Sony is definitely the last company you’d expect to be working on a foldable phone. It’s not in the red but its mobile busi ...

Three Very Important Features For Microsoft's New Surface Laptop 3

As well as the transformative Surface Book and the ultraportable Surface Pro, Microsoft is expected to update the Surface Laptop later this year. Since the release of the second iteration last October, the competition has overhauled the attraction of the Windows 10-powered laptop.

What could the third Surface Laptop have that would take back the crown? Here are three areas which could provide such an impact… the screen, the chips, and the connections.

I wouldn’t expect the basic design of the Surface Laptop to change. Microsoft’s research team may be hard at work working on ...

New leak shows the screen protectors of Galaxy Note 10

Samsung is expected to announce the new Galaxy Note 10 on August 7 in Brooklyn. The company hasn’t revealed too much in its official invites but we know almost everything about the device, thanks to the extensive leaks.

Now a latest leak from Samsung insider Ice Universe shows the screen protector for the Galaxy Note 10. The screen protector seems to confirm the previous leaks related to the device. The image shared by Ice Universe shows two different designs which could be Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10 Plus. Apart from that, there seems to be a triple camera vertical setup on th ...

The Windows 10 misinformation machine fires up again

The loudest voices screaming about Windows 10 sometimes have no idea what they're talking about. Case in point: This dire warning from Gordon Kelly at Forbes, who is as ill-informed as ever.

Gordon Kelly of Forbes is at it again, pushing his unique blend of scary words about Windows 10, mixed with an absolutely overwhelming lack of knowledge about the underlying technologies.

I thought we had seen the last of Gordon three years ago, when he slinked away after credulously hyping some gibberish about Windows 10 telemetry and then writing the most incomprehensible retraction ev ...

AMD RADEON RX 5700 AND RX 5700 XT REVIEW: COMPETITION HEATS UP

THE NAVI ERA HAS BEGUN

AMD RADEON RX 5700 AND RX 5700 XT TESTED

The summer of 2019 has been one of rumors, leaks, dramatic product reveals, and price wars. And it’s only July 7. And what would 7/7 be without the launch of a 7nm GPU? How about three of them? AMD has officially released the new Radeon RX 5700, RX 5700 XT, and RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary Edition today.

We received two of these cards to test (the Radeon RX 5700 and standard RX 5700 XT) and are now ready to show our initial finding with the first Navi GPUs. And no, the lineup of game presented here is not ...

AMD's Ryzen 5 3600X overtakes Intel's Core i7-9700K in UserBenchmark speed test

AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600X processor has turned up on UserBenchmark and has amassed excellent scores in the speed tests. The upcoming Zen 2 chip managed to zip past rivals such as Intel’s Core i7-8700K and Core i7-9700K. The impressive performance of the Ryzen 3000 processor means it currently holds 13th position in UserBenchmark’s average bench chart, out of 1,160 entrants.

Leaks and benchmarks are starting to fly in regard to AMD’s heralded Ryzen 3000 series of chips. Various SKUs have appeared on benchmarks lately, usually offering up incredible results, especially when the expected pri ...

Samsung Confirms Serious Failure Of Radical New Galaxy Smartphone

Samsung may have started teasing Galaxy Note 10 features, but the company cannot hide from the serious failure of its most exciting smartphone in years. And now Samsung has made a brutally honest revelation about it. 

Speaking to popular UK newspaper The Independent, Samsung Electronics CEO DJ Koh has called the company’s failed launch of its radical screen-bending Galaxy Fold “embarrassing”. Moreover, Koh has taken personal responsibility, admitting “I pushed it through before it was ready”. 

This impetuousness has had serious consequences. While initially lauded by Samsung ...

Apple will soon ditch its butterfly keyboard design

After years of controversy and technical difficulties, Apple could be about to give up on the butterfly mechanism keyboard in its MacBooks. According to a report authored by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo -- who has a decent record in accurate Apple predictions -- the company is on track to release a refreshed MacBook Air later this year, this time with a keyboard design based on scissor switches.

Apple's butterfly keyboards have been troublesome from the get-go, and are well known to fail as a result of debris or overheating. Apple rolled out a worldwide repair program for 2015-and-lat ...

Xbox Game Pass PC And Xbox One Early July Lineup Announced

Xbox has announced its next two batches of games included with its all-you-can-eat Game Pass subscription service. The announcement covers games coming over the next two weeks, and once again it lists the games as coming to console, PC, or both.

On July 4, Undertale will be available on PC, and Middle-earth: Shadow of War and My Time at Portia will be on both console and PC. Then on July 11, Timespinner and Unavowed will come to Game Pass for PC, Lego City Undercover will hit the console version, and Dead Rising 4 and Blazing Chrome will come to both.

Xbox Game Pass is avail ...

Microsoft Rolls Out Android Remote Control for Windows 10

Microsoft added several improvements and features to the Your Phone app with the rollout of Windows 10 20H1 Build 18932 to Insiders in the Fast ring, the addition of remote control for Android devices from touch-enabled PCs being the highlight of the release.

"You will now be able to interact with your phone screen using one-touch tap and long press. This handy feature will allow you to conveniently open apps, select items, click on links, and more, directly on your touch-enabled PC," says Microsoft in the Insider Preview Build 18932 announcement.

Microsoft also hi ...

FaceTime feature in iOS 13 feigns eye contact during video calls

Apple introduced several of the headlining features of its upcoming iOS 13 during WWDC, but people playing with the closed beta version have uncovered some additional tools. One newly found addition is FaceTime Attention Correction, which adjusts the image during a FaceTime video call to make it look like a person is looking into the camera rather than at their device’s screen.

In practice, that means that while both you and your contact are looking at each other’s faces, you’ll both appear to be making direct eye contact. Mike Rundle and Will Sigmon were the first to tweet about th ...

This wild new computer with two screens made me excited about what could be next for the laptop

Laptops went through a transformation around 2012 and 2013 when Microsoft launched its much-criticized Windows 8 operating system, which ushered in a new era of PCs that function as both laptops and tablets. But even then, the basic form factor remained the same: a screen that worked in tandem with a keyboard.

In recent years, however, laptop makers seem to be trying to change that with new designs that incorporate a second screen. One recent example of this is the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo, which has a 14-inch 4K touch display that sits right above the keyboard in addition to its 15.6-i ...

Microsoft is teasing Windows 1.0 and other 1980s software

Either Microsoft is gearing up for a very odd promotional effort or somebody on the Windows team has hijacked a functioning time machine.

Yesterday, the company posted a video boasting an "all-new Windows 1.0" to its social channels. It even went so far as to completely wipe all its previous posts from the Windows Instagram account, so all you'll find is the clip of its logos over the years. The video scrolls from the simplicity of Windows 10 through the pixellated rainbow flag of Windows XP and Windows 95.

Whatever the situation is, the stunt is giving Windows' so ...

Samsung has reportedly fixed the Galaxy Fold

Samsung has redesigned the Galaxy Fold to address the screen durability issues that torpedoed its launch, Bloomberg reports, with the folding phone soon to begin commercial production. The company still isn’t able to confirm a release date, however, and one person told Bloomberg that the phone is unlikely to resurface at next month’s Galaxy Note 10 event.

Samsung is said to have made the screen’s protective film “flow into the bezels so it would be impossible to peel off by hand.” Previous review units shipped with a film that looked like a removable screen protector, even though re ...

Google's Pixel C Android tablet may not get any more security updates

Google's Pixel C, the last first-party Android tablet released all the way back in December of 2015, may have just stopped getting monthly security patches. There has been no official announcement, and device-specific delays have happened before, but the Pixel C wasn't among those that received today's July set of updates, and the precise timing is awfully suspicious.

Although Google does not list the Pixel C on its update schedule help page, the company does note when discussing Pixel phones that they "get security updates for at least 18 months from when the Google Store last ...

Microsoft's October release of Windows 10 will be deliberately anticlimactic

If you’ve been wondering what Microsoft’s next feature release of Windows 10—19H2—has in store, the answer is: not much.

Microsoft said Monday that the upcoming 19H2 release, due in September, will include “a scoped set of features for select performance improvements, enterprise features and quality enhancements.” The goal appears to be to enhance what’s already in Windows, with an eye toward enterprise and partner deployments, rather than add consumer-facing features.

As part of that schedule, Microsoft said that it will release new 19H2 builds as part of the Slow Ring, the ...

Samsung will unveil the Galaxy Note 10 on August 7th

You can expect it to inherit features from the S10 family.

The rumors were true -- Samsung has announced that it's holding its second Unpacked event of the year on August 7th at 4PM Eastern in Brooklyn's Barclays Center. The company hasn't said anything about what to expect, but the pen-centric teaser image (above) doesn't leave much to the imagination. The Galaxy Note 10 will clearly be the star of the show, and it's just a matter of pinning down the finer details.

This could be one of the biggest Galaxy Note introductions yet. Current rumors and leaks suggest the Note 10 w ...

iOS 13 and iPadOS public betas: How to download and install them now

The final versions of Apple's iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 software for your iPhones ($1,000 at Amazon) and iPads ($249 at Walmart) are coming your way this fall, but you can get a jump start now on everything the OSes offer. The public beta is open to anyone who wants to help test early builds of the operating system that will run on iPhones ($1,000 at Amazon) and iPads ($249 at Walmart) later this year. That's right, this year we have two different versions of iOS. One, iOS 13, is for the iPhone and iPod Touch, the other, iPadOS 13, is dedicated to the iPad and brings with it new multitasking fea ...

Apple's Shock iPhone Redesign Suddenly Confirmed

Apple’s rough month continues. In June hackers blew the security off 1.4BN iPhones and iPads, Apple was fined due to missed iPhone estimatesand the company’s stunning 2020 iPhone gave users doubts about upgrading to the ugly 2019 model. And now those fears have been realised. 

In a new exclusive, hugely popular YouTuber Filip Koroy (aka EverythingApplePro) has managed to attain retail iPhone 11 cases and they serve only to confirm users’ worst fears about the shock departure of Apple’s head designer Jonathan Ive.

Attained via a Chinese supply chain source, Koroy admits “I ha ...

Dell’s new XPS 15 with a 4K OLED screen is now available

Dell’s 2019 refresh of the XPS 15 2-in-1 laptop is now available. One of the most notable changes in this year’s model is the placement of the webcam: it’s now shifted up above the screen, where it should have been all along, instead of near the hinge.

Prices for the XPS 15 start at $1,099, and all four of Dell’s configurations include 9th Gen Intel processors, fast M.2 SSD NVMe storage, and a 97Wh battery. If you’re more of a power user, the $1,549 model is built with a more capable Intel Core i7 9750H CPU and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card. These specs put it in line wi ...

How to create a bootable macOS Catalina 10.15 USB install drive

Creating a bootable macOS Catalina USB install drive is an effective way to generate a clean installation of macOS on your Mac. This hands-on tutorial will work with both the macOS Catalina developer beta, the macOS Catalina public beta, and the final version of macOS Catalina scheduled to launch later this fall. Follow our easy-to-use step-by-step video tutorial for the details.

Flash drive

Before beginning you’ll need to acquire a USB flash drive. In the age of USB-C, it’s preferable that you use a USB flash drive with a USB-C connection if possible.

You’ll want a ...

Commodore 64 system to return with classic games, fully-functional keyboard

Modern versions of iconic gaming consoles have been popularized in recent years, but the rebirth of this latest product will surely resonate with early computer users.

Manufacturer Retro Games announced this week it is working on an updated version of the beloved Commodore 64 8-bit computer launched in 1982 and cost $595 at the time. It was teased in a trailer set to the theme song of popular 80s-themed Netflix show “Stranger Things.”

Called THEC64, the computer is a more complete replica of the mini-version also released last year by Retro Games. The updated product comes w ...

Apple’s older iPad Pro is as cheap as the new iPad Air, and better in a few ways

The 2017 iPad Pro (64GB, Wi-Fi) is currently $474 at Walmart, and as for why you might consider buying an older iPad instead of one of the newer models, there are a few reasons. The 2018 iPad Air is practically a carbon copy of this model and has most of its best features, like the True Tone tech that adjusts the screen’s color temperature based on the ambient light in the room, and it has a Smart Connector for Apple’s Smart Keyboard.

The Air features a newer processor, and will likely be the faster of the two tablets after a few years, but it actually has less RAM than the Pro (2GB ...

Apple Music surpasses 60 million subscribers

Today’s major Apple news may be the departure of its design guru Jony Ive, but the even as the company stomachs the executive loss, their software plows ahead. Today, in an interview with French news site Numerama, Apple honcho Eddy Cue revealed that the number of Apple Music subscribers has now climbed to 60 million.

The company seems to give updates every time it surpasses another additional 10 million subscribers, we last heard that they had crossed the 50 million mark back in April.

Now, the company’s music service is well past the halfway market in its mission to surpas ...

Microsoft is playing with AMD silicon for its upcoming Surface devices

Something to look forward to: Microsoft's Surface line owes a big part of its success to Intel's CPUs, but the company has been playing with competing silicon in its labs, possibly paving the way for an AMD-powered Surface laptop. The Redmond giant's longstanding relationship with Intel is said to be less than rosy due to the Skylake blunder and is looking to diversify the chips it'll use in upcoming devices.

Microsoft is expected to unveil new Surface devices later this year and into the next, and while many enthusiasts are looking forward to see the mysterious dual-screen Surface  ...

Forget the Galaxy Note 10: Samsung is making a more affordable 5G phone

The Galaxy Note 10 is launching soon, complete with a brand new design and a few novel features, but this Samsung flagship will be at least as expensive as the Galaxy S10 series that launched earlier this year. And if you’re gunning for a 5G version of the Note 10, then you’ll have to pay even more.

But Samsung is also doing something it hasn’t done before; it’s working on a brand new flagship device that won’t be as expensive as the S10 or Note 10. Moreover, this rumored Galaxy A90 phone will deliver 5G connectivity as well as 45W charging speeds — something that hasn’t been availa ...

Your iPhone will soon be able to identify dogs and cats thanks to Apple's new detector

A new feature in an upcoming version of Apple's iOS will enable iPhones to look at images and identify which parts of that picture are cats or dogs.

The feature isn't for the public. It's for developers to build image recognition features into their apps.

Apple has been investing a lot of resources into computer vision, which is a core underlying technology for self-driving cars and augmented reality.

A new feature in an upcoming version of Apple's iOS will enable iPhones to look at images and identify which parts of that picture are cats or dogs.

The softwar ...

Xperia 1 pre-orders come with Sony's latest premium headphones

Sony has a simple, straightforward way to entice would-be Xperia 1 buyers in the US: offer a bundle that might be hard to refuse. The tech giant is starting American pre-orders on June 28th, and those who purchase ahead of the July 12th release will get a pair of the company's WH-1000XM3headphones at no extra cost -- that's $350 of (frankly excellent) wireless audio for free. If you're buying the Xperia 1 to watch movies mid-flight or stream music during your commute, you might have everything you need.

Of course, Sony can afford to do this in part because the phone costs a hefty $9 ...

Apple bolsters its chip team by hiring architect who worked at ARM, Intel, AMD

Apple has hired an experienced CPU designer to join its team. Mike Filippo joined Apple last month with the title Architect, according to his LinkedIn profile. The move ends a decade spent at ARM, where he was lead architect on several chip products. Filippo also spent time working on CPUs at Intel and Advanced Micro Devices.

The hire is a big get for Apple. ARM is responsible for technology that powers the A series chips Apple has been using in its mobile devices. For instance, the A12X in the iPad Pro springboards off the big.LITTLE architecture from ARM.

"Mike was a ...

Next Microsoft Surface device may beat PC and Android at last

The next generation in Microsoft Surface hardware was tipped this week to take a radical position. Radical compared to what Microsoft’s tried before with real, live, market-ready hardware that is to say. This new device would have two displays that work as one, would be surprisingly robust, and would be able to run both Windows and Android apps, with ease.

Microsoft seems to be envisioning a future in which the smartphone is a sort of child’s toy. Where anyone using a device made mostly for games and social networking is considered something for the youth market. The future, it woul ...

Microsoft might beat Apple to market with an ARM-powered laptop

Apple is expected to replace Intel chips that typically power MacBooks with ARM-based creations of its own, and we keep seeing rumors pointing in that direction. But while Apple hasn’t confirmed that it’s working on A-series processors that could deliver desktop-grade performance, its partner (and rival) Qualcomm has already launched a bunch of ARM processors that can run Windows.

The latest one is the Snapdragon 8cx that has been engineered specifically for notebook use. And that’s the platform Microsoft might use on an upcoming Surface laptop.

Windows Central’s Zac Bowden ...

Is there a place for augmented reality in Apple Stores?

Apple loves augmented reality. Tim Cook says we won’t be able to imagine our lives without it. New products are designed with hardware specifically tuned for AR experiences. A suite of tools unveiled this year at WWDC was built to make creating ARKit apps easier than ever.

Considering the enthusiasm, it’s surprising that Apple’s online and physical retail store environments have largely stood clear of AR to date. How might Apple augment its shopping experience? Is the current technology appropriate for a retail setting?

When discussing the Apple Store experience, it’s import ...

This Absurd Samsung Rumor Claims a Foldable 'Clamshell' Smartphone Is in the Works

If rumors are to be believed, Samsung doesn’t know when or how to quit. South Korean news outlet ET News reports that Samsung is developing a 6.7-inch clamshell smartphone. You know, even though its flagship bendy phone, the Galaxy Fold, is still missing in action.

ET News reports that like the Galaxy Fold, this next generation clamshell phone will feature a display when the phone is folded. In this case, it’ll be a 1-inch display that can be used for “simple information.” Unlike the Galaxy Fold, however, when unfolded the clamshell version won’t get much bigger as the phone is mean ...

Microsoft's new OneDrive Personal Vault ups your cloud storage security

It seems when one box closes, another box opens. Microsoft announced Tuesday it will add a new feature to its OneDrive cloud storage service called Personal Vault, which provides a secure solution for your most sensitive and important data. This new service may fill a vacuum left by Dropbox's recent transition from its original online data storage model to a central collaboration hub.

Personal Vault is essentially a partitioned sector of your OneDrive account that requires a strong password or two-factor authentication for entry. This could be face or fingerprint scan, a PIN or code ...

Chasing the Google Nest Hub: The best smart displays of 2019

Since the Amazon Echo Show launched in 2017, roughly a dozen smart displays have hit the market, with a new batch launching this summer. This blossoming category of smart-home tech combines the always-listening voice assistance of a smart speakerwith a touchscreen for watching videos, controlling your smart home and more.

If you're ready to upgrade your smart speaker, or you're just starting your smart home and you find the touchscreen appealing, here are the best smart displays available now.

Note that the products discussed here are independently chosen by our editors. CNE ...

At last, a camera app that automatically removes all people from your photos

As a misanthrope living in a vibrant city, I’m never short of things to complain about. And in particular the problem of people crowding into my photos, whatever I happen to shoot, is a persistent one. That won’t be an issue any more with Bye Bye Camera, an app that simply removes any humans from photos you take. Finally!

It’s an art project, though a practical one (art can be practical!), by Do Something Good. The collective, in particular the artist damjanski, has worked on a variety of playful takes on the digital era, such as a CAPTCHA that excludes humans, and setting up a dial ...

Leica Unveils the M-E (Typ 240) Entry-Level M Rangefinder

Leica has just announced the new M-E (Typ 240) digital rangefinder camera. The camera is designed for newcomers to the M system, “making it the new entry-point of Leica M rangefinders.”

Inside the M-E (Typ 240) is a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor backed by a Leica Maestro image processor and a 2GB buffer (up from the 1GB buffer of the original M240). The ISO range is 200 to 6400.

Each of the cameras is handcrafted in Germany. The body is resistant to spray water and dust, and the leather trim across the surface provides a safe grip.

The top and base brass plates ...

Raspberry Pi 4 Launched: Quad Cortex-A72 Single-Board Computer For $35

This morning the Raspberry Pi Foundation took the wraps off of their next generation hobbyist project computer, the Raspberry Pi 4. The eagerly anticipated update to the Raspberry Pi lineup – which is actually arriving a bit ahead of schedule due to some good fortunes in SoC development – offers a significant upgrade to the family thanks to its new 28nm Broadcom SoC, which among other things incorporates a more powerful quad Arm Cortex-A72 CPU cluster. The single-board computer is available now, and like its predecessors, prices start at $35.

Long a favorite for tinkers, makers, and ...

Apple's iPadOS is here, and Hulu just reminded me my iPad 2 is obsolete

The latest and greatest iOS 13 and newly christened iPadOS arrived for public beta testing this week. Too bad my crotchety old iPad will never know the joys of a modern Apple operating system, just as it will never again stream a Hulu show.

I stared in mild shock. What?! I had just tapped on the Hulu app icon on my iPad 2, ready to catch up on the second episode of season 3 of The Handmaid's Tale. Instead of Elisabeth Moss, red dresses and dystopian angst, I got a message of doom from Hulu.

"Version 4.10.1 is no longer supported. Please upgrade to the latest version.&qu ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 10: What we expect

We’re only a few months away from an official Samsung Galaxy Note 10 announcement. The Note 10 is Samsung’s true flagship and we expect it to compete with just about any handset on the market. The Galaxy Note 9 took home our best of Android 2019 award, so the Note 10 has a big pair of shoes to fill.

We are still a ways out, but we can put together some guesses for this year’s Note device.

We fully expect the Galaxy Note 10 to come packed to the gills with features and specs. That includes the latest Snapdragon 855 (or Samsung’s latest Exynos 9820), at least 8GB of RAM, at le ...

New Surface Book 3 Will Offer Gamers A Secret Surprise

Is Microsoft going to open up the Surface Book family to explicitly support PC gamers? Any move to do so might dilute the messaging around the X-Box’s ‘Project Scarlett’ announced at E3 2019, but there are signs that the Surface Book 3 will be an option for mobile gamers.

The Surface Book machines are pitched at the high-end market - if you’re looking for an ‘all-rounder’ direct from Microsoft then the Surface Laptopis probably worth investigating. By virtue of those high specifications there’s already an element of gaming in the Surface Book thanks to the materials used and the har ...

Microsoft's foldable Surface PC with Windows Core OS will run Android apps

A new report from Forbes is claiming that Microsoft's upcoming foldable Surface PC, which I revealed to be in the works late last year under the codename Centaurus, will be able to run Android apps. In addition, the report also provides a few specifications, including screen size and possible CPU.

According to Forbes, Microsoft's foldable Surface PC will sport two 9-inch displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio, along with a 10nm Lakefield Intel processor. I can confirm that Centaurus is indeed an Intel device, and does feature two separate displays, not a single foldable display like found ...

Windows 10 Will Now Notify Users When Version 1903 is Blocked

Windows Update will now alert Windows 10 users when a featured update such as the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, or version 1903, is blocked from being installed.

For most users running older versions of Windows 10, they will be greeted with a message stating that the "Feature update to Windows, version 1903" is available to download and install now.

For users, though, who are using certain older bluetooth drivers, older versions of the anti-cheat BattleEye software, certain AMD Raid drivers, or even certain Intel drivers, Microsoft will block them from receiving vers ...

New Pixel 4 leak shows off Google's next flagship in subtle 'mint green' color

After last year’s long lineup of Pixel 3 leaks, Google apparently decided to take matters into its own hands with this year's 4th-iteration of the flagship phone line, officially revealing a teaser image of the Google Pixel 4 on its Twitter account last week.

That proactive stance doesn't seemed to have done much to stem the flow of leaks, however, with another series of alleged renders of the upcoming Google flagship popping up via leaking site IndiaShopps. 

The renders show off what appears to be the smaller non-XL model of the Pixel 4 in three different colors, including ...

Samsung exec says the Galaxy Fold is ‘ready to hit the market’

As we asked back in February, “We’re ready for foldable phones, but are they ready for us?” The answer, so far, has been an enthusiastic, “not really.” The Galaxy Fold was pushed back after multiple review units crapped the proverbial bed. And just last week, Huawei noted that it was holding off on its own Mate X release, citing Samsung’s issues as a cautionary tale. 

Samsung, at least, may finally be ready to unleash its foldable on the world, two months after its planned release. “Most of the display problems have been ironed out,” Samsung Display Vice President Kim Seong-cheol to ...

Microsoft’s Chromium Edge browser now available on Windows 7 and Windows 8

Microsoft is making its Chromium-powered Edge browser available on both Windows 7 and Windows 8 for testing today. The release comes two months after Chromium Edge first debuted on Windows 10, and a month after it appeared on macOS. Microsoft is releasing the daily Canary builds initially, and plans to support the weekly Dev channel “soon.” You can download the installer over at Microsoft’s Edge Insider site.

“You will find the experience and feature set on previous versions of Windows to be largely the same as on Windows 10, including forthcoming support for Internet Explorer mode ...

What's New in iOS 13

Messages, one of the quintessential apps on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, is the home of iMessages, Apple's exclusive device-to-device messaging protocol indicated by those well-known blue chat bubbles. 

If you're an iPhone user you know how the Messages app works, but in iOS 13, the Messages app is getting some useful new features that are worth highlighting. Read on for a rundown of everything that's new, and check out our list of how tos for instructions on how to use all of the new features. 

User Profiles

Messages in iOS 13 lets you add a photo of yourself (or an A ...

Apple could be developing Project Catalyst versions of Messages and Shortcuts for the Mac

We’ve heard quite a bit about Project Catalyst and what it means for developers who want to bring their iPad applications to the Mac with macOS Catalina. Apple is using Catalyst itself to improve existing Mac apps like News and Home, as well as bring new apps like Podcasts to the Mac.

Now, evidence within the macOS Catalina beta suggests Apple has more in store for Project Catalyst.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith took to Twitter this week to showcase evidence that Apple is working on Catalyst versions of two new applications: Messages and Shortcuts.

As for Mes ...

Chrome OS change means Android apps will sometimes be offered in lieu of web apps

Chrome OS has become one of the best operating systems on the market today by its ability to seamlessly combine traditional web browser experiences with progressive web apps, Android apps and Linux apps. Now, Google is looking at shaking up the Chrome OS experience, for better or worse, by sometimes preferring Android apps over web apps.

As it stands today, when you’re browsing a website that can be installed by Chrome OS, you’ll see a handy little icon in your Omnibox. Clicking this Install button puts the PWA (progressive web app) into your Chrome OS launcher, just like any other ...

Update Your Firefox Browser Right Now to Fix a Serious Security Bug

On the heels of the Firefox 67.0 release, Mozilla has rolled out Firefox 67.0.3, which fixes a major security bug. According to the Mozilla Security board, hackers have reportedly been using the bug to take over PCs running unpatched versions of Firefox 67.0. All Firefox users should update to the latest version immediately to protect themselves from the exploit, which is easy enough to do: download the latest version of the browser directly from Mozilla, or click on the hamburger icon in the upper-right corner, then Help, then About Firefox.

Originally reported to Mozilla by member ...

Apple offers big discounts on refurbished iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro 10.5-inch

Apple is clearing out some of its stock of refurbished iPads, offering discounts of up to $200 off various models. You can buy these with confidence: not only do they have a new battery and outer shell to make them look brand new, but they also carry the same one-year warranty as a brand-new iPad. If you’re looking for discounts on more Apple products, we’ve also found some pretty solid savings on MacBooks and a few Apple Watch deals here and there.

The best refurbished iPad deals currently in stock were on the iPad Mini 4. We found a savings of $180 on the iPad Mini 4 Wi-Fi 64GB No ...

More Bad News For Apple As New iPhone Designs Exposed

For Apple, the tide is turning fast. Following news that every version of iOS can be hacked, a move which threatens 1.4BN iPhones and iPads worldwide, we now know there is no good reason to buy a new iPhone in 2019. 

Covered by Forbes’ Ewan Spence, acclaimed industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo has leaked Apple’s grand plans for its 2020 iPhones. And looking at the ramifications from this, they are hugely significant for anyone considering an iPhone upgrade this year.

What Kuo reveals is that 2020 will be the year Apple delivers the big crowd-pleasing upgrades which it will skip in ...

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 reportedly launching on August 7th

Google might be content to just tweet out photos of its upcoming phones, but Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 looks to be following a more traditional script. The latest: Shara Tibken atCNET is reporting that “people familiar” say it will launch on August 7th in New York City. The first week of August certainly is the right timeframe for a Note launch.

The Note is traditionally Samsung’s premier platform for showing off new phone technology (setting aside the Galaxy Fold for a moment, anyway). This year, rumors point to the company creating two different sizes, one of which will be 5G, and ...

Adobe’s upcoming iPad painting app is called Adobe Fresco

Adobe's forthcoming iPad art app -- Project Gemini -- is being rebranded as Adobe Fresco, a nod to the centuries-old Italian painting technique. The company revealed that the latest addition to Creative Cloud Suite is currently available for private beta testing, with a full launch later this year. Aimed at professional artists, the app is intended to give them access to a wide range of tools outside their desktop. Fresco will combine raster, vector and dynamic brushes in a single app, and allow artists to sync their brushes in Photoshop CC.

"Adobe scientists have studied the c ...

US recommends Windows users patch against worm vulnerability

Microsoft Windows users who haven't patched their OS (or are using an unsupported version) are at risk of attackers exploiting a vulnerability known as BlueKeep. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Homeland Security's lead cybersecurity agency, said it successfully tested a working exploit for the BlueKeep vulnerability. Specifically, the agency was able to remotely run code on a Windows 2000 computer using BlueKeep, it stated in an advisory. The bug effects computers that are running Windows 7 or earlier (as well as Windows Server 2003 and 2008), and gives potentia ...

Everything we know about the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max so far

We’re likely just three months away from the announcement of Apple’s 2019 iPhone lineup, including the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max. Apple this year is expected to introduce three new iPhone models, including successors to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and a refreshed iPhone XR.

Read on as we roundup all of the rumors about the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max.

iPhone 11 Design

In terms of design, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max are expected to be nearly identical to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Earlier this month, 9to5Mac went hands-on with iPhone 11 ca ...

Nikon Confirms D5-Equivalent Top-Tier Mirrorless Camera Coming

The Nikon D5 sits atop Nikon’s DSLR roster as the company’s top-of-the-line camera for professional photographers. While the high-end Z7 is currently at the top of the Z series above the mid-level Z6, it’s not going to be Nikon’s top-of-the-line full-frame mirrorless camera for long.

Nikon President Toshikazu Umatate confirmed the company’s plans to launch a higher-end camera in an interview with Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a Japanese manufacturing newspaper.

Besides revealing that Nikon will be launching a flagship mirrorless camera that’s the ...

AMD vs Intel: Which is better for 2019 and beyond?

With Computex and E3 2019 behind us, now is a great time to look at the AMD vs Intel tug-of-war. Both introduced new products, with AMD slated to launch new CPUs and GPUs in July. Intel won’t launch its new tenth-generation processors until the end of 2019. Intel’s new line of discrete GPUs won’t appear until sometime in 2020.

The state of AMD

AMD entered the x86 processor market as a sub-contractor for Intel. The contract allowed AMD to use Intel’s x86-based 8086 design to manufacture processor clones. These chips would help Intel fulfill orders for IBM’s new PCs.

O ...

Windows 10: The Upcoming Features and Improvements in 20H1

Microsoft continues to test new features for Windows 10's Spring 2020 Update, officially codenamed 20H1. As Windows 10 20H1 builds are available to Windows Insiders, we are able to get a glimpse of upcoming features, improvements, and bug fixes that users have been waiting for.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the changes and improvements included in Windows 10 20H1 preview builds.

Sandbox improvements

The Windows Sandbox is a new feature that shipped with Windows 10 May 2019 Update that allows you to test programs and downloads in a virtual machine that ...

How Microsoft's Surface Failure Created Success

This week is the seventh anniversary of the launch of the Microsoft Surface(nee Surface with Windows RT), one of Microsoft’s awkward hardware releases, but one that ultimately helped define Microsoft’s approach to hardware and software for the second decade of the twenty-first century.

What went wrong with the Surface, how was the design changed, and why are these ideas still found in the successful Surface portfolio Microsoft now has?

The Surface RT - I’m going with the common name - was a simple proposition. A tablet-based Windows experience, optimised for portability, fea ...

New Nintendo Switch models are already in production and coming soon

New Nintendo Switch models are on the way, sources say, and they won’t cost you an arm and a leg — despite the potential threat of Donald Trump’s tariff war with China.

We told you in March that Nintendo will launch two new models of the console this year, rumored to be revealed at E3 2019. The announcement did not happen at the annual video game event, but according to the Wall Street Journal (and sources within Nintendo’s supply chain), the devices have already entered production.

One of the new Nintendo Switch models will reportedly look the same as the original version, ...

Apple Pencil: All the changes coming in iPadOS 13

Apple didn’t announce any new versions of the Apple Pencil hardware at this year’s WWDC, but it did announce some substantial improvements to how we’ll use it. The stylish stylus only took up a few minutes of Apple’s iPadOS presentation, but those moments were enough to demonstrate that Apple’s transforming it into more of a necessity than a novelty.

Apple is taking care to show that the Pencil isn’t just a tool for artists. Indeed, the WWDC presentation spent more time showing how we might use it in an office environment—in other words, more like a pen and legal pad. Here’s what yo ...

Apple just registered 7 laptop models we might see this fall

Apple has registered seven unreleased Mac models with the Eurasian Economic Commission today. These models, first spotted by MacRumors, are all described as “portable” computers, making it increasingly likely that each belongs to a new MacBook that could arrive in the next couple of months.

The filings contain no information about the new models, beyond noting that each is running macOS Mojave (rather than recently announced macOS Catalina). It seems likely that at least one of these is a new 12-inch MacBook, and another could be the rumored release of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

...

Huawei's lock screens unexpectedly turn into advertisements

According to Huawei users on Twitter, ads for the hotel reservation site Booking.com are popping up on the lock screen of some Huawei smartphones. As Android Police reports, the ads seem to appear on devices using the preinstalled landscape wallpapers. They've been spotted in several countries -- including the UK, Netherlands, Ireland, South Africa, Norway and Germany -- and on various models.

On Twitter, users were quick to question and criticize the ads. Given Huawei's recent press, the company certainly doesn't need more bad publicity. And while Huawei has scaled back smartphone ...

Samsung’s $100 Galaxy Fit tracker focuses on the basics

It's been more than a year since Samsung last updated its Fit line of activity-tracking bands, and it's high time for a refresh. After first announcing the new Galaxy Fit in February alongside the new Galaxy S10and Galaxy Watch Active, the company is finally ready to roll it out in the US. Starting today, you can get the Galaxy Fit for $100. That puts it in direct competition with the Fitbit Inspire HR, which launched earlier this year for the same price.

I've barely had the Galaxy Fit for a day, and I'm already impressed. It tracks a comprehensive suite exercises (about 90, accordi ...

Pixel 4 leak: 3 reasons Google did this

In a rare move by any tech company, Google confirmed the existence of the Pixel 4several months ahead its anticipated release in October. The tech giant not only posted the news on its own Made By Google Twitter account, but it also included an image of the phone, which depicts a square camera bump, with multiple rear cameras. Judging by the reactions from the tweet, many were taken aback by the information -- not due to the phone itself, but because Google decided to unveil the news at all.

To drop an upcoming device's name and an official image this early is unusual. Despite numer ...

Huawei cancels MateBook laptop launch because of US export ban

Huawei was planning to announce a new MateBook laptop this week, but an executive confirmed that the company cancelled the launch because of US sanctions against the Chinese company. It's not clear when—or whether—the laptop will be released.

The US has banned sales of technology to Huawei, which uses Intel chips and the Windows operating system in its MateBook PCs. Huawei "planned to unveil the new Windows laptop at the CES Asia 2019 trade show in Shanghai this week" but "indefinitely postponed" the launch because of the US export ban, The Information reported y ...

Windows 10’s Linux Kernel Is Now Available

Microsoft just released a new Windows 10 Insider Preview build featuring the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. WSL 2 includes a real Linux kernel that lets you run more Linux software on Windows and with better performance than WSL 1.

This is part of Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18917, released on June 12, 2019. It’s part of the fast ring of updates. You can experiment with it today, although you’ll have to join the Windows Insider program and get unstable builds of Windows 10 on your PC.

Microsoft’s Windows Command Line blog offers more information about WSL 2, complete wi ...

Microsoft will offer console streaming for free to Xbox One owners

Microsoft’s Sunday E3 pressure was all about the games. In fact, while the company did offer some information about hardware and services, the information all arrived fast and furious at the end of the conference. While it’s probably unsurprising that the company had very little to offer in the way of information about its upcoming 8K console, Project Scarlett, most of us expected Project xCloud to get a lot more face time on stage.

The company powered through a whole lot of information about its upcoming streaming offering like it was going out of style (or, perhaps, like the light ...

Google Decouples Drive and Photos

Google announced today that it will no longer automatically sync photos between its Drive and Photos services.

“Many of you store your photos and videos on both Google Drive and Google Photos, which keeps them safe and easy to access,” a new post to the Google Photos blog explains. “We’ve heard feedback that the connection between these services is confusing, so next month, we’re making some changes to simplify the experience across Drive and Photos.”

Today, new photos and videos that appear in a user’s Google Photos automatically appear in that user’s Google Drive as well. ...

Pixel 4 leak: 3 reasons Google did this

In a rare move by any tech company, Google confirmed the existence of the Pixel 4several months ahead its anticipated release in October. The tech giant not only posted the news on its own Made By Google Twitter account, but it also included an image of the phone, which depicts a square camera bump, with multiple rear cameras. Judging by the reactions from the tweet, many were taken aback by the information -- not due to the phone itself, but because Google decided to unveil the news at all.

To drop an upcoming device's name and an official image this early is unusual. Despite numer ...

Opera launches a ‘gaming browser’ with Twitch integration

“You’re probably asking, ‘what is a gaming browser?,’ ” Opera PM Maciej Kocemba says in the opening of the Opera GX introduction video. Fair enough. My first thought when the Norwegian browser company mentioned the concept to me was something akin to Google Stadia, with remote game streaming.

Turns out a gaming browser — in this instance at least — is more about providing a custom browser for PC gamers, rather than a browser that does the heavy lifting for gaming itself. Instead, the system is more interested in minimizing system requirements as gamers game.

The browser’s ce ...

AMD launches Navi as the $449 Radeon RX 5700 XT

AMD took the stage at E3 to announce its "Navi" family of GPUs. The company's new graphics cards are officially the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT and Radeon RX 5700. The 5700 series is launching July 7, making the GPUs a one-two punch alongside AMD's Ryzen 3000 series CPUs.

AMD isn't tackling the flagship GPU market with the 5700 series. Instead, the company is aiming for more mainstream pricing with mainstream performance: the 5700XT is $449, while the 5700 is $379. AMD is positioning the cards against Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2070 ($499) and 2060 ($349), respectively, and claims per ...

Apple and Microsoft made a new iCloud for Windows app

Apple and Microsoft teamed up to create an iCloud Drive experience that will hopefully resolve some compatibility issues. A brand new iCloud for Windows app is available today in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 users. The iCloud app will use the same technology as Microsoft's OneDrive's On-Demand feature -- a very rare collaboration from tech's two biggest rivals. Users can now easily access photos, videos, mail, calendars, files and other information from their iCloud accounts from their PC or smartphone.

Any proud Windows user who has bit the bullet and sprung for an Apple devi ...

Atari VCS pre-orders open, will ship in March 2020

The Atari VCS finally has a launch date. Pre-orders for the retro console are available now at GameStop, Walmart, and directly from Atari, with units scheduled to ship in March 2020.

Those who backed the project through the crowdfunding site IndieGoGo can expect their units later this year.

Starting at $249.99 for a console with 4 GB RAM, Atari’s new device costs quite a bit more than the NES Classic or PlayStation Classic did at launch ($59.99 and $99.99 respectively, though Sony’s console has seen several price drops). In fairness, though, it’s a much more powerful system. ...

Apple looks to acquire Intel's German phone modem business, report says

Apple is reportedly looking into acquiring Intel's German smartphone modem business. The acquisition could help Apple's attempts to develop its own 5G chip for the iPhone, The Information said Tuesday, citing four people briefed on the Apple-Intel discussions.

Apple had originally used modems from Germany's Infineon when it launched the iPhone 10 years ago, before switching to Qualcomm in 2011. Intel then bought Infineon in 2011, but those chips weren't used again until the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 2016 after a dispute over Qualcomm's licensing fees.

When Apple and Qual ...

iOS 12.3.2 fixes a camera bug but doesn’t do much else

Today, Apple is pushing out a new update to iOS, its software for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch—but this update is targeted at fixing an issue on just one device: the iPhone 8 Plus.

iOS 12.3.2 doesn't seem to do anything else worth remarking upon. Apple's notes simply say:

iOS 12.3.2 resolves an issue that could cause Camera to capture Portrait mode photos without depth effect on some iPhone 8 Plus devices.

Updates don't get much more minor than this. Apple typically releases updates that contain new features for macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS simultaneously. But s ...

Samsung still doesn't know when the Galaxy Fold will launch

Remember how Samsung said it would narrow down its plans to relaunch the Galaxy Fold sometime in mid-May? Well, it's been a month -- and now those rumors of an extended delay appear to be coming true. A spokesperson has reiterated to CNET that a new release date is still due sometime in "the coming weeks," suggesting that you might not get a new release date until July or later. Given that the phone was originally supposed to be in customer's hands in late April, would-be buyers might just face a delay of three months or more.

Not that Samsung necessarily wants to rush. Th ...

Apple may have leaked the Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR release month

Apple introduced two pricy and powerful pieces of pro-targeted hardware at its developer conference last month: the modular desktop tower Mac Pro, and the creative-focused Pro Display XDR. Although Apple said the devices would come this fall when discussing them during its keynote stage last week, the industry giant didn't get any more specific than that. But an apparent mistake in the Apple Store may have narrowed down the date.

Earlier today, MacRumors and 9to5Mac discovered that, when you clicked on the option to "Notify Me" of availability for the products, they were p ...

Pixel 4 renders just leaked, and it looks like an iPhone 11 copycat

When you’re talking flagship smartphones, devices like the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S series typically garner most, if not all, of the attention. Over the past few years, though, Google has made impressive strides with its Pixel line. Especially with the launch of Night Sight mode a few months back, the PIxel 3 quickly catapulted itself into the upper echelon of the smartphone market.

For as compelling as the Pixel 3 is, Google is seemingly prepared to take things to the next level with the launch of its next-gen Pixel. And with the release date now less than 6 months away, we’ve ...

AMD Zen 2 Microarchitecture Analysis: Ryzen 3000 and EPYC Rome

We have been teased with AMD’s next generation processor products for over a year. The new chiplet design has been heralded as a significant breakthrough in driving performance and scalability, especially as it becomes increasingly difficult to create large silicon with high frequencies on smaller and smaller process nodes. AMD is expected to deploy its chiplet paradigm across its processor line, through Ryzen and EPYC, with those chiplets each having eight next-generation Zen 2 cores. Today AMD went into more detail about the Zen 2 core, providing justification for the +15% clock-for-clock ...

Microsoft Announces Xbox Scarlett At E3 2019

As we expected, the Xbox E3 2019 press conference brought the official announcement of the next generation of Xbox. For the time being, the project is codenamed "Scarlett" and has a release window of Holiday 2020. It will coincide with the release of the highly-anticipated Halo Infinite, which got a new trailer and during the press conference, but we won't hear much more about that game until 2020.

Lots of details remain unclear: We didn't see what Scarlett looks like or find out how much it will cost, among many other things. Instead, Microsoft talked up Scarlett's incred ...

Xbox and PlayStation gamepad support extends across iOS 13

During Apple's WWDC 2019 keynote the company showed off so many things even our cut-down version of the event lasts nearly half an hour. One of the reveals was that tvOS 13 will be compatible with PlayStation 4 and Bluetooth-equipped Xbox One controllers -- convenient for both Apple's own Arcade gaming plans and any others with cloud aspirations -- but in case it's unclear, it also extends to iPad and iPhone.

Once iOS 13 rolls out, you'll be able to use these console controllers easily with your device, no workarounds needed. With Apple reportedly spending "hundreds of millions ...

This is the new volume indicator in iOS 13

iOS 13 finally includes a redesigned volume HUD. The new volume slider sits on the left side of the screen where the volume up and down buttons are. It first shows as a big bulbous slider, but then shrinks down to a more discreet thin line.

The volume HUD had become the butt of many jokes in the iOS community as the old UI was a large square overlay that covered the center of the display. The new look is smaller and shrinks down to an even smaller presentation after a beat.

The new UI is interactable. In addition to the volume buttons, once the volume HUD is visible, you can ...

Apple Maps gets a makeover

Apple Maps is getting a new look.

Apple on Monday unveiled a more detailed Maps app that the company said will roll out to US users by the end of 2019 and to more countries by 2020. The company also has added new features that make it easier for users to navigate to places they frequently visit, such as their home or work addresses. 

The announcement, which Apple made during its annual Worldwide Developers Conference at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, shows how the tech giant is trying to compete with Google Maps and Waze apps. Apple said it drove 4 mi ...

Apple's New 'Find My' App for macOS and iOS Can Find Your Devices Even When They're Offline

Apple's "Find My Friends" app is being revamped in macOS Catalina and iOS 13, and will now be called simply "Find My." The new version of the app combines Find My iPhone and Find My Friends. 

The major feature of the updated app is that it can now locate Apple devices that are offline, making it even easier to find your iPhone or MacBook if you ever happen to lose it. 

Apple said that when a device is offline and sleeping, it sends out a secure Bluetooth beacon that can be detected by other Apple devices nearby, even the ones owned by other people. This r ...

Leaked image claims to show one design Apple considered for iOS 13’s new volume indicator

Back in April, 9to5Mac reported that iOS 13 will include a long-overdue design of the volume indicator. Now, an alleged image of an early iOS 13 internal build has emerged that claims to show one design considered by Apple for the new volume HUD.

The design shown on Twitter, shared by Ben Geskin, is very similar to the volume indicator currently found within Control Center. It’s smaller than the current volume design, which takes over the entire interface, but still quite large.

9to5Mac has heard, however, that the redesigned volume indicator will actually be smaller and loc ...

AMD assures Ryzen 3000 will perform equally across B450, X470, and X570

Something to look forward to: Owners of socket AM4 400-series motherboard shouldn't have much to worry about as AMD is promising performance parity across B450, X470, and X570 with Ryzen 3000 processors. If you're not planning to take immediate advantage of the PCIe 4.0 interface and bandwidth, there's little reason to upgrade your motherboard.

AMD finally trotted out its 7nm Ryzen 3000 family of processors at Computex 2019. AMD promises higher instructions per clock, better memory support, higher clock rates, and more cores at the top end. With the new chips, AMD is also maintainin ...

Samsung reportedly has ‘multiple’ AR and VR products on the way

Samsung apparently plans to release a couple of new headsets in the coming months, according to a company executive, who noted that it plans to release “multiple AR and VR products,” and that it might involve its stagnated Gear product line.

The comments come via Variety, which noted that Farshid Fallah, Samsung’s director of developer relations for XR and gaming, spoke at a panel at the Augmented World Expo in Santa Clara, California last Thursday. Fallah spoke about the company’s broader efforts with VR, its Gear headset, and about the AR capabilities of the company’s Galaxy S10 p ...

Samsung announces new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros

Just ahead of WWDC 2019, Samsung has announced a couple of new laptops. They happen to go by the name of Notebook 7, but they’re so obviously and intensely inspired by Apple’s current laptop that Samsung is begging to be called out.

There will be 13-inch and 15-inch versions of this Windows 10 laptop, each with design features that are practically identical to the MacBook Pro. It has diamond-cut edges, a wide trackpad, and slim bezels surrounding its screen. Samsung is flexing its dedication by cribbing even the small details: the font used on the keyboard and the wallpaper are a lo ...

AMD Navi RX 5700 Brings RTX 2070 Performance at Half the Die Size

It’s been just a few days since AMD’s groundbreaking Computex 2019 keynote where CEO Dr. Lisa Su unveiled the company’s next generation Ryzen 3000 series CPUs and Radeon Navi RX 5700 GPUs. Despite the event ending several days ago, we’re still getting a steady trickle of exciting details pertaining to the company’s next generation products.

AMD Navi RX 5700 Series Bring RTX 2070 Performance to The Midrange With Half the GPU Die Size

Earlier today we’ve managed to confirm that the company’s upcoming Navi GPU, which was unveiled for the first time earlier this week and is set ...

Google Insider Leaks Stunning Pixel 4 Design

Google’s new Pixel 3a is by far the best sub-$500 smartphone you can buy. But the Pixel 4 is where all the most excitement lies and now it’s easy to see why. 

In a new tweet, SlashLeaks, the site now run by remarkably accurate leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer, has revealed the Pixel 4 has an all-new design. And it shows Google will finally give the Pixel range some style with a perfect hybrid of the Galaxy S10+ and iPhone XS, following years of wrapping great tech in dated chassis.

Slashleaks obtained its images via case maker Skinomi, which is so confident in its sources that it ...

Hands-On With Apple's New 7th-Generation iPod Touch

Apple earlier this week introduced new iPod touch models, updating the 4-inch device for the first time since 2015. Not a lot has changed, but there's a new processor and updated storage tiers. 

We thought we'd go hands-on with the new iPod touch to see if it still has a place in Apple's lineup in 2019 and who might want to purchase one. 

The new 7th-generation iPod touch is now Apple's smallest device and the sole device that has a 4-inch display. The smallest iPhones (7 and 8) have 4.7-inch displays, so the new iPod touch is a good bit smaller and comparable to an iPhone 5 ...

OnePlus 7 review: designed to make you want the OnePlus 7 Pro

OnePlus pulled some sleight of hand with its naming of the OnePlus 7 series. It announced the 7 Pro like it’s the new addition to the lineup, and that is indeed a phone full of new things, but the novelty for OnePlus’ strategy is that the company is now doing an Apple-esque upcycling of older models as its entry-level offering. That’s what the OnePlus 7 is: a OnePlus 6T with an update to a Snapdragon 855 processor and a 48-megapixel camera and not much else.

Am I complaining? Only a little. The 6T had the fastest and smoothest performance of any Android device until the OnePlus 7 P ...

Samsung Galaxy Fold gets delayed once more, may arrive in July

Following the Samsung Galaxy Fold's initial delay, it was expected that the troubled foldable device would arrive sometime in June. Now, it appears the smartphone-tablet hybrid may arrive a month later in July, according to comments made by a Samsung Electronics official.

As reported by Yonhap News Agency, the Samsung representative stated that the Galaxy Fold's "release schedule has not been decided, and we are in a position to announce the launch schedule in a few weeks."

Due to the uncertain future of Huawei's Mate X foldable following strict US sanctions that h ...

A New Collection of HP Envy Convertible Laptops with Wooden Palmrests

On the opening day of Computex, HP introduced its first laptops and convertible notebooks featuring premium wooden inlays on their palmrests. The new HP Envy PCs will be available later this year in a variety of configurations.

The look and feel of laptops in general and convertible laptops in particular are no less important than their performance and display quality. Makers of PCs tend to experiment with various materials, but when it comes to high-performance premium PCs, it generally all comes down to various alloys of aluminum. Late last year HP introduced a notebook featuring ...

MediaTek's New 5G-Ready Chip Is Exactly the Kind of Competition Qualcomm Needs

We’re still in the early days of 5G, but if you take a quick look around the smartphone world, it’s clear Qualcomm has gotten a head start when compared to other chipmakers. Nearly every 5G phone on the market today is powered by a Qualcomm modem, and while Qualcomm recently got slapped for violating antitrust laws, with its next high-end mobile chip MediaTek could finally deliver some well-needed competition in the 5G space.

While the chip itself doesn’t have an official name yet, MediaTek claims that its upcoming SoC (system-on-a-chip, AKA processor) is the “world’s first fully-in ...

Intel's beautiful dual-screen concepts show what laptops could be in 2 years

The company had dual-screen versions of productivity and gaming laptops.

Laptops have gotten thinner and smaller, but their basic design hasn't really radically shifted. Intel thinks that will change within two years. 

At Computex 2019, the chipmaker brought several proof-of-concept devices that show what laptop makers like Asus, Dell and HP can do with its tech. The common denominator across the devices? Dual screens. Keyboards, it seems, will soon be so2019.

First up is the Ultrabook concept, Twin Rivers, a futuristic take on thin-and-light laptops like the Dell XP ...

INTEL ANNOUNCES THE CORE I9-9900KS CPU WITH ALL CORES RUNNING AT 5 GHZ

At its Computex Kickoff Event, Intel previewed its latest products including a new special edition 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS processor and a sneak peek of the performance of its upcoming 10 nm ‘Ice Lake-U’ CPU that comes integrated with its new Gen11 graphics.

Intel Core i9-9900KS features

The Intel Core i9-9900KS is a special edition desktop CPU with eight cores and 16 threads. This will be the first every processor where all the eight-cores will be running at a turbo boost frequency of 5 GHz. This means whether the system runs on a single-core intensive workload or a mu ...

Hands-On with Industry’s First 5G Laptop: A Lenovo with Qualcomm’s 8cx SoC and X55 Modem

Lenovo and Qualcomm introduced the world’s first laptop with an integrated 5G modem at Computex. The convertible notebook is based on Qualcomm’s latest platform for Windows 10 on Arm systems, the Snapdragon 8cx, and further includes the company's upcoming Snapdragon X55 5G modem. The PC is expected to be available later, but Lenovo is not disclosing its exact launch timeframe.

While Qualcomm and Lenovo have always promoted these devices as being super-efficient for ‘always connected’ workflows, leveraging the smartphone modem inside, these devices have actually seen more success whe ...

NVIDIA Releases Quadro RTX, Quadro T, and Quadro P620/P520 GPUs for Notebooks

Along with today’s NVIDIA Studio branding announcement, NVIDIA is also using Computex to update their lineup of Quadro GPUs for notebooks and mobile workstations. Along with bringing some of the existing Quadro RTX desktop parts to the mobile space, the company is also launching a sub-series of parts under the Quadro T series, and finally a pair of new Quadro P series graphics adapters for the low-end.

Starting things off, we have the mobile Quadro RTX parts, which are all new for the mobile space. Like NVIDIA’s GeForce mobile counterparts, these Quadro RTX mobile parts are essentia ...

ASUS unveils limited edition ZenFone 6 Edition 30 with 12GB RAM, 512GB storage

ASUS is launching a special variant of the ZenFone 6 to commemorate its 30th anniversary.

ASUS is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and to commemorate the occasion the Taiwanese manufacturer rolled out a series of limited edition products, including motherboards and laptops. On the phone side of things, ASUS is introducing the ZenFone 6 Edition 30, a special variant of the ZenFone 6 with an "exclusive design" at the back that's reminiscent of older ASUS devices.

The limited edition phone is backed by a 30-month warranty, and comes embossed with the Editio ...

HyperX announces first gaming keyboard with its own switch design

HyperX has been making gaming keyboards for a few years now, and like many other manufacturers has mostly been using Cherry MX or Kailh keyswitches depending on the price point. Today at Computex, however, HyperX is announcing its first keyboard to use a new keyswitch design from the company itself.

The keyboard is called the Alloy Origins, and as you can see from the above photo, HyperX’s switches are based on typical reds, which are a popular choice for competitive gamers because of their high responsiveness. HyperX has tweaked the red design further, however, shaving the travel d ...

After 5 MacBook 'Butterfly' Keyboards: My Verdict (12-Inch MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air)

I've had five Apple "butterfly" keyboards.

Let's see, two 12-inch Retina MacBooks: first*- and second-generations, a 15-inch MacBook Pro (mid-2017), a 13-inch MacBook Pro (mid-2017), and 2018 Retina MacBook Air.

So, in short, I've used every generation of butterfly keyboard on five different MacBooks save the very latest on the updated 2019 MacBook Pro announced May 21.

tl;dr: I've never had the problem described widely in the media (e.g., keys that aren't responsive or failure in general) with any of the Butterfly keyboards on the MacBooks listed above.

...

With Huawei’s and Samsung’s current troubles, is the foldable phone trend cursed?

After years and years of rumors, patent filings and promises, 2019 was supposed to be the year a foldable smartphone with a flexible display would finally go mainstream. Two of the biggest phone makers in the world, Samsung and Huawei, both announced plans to launch foldable phones: the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X.

In just the last few weeks, it now looks like the foldable phone trend is in deep trouble — for reasons that we could not have predicted back when both of these devices were first revealed. After reports of display failures on the Galaxy Fold from a few medi ...

Two big reasons why the 2020 iPhone might be worth the wait

Apple’s most recent patent filing reveals plans to beef up Touch ID and bring it back to the iPhone in 2020 along with 5G connectivity. Also, the most important updates to Apple's new MacBooks.

In today's roundup, we're dissecting Apple's latest patent filing, which reveals new details of a revamped Touch ID that could come to the next generation of iPhones. We're also breaking down all the most important changes to the new MacBook Pros, including what the company's doing about the keyboard. And in case that wasn't enough, Apple also sent out WWDC invites this week revealing some po ...

ARM's latest chip designs promise 60 percent faster AI on phones

ARM isn't boasting about PC-crushing performance like it did in 2018, but it still has plenty of swagger going into Computex 2019. The designer has unveiled two new chip architectures that promise giant strides in performance, especially for AI. The Mali-G77 GPU touts 40 percent faster overall graphics than the G76, and a whopping 60 percent increase in machine learning speed. Your phone could handle computer vision, device optimization and similar tasks far more gracefully. The G77 might also avoid killing your battery when it's 30 percent more energy-efficient and uses 40 percent less ban ...

AMD Ryzen 3000 Announced: Five CPUs, 12 Cores for $499, Up to 4.6 GHz, PCIe 4.0, Coming 7/7

Today at Computex, AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su is announcing the raft of processors it will be launching on its new Zen 2 chiplet-based microarchitecture. Among other things, AMD is unveiling its new Ryzen 9 product tier, which it is using for its 12-core Ryzen 9 3900X processor, and which runs at 4.6 GHz boost. All of the five processors will be PCIe 4.0 enabled, and while they are being accompanied by the new X570 chipset launch, they still use the same AM4 socket, meaning some AMD 300 and 400-series motherboards can still be used. We have all the details inside.

A lot of people have been ...

Systems administrators: You need to know about this Windows 10 1903 patching change

Microsoft is changing how WSUS and Configuration Manager will handle patches as of Windows 10 1903. Here's what admins need to know.

Administrators who manage Windows updates should know about a change Microsoft has made to how patches will be handled starting with the May 2019/1903 update. The change is connected to work Microsoft is doing underpinnings to the Microsoft update systems infrastructure. 

I first learned about this change thanks to Configuration Manager architect Bryan Dam who runs the damgoodadmin.com site. Microsoft blogged about the change late in the day on ...

What to expect at the 2019 WWDC from iOS 13 and watchOS 6

It's going to be a big year for iOS and that's not just wishful thinking, that's based entirely on what we know is coming. Here's what the evidence says Apple is bringing to our iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.

Nothing is certain until Tim Cook steps out on stage at WWDC 2019 and says "Good morning." Yet if this year there are very many hopes for what Apple will reveal at San Jose's McEnery Convention Center on June 3, there is also a lot that is as close to certain as can be. 

Here's what Apple will definitely announce for iOS, plus what strong evidence says the ...

First 8-core MacBook Pro performance gains spotted in Geekbench results

The first Geekbench results have landed today for the new 8-core MacBook Pro. Both the single-core and multi-core scores show improvements for the new notebook over the last generation MacBook Pro, with the multi-core result coming close to Apple’s claim of up to 40% faster performance.

Spotted by MacRumors, performance results for the new 8-core MacBook Pro were posted to Geekbench today. The single-core score came in at 5879 for the new notebook compared to 5348 for the 2018 MacBook Pro. That’s almost a 10% increase in performance.

Meanwhile, the 2019 MacBook Pro saw a mul ...

MSI puts Intel Core i9 processors and Nvidia RTX GPUs into its Trident desktops

Computex 2019 is right around the corner, and besides massive announcements like the expected release of AMD's Ryzen 3000 CPUs and Navi graphics cards, plenty of other companies have kit to show. MSI is one of them, as it has upgraded its small form-factor gaming PC, the MSI Trident X, with new internals from Nvidia and Intel.

The new MSI Trident X Plus comes alongside upgraded models of two MSI laptops, the GE65 Raider and GT76 Titan. 

The new Trident model will feature Intel's 9th-Generation Core i9 processor (CPU) and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics for the best gaming perfor ...

Apple Suddenly Confirms Three New iPhone Models

We already know a lot about the upcoming iPhone 11 and iPhone XR2 and their controversial design changes. But now Apple has helpfully confirmed all three of its new iPhone models. 

Spotted by the ever-alert 9to5Mac, Apple has chosen to publicly file model numbers for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Max and iPhone XR2 in the Eurasian database, an official regulatory body. The model numbers are: A2111, A2160, A2161, A2215, A2216, A2217, A2218, A2219, A2220, A2221 and A2223 and there identify two clear product lines: the A21 and A22.

Coming in three variants, the A21 line-up will be ...

SONY EXPLORING PS5 CROSS-GEN PLAY WITH PS4 THANKS TO BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY

Sony suggested it’s exploring PlayStation 5 cross-gen play with PlayStation 4 thanks to backward compatibility in its next-generation console. During a Sony Investor Relations Day 2019 Q&A session, PlayStation heads indicated PS5 could include cross-gen play with PS4 players through the PS5’s backward compatibility features, suggesting people playing PS4 games on their PS5 would still be able to play online with others who are using a PS4, or potentially even play cross-gen titles across these systems.

Deputy president of Sony Interactive Entertainment John Kodera said through a ...

How to Use Valve's New Steam Chat App

Steam has mainly been a gaming marketplace for PC games over the years, but Valve appears to be doubling down on the platform’s social aspects with its newly launched Steam Chat messaging app for Android and iOS.

While Steam Mobile has let users manage their accounts and send messages from their smartphones for years, Steam Chat splits the platform’s messaging service off into its own dedicated app. Steam Mobile isn’t going away, though; both apps will exist simultaneously, with Steam Chat dedicated to communication and Steam Mobile covering other parts of the service—such as purcha ...

Apple sends out WWDC 2019 keynote invites to Mac and iOS developers

It'll kick off its annual developer conference with a presentation by CEO Tim Cook and other execs at 10 a.m. PT.

Apple on Wednesday sent invitations to members of the media for its annual keynote address at its Worldwide Developers Conference. The WWDC 2019 presentation will take place at 10 a.m. PT on Monday, June 3 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.

The confab is in its 30th year, and this will mark the third year for Apple to hold its developer conference in San Jose. The city -- the third biggest in California and 10th largest in the US -- is abou ...

Smart assistants have totally slept on sleep timers and I’m tired of it

Smart home assistants need smarter timers. Today, you can use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri to set timers. You can use all three smart assistants to control your smart home gadgets. But frustratingly, you cannot use the two features together: setting your lights to arbitrarily turn off in 30 minutes is impossible with today’s most sophisticated, cutting-edge smart home technology.

Now, you could use a pre-programmed routine, but that’s not the same thing. You can set your lights to go on when a motion detector goes off, have your motorized shades close at sunset, or have your air ...

Hands-On With the New 4K 23.7-Inch LG UltraFine Display

Apple this week began stocking a new 4K 23.7-inch LG UltraFine Display, which replaces the original 21.5-inch 4K LG UltraFine Display that was pulled from retail stores and the online Apple Store earlier this year. 

We picked up one of the new 23.7-inch UltraFine Displays and thought we'd check it out to see if it's worth the $700 price point. 

The new 4K display looks quite similar to the prior-generation 4K and 5K UltraFine displays with a black plastic body with relatively thick bezels and a black aluminum stand. Like prior models, it can be VESA mounted if you prefer. ...

Select Bose smart speakers get Google Assistant

A week after Sonos added long-promised Google Assistant integration to a pair of speakers, Bose is following suit. The company’s bringing the popular smart home AI to a trio of existing models, the Home Speaker 500 and Soundbar 500 and 700. The forthcoming, pint-sized Home Speaker 300 will be hitting the market with the feature built-in.

Like Sonos, you’ll get your standard array of Assistant queries, including music playback, Chromecast TV control and the ability to control connected home features like smart lighting. All of that will be accessible through the built-in ...

Apple offers free repairs for 2016 MacBook Pros with faulty backlights

More models are likely affected, however.

Apple isn't just trying to fix the MacBook Pro's keyboard. The company has launched a repair program that offers free fixes for 2016 13-inch MacBook Pros affected by an issue with flex cable stress (aka "Flexgate") that produces a stage lighting effect on the display's backlight before it eventually dies altogether. You won't have to risk a costly out-of-warranty repair just to keep using your machine.

This might not be the end to the story. While 2018 and newer revisions use longer cables that shouldn't be at risk, iFixit pointed ou ...

A New Approach To Updates: Windows 10 May 2019 Update

For those eager to get the latest and greatest production build of Windows 10; good news. For those who would rather watch from the sidelines until the kinks are worked out; good news. Today Microsoft has officially launched the spring 2019 update for Windows 10, affectionately called the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. There’s a few new features under the hood, but the biggest change to Windows 10 this time is not a new feature you may or may not use, but instead a new approach to updates, and after almost four years of users not being in control, Microsoft has put the control back in th ...

Google stored some passwords in plain text for fourteen years

In a blog post today, Google disclosed that it recently discovered a bug that caused some portion of G Suite users to have their passwords stored in plain text. The bug has been around since 2005, though Google says that it can’t find any evidence that anybody’s password was improperly accessed. It’s resetting any passwords that might be affected and letting G Suite administrators know about the issue.

G Suite is the corporate version of Gmail and Google’s other apps, and apparently the bug came about in this product because of a feature designed specifically ...

Seven Safari Tricks on iOS You Might Not Know

Safari on iOS has a surprising number of hidden tricks, letting you manipulate tabs, conduct page-specific searches, and more, and not all of these features are immediately obvious due to the gestures involved.

We've rounded up some useful must-know Safari tips that you might not be aware of or may have forgotten, so make sure to check out our video because we bet there's something here that's going to be new to you.

Close All Tabs - Have hundreds of tabs open in Safari on your iPhone? You can close them all at once. Just long press right on the "Done" button in the tab view ...

A New Approach To Updates: Windows 10 May 2019 Update

For those eager to get the latest and greatest production build of Windows 10; good news. For those who would rather watch from the sidelines until the kinks are worked out; good news. Today Microsoft has officially launched the spring 2019 update for Windows 10, affectionately called the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. There’s a few new features under the hood, but the biggest change to Windows 10 this time is not a new feature you may or may not use, but instead a new approach to updates, and after almost four years of users not being in control, Microsoft has put the control back in the hand ...

Apple offers free repairs for 2016 MacBook Pros with faulty backlights

More models are likely affected, however.

Apple isn't just trying to fix the MacBook Pro's keyboard. The company has launched a repair program that offers free fixes for 2016 13-inch MacBook Pros affected by an issue with flex cable stress (aka "Flexgate") that produces a stage lighting effect on the display's backlight before it eventually dies altogether. You won't have to risk a costly out-of-warranty repair just to keep using your machine.

This might not be the end to the story. While 2018 and newer revisions use longer cables that shouldn't be at risk, iFixit  ...

Corsair’s Vengeance 5185 PC: Core i7-9700K + GeForce RTX 2080, and Lots of RGB

Having launched their Corsair One small form-factor PCs, as well as Bulldog PCs for the living room, Corsair is now entering the market of mainstream gaming machines with its Vengeance series of computers. The new systems are Micro-ATX PCs designed for gamers looking for performance and style, but not necessarily looking to build a machine themselves.

The Corsair Vengeance family of PCs currently includes two models — the Vengeance 5180 and the Vengeance 5185 — which use a Micro-ATX version the company’s Crystal Series 280X RGB case. The 680X offers two chambers, three tempered glas ...

Chrome OS 76 finally moves the “Clear All” notifications button to the top

Chrome OS has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Gone are the days of it being widely labeled as a “glorified web browser.” In addition to Progressive Web Apps, modern Chromebooks now support Android apps and Linux apps natively. With each app ecosystem, of course, comes notifications and those can pile up quickly in the recently redesigned Chrome OS menu.

Only last Fall did it become possible to clear all notifications with one tap, and it takes some doing to find the button. In the stable, beta and dev channels you have to swipe up on the bottom-most notification to even ...

Google changes how the Escape key is handled in Chrome to fight popup ads

Google Chrome v76 is getting a new security feature to fight popup spam.

Google engineers are planning to change how the Escape key works in the Chrome browser, and it's all being done as part of a security-focused change meant to make it harder for shady sites to open popups.

The feature is expected to ship with Chrome version 76, scheduled for release at the end of July 2019.

The general idea is that starting with Chrome 76, pressing the Escape key on your keyboard will not "activate" a page and prevent it from running JavaScript code -- like it did until ...

How valuable is Android, or any other operating system, without Google?

Would you buy any product that limited your access to Google's services?

The dust-up between the U.S. and Huawei has pushed the idea of how dependent on Google a phone manufacturer can be. Huawei is one of the biggest companies in the world, and having access to Google's services is what drove its smartphone market share into the sky — now nearing 20% globally, above Apple. Watching consumer reaction as that access is revoked gives a feeling that any future growth has ground to a complete stop and Huawei is in a heap of trouble as far as Western markets are concerned.

I'm no ...

Google Calendar and Google Keep get dark mode on Android

Rolling out to phones via an app update.

Over the last few months, Google's been steadily adding an official dark mode to more and more of its apps. Following the likes of Google Messages, News, Contacts, and others, Google's now announced dark modes for Calendar and Keep.

In the next few days, you should receive an update for both the Google Calendar and Google Keep Android apps that will add the new dark mode functionality. To enable dark mode in Calendar, you'll go to Settings -> General -> Theme. If you're using Keep, the process is Settings -> Enable Dark Mode. ...

Google deals Huawei major blow by cutting Android licence

Huawei has relied on the Google-developed Android operating system to power its popular range of smartphones.

Google has dealt a major blow to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei by blocking the firm from using critical apps and services like Gmail and YouTube on its range of smartphones, according to reports.

Just like other major smartphone makers including Samsung and LG, Huawei relies on the Google-developed Android operating system to power its mobile devices.

But, amid a US crackdown on Chinese technology companies due to ongoing security concerns, Reuters ...

Worried About LED, OLED Blue Light Eye Damage?

A widely-covered report out of France this week said that the blue light in LED lighting can damage the eyes. Dell, seeing the writing on the wall, isn't taking any chances.

Blue light can damage the retina and disturb natural sleep rhythms, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) said in a statement, according to a report* from France24. 

"Exposure to an intense and powerful [LED] light is 'photo-toxic' and can lead to irreversible loss of retinal cells and diminished sharpness of vision," the agency said. LEDs are of ...

OPPO K3 WILL GET A POP-UP CAMERA, SNAPDRAGON 710 SOC

The OPPO K3 just received an official launch date today. The budget mid-ranger that will spearhead OPPO’s attack on aggressively priced products like Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 is due for a debut on May 23. There’s much we know about the handset but all that is mostly restricted to specifications. Now, OPPO’s newest teaser posted today on Weibo sheds light on a key aspect of the design that was suspected earlier. The new OPPO K3 was recently unearthed from China Telecom’s website with its complete specifications which we will mention below.

As for the new teaser, it clearly shows a pop-u ...

Lenovo shows off foldable Razr with a fan render

A short video reveals more details about the rumored phone.

It's no secret that Motorola is working on a foldable phone. According to Sina Tech, Lenovo shared a video with media today that shows the new, RAZR-like phone in action -- Engadget has since learned the video was an edited fan render Lenovo was using for a press demo. The video offers a glimpse of the device folding in half and opening flat.

Last month, we saw the first leaked images, and while you could see a hinge, the phone was displayed open. Now, in addition to demonstrating the phone's foldability, this video ...

OPPO A9X WITH HELIO P70 SOC, 48MP CAMERA TO DEBUT SOON

Smartphone launch season is in full force in May 2019 as we’ve been literally having a launch every day for three days straight. And it’s not going to stop any time soon. A new improved variant of the OPPO A9 was spotted on OPPO’s official store in China which essentially laid bare everything about the handset. It’s called the OPPO A9X and it will be going on sale in China on May 20th at a price of RMB 1,999 (around Rs 20,300). OPPO is also announcing the OPPO K3 on May 23.

Now, the listing which has been taken down as of this writing mentioned that the OPPO A9x would be equipped wi ...

macOS 10.14.5 goes live with security and bug fixes

Apple on Monday released the finished version of macOS 10.14.5, the latest update for Mojave, as it paves the way for macOS 10.15 to land this fall.

The software is available through Mojave's Software Update tool, found under the Apple menu's System Preferences section. If automatic updates are on, the software should be installed in the near future.

Apple previously issued multiple developer builds of the code along with matching public betas.

Specific bug fixes and feature additions include AirPlay 2 support for sharing videos, photos, music and more from a Mac dir ...

It sure looks like the Lenovo Smart Clock is launching soon

The $80 smart display just got one step closer to being released.

Back at CES 2019, Lenovo announced the Smart Clock -- a super tiny smart display with a 4-inch screen designed to be the perfect modern alarm clock. After months of not hearing a word from Lenovo, it looks like the company is finally getting ready to launch the gadget.

If you take a look at the official Lenovo Forums, you'll see that it's been updated with a lot more information regarding the Smart Clock. Some of this includes an FAQ section, user guide, and a spec sheet.

While the updated forums don't ...

Apple Releases New 12.3 Software for HomePod

Alongside the iOS 12.3 update that introduces a new TV app for the iPhone and the iPad, Apple has also debuted a new 12.3 software update designed for the HomePod. 

The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod after you update to iOS 12.3, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to. 

According to the release notes for the update, it is focused on enterprise networks, adding support for "joining some types of enterprise networks that require credentials." ...

WhatsApp discovers 'targeted' surveillance attack

Hackers were able to remotely install surveillance software on phones and other devices using a major vulnerability in messaging app WhatsApp, it has been confirmed.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, said the attack targeted a "select number" of users, and was orchestrated by "an advanced cyber actor".

A fix was rolled out on Friday.

The attack was developed by Israeli security firm NSO Group, according to a report in the Financial Times.

On Monday WhatsApp urged all of its 1.5bn users to update their apps as an added precaution.

...

Lenovo foldable ThinkPad X1 prototype: A big screen that bends

Bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Fold, this 13-inch tablet folds into a laptop shape for typing and productivity.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold isn't the only flexible screen in town. Briefly demoed by computer giant Lenovo, the ThinkPad X1 folding prototype shows what happens when you apply those same design ideas to a bigger screen and more powerful hardware.

In this case, it's a 13-inch 4:3 OLED 2K display. When fully open, it looks like a large Windows slate or an iPad Pro. Fold it over, and you have a 9.6-inch screen along with same size on-screen keyboard on the bottom half....

With Android Q, Google is pushing for more elegant, standardized gestures

At last year's developer conference, Google gave us our first taste of Android Pie's gesture-based navigation system. It was, uh, pretty rough: the classic, three-button navigation scheme was replaced with a back button, a "pill" and a handful of swipe gestures that, to me at least, never felt particularly elegant or natural. Thankfully, Allen Huang, Google's product manager for Android's system interface, explained it was always meant to be a transitional step and never meant for it to last "in its current form" for more than a year.

That's a big deal because, a ...

OPPO RENO TO BE RELEASED IN INDIA ON MAY 28TH, SAYS REPORT

OPPO recently announced its new Reno series of phones with some serious USPs like a hybrid 10X zoom that only exists on one other phone – the Huawei P30 Pro. The Reno and Reno 10X Zoom Edition are already official in Europe and will soon be on sale (Reno) in France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Poland on May 10. The 10X Zoom Edition will go on sale in China tomorrow. Now, the two handsets will also be launched in India on May 28th, suggests a report by 91mobiles.

The standard Reno smartphone comes with a Snapdragon 710 SoC while the Reno 10X Zoom model has a flagship Snapdragon ...

Google Podcasts officially rolling out to desktop, iOS through Google Search

At I/O 2019, Sundar Pichai announced a “Podcasts about this story” feature for Google Search that indexes podcasts to surface relevant episodes by content instead of just title. Ahead of that, Google Podcasts is officially coming to the web for iOS and desktops.

When Podcasts launched last June, it was specifically for Android and Google Assistant devices, like Home speakers. Google is now bringing the service to Search for the desktop and mobile web. Looking for a podcast on Google.com will feature a card of “Recent episodes.”

Tapping any will take users to podcasts.google. ...

New macOS 10.15 Music app code based on iTunes, not iOS

We previously discovered the new standalone Music app to be included in the next major version of macOS, 10.15. In that post, we mentioned the new Music app would be made using Marzipan, that lets iOS apps run on the Mac. Recently, sources familiar with the development of the OS reached out, correcting that information.

The new standalone Music app on macOS will actually be an AppKit application, based off of iTunes. It will include many of the advanced features iTunes users are accustomed to, including things such as smart playlists, advanced library management, syncing with iPods ...

How Do Apple's New Powerbeats Pro Compare to AirPods?

Earlier this week, we shared a hands-on look at the Powerbeats Pro earbuds launching tomorrow, and today, we thought we'd do an in-depth comparison with the AirPods, giving MacRumors readers a closer look at the similarities and differences between the two devices. 

AirPods and Powerbeats Pro look nothing alike, as the former is designed for casual use and the latter is aimed at those who live a more active lifestyle. The AirPods feature an iconic design that's reminiscent of the EarPods design Apple has used for years, with the earbuds meant to fit ears of all shapes and sizes with ...

Android Q Beta 3: How to enable and use Android Q’s fully gestural navigation

With the release of Android Q beta 3 yesterday we’ve seen yet another revision to gestural navigation on Android. The newest effort certainly shows promise, but it might take longtime Android users some time to get used to it.

If you are taking the plunge and installing the Android Q beta, you aren’t thrown into the deep end by starting out with the fully gestural navigation enabled, so if you are looking for the full Android Q experience you’ll need to enable it first.

How to enable Android Q Fully Gestural Navigation on Pixel

Open Settings

Scroll down and t ...

MORE HONOR 20 PRO PROMO IMAGES EMERGE REVEALING MORE OF ITS BEAUTY

Yesterday, the Honor 20 was revealed through a couple of promo images showing the new machine in red, white, blue, and green color options. Today, the folks at GSMarena, got their hands in a set of new artsy promo images for the Honor 20 Pro. They are similar with the images of its sibling, however with a refreshment that makes us believe that they are part of an entire promo campaign.

Of course, the images are non-final, since the rendering of the phone is somewhat broken, especially judging by the camera’s design. Apparently, these images were poorly converted vector graphics. Tha ...

What Happened to the Lenovo Smart Clock?

Remember the Lenovo Smart Clock? Lenovo introduced their mini-smart display back at CES in January, saying at the time that we would see it in the Spring for around $79. It’s now May and we’re starting to wonder what’s going on with it.

A couple of readers asked us about Lenovo’s cute little Smart Clock today, probably because Google I/O is about to wrap-up and there wasn’t a lot of news surrounding smart displays, outside of Google’s Nest Hub Max announcement. The two readers asked if we knew if the product was cancelled or if they’d have an opportunity to buy one soon.

We’ ...

Everything we know about iOS 13: Dark Mode, iPad improvements, Sleep Mode, more

We’re less than a month away from Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California. At WWDC this year, Apple will announce new features for each of its operating systems, including iOS 13, watchOS 6, macOS 10.15, and tvOS 13.

Over the last several weeks, we’ve reported a lot of what you can expect to see in this year’s update for iPhone and iPad. Read on as we round everything up ahead of next month’s event.

iOS 13 features: Dark Mode |

iPhone and iPad users have been waiting on Dark Mode to come to iOS for several years, and iOS 13 will finally ...

AMD Removes Third Generation Ryzen Threadripper From Their Roadmap For No Reason

When presenting its quarterly figures, AMD has shown a roadmap stating which products will be published this year. The third generation of AMD Ryzen Threadripper processors based on the 7nm process node and Zen 2 architecture are no longer included; in March that was still the case. There was no explanation of the removal.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000, 7nm HEDT CPUs Snapped From Latest Client Roadmap

The AMD Client roadmap states that the third generation Ryzen processors will be released mid-year. New Threadripper processors are no longer listed. The second generation EPYC p ...

How to Quickly Free Up Space on Your Windows PC

Windows: The concept of “spring cleaning” fills me with dread. Organizing your archives of stuff—physical or digital—is a lot easier to do as a year-round activity, rather than on one terrible day (or days) when it’s pretty outside and you’d rather be doing anything else.

Thankfully, it’s incredibly easy to see if you’re wasting precious space on your computer, a practice that sounds incredibly dorky to do but is worth every gigabyte saved if you don’t have that much spare room on your desktop or laptop’s drive to begin with.

I don’t set an annual reminder for myself to do t ...

All Chromebooks launched this year will be Linux-ready

Last year, Google brought Linux support to Chromebooks. It's a really nifty feature, and it's only been improving since I/O 2018. But this year, Google announced that all Chromebooks launched in 2019 will be Linux-ready right out of the box, which is great for developers, enthusiasts, and newbies alike.

These announcements have been quick and brief, but at least this news is straight to the point, though every Chromebook I've tested recently had Linux support. As someone who regularly distro hops on my personal machines, the Linux installation process on Chrome OS is top-notch for e ...

ANDROID Q: AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT DARK MODE, BETTER GESTURES, AND AN IMPRESSIVE NEW ACCESSIBILITY FEATURE

Android 10 Q beta 3 is available today on more devices than any previous Android beta has been available on before.

A full release is expected this fall, but Google is announcing new major features for the tenth version of Android today at Google I/O. Android Q has oft-requested UI changes like dark mode and improved gestures. Even though those are the things most people will notice, they aren’t the most important (or impressive) parts.

The more important parts are things that address real user needs and resolve longtime problems with the Android platform. There’s a new acce ...

Dell confirms that fixing S3 sleep is next on the agenda for the XPS 15 9570

Further to its backtrack last month, Dell has now confirmed that it is focussing its efforts on addressing S3 sleep mode for the XPS 15 9570. The company removed the mode over a year ago with the release of BIOS 1.3.0.

Slowly, but surely, Dell is addressing the issues that have plagued the XPS 15 9570. First, the company fixed the NVIDIA GPU issue that affected some machines, albeit by creating an additional issue, and then it released a BIOS revision to address DPC latency issues. You may also remember that we reported Frank Azor's confirmation about Dell "working on a solutio ...

Intel Optane Memory: everything you need to know

Modern PCs have become incredibly fast, with the best CPUs running at clockspeeds in the 4-5GHz range, and the best graphics cards can crunch through trillions of calculations each second. But the data feeding those number crunching beasts doesn't stick around when the power goes out, so we need longer-term storage solutions like hard drives and solid-state drives. The problem is that SSDs are still relatively expensive while HDDs are slow. Intel's Optane Memory tries to bridge the gap between mechanical storage and SSDs. Here's what you need to know about how Intel Optane Memory works, the ...

Hey Google, it’s time for a dark mode on Smart Displays like Home Hub

Having Google Assistant ready at all times is a handy tool in day-to-day life, and Smart Displays only enhance that with visual components. However, these displays are annoying to use at night because Google’s UI is a stark white. It’s time for Google to add a dark mode to Smart Displays like the Home Hub.

The Smart Display UI is awesome, but blinding at night

Going all the way back to our review of the first Google Assistant Smart Display from Lenovo, I’ve praised Google over the UI for this form factor. It’s simple, intuitive, and doesn’t lack much. However, much like Goog ...

The regular OnePlus 7 looks familiar, but will have big upgrades inside

So far, OnePlus has kept the marketing spotlight on its upcoming OnePlus 7 Pro, the company’s next flagship phone with a pop-up camera and “breakthrough” display that will supposedly have a buttery-smooth 90Hz refresh rate. (It’s also apparently somewhat water resistant.) But there’s also a standard OnePlus 7 model coming alongside it, and today WinFuture shared some images of that device. It looks incredibly similar to last year’s OnePlus 6T, from the teardrop notch to an in-display fingerprint sensor and the dual-camera arrangement on back.

OnePlus has more than once reused the sa ...

The Honor 20 Lite brings three rear cameras and a budget-friendly price

With the Honor 20 and Honor 20 Pro still under wraps until May 21, it’s the Honor 20 Lite that gets first dibs in the limelight. The good news is that the phone brings flagship-like features and a budget-friendly price.

Starting with the front, the Honor 20 Lite features a 6.21-inch display with Full HD+ (2,340 x 1,080) resolution and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. The selfie camera lives in the waterdrop notch up top.

The Honor 20 Lite loses some luster when you notice the Micro-USB port at the bottom. The presence of a headphone jack is greatly appreciated, but the aging Mi ...

Microsoft is going to ship a full Linux kernel in Windows 10

Microsoft has surprised many in the Linux developer community in recent years. Surprises have included bringing things like the Bash shell to Windows, or native OpenSSH in Windows 10, and even including Ubuntu, SUSE Linux, and Fedora in the Windows Store. Microsoft is now going even further, with plans to ship a full Linux kernel directly in Windows 10.

“Beginning with Windows Insiders builds this Summer, we will include an in-house custom-built Linux kernel to underpin the newest version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL),” explains Microsoft program manager Jack Hammons. “Th ...

Apple Warned iPhones Have A Serious Battery Problem

Apple’s controversial new iPhone 11 design is already taking flak (despite recent improvements), but now the company’s current models have been hit by a much more immediate problem.

In a shocking new report, highly regarded UK consumer advocacy group Which? (equivalent to Consumer Reports in the US) has discovered Apple is overstating the battery life of its iPhones by a massive margin.

“Which? tested nine iPhone models and found that all of them fell short of Apple’s battery time claims. In fact, Apple stated that its batteries lasted between 18 per cent and 51 per cent lon ...

7 macOS Settings You Should Change Right Away

Apple specifically designs its products to “just work.” When it comes to its computers, that means that macOS is an incredibly intuitive and easy-to-use platform out of the box. But there are still a few default macOS settings you should change (besides display settings, which we’ve previously covered). From tweaking the Finder to making Siri more useful in quiet environments, continue reading to learn about seven quick settings you should change on your Mac right away.

HUAWEI P SMART Z APPEARS ON GEEKBENCH WITH KEY SPECS

Renders of the Huawei P Smart Z have been doing the rounds revealing what might be Huawei’s first smartphone with a pop-up selfie camera. The device even recently was briefly listed on Amazon Italy with its price and specifications, and now it has surfaced on the popular Geekbench site for the usual benchmark test, an indication that it could debut soon.

The smartphone passed through Geekbench bearing model number Huawei STK-LX3/LX1, though both variants appear to sport similar specs. The benchmark database reveals that the alleged Huawei P smart Z will be powered by an Octa-core So ...

Flashable Windows 10 ROMs now available for Lumia 950 XL

The project to run Windows 10 on ARM on the Lumia 950 XL has continued to make progress, and the latest development is about making it easier for others to take part in the fun.

The LumiaWOA project now has firmware you can download and install using WPinternals which makes installation as easy as flashing with any other firmware. It does replace the Windows 10 Mobile install, so users need to back up their data of course.

If your Lumia 950 XL is only gathering dust in an old draw, there is likely nothing to lose by trying out the hack.

Galaxy Note 10 Exclusive Reveals Samsung's Surprise Upgrade

Samsung is heavily redesigning the Galaxy Note 10 with some killer tech, but it appeared the company was about to blow the basics. Until now. 

Following news Samsung is pulling 25W fast charging from the Galaxy Note 10 (seemingly because it’s rubbish), popular insider Ice Universe has updated his information to reveal Samsung will actually fit a charger more powerful than 25W. Moreover, I have also been able to verify this myself through a trusted source.

“You should be thinking bigger [not smaller]. That’s all I can say about it right now but expect to be pleasantly surpris ...

Microsoft Issues New Windows 10 Update Warning

Windows 10 is finally getting the update we all wanted, but until it rolls out widely users are going to need to keep paying attention to Microsoft’s regular upgrade warnings. And they have struck again. 

Picked up by CNet, Microsoft has confirmed it has found updates to Windows 10’s built-in Control Flow Guard (CFG) security feature which can cause massive performance issues for Google Chromium-based browsers (such as Chrome, Microsoft’s Edge browser, Vivaldi and many others). The problem was first identified by Vivaldi then replicated by Google, after which Microsoft acknowledged ...

How to Screenshot Entire Web Pages Without a Chrome Extension

Chrome: Capturing screenshots is easy, whether you’re on Windows (hit the Print Screen button your keyboard) or Mac (Shift-Command-5). And while you can isolate down to just your active window using various keyboard commands or on-screen options, which makes it easier to snapshot whatever you’re doing, that’s still not ideal if you’re trying to take a picture of a full website—more than whatever’s on your screen, that is.

There’s no shortage of browser extensions that promise to take full-page screenshots on your behalf, and a number of them are pretty great (assuming you don’t have ...

Samsung Denies Existence of 2 TB 970 Pro SSD

In an unusual move, Samsung on Monday denied existence of a 2 TB version of its M.2-2280 970 Pro SSD. The company said that it did not have plans to release such a product, yet did not exclude a possibility of launching such a storage device in the future.

“Samsung has not released a 2TB version of the [970 Pro] drive and there are currently no plans,” a spokesperson for Samsung said Monday. “We will let you know if that ever changes.”

Samsung's public rejection comes after two international retailers in China and in Germany posted product listings for the drive last week. T ...

Nubia Red Magic 3 Smartphone Shoots 8K and Has a Built-In Cooling Fan

The Chinese smartphone company Nubia has unveiled the Red Magic 3, a phone that shoots 48-megapixel photos and 8K video. The performance of the device is so intense that it features liquid cooling via a copper heat pipe and a built-in cooling fan.

The Red Magic 3 is marketed as a smartphone that excels at gaming, but it’s beast on the photography and video fronts as well.

Inside the phone is a 1/2.0″ Sony IMX586 sensor for 48-megapixel f/1.7 rear photos. The front features a 16-megapixel f/2.0 camera.

On the video front, the smartphone sets new records among smartpho ...

New leaked pictures show Motorola’s upcoming foldable Razr in full

We’re still not entirely sure who the rebooted Motorola Razr is for, but it is without a doubt one of the most intriguing phones of 2019. Rumors of a foldable Razr have been floating around since last summer, and this weekend, a Weibo user going by sunniton shared what appear to be marketing photos of the unannounced device. While they might be fake, every new phone leaks eventually, and the foldable Razr is expected to be unveiled soon.

The phone in the image above looks virtually identical to the device that was pictured in a patent at the beginning of the year. It has the same la ...

Windows 10 Now Requires a Minimum of 32GB Storage Space

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it would begin using ~7GB of user hard drive space for the application of future updates. The advantage of this system is intended to be that it doesn’t break the update process halfway through by a system running out of space. The disadvantage is that it would eliminate virtually all of the storage available on small systems — and Windows 10’s previous minimum storage requirement was 16GB for a 32-bit installation. That plus 7GB of storage only left 4-5GB of data for programs on a base install.

When Microsoft announced these changes, we c ...

Leak reveals Pixel 3a also comes in purple, because why not

As the days count down to May 7's Google I/O keynote, Android fans are hungry for any leaked information on the handsets Google is expected to unveil there: the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Well, Evan Blass, the tipster behind the leaked high-res render of the former, fueled that anticipation again this week after sharing another image of the Pixel 3a, this time in the color purple.

Other color variations for the new mid-range Pixel phones remain a mystery, but if purple's your favorite color then today's your lucky day. Though it seems a little too conveniently timed with the release ...

Please be the Foldable Moto Razr

Motorola is working on a foldable phone that we expect to look a lot like the old Razr flip phones, only with all of the modern features you get from smartphones of today. That would mean a foldable phone that looks like a small flip or clamshell, but that’s actually a big-screened device when unfolded. It might be the dream setup for those of us who have no interest in a phone that unfolds into a tablet.

Today, the new foldable Motorola Razr (2019) has purportedly leaked, thanks to a post over at Weibo from user @JJUT_. The post has since been deleted from what I can tell, but the ...

What's the difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro?

What's the difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro? Building a PC can be an expensive venture, especially if you aim to play the latest games at their highest settings. When setting your budget, it’s easy to forget about the cost of your operating system. Unless you plan on using Linux, you’ll need either Windows 10 Home or Pro. Retail versions cost $119 for a Windows 10 Home license or $199 if you go with the Pro version—OEM keys that are bought with a hardware purchase cost $109 and $149. That’s a $40-$80 difference that could be put towards a better video card or more memory, but only ...

Windows Security Update Caused Recent Antivirus Conflicts and Freezes

According to an updated McAfee support bulletin, a Windows security update for the Windows Client Server Run-Time Subsystem (CSRSS) service appears to have caused the recent conflicts between enterprise antivirus software and Windows.

On April 9th, 2019, Microsoft released their April 2019 Patch Tuesday updates and since then users have reported performance issues and freezes in Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 2008, Windows 2008 R2, Windows 2012 and Windows 2012 R2. 

As reported by Microsoft in numerous support articles for April Windows updates [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8], if ...

The real deal with the Galaxy Fold's screen crease, notch and air gap

The entire reason that the Galaxy Fold exists is because of the screen. Unlike other phones, where screens are an afterthought to camera quality and battery life, Samsung designed the entire phone around the fact that its display bends in half. The perils of foldable phone design are sucking up all the oxygen in the room, after five early production Galaxy Fold review units experienced major problems. That's important, but so is the Fold's screen on a working model like mine.

Before the Galaxy Fold screens started breaking, it was the plastic crease running down the center of the Fo ...

Android Q teases better and smarter contextually-suggested actions

The first beta of Android Q rolled out over a month ago, and although we've spent hours dissecting every feature it brings, from the bigger ones to the absolute smallest, there are still some surprises that we haven't discussed in detail yet. The most interesting — also the most hidden and difficult to reproduce — are some mysterious actions that surface for a few users in specific places, only to disappear and never be seen again. They are a sign of things to come though, even if they're not fully reproducible just yet.

What are these actions?

The actions discussed below ac ...

Lenovo ThinkPad X390 unboxing and first impressions

Announced at Mobile World Congress this year, Lenovo's ThinkPad X390 is the company's top-end ThinkPad without going into the X1 lineup. This 13-inch machine comes in at only 2.6 pounds, and with narrow bezels on the sides, Lenovo says that it fits into a 12-inch footprint.

It's 12% thinner and 5% lighter than its predecessor, which was actually the X380 Yoga. Last year's model only saw a convertible from the X-series, so it makes sense that Lenovo was able to slim it down.

This PC packs all of the features you need though. It has an IR camera combined with the ThinkShutter ...

Galaxy Fold: The real deal with Samsung's screen crease, notch and air gap

The entire reason that the Galaxy Fold exists is because of the screen. Unlike other phones, where screens are an afterthought to camera quality and battery life, Samsung designed the entire phone around the fact that its display bends in half. The perils of foldable phone design are sucking up all the oxygen in the room, after five early production Galaxy Fold review units experienced major problems. That's important, but so is the Fold's screen on a working model like mine.

Before the Galaxy Fold screens started breaking, it was the plastic crease running down the center of the Fo ...

Motorola releases Pie kernel source code for Moto G6 Play

Due to Huawei ending its bootloader unlock program, and HMD Global/Nokia never having one to begin with, Motorola is still the king of customizable budget phones (in the United States, anyway). The company just released the Android 9 Pie kernel source for the Moto G6 Play, making it easier for developers to create custom Pie-based ROMs and recoveries for the phone.

The kernel source code package is for 'AlJeter,' the codename for the Moto G6 Play. You can download the code from the source link below.

Microsoft Issues Important Windows 10 Upgrade Warning

Windows 10’s most significant upgrade to date is almost ready, but Microsoft has now issued an important warning for everyone who wants to get it. 

In a new advisory, Microsoft has warned users that they will need up to twice as much free storage on their PCs to receive Windows 10 1903, the upgrade which finally gives all users control over Windows updates. The new requirement will apply to all versions of Windows 10: Home, Pro and Enterprise.

The new minimum is 32 GB, double the previous 16 GB stipulation of 32-bit Windows 10 and almost 40% more than the 64-bit editions. Fo ...

OnePlus confirms triple camera array for OnePlus 7 Pro as launch event tickets go on sale

The OnePlus 7 Pro is expected to have more bells and whistles than any device in the company’s history, and today we’re getting confirmation of its rear camera setup. As previous leaks have shown, the OnePlus 7 Pro will indeed have a triple camera array.

In a teaser on Twitter today, OnePlus explicitly confirms a triple camera array on the back of the OnePlus 7 Pro. This comes as no surprise as previous leaks of the phone have shown this off in detail. A recent leak even confirmed some of the specifications.

Apparently, we can expect a standard 48MP primary camera and a tele ...

Compulab Launches Airtop3: A Fanless PC with Core i9-9900K & Quadro RTX 4000

Compulab has introduced its new Airtop3 passively-cooled desktop platform, which is aimed at commercial and industrial users looking for a high-performance passive PC. The Airtop3 combines high-end, high performance components with significant expansion capabilities (e.g., operate up to seven displays, integrate up to five SSDs, etc.) as well as compatibility with Compulab’s proprietary FACE customization modules. Compulab will sell its Airtop3 machines in different configurations targeting a variety of applications.

Just like predecessors, Compulab’s Airtop3 relies on the company’s ...

HUAWEI P SMART Z LEAKED OUT WITH POP-UP SELFIE CAMERA DESIGN

Just when you thought the hole punch display introduced by Samsung and Huawei was the best all-screen display solution, Samsung in what many see as a surprising move introduced the Galaxy A80 with a rear-facing camera that can rotate to double as a selfie camera joining the leagues of Chinese OEMs with multitude of devices with the pop up camera system. So far, only Chinese smartphones maker like VIVO and OPPO has committed to making devices with pop up cameras, and that could be changing soon, as a major player in the smartphone market is about hopping on the trend.

Following Huawe ...

ADVANCED EXTERNAL CAMERA CONTROLS COMING TO CHROMEBOOKS

All Chromebooks come with a camera or two, so Chrome OS is no stranger to handling camera inputs. While the camera software on Chrome OS is still a bit of a work in progress across the board, the general camera functions are there and have been there for quite some time. What we are currently seeing in the Chromium Bug Tracker, however, shows us that more complicated controls are coming for external cameras.

You can have a look at this bug report and see pretty clear evidence that external cameras are getting ready to get some interesting new controls baked right into Chrome OS: spe ...

Galaxy Fold loss could help other foldable phones succeed

After five reports of broken Galaxy Fold review units and an official delay of Samsung's $2,000 foldable phone, Samsung is in trouble. But for rivals like Huawei's foldable Mate X, the rumored Razr flip phone and all the rest, Samsung's pains with the Galaxy Fold could spell opportunity. 

Samsung's rivals are watching the company's every move, taking notes and assuredly devising their own plans to either to cut and run if buyers grow cold or to extend their own brands as "true" foldable successes by avoiding the Galaxy Fold's pitfalls. 

Samsung, Huawei and Motorola ...

PIXEL SLATE VS. HP CHROMEBOOK X2: THE BEST DETACHABLE CHROMEBOOK

In the realm of detachable Chromebooks, there are few at this point. Two, specifically, and we’ve been asked time and again to pit them against one another to determine which is the best purchase. Between the Pixel Slate and the HP x2, there are lots of similarities and just as many differences. While it isn’t as simple as one over the other, we want to break down both devices and help you decide which you should spend your money on.

For these versus videos, we keep things pretty simple and keep to our standard 5 sections: build quality, screen, keyboard/trackpad/pen, internals/port ...

Windows 10’s big May 2019 Update is blocked on PCs using USB storage

Microsoft hasn’t officially released Windows 10’s May 2019 Update to everyone just yet, but the company is already warning of a very weird bug with it. Microsoft is blocking the update on PCs that have a USB hard disk like a thumb drive attached, or machines with an SD Card in the SD Card reader. “Inappropriate drive reassignment can occur on eligible computers that have an external USB device or SD memory card attached during the installation of the May 2019 update,” warns a Microsoft support article.

This means that if you had a USB drive with the D: letter assigned by Windows, af ...

Two new AirPods models may be coming later in 2019

Apple released its second-generation AirPods just last month, but we may see a new version of its wireless headphones before 2019 is over. This information comes from a DigiTimesreport, which also claims that a noise-canceling feature will be part of the next AirPods iteration. The ability to block outside sound had been rumored to be a part of Apple’s recently released model, but it may actually be coming this year with the new headphones.

Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst whose predictions of Apple product launches have proved accurate in the past, recently affirmed a late 2019 release for ...

Anker Roav Bolt adds Google Assistant to the car w/ convenience even Android Auto can’t match

Google is on a mission to bring the Assistant basically everywhere. Its latest endeavor? Google Assistant powered car accessories and the first of those is the Anker Roav Bolt. Here’s why it’s the most convenient way to bring Assistant to your car.

Anker Roav Bolt Hardware |

The Anker Roav Bolt is pretty simple on the hardware front. It’s basically a car charger, and looks the part of one. The Bolt plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car and sticks out just a bit.

Along the side of the product, there are two USB ports. These offer “PowerIQ” charging speeds, whic ...

If you have the lost Honor 20 prototype, Huawei has $5,600 for you

If you happened to be on the ICE 1125 train to Munich, Germany, which departed at 6:06 AM CET on April 22, you may have grabbed a smartphone that fell out of someone’s backpack. If so, you have what is likely a prototype for the upcoming Honor 20 series, and Huawei and Honor would like it back.

If you return it, Honor will give you a 5,000 euro (~$5,611) reward.

The official German Honor Twitter account posted about the lost (or possibly stolen) prototype and announced the reward (as spotted by PhoneArena). Check it out below (in German, obviously):

The Honor 20 prot ...

Hands-On With Razer's New Core X Chroma eGPU

Razer last week announced the launch of its latest eGPU, the $400 Razer Core X Chroma, equipped with, as the name suggests, Razer's signature Chroma lighting. 

Razer sent us one of the Core X Chroma eGPUs to check out, and we've gone hands-on with it in our latest YouTube video to see how well it works with Apple's Macs. 

The Core X Chroma looks similar to the previous-generation Core X eGPU, with a rather large all-aluminum enclosure that will support NVIDIA GeForce RTX, GeForce GTX, and Quadro cards along with AMD XConnect-enabled Radeon and Radeon Pro cards (note that the ...

Android Q's new hidden back gesture could be an important foundation for something bigger

Google may be taking a clue from MIUI and the iPhone to deeper integrate horizontal gestures in Android Q.

We've speculated that Google may be shaking up navigation gestures in Android Q to make up for the bland and boring system it revealed with Android Pie. Companies like OnePlus and Xiaomi have used their own gestures for awhile, and their mature offerings made Google's attempt look a little weak. This hidden gesture discovered by XDA member paphonb seems to indicate that Google is experimenting with a new side-scrolling feature to move forward and back. You'll see what I mean if ...

Go Get Your New MacBook Keyboard Fixed Right Now

The never-ending saga surrounding Apple’s newer MacBook keyboards just saw a slightly refreshing update. In a leaked internal memo, the company says that all keyboard repairs must now be done in store with a one-day turnaround. So if you’ve been putting off getting your sticky or unresponsive keys fixed, now’s the time to make a Genius Bar appointment.

The Apple memo, obtained by MacRumors, is aimed at Genius Bar employees who have to deal with angry customers with broken keyboards. Titled “How to support Mac customers with keyboard-related repairs in store,” the document reads:

...

Dell’s new XPS 15 will put the webcam above the screen where it belongs

Dell’s XPS line has some of the best, most well-rounded Windows laptops you can buy, and the 15-inch variant is about to get even more versatile. Alongside announcements of new models in its gaming-oriented G-Series line and from its Alienware subsidiary, Dell is also revealing that a new XPS 15 is on the way, and it will come with improved graphics that let it double as an entry-level gaming laptop.

Even better: the new XPS 15 will also finally get the proper webcam design fix that we saw pop up on the refreshed XPS 13 from earlier this year, Dell XPS (and Alienware) boss Frank Azo ...

The curiously missing piece in Google's Chromebook puzzle

Chromebooks come in all different styles and sizes, but one critical option is still missing from the list of available choices.

2019 has already shown itself to be the year of funky phones with Android — foldable phones, sliding phones, and even phones with hidden screens on their backs (for some reason). For all the wild experimentation in the phone arena, though, there's one area where we aren't seeing enough willingness to do something different.

I'm talking about the Chromebook — and specifically, the Chromebook designed to function as a tablet. We've been talking for w ...

BIG CHANGES COMING TO DECLUTTER YOUR CHROME EXTENSIONS

If you’ve been a Chrome user on any platform for any amount of time, you know how quickly those Chrome Extensions can start to add up in the space to the right of your URL bar, slowly but surely encroaching on your URL bar’s horizontal real estate. Sure, you can hide those extensions pretty easily, but for all the ones you need to click to interact with, that’s not really an optimal workaround.

Spotted by Techdows, a new way to wrangle your Chrome Extensions looks to be on the way at least by Chrome 75 or perhaps sooner. The feature is behind a flag for the time being, but is availa ...

AMD vs. Intel: What's the difference between CPUs?

Which CPU is best, and everything else you need to know about AMD and Intel CPUs.

The competition between AMD and Intel CPUs has been going on for decades. Most of that time, Intel has held the lead, but I'm not concerned so much with the past. Here's the current state of AMD and Intel CPUs, what are the pros and cons of each, and everything else you really need to know about the great CPU debate. And if you're wondering which one to buy, check our guide to the best CPUs for gaming.

Note that for this article, I'm focusing primarily on mainstream desktop CPUs. Both AMD and I ...

SAMSUNG PREPPING 9TH-GEN INTEL COMET LAKE CHROMEBOOK: PRO V2?

Robby has been busy chasing down every little detail he can find on the new Comet Lake Chromebook codenamed ‘Hatch’. Even though Intel’s 9th Gen processors aren’t expected until mid-year, we’ve now identified one manufacturer that is working on a Comet Lake device and it should be exciting news for a lot of Chrome OS users.

Arguably, Samsung ushered in the next generation of Chromebooks with the poster child Chromebook Pro that debuted at CES “way back” in January of 2017. Since that time, we’ve seen the birth of Google’s Pixelbook, the first Chrome OS tablets and detachables and a ...

Galaxy Fold release postponed while Samsung investigates breaking screens

Samsung's beleaguered Galaxy Fold is no longer launching April 26. After several incidents with screens last week left early-production review units unusable, Samsung announced on Monday that it will delaying Friday's scheduled sale date of its foldable phone, saying it will announce a new released date "in the coming weeks."

"Initial findings from the inspection of reported issues on the display showed that they could be associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge. There was also an instance where substances found inside the device affecte ...

Microsoft quietly axes Windows 10's long-promised Sets feature

Windows 10 was supposed to receive a Sets feature that kept your app data, sites and other info in check through browser-like tabs, but you'll have to find another way to organize your digital life. ZDNet sourcesunderstand that Microsoft quietly killed Sets and has no plans to revive it. Reportedly, the feature just "wasn't well received or understood." The team still wants to introduce tabs into the Windows Console, according to the sources, but it can't use Sets as the groundwork.

The decision to re-do Edge using Chromium helped Microsoft make the decision, the tipsters ...

Google Chrome is Testing a New Extension Menu

In order to provide better access to extensions and a less cluttered interface, Google is testing a new Google Chrome extension menu that is accessible from the toolbar. This menu will contain a drop down list of all installed extensions, which can be utilized by selecting their icon.

In order to enable this experiment and test the new menu, users can install the Chrome Canary build and go to chrome://flags and enable the experiment called Extensions Toolbar Menu. 

Once enabled, a new jigsaw puzzle piece icon () will be shown that when selected will display a menu containing ...

Custom GeForce GTX 1650 GPUs From Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI Leaked

Today, respected graphics card leaker VideoCardz released information on numerous unreleased custom GeForce GTX 1650 graphics cards from some of Nvidia's biggest partners, including Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI. Obviously, these aren't the brands' entire lineups, but the leaked graphics card are probably the most important models. Believe it or not, some custom models, like the MSI GeForce GTX 1650 Ventus and GeForce GTX 1650 Aero ITX, have even already gone up for preorder at foreign Amazon sites.

Images of future products leaking on the Internet a few days just before an official launc ...

How to backup Windows 10

Whether you just want to backup your files or create an entire copy of Windows, we've got you covered.

As our lives become increasingly integrated with digital technologies, keeping your most treasured memories and files backed up in one fashion or another is one of the most important things you can do. But keeping your Windows 10 installation backed up is a great idea too, as if something major goes wrong you can revert to it and get back to work or play more quickly than a full reinstall.

Just as there are many third-party backup utilities that offer all sorts of different ...

HP Chromebook x360 14 First Impressions

HP’s business-class Chromebook x360 14 targets the modern workplace with its premium design and versatile form factor.

As I write this, I’m in Pittsburgh for a long weekend of college tours with my wife and daughter. That we are an HP household is on display: My daughter uses an HP Envy 13, my wife uses an HP Spectre 13, and I’ve had a hard time separating myself from the new HP EliteBook 1040, which just might have the best typing experience of any portable PC I’ve ever used. (Yes, I’m overdue in publishing that review. Soon, I promise.)

But there’s a fourth HP laptop along ...

Microsoft Discontinues Windows 10 Sets Tabbed Window Feature

The much anticipated Windows 10 tabbed window feature called Sets has been discontinued according to a tweet from a Microsoft senior project manager. 

The Sets feature enabled Windows 10 users to organize related applications, documents, and tasks into one tabbed windows. This would allow them to work easier with all of the necessary information for a particular task located in an organized "Set".

When Microsoft announced this feature, users were excited as it would finally bring the highly requested tabbed File Explorer and tabbed console to Windows.

While ...

Intel's 1TB NVMe solid state drive hits a new low at $101

Figuring out the best SSD for gaming can change by the moment. Prices keep dropping, paving the way for new bargains. Today, for example, you can march over to Newegg and grab a 1TB Intel 660p NVMe SSD for only $101.99.

It's on sale for $109.99, but entering promo code NEFPBL24 at checkout brings it closer to a Benjamin. That makes it cheaper than one of our favorite SSDs of the same capacity, Crucial's MX500, which is a SATA-based SSD.

If there's a downside, it's that QLC NAND as featured on Intel's drive is somewhat new. It's also slower than the fastest NVMe SSDs, but is ...

AMD Ryzen CPU prices get slashed ahead of Ryzen 3000 release

AMD’s Ryzen 3000 CPUs are just around the corner, but you don’t have to wait for the latest and greatest processors to get a great deal on a new chip. In an effort to clear away older stock ahead of the launch of a new-generation of high-power CPUs, prices for a number of fantastic Ryzen 2000-series and 1000-series chips have come crashing down and now’s a great time to take advantage of them.

One of the better deals is for the AMD Ryzen 1600 with six cores and 12-threads, which has fallen almost $70 below its launch price to just $119 . As TechSpot highlights, if you have a MicroCe ...

Microsoft makes Windows 10 1903 available on MSDN

Surprise: Microsoft has made the Windows 10 1903 (May 2019 Update) and Windows Server 1903 bits available for download on MSDN, a month earlier than many were expecting.

On April 18, some tech pros began noticing that Microsoft had made its Windows 10 1903/May 2019 Update release available on MSDN for download. If Microsoft hadn't changed its Windows 10 servicing cadence a couple weeks ago, this would be business as usual. But, in early April, Microsoft officials said the plan was to make Windows 10 1903/May Update available to consumers and business users starting in late May, not ...

HP DEBUTS THEIR FIRST-EVER 15.6″ CHROMEBOOK, NUMERIC KEYPAD INCLUDED

Last week, we saw Acer unveil the first Chromebook to ever equip a numeric keypad (and only the second to implement a fingerprint scanner). While we anticipated more devices to come with the productivity-focused keyboard, it was quite a surprise when HP announced their own 15.6″ device a mere week later. So, without further ado, here’s a closer look at the first-ever 15.6′ Chromebook from HP.

The HP Chromebook 15 is already listed as “coming soon” on the PC maker’s website and like Acer, the HP Chromebook 15 will offer a variety of processor options ranging from the Pentium Gold 441 ...

LG’s ‘Software Upgrade Center’ has done nothing, 255 days without a single Android Pie update

Nearly a year ago to the day, LG announced that it was opening an “industry-first” Software Upgrade Center in an effort to provide better support for its devices over time. With time passed, we can look back at that project and see what a laughable failure it has been, especially looking at Android Pie.

ComputerWorld detailed this week just how bad LG has gotten at pushing software updates to its devices. 371 days after the Software Upgrade Center opened, it’s done basically nothing. True to its word, LG did deliver Android Oreo to the LG G6 (on Verizon) not too long after the cente ...

Dell seemingly cannot fix the XPS 15 9570's DPC latency issues

Despite giving assurances to the contrary, Dell is still yet to fix the latency issues that have plagued the XPS 15 9570 since its launch. Get your act together, Dell.

Another missed self-imposed deadline, well done Dell. Over two weeks ago, Frank Azor stated the following on Twitter:

New BIOS to solve most of the other root causes is in development and testing. Working to get it published within [the] next 14 days.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dell has failed to meet that timeframe, on which we previously reported. The company has issued no new BIOS revision at the time ...

NEW CHROMEBOOK ‘HATCH’ TO GET 3:2 PIXELBOOK-LIKE SCREEN

In the history of Chromebook devices since the original Samsung Chromebook Plus launched, there have been a few Chromebooks that leveraged a screen similar to what we see on the Pixelbook. That screen – for those unaware – is bright, colorful, and 3:2 in its aspect ratio and has been used on the Samsung Chromebook Pro, Plus, HP Chromebook x2 and the Pixelbook. The Pixel Slate is a similar 3:2 display, but with a 3000×2000 resolution.

That 3:2 ratio is important as it approaches a more square layout that really helps give users more screen real estate at smaller diagonal measures. A ...

My Samsung Galaxy Fold screen broke after just a day

Look closely at the picture above, and you can see a small bulge right on the crease of my Galaxy Fold review unit. It’s just enough to slightly distort the screen, and I can feel it under my finger. There’s something pressing up against the screen at the hinge, right there in the crease. My best guess is that it’s a piece of debris, something harder than lint for sure. It’s possible that it’s something else, though, like the hinge itself on a defective unit pressing up on the screen.

It’s a distressing thing to discover just two days after receiving my review unit. More distressing ...

Microsoft Issues Serious Windows 10 Update Warning

Windows 10 just made the most important change in its history, but rewriting the update rules matters for nothing if Microsoft has to keep apologising for the quality of the updates themselves. And it has happened again. 

Just one week after freezing Windows 10 computers with an earlier update, Microsoft has warned users of serious new problems with another. Writing on the page of update KB4493509, Microsoft has confirmed the update can freeze PCs both in operation and boot up.

Freezes in operation are more likely to impact business PCs as it impacts Cluster Shared Volumes ( ...

LG's revolutionary upgrade letdown

Congratulations, LG! You set out to make your mark on the realm of Android upgrades — and one year later, you've certainly earned the right to recognition.

Ladies and gentlemen, the results are in — and I'm delighted to report that LG has officially revolutionized Android upgrades as we know them.

Hang on — lemme clarify: By "revolutionized Android upgrades," I mean that the company has brought a new level of laughable absurdity to an already absurd area.

It's now been just over a year, y'see, since LG made a big show of unveilingits "Global Software U ...

MSI won’t be blocking Ryzen 3000 support on all older motherboards after all

One of MSI's support agents recently told a customer that none of the company's X370 or B350 motherboards would support AMD's upcoming Ryzen 3000 series processors (Zen 2), which caused a bit of a brouhaha when word spread. After all, AMD has said from the beginning that its AM4 socket would extend several generations, negating the need to buy a new motherboard with each new round of CPUs. It turns out, however, that the support agent was "misinformed."

After reading the complaints on Reddit and in a few subsequent articles, I reached out to MSI for clarification.

...

HONOR 20 PASSED THROUGH 3C CERTIFICATION, COMING WITH 22.5W CHARGING

We know the Honor 20i smartphone will be announced tomorrow in Beijing. This handset is going to be one of the most affordable devices in its niche, at the same time coming with a high-res 32MP AI camera. The original Honor 20 series devices are set to debut on May 21 in London. Today, it appeared in the 3C certification organization website, hinting its launch date will remain unchanged.

According to the 3C documents, the upcoming Honor 20 will come with a 22.5W fast charging support. Under the hood, it’s said to sport a Kirin 980 chip. On the front side, the Honor 20 will feature ...

HP's latest pro-grade laptops pack new Intel chips and bright displays

Intel has introduced a new generation of pro Core processors for laptops, and HP is determined to make the most of them right from the word "go." The PC maker has unveiled a string of work-oriented laptops that all take advantage of Intel's latest hardware, including computational speed boosts and faster WiFi 6 networking. The star of the show is arguably the updated ZBook line -- the 14-inch ZBook 14u (above) and 15.6-inch ZBook 15u both tout up to a quad-core 1.8GHz Core i7, 32GB of RAM and Radeon Pro WX 3200 graphics, giving it up to a 50 percent graphics boost for tasks like 3 ...

Apple’s latest macOS software update may have made your new MacBook Air brighter

Apple’s latest macOS software update may have made your 2018 MacBook Air’s display brighter. Those who eventually install the update might be pleasantly surprised to find that their laptop’s Retina display is suddenly 100 nits brighter than it was before, for a new total of 400 nits brightness.

The brightness change has been confirmed by users on Reddit and MacRumors; Apple’s recent macOS 10.14.4 update released on March 25th “corrects the default screen brightness” of the newest MacBook Air models. Apple has also updated the new MacBook Air’s technical specifications page to note t ...

MacBook Pro 2019: What About That Big, Brash 16-Inch Model?

Undoubtedly the most interesting MacBook Pro (reportedly) coming down the pike is the 16-incher.

That rumored 2019 MacBook was summarily canceled this week -- then uncanceled (because of, apparently, a mistranslation of the Chinese).

Peering inside a future high-powered 16-inch laptop

If it is indeed still on track, the massive MacBook would fall somewhere between 16- and 16.5 inches in size, as disclosed by a several Apple enthusiast sites earlier this year.

Anandtech has discussed potentially suitable silicon, i.e., the arrival of 9th generation H series mo ...

Samsung's Massive Galaxy Note 10 Upgrade Suddenly Makes Sense

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note 10 will be stupidly big, but now the company’s decision makes a lot more sense. 

Popular Samsung tipster Ice Universe has revealed it will be called the Galaxy ‘Note 10 Pro’ and Pro seems the only name which justifies the flagship’s bonkers 6.75-inch display. In fact, put this massive Note 10 Pro alongside the previously leaked affordable 6.28-inch Note 10e and the new look line-up appears far more compelling.

Furthermore, Samsung securing the Pro name is smart. For years, Apple has been rumoured to launch an elite iPhone Pro range and recent r ...

ONEPLUS 7 LAUNCH DATE MIGHT HAVE JUST LEAKED

Although we are yet to get a better picture of the upcoming OnePlus 7’s specs and design, recent leaks suggest the Chinese firm will be breaking its yearly tradition by taking a leaf from Samsung with its S10 series and Huawei with its P30 series. If the leaks turn out accurate, then the Chinese firm would end up releasing three different versions of the OnePlus 7 at once, and that could include the basic OnePlus 7, the OnePlus 7 Pro and of course a 5G variant of the Pro model.

While that remains unconfirmed, a new leak from China may have hinted us about the Oneplus7 launch and rel ...

Google reveals additional sessions for I/O about Chrome OS, Android Q, and more

Google I/O is less than a month away, but the schedule is still in flux. The initial list of presentations and sessions was announced late last last month, but now many more sessions have been added to the list, including talks about Android Q and Chrome OS.

For Chrome OS, there's an Adapting Android Games Beyond the Phone session scheduled for May 7th at 6pm, which aims to help developers get their Android games running on Chrome OS. There are also events about using the Linux system on Chromebooks and audio programming on Chrome OS (and Android).

On the topic of Android Q, ...

Samsung's flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S4 is getting updated to Android 9.0 Pie

It appears that Samsung has kicked off the Galaxy Tab S4 Android 9.0 Pie rollout, a long-awaited update that consumers who bought the flagship tablet will be able to enjoy very soon. The slate that made its debut on the market back in August is still running Android 8.1 Oreo, which is not surprising considering Android 9.0 Pie was only released around the time of its launch.

The Galaxy Tab S4 shows up in all our previous reports about Samsung's Android 9.0 Pie update plans, so we definitely expected the tablet to receive the update at some point this year. Apparently, the first Sams ...

Anker’s new USB-C charger / battery combo is amazing but awkward

How badly do you need fewer things in your bag?

I’m excited about an AC adapter. It’s a weird thing to be hyped about, but this one is special because it is about the most cutting-edge thing you can use to charge your laptop. It’s called the Anker PowerCore Fusion Power Delivery Battery and Charger, which is more like a string of buzzwords than an actual product name. I’ll be calling it the PowerCore PD, which may or may not help you differentiate it from the other PowerCore Fusion products that Anker makes.

It costs $99.95, which is a lotto pay for a third-party (or any) ch ...

Google Home devices now no longer repeat every action in Assistant routines

Arguably one of the biggest and most frustrating aspects of Google Home devices is the constant repeating of actions it has performed when you ask it to run an Assistant routine.

For example, when asking your Google Home or Google Assistant to run a self-created routine, the novelty of your speaker loudly repeating “Turning on your office lights” followed by “Turning on your printer” quickly wears off. I know first hand as this happens every single day I run my morning “office” routine.

Luckily this pretty frustrating little repeating game has now been deactivated . The Goog ...

Moto Z4 release date, price, news and rumors

The rumored Moto Z4 specs are beginning to take shape

In four months, Motorola's Moto Z3 and Moto Z3 Play will be a year old. That means it's getting to be time to think about what the future holds for Motorola's flagship series of modular smartphones.

While a recently released mod turned the Moto Z3 into the first true 5G phone, there's still a good likelihood that Motorola has more in the works for the Moto Z line. Though, the question of just what it has in mind is what we'll explore here.

We'll look at what changes we expect, what rumors we've heard, how many dif ...

ACER DROPS TWO DURABLE PREMIUM CHROMEBOOKS BUILT FOR WORK

As we expected, Acer brought along some new Chrome devices to the Next@Acer event here in Brooklyn, NY. We’ll be getting some hands-on shortly and will bring you video coverage of our initial impressions but in the meantime, here’s a closer look at Acer’s Enterprise-focused Chromebook 714 and 715.

ACER CHROMEBOOK 714 & 714

Acer’s latest models build on the “for Work” platform by offering the latest 8th generation Intel processors in a premium chassis while adding some new features not found in its predecessors.

On the inside, both models will offer up the same ch ...

It looks like Apple is about to break up iTunes

iTunes — the media management software that everyone loves to hate — may finally be approaching death’s door. Apple is reportedly set to break up the software into separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps in the next version of macOS, according to both Guilherme Rambo at 9to5Mac and Steve Troughton-Smith.

The new apps are said to be Marzipan applications, similar to the Apple News app on the Mac, which will share an overarching design and codebase with their iOS counterparts on the iPhone and iPad. The Music app would presumably be focused on offering a home for the Apple Music service ...

After more than 17 years, Microsoft sticks a fork in Windows XP one final time

Windows XP is arguably the most beloved version of Windows, hence why the legacy OS is still in use today on some PCs, albeit not nearly as many as in its heyday. That said, extended support has finally come to an end for the last supported version of Windows that was based on Windows XP.

That would be Windows Embedded POSReady 2009. Designed for point-of-sale devices, this is not the same OS that most users remember, dating back to before Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and now Windows 10. However, it runs the Windows XP kernel at its core.

As noted by TechRepublic, extend ...

G Suite accounts now get Assistant support, Google Voice, and much more

The most prevailing complaint with G Suite accounts (and Google Apps accounts before that) has always been the lack of features. Google Assistant, Google Home, Family Sharing, YouTube TV, Google Fi, and more services are either partially working or non-functional on G Suite. While there's still a large gap between personal and G Suite accounts, the gap is now a bit smaller.

First, G Suite accounts now work with Google Assistant, specifically its ability to read and manage your calendar. Before now, it was only possible to see upcoming calendar events from Assistant by sharing a wor ...

Intel's new drive may do for SSDs what flash memory did for HDDs

We had heard at CES 2019 that Intel was working to combine it's Optane memory with its solid state storage, and now we've got even more details on the new product. It may be a mouthful, but the Intel Optane Memory H10 With Solid State Storage looks to do for solid state drives what solid-state hybrid drives (SSHDs) did for traditional hard drives.

The Intel Optane Memory H10 pairs a chunk of higher speed memory with a considerable piece of QLC 3D NAND flash storage. As QLC NAND lets Intel fit more storage into a small space, it can combine high-capacity NAND with its Optane memory o ...

Apple Releases tvOS 12.2.1 for Fourth and Fifth-Generation Apple TV

Apple today released tvOS 12.2.1, the sixth update to the tvOS 12 operating system designed for fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 12.2.1 comes a little over two weeks after the release of tvOS 12.2. 

tvOS 12.2.1 is a free update that can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System --> Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 12.2.1 automatically. 

It's not clear what's been fixed in tvOS 12.2.1, but given that it's a minor 12.x.x update, it likely addr ...

Microsoft's April Patch Tuesday comes with fixes for two Windows zero-days

April 2019 Patch Tuesday comes with 74 security fixes, including patches for two Windows zero-days.

Today, Microsoft released its monthly batch of security updates known as Patch Tuesday. This month's security release addresses 74 vulnerabilities in a wide range of Microsoft products, including two actively exploited zero-days.

This is the second month in a row that Microsoft has patched two zero-days, after patching two similar issues last month.

THE WINDOWS ZERO-DAYS

The two zero-days patched this month are both the same kind of vulnerability. Both are elev ...

EXCITING NEW FEATURE COMING TO CHROMEBOOK DESKTOPS

Over the past 6 months, the tablet mode interface for Chrome OS has been on the receiving end of a ton of UI updates. From updates to split-screen to new swipe gestures, the way you navigate a Chromebook in tablet mode is vastly different than it was this time last year.

While those changes are awesome and welcome, the standard desktop operation has remained relatively unchanged. Sure the app drawer and system tray got an overhaul for both desktop and tablet mode, but the general way you get around the desktop hasn’t changed in quite some time. And, to be fair, it really doesn’t nee ...

BIOSTAR Adds Windows 7 Support To Some Intel and AMD Motherboards

With Windows 10 now a primary user requirement for the majority of current generation motherboard models, BIOSTAR has today announced that its latest range of Intel and AMD models will include Windows 7 support. Since July of 2015 when Microsoft launched its Windows 10 operating system, its main focus has been shifting users from older versions to the current and latest one. One example is its decision to drop ongoing support from January 14th 2020 for its Windows 7 operating system which includes both securities, and support updates. Biostar is upending this by providing Windows 7 support ...

Google Nest Hub Max: Everything we know about the new Google smart display so far

For the past few months, all signs have pointed to Google creating a 10-inch Assistant smart display as the next step up from the Google Home Hub. While this device, tentatively revealed to have the name “Nest Hub Max,” hasn’t yet been formally announced, there’s still quite a bit of information available to sort through. So here’s everything we think we know about the Google Nest Hub Max.

Even before the Nest Hub Max originally leaked on the Google Store, we had evidence that Google was working on a larger successor to the Home Hub. That was thanks to the open development of the “S ...

Galaxy Note 10 Leak Exposes Samsung's Massive Mistake

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 looks like a truly massive upgrade. But an overlooked snippet of information suggests that scale may actually be its biggest problem…

Yesterday a report from the excellent ET News was widely picked-up because of news Samsung is making no-less than four Galaxy Note 10 models. This is due to the Note 10 and its new budget Galaxy Note 10ecounterpart coming out in 4G and 5G editions. But what was overlooked were the implications of how big you’ll have to go to get the top model.

ET News states Samsung will size up the Galaxy Note 10 to an eye-watering 6. ...

Apple releasing second iOS 12.3, watchOS 5.2.1 and tvOS 12.3 betas today

It’s been almost two weeks since Apple started a new beta cycle with the release of iOS 12.3 beta 1. The update brought with it the initial code-level support for some of the features announced during the “It’s show time” event, including assets for the Apple Card, which we revealed would be paired in a similar way to AirPods.

Apple is also releasing watchOS 5.2.1 beta 2 today, the updates should become available over-the-air at the top of the hour. There is also a public beta for iOS 12.3, which should also get an update soon after this second beta is released for developers.

...

Honor 20 Pro leak could spell trouble for the OnePlus 7

Honor’s next flagship may have just leaked and if the details spilt turn out to be true, forthcoming rivals like the OnePlus 7 are set to face some stiff competition.

The Honor 20 Pro is expected to serve as the follow-up to 2018’s Honor 10, appearing as a more capable companion to the rumoured Honor 20.

A supposed spec sheet that recently appeared on Chinese social media site Weibo subsequently picked up by tech site CNMO.com offers insight into the hardware the phone is likely to bring to the table.

The highlight has to be its tri-camera setup, which similarly to t ...

Here's Everything Worth Checking Out in Android Q Beta 2

Android Q Beta 2 is now available, and it adds a new batch of features for beta testers to try out.

Most of Google’s major changes affect the Android UI in this version. These include new gesture controls, app management options, new notifications, and changes to the general design, but there are a few system-level changes as well.

While it’s fair to assume that most of these new features will likely make it into the final Android Q build when it is released later this year, they may look and act differently in the final product—Android Q is still in beta, after all. If you ...

Microsoft reveals all the Google things it removed in its Chromium Edge browser

Microsoft just released preview versions of its Chromium-powered Edge browser today. If you’ve downloaded it to test it, you’ve probably noticed it’s very stable and performs surprisingly well. It even performs better than Google’s own Chrome browser on Windows 10, despite being built on the same Chromium open-source project. While it’s early days for Microsoft’s new Edge, the company has revealed all of the Google services it has replaced or removed from its new Chromium-powered browser to optimize performance.

Microsoft has removed or replaced more than 50 of Google’s services tha ...

Chrome for Windows 10 on ARM near as Chromium successfully compiled

When Microsoft’s browser team threw their lot in with Google’s Chromium web engine one of the expected outcomes was the development of a native version of Google Chrome for Windows 10 on ARM.

It seems that day is much closer, as an independent developer has managed to compile a working version of the Chromium browser for Windows 10 on ARM.

The feat was achieved by Jeremy Sinclair, who used a recent commit from 4/2 for win32-arm64-rel that was accepted.

While the feat does not mean you can download a native (and therefore faster and lighter) version of Google Chrome f ...

Does the Galaxy Tab S4 come with a stylus in the box?

No need to spend extra dough

Unlike Apple or Microsoft, which sell pens separately, Samsung packages the brand new S Pen with each Galaxy Tab S4. This decision comes after Samsung packaged the old S Pen with the Tab S3 back in 2017.

As for the "specs", the new S Pen weighs in at just 0.32oz while providing a pen tip of just 0.7mm thick. Additionally, the S Pen features 4,096 different pressure levels, making it easy for your Tab S4 to register just how hard you are pressing down with the Pen. It also allows the Tab to register your touches exactly, making taking no ...

Apple Leak Details Surprisingly Small New iPhone

For millions of iPhone SE fans, this could be the moment you’ve been waiting for…

A new report from DigiTimes has given us a first look at Apple’s 2020 plans and the site claims it will be a year which sees the introduction of a new and much smaller iPhone which sounds suspiciously like the iPhone SE2.

DigiTimes states the model in question will be 5.42-inches - significantly smaller than any current iPhone design Apple produces today and just 0.42-inches smaller than the 5-inch iPhone SE. Moreover, with the bezel-less and home button-less designs iPhones now sport, the addi ...

Lenovo's foldable smartphone patent visualized

Lenovo's foldable smartphone has a unique design

Through the looking glass: In the absence of an explanation from Lenovo, this seems like one of the most blatant examples yet of a foldable device lacking practicality or utility. Just because it can fold doesn't necessarily mean it should fold if it serves no purpose.

Samsung and Huawei have taken an early lead in the foldable smartphone race but the competition isn’t sitting idly on the sidelines. Motorola is reportedly working on a reimagined version of its popular Razr phone and based on a recent patent, parent company Len ...

New Surface Book Increases Microsoft's Advantage

Microsoft has decided it is time to push up the power of the Surface Book 2and quietly rolled out Intel’s eighth-generation quad-core technology to the stylish hybrid laptop ensuring it remains one of the most competitively specced and priced laptops on the market.

The refresh on the consumer facing machines follows on from updates last month to the enterprise portfolio. Both the Surface Pro 6 and the Surface Laptop 2 saw new specification models offering increased memory and storage on the mid-tier Core i5 models.

Consumers looking for Surface Book 2 models can now choose I ...

Galaxy Note 10e Leak Reveals Samsung's Exciting Smartphone

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 range has long held one crucial advantage over the Galaxy Note line-up. But not for long…

Citing supply chain sources, The Bell, a consistently reliable site from Samsung’s home country of South Korea, reveals Samsung will make an all-new budget-friendly version of the Galaxy Note 10.

Likely to be called the ‘Galaxy Note 10e’ (to tie-in with the entry-level Galaxy S10e), The Bell says it will have a reduced screen size with Samsung sourcing parts for each model separately. This makes sense, given the Galaxy S10e misses out on the in-screen ultrasonic fin ...

SilverStone Launches MS10: a 10 Gbps USB-C Adapter for SATA M.2 SSDs

As SATA SSDs slowly give way to M.2 SSDs, so too have the SSDs' use cases. Besides internal storage, of course, SATA SSDs have also commonly been used as both temporary and permanent external storage thanks to cheap SATA-to-USB adapters. And now that M.2 drives are rising in popularity, similiar adapters are popping up for SATA drives in the new form factor. The latest of these being SilverStone's recently launched MS10, a SATA M.2 SSD adapter that supports 10 Gbps USB transfer rates.

The SilverStone MS10 (SST-MS10C) is an aluminum enclosure measuring 104×35×11 mm and featuring a US ...

First Ryzen 3000-Series Matisse CPU and X570 Motherboards Spotted In The Wild

AMD's next-gen Ryzen 3000-series processors are coming closer to launch "mid-year," so it isn't entirely surprising that the first benchmarks are beginning to surface. An eagle-eye Reddit user has spotted a mysterious quad-core Ryzen 3000-series processor in the SiSoftware Official Live Rankerdatabase. The chip was tested with MSI's unreleased MEG X570 Creation motherboard.

AMD's third-generation Ryzen desktop processors, codenamed Matisse, feature the new Zen 2 processor microarchitecture, and TSMC is producing the Ryzen 3000-series processors on its leading-edge 7nm manu ...

Powerbeats Pro: Price, release, specs and all the latest rumours

Despite rumours a new iPhone SE 2 and a truly wireless headphone from Beats, Apple stuck to unveiling services during its March 25 keynote. Word leaked later about the wireless headphone which are called Powerbeats Pro. 

Instead of hardware we were treated to news about its new Apple Card credit card, Apple Arcade game subscription service and Apple TV Plus service, which is the company’s latest attempt to shake up the TV market.

Despite the Beats Powerbeats Pro absence at the event, a leak a few days later revealed that it is working on an alternative to the recently unveil ...

Microsoft details Tamper Protection in Windows Defender April 2019 Update

In a blog post Microsoft detailed a new feature in Microsoft’s security product Windows Defender ATP.

Tamper Protection is a new setting available in the Windows Security app which provides additional protections against changes to key security features, including limiting changes that are not made directly through the app.

The feature is available to both home and enterprise users (where it would be managed centrally via Intune) and has been in testing by Windows 10 Insiders for around 2 months now.

When enabled other (possibly malicious) apps will be prevented from ...

Linux Lite 4.4 is ready to replace Microsoft Windows on your aging PC

One of the best things about operating systems based on the Linux kernel is they can sometimes be very lightweight. Why is this important? Well, when an OS uses very few resources, it can breathe new life into an aging PC. In other words, just because Windows 7 or Windows 10 run like molasses on your old computer, that doesn't mean you have to buy a new one. The right Linux distribution can make your older PC feel fast and new.

One of the most popular lightweight Linux-based operating systems is Linux Lite. Heck, the name of the distribution tells you that it is designed to use few ...

Microsoft unveils new Surface Book 2 model with Intel’s latest quad-core processor

Microsoft is quietly refreshing its Surface Book 2 base model today. The software giant is introducing Intel’s latest 8th Gen quad-core i5 processor for the 13-inch Surface Book 2 model, and keeping the existing dual-core 7th Gen model at a discounted price of $1,299. The refreshed quad-core model will be priced at $1,499, and includes an i5-8350U which bumps the processor’s maximum boost clock speed up to 3.6GHz.

The new mid-range Surface Book 2 will also include 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The processor is the only significant change, but it should make a big difference for p ...

AT&T is the first 5G carrier in the US to reach gigabit speeds

There are a number of asterixes on that achievement.

The initial 5G rollout in the US has been underwhelming, in part because those vaunted gigabit-class speeds have been nowhere to be found. AT&T, at least, is inching closer to that goal. The provider has declared that it's the first US telecom to top 1Gbps on a mobile 5G network, achieving the feat in "multiple cities" using Netgear's 5G hotspot. In an interview with PCMag, the company's Igal Elbaz described it as a virtue of improving software.

On launch, AT&T's 5G service could only make use of a lone 1 ...

REDMI PARTNERS WITH MARVEL TO PROMOTE ENDGAME, AVENGER’S NOTE 7 PRO IS COMING?

After the release of the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Redmi 7, Redmi has been quiet lately, but now the sub-brand has announced a new partnership with Marvel in the promotion of the upcoming fourth installment of the Avenger’s series, Endgame. The company made the announcement via Weibo, right before it was picked up by media and does offer some hints about this partnership.

In addition to a shared image of the film’s official poster, the company indicates that the superhero group’s number has been ringing more directly states that it is Marvel’s exclusive ‘mobile partner’ for the movie, so ...

Microsoft unveils new Surface Book 2 model with Intel’s latest quad-core processor

Microsoft is quietly refreshing its Surface Book 2 base model today. The software giant is introducing Intel’s latest 8th Gen quad-core i5 processor for the 13-inch Surface Book 2 model, and keeping the existing dual-core 7th Gen model at a discounted price of $1,299. The refreshed quad-core model will be priced at $1,499, and includes an i5-8350U which bumps the processor’s maximum boost clock speed up to 3.6GHz.

The new mid-range Surface Book 2 will also include 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The processor is the only significant change, but it should make a big difference for p ...

AMD reflects on 50 years of CPU design as it readies new Ryzen processors

It has taken AMD nearly five decades to find (and develop) Zen in the CPU space. Now in 2019, AMD is in a much different place now than when it was founded on May 1, 1969, and as the chip designer approaches its 50-year anniversary, it has posted an "innovation timeline" looking back at some of its accomplishments throughout the years.

Shown above, for example, is the Am386 released in 1991. Essentially a clone of Intel's 80386 processor, the Am386 helped put AMD on the map as a viable competitor. It also could have debuted earlier than it did, but a legal battle with Inte ...

7 hidden settings to make Chrome for Android even better

Supercharge your smartphone's browser with these powerful yet out-of-sight options.

Google's Chrome Android app provides a commendable browsing experience right out of the box — but if you know where to look, you can unlock extra features that'll make it even more effective.

Your phone's browser is your on-the-go gateway to this wacky ol' web of ours, after all, and whether you're doing important work-related research or (ahem) important work-related procrastination, you want to be as efficient as possible — right? Well, look no further: The seven settings outlined below are ...

Microsoft officially designates Windows 10 1809 as ready for broad deployment

Microsoft finally is telling business users that Windows 10 1809, originally released last fall, is ready for deployment -- just a month before Windows 10 1903 may start rolling out.

Six months after Microsoft first released Windows 10 1809 to the mainstream, that Windows 10 feature update from last fall finally been deemed as ready for broad deployment. On March 28, Microsoft officials said they would be changing the Windows 10 release information page to note that it was ready for rollout by the vast majority of customers, including businesses. 

Microsoft finalized the cod ...

Apple Leak Details New iPhone Design

Apple may have developed a taste for leaking its own products in recent years, but now we have a new iPhone leak I strongly doubt the company wanted out in the open…

Anonymous industry insider ‘Mr White’ has continued his long history of leaking Apple products by revealing schematics for a next-generation iPhone. What they show is a chassis which more-or-less sticks with the current iPhone design, but features a new triple camera array.

Where should you look to see this? In the top left corner of the schematic, you will see three circular cut-outs and two square cut-outs. Hi ...

AAEON's UP Xtreme: A Mini-Single Board Computer with Intel's Whiskey Lake

AAEON has introduced its new single board computer (SBC) that is powered by Intel’s Core i3/i5/i7 ‘Whiskey Lake’ SoCs. The AAEON UP Xtreme is designed for developers of embedded applications that need performance of Intel’s higher-end CPU cores in a very small form-factor. The SBC comes with a BGA SOC, soldered-down DDR4 memory, eMMC storage, and has a rich set of I/O connectors.

Traditionally, AAEON’s UP-series single board computers have used Intel’s low-power Atom-class SoCs (Cherry Trail, Apollo Lake, etc.). As the name suggests, the UP Xtreme SBC is aimed at embedded devices th ...

AMD Navi 20 GPU Allegedly Supports Ray Tracing and Enhanced GCN Graphics Architecture – May End Up Being Much Faster Than RTX 2080 Ti

We are still a few months away from getting our first official look at AMD’s new Navi GPU based graphics cards but it looks like we have some new details coming in from the rumor mill. There have been many reports recently about AMD’s Navi GPU based Radeon RX graphics cards that could be launching in the second half of 2019 and while they are aimed at the more budget-tier audience, details of a second Navi GPU which is aimed at the enthusiast tier have been revealed by RedGamingTech.

AMD Navi 20 GPU To Be Featured on Enthusiast Grade Gaming Graphics Cards, Features Enhanced GCN Arch ...

Xiaomi’s “100W” quick charging goes from 0 to 100 in 17 minutes

We all know battery density hasn't kept pace with the power demands of smartphones, but would you settle for a smartphone that just charged really, really quickly? Xiaomi is teasing a new high mark for speedy phone charging: a "100W" quick-charge solution. Xiaomi Senior Vice President Xiang Wang shared a video on Facebook of the new charging solution in action, saying that "Xiaomi's engineers have created a 100W fast-charging solution, which can fully charge a large 4000mAh battery in just 17 minutes!"

The video shows a charging race between two phones, Xiaomi's ...

Here’s a first sneak peek at the Google Atlas Chromebook

We’ve known for a long time that the Google Atlas Chromebook has been in the works and it appears that the laptop has progressed enough for actual device testing. In the two videos below, you can see Atlas being put through the paces for some display tests, both of which have generated bugs for the Chromium team to work on. Brandon Lallwas kind enough to tip me off to these bugs.

In the two videos below, you can see Atlas being put through the paces for some display tests, both of which have generated bugs for the Chromium team to work on. Brandon Lall was kind enough to tip me off ...

Samsung shows off the Galaxy Fold’s folding skills in action

Samsung has been pretty closed off about letting anyone actually try out the Galaxy Fold in real life, but apparently, those rules don’t apply to robots — specifically, Samsung’s specialized stress testing machines, which the company showcased in a new video highlighting the Galaxy Fold’s bending abilities.

The video is pretty mesmerizing on its own — there’s something almost soothing about watching all the phones fold open and shut in perfect synchronization, but more importantly, the stress tests are giving us what might be the best look yet at what the Galaxy Fold actually looks ...

Apple Deliberately Leaks Radical iPhone Upgrade

Don’t believe the hype, Apple loves to leak its own products. And now the company has committed arguably its most blatant product leak of all time, signalling the imminent arrival of a major iPhone upgrade…

Buy Apple’s newly released AirPods 2 and you’re in for a surprise: Apple has printed images of its long-awaited AirPower iPhone fast wireless charger on the back of the box!

MIA since it was first announced alongside the iPhone X in September 2017, AirPower is Apple’s big play into high-speed wireless charging. It will be compatible with the Apple Watch and new AirPods wi ...

Intel Readies New Stepping of 9th Gen Core Processors

ASUS and GIGABYTE have issued BIOS updates for their Intel 300-series chipsets-based motherboards that enable the platforms to work with Intel’s upcoming 9th Gen Core processors featuring a new stepping. The new CPUs will reportedly be available in the coming weeks.

Starting this week, all of ASUS’ 300-series motherboards with the latest BIOS versions will support Intel’s upcoming 9th Generation Core processors based on a new stepping. GIGABYTE has also issued new BIOS versions for its 300-series mainboards to enable support for the aforementioned CPUs.

GIGABYTE reveals that ...

Alleged OnePlus 7 renders and specs get leaked

OnePlus is among the latest smartphone makers to adopt the pop-up selfie cam design for its upcoming flagship model. The latest leaked renders also show the rear triple-cam setup and three gradient color options, while the rumored specs include a Snapdragon 855 SoC coupled with up to 12 GB RAM, up to 256 GB storage and a thin bezel 6.5-inch AMOLED display.

Apple tried to set a trend with the selfie cam notches, but this design did not turn out to be that popular. Some smartphone makers modified it to be less intrusive, while others outrightly avoided it and came up with more elegant ...

Chrome OS 73 adds Google Drive offline sync, audio focus for Android apps, and more

Chrome 73 was released earlier this month, and following the usual two-week delay, the Chrome operating system has been updated to match. Chrome OS 73 isn't as substantial as the previous Chrome OS update, but there are still a few nice additions.

Google Drive offline sync

Since Chromebooks have been built from the ground up as always-online machines, basic offline features from other operating systems weren't high up on the list of priorities. Chrome OS 73 finallyadds the ability to mark folders in Google Drive for offline access, as we previously covered.

Folders ...

File Explorer to get Fluent Design revamp with Windows 10 April 2020 update

Microsoft plans to implement the new Fluent Design framework across the entire Windows 10 OS, and File Explorer appears to be the next part to get the new look. Apart from new transparent and reworked visuals, File Explorer will finally support tabbed windows and sets. This revamp is scheduled to be introduced with the 2020 major update.

When Windows 10 was launched back in 2015, the interface was very similar to the Windows 8.1 one, but Microsoft promised to release yearly updates that would change the look and feel over time. The more noticeable design changes came with the introd ...

Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite 2019 Hands on Pictures capture the tablet from all sides

Huawei today launched the MediaPad M5 Lite 2019 model alongside the Enjoy 9S and Enjoy 9e. The tablet is a successor to the model launched last year bearing the same name but having different specs configuration. Some of the design features are also different from last year’s models as can be seen from the hands-on pictures which we bring you, thanks to Chines blog MyDrivers.

The MediaPad M5 Lite is a cheaper and cost-effective version of the MediaPad M5, with a starting price of 1199 yuan ($178) which is pretty impressive. This time around, Huawei made the tablet available in 8 inc ...

Tip: It’s Magic Window Time Again

As many readers know, you can opt out of the Windows Insider program when development of the new version winds down. I call this time period—which usually just lasts for a few weeks—the “magic window.” And I believe we’re at that time right now, with Windows 10 19H1/1903 development being essentially complete.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, it goes something like this: Insiders can enroll one or more PCs into the Windows Insider program. When they do so, they choose which “ring” they wish to test; this includes Fast, Slow, and Release Preview rings, plus a special Skip Ahe ...

Download iOS 12.2 Today and Try Out These New Features

Right on cue—it being Apple announcement day and all—the services-oriented tech giant has released the latest version of its iOS operating system. If you don’t already have it, or have yet to receive the notification that an iOS update is available, simply tap on your Settings app > General > Software Update to begin the download. It’ll take a while; it took me about an hour or so to download and install the update on a reasonably fast internet connection.

While you wait, here are some of the big features you can look forward to with the update.

Apple News+

You ...

Huawei MateBook 14 review: A sexy design ruined by the dreaded nose-cam

Earlier this year we reviewed the MateBook 13, which we loved. Now Huawei is already back with another new laptop — the Huawei Matebook 14.

Let’s dig into our Huawei MateBook 14 review and see if Huawei’s latest is as exciting as its last one.

Huawei Matebook 14 review notes: Huawei supplied a MateBook 14 review unit (KLV-W29) packing an eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor, a discrete graphics chip, 16GB of system memory, and a 512GB SSD. Huawei also plans to serve up a Core i5-8265U model at launch. Meanwhile, the product page lists 8GB of system memory, a 256GB ...

Chrome OS 73 rolling out w/ improved out-of-memory management, Linux for enterprise, & more

After rolling out to Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, version 73 of Chrome OS is now available. Notable features include Linux support on Chromebooks managed by enterprise admins, settings changes, and improved out-of-memory management.

This release continues Chrome 72’s push to simplify settings by adding a new “Sync and Google services” section. It consolidates options — previously under “Privacy” — related to data that Google collects in Chrome, while adding three new features. However, the new grouping is not yet widely rolled out.

If Chrome Sync is enabled when you log ...

Pixel 4 XL leaked photo reveals two back cameras and hole-punch

Oh, and the fingerprint reader might be in the display.

The next Google Pixel might be getting more cameras and a sleek design overhaul. According to a leaked photo posted on the site SlashLeaks on Wednesday, the Pixel 4 XL will have two cameras on the back instead of the single one found on the Pixel 2 XL and 3 XL. 

Famously Google has had only a single rear camera on every Pixel model large and small. The company embraced using AI and machine learning to create photos that rival phones with two rear cameras like the iPhone XS or three back cameras like the Huawei P20 Pro. ...

If I Can Get Everything, Choices Don't Matter

I was only about 10 hours into The Division 2, a game that I expect I will play for dozens of hours when I realized something about the perks in the game. I was going to be able to unlock them all easily once I hit level 30 and the final perks became available to grab. Suddenly, I didn’t care about what I picked. These perks became a checklist that I barely thought about. By giving me the option to get everything, I stopped caring about any of the options at all. Games, stop doing this.

It is wild how quickly I went from planning which perks I would grab to literally just unlocking ...

Galaxy A90 with 'Notchless Infinity Screen' confirmed by Samsung website

If there isn't a notch, where do the front-facing cameras go?

Samsung has been on a roll showcasing different display options for phones. Famously the Galaxy Fold stole the show at the company's Unpacked event in February with a screen that folds in half. The Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10E use a hole-punch cutout in the display to house the selfie camera. And now it seems the upcoming Galaxy A90 will feature a screen without a notch or a hole-punch.

On Thursday, Dutch site Galaxy Club found a mention of the Galaxy A90's "Notchless Infinity Display" on the Indonesian ...

Microsoft Turns To Google To Improve Vital Windows 10 Software

Microsoft’s work to rebuild its Edge browser to run with Chromiumcontinues, and this week The Verge “secured an exclusive first look at the early work”. Tom Warren writes:

While the previously leaked screenshots made Edge look very similar to Chrome, Microsoft is adding its own touches and animations to make it look and feel like a Windows browser.

…Most of the user interface of the browser is a mix of Chrome and Edge, and Microsoft has clearly tried to add its own little touches here and there. There’s a read aloud accessibility option, and it simply reads the page out loud ...

From the CNN Business team: We want your questions

We've covered our share of Apple (AAPL) events, but none like the one in Cupertino on Monday. Tim Cook & Co. are expected to do more than wave new gadgets around.

This one is expected to be about the new Apple, the one that is about services and content: streaming television and film and news.

Let us help you: Send us your questions. Click here and let us know what you want to know. We'll do our best to answer your questions below.

In the room we will have veteran tech journalist Heather Kelly and Brian Stelter (CNN's senior media correspondent), as well as Sandr ...

iPad Mini is back and Apple's 2019 update offers new mojo for small tablets

I remember when I met the iPad Mini. It was back in 2012, when I first moved to New Jersey and began my routine of hour-long commutes into Manhattan. I loved that it was small, but not too small.

It was my favorite iPad.

I now carry a lot of gear on that same train ride: A Nintendo Switch, a Kindle Paperwhite, my phone, a larger iPad and maybe a laptop. There's plenty of redundancy in my life. But it's also where we are as a culture. Busy people with their faces buried in many purpose-built portable gadgets.

The iPad Mini now lives in a land of 6-inch phones and tons ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G has a release date, and its price is bananas

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be the first Samsung phone with 5G connectivity onboard, and today its launch details were revealed. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be released with no pre-order program, instead relying heavily on the already strong launch sales numbers and excitement about being first in line to work and play with 5G. The 5G network this phone will come to first is in South Korea, where the phone will cost 1.5 million won.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G release date is April 5th, 2019, and that’s no April Fool’s joke. This launch date announcement comes not long after the ...

Apple Accidentally Reveals Radical New iPhone Upgrade

Apple AAPL +3.67% may be moving forward with a polarizing iPhone redesign and several unusual (and somewhat creepy) tech upgrades, but now the company has accidentally revealed a long-awaited iPhone upgrade everyone does want...

Thanks to a tip-off, 9to5Mac has discovered new imagery on Apple’s Australian website showing the company’s exciting and long-overdue AirPower wireless charging system. The propriety technology will enable iPhones to charger faster than with any third party wireless charger.

Hidden in the Apple Australia's AirPods page under the reference

...

Halo's PC ports won't require Windows 10

And other info about the games

343 Industries hosted an AMA on Reddit for the upcoming Halo: Master Chief Collection PC ports yesterday and clarified a bunch of info on the titles. For one, Windows 10 will not be required to run the games, which might be a huge boon for some users. As well as that, 343 is looking into the possibility of including mod support for the games, which is what has kept Halo: Custom Edition going all these years.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun has compiled a list of all the good and bad news, so I'll just summarize some of their points. In the good column, we ...

How to Prioritize App Downloads in iOS

I feel a little bad for not knowing about this previously, but that’s part of the fun of iOS: There’s always some random new thing, like the how-to-move-many-apps-at-once trick, that pops up on one’s geeky radar from time to time.

Here’s the deal. If you’re downloading a bunch of apps—either you went crazy on the App Store or there are a ton of updates for apps already installed on your iPhone or iPad—you don’t have to sit there and let your device decide which app downloads first.

Perhaps the app you really want to use is low in the download queue, but by tapping “Update Al ...

Hey, Windows 7 users: Would a free Windows 10 upgrade make you switch?

Would another free Windows 10 upgrade window tempt you away from Windows 7?

With Windows 7 fast approaching end of life, the remaining hundreds of millions of users still on that OS should seriously be considering an alternative. There's Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux, or even the Mac route if you're feeling up for extreme change. Remaining on Windows 7 is a terrible idea, because after January 14 you will no longer be protected from any new vulnerabilities that are discovered, and over time, even apps will stop supporting Windows 7 as well.

I think it's wise for most Windows ...

Windows 10 version 1903 heads for the finish line

It's clear that Microsoft is in the very final stages of development of Windows 10 version 1903, the April 2019 Update. The fast distribution ring has seen two builds arrive this week after two last week, bringing with them no new features but a slowly whittled-down bug list following the development pattern we've seen in previous updates. In the past, the company has tried to release Windows 10 feature upgrades on Patch Tuesday, the second Tuesday of each month, meaning there's just under three weeks left to go.

A little alarmingly, a couple of long-standing issues with the release ...

Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat looks like it's arriving very soon

More signs that Apple is preparing to release the AirPower charging mat have surfaced, after changes to references in how wireless charging were found in the sixth iOS 12.2 developer beta mentioned the charging of multiple devices simultaneously. 

AirPower, Apple's long-delayed wireless charging mat capable of recharging up to three devices at the same time, is speculated to arrive in the first half of 2019 at some point. While not confirmed as arriving soon by Apple itself, there are more indications that Apple is building support for the accessory into its products. 

It is ...

Apple Upgrades iMac and iMac Pro: More Cores, More Graphics, More Memory

Apple has introduced its updated iMac all-in-one desktop computers to use Intel's latest generation processors with up to eight cores plus AMD’s latest Pro graphics, and its iMac Pro to be equipped with more memory and a faster GPU. Since Apple upgrades its iMac product line every couple of years or so, the company has every right to claim that its top-of-the-range AIO PCs are now up to twice faster than their predecessors.

The new 21.5-inch and 27-inch Apple iMac AIO desktops come in the same sleek chassis as their predecessors and use the same 4K and 5K display panels featuring th ...

How stable is the first Android Q beta?

It’s always fun when Google releases a new version of Android. There are tons of new features and visual tweaks to dig into, as well as under-the-hood improvements to make our phones run better. The downside? These early developer previews are buggy and not necessarily ready for consumer use (hence the term “developer”).

I’ve been running the first Android Q beta on my Pixel 2 XL since its launch on March 13, 2019. How stable has Android Q been so far? Should you install it? Read on to find out.

Android Q beta bugs, stability, and battery life

This early preview of A ...

Inductive Apple Pencil charging tech reportedly too expensive for 2019 iPad Air & mini

Addressing questions as to why the 2019 iPad Air and mini don't support the second-generation Apple Pencil, a report on Tuesday claimed the required inductive technology was too costly to include in the builds.

The "inductive charging data port" for connecting a second-generation Pencil is "expensive enough to be prohibitive for the new Air and Mini," Daring Fireball's John Gruber said. While only indicating he was "reliably informed" on the matter, Gruber is known to have deep industry contacts.

The second-generation Pencil has a few advantages ...

Apple lowers price of SSD upgrades for Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

In addition to upgrading the iMac and iMac Pro this morning, Apple has also quietly lowered select upgrade costs. For the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro, SSD upgrades are now slightly cheaper, while RAM upgrades for Mac Pro have also seen a price drop.

For the base model MacBook Air, users can now upgrade to the 1.5TB SSD for $1,100, which is down from the original upgrade price of $1,200. The 256GB and 512GB SSD upgrades remain unchanged at $200 and $400 respectively. These changes were first spotted by MacRumors.

For the upgraded MacBook Air that comes with 256GB a ...

Huawei P30 Pro press renders leak, Samsung reportedly providing OLED display

Huawei is getting ready to launch its latest generation of flagship smartphones in the P30 family. Today, we’re getting new official-looking press renders of both the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro, as well as rumors of Samsung providing the display component.

Courtesy of the folks at MySmartPrice, we’ve got a fresh look at both of Huawei’s upcoming devices in high-quality press renders that hide no details. As detailed in past leaks, we can see the difference between these two devices coming down to the rear camera arrays, including the zoom sensor on the Huawei P30 Pro.

Further, t ...

How to set up emergency location sharing on Android and iOS

Smartphones are spectacular for snapping photos, scanning the news, and sending messages, but they can also be literal lifesavers if you take the time to set them up before the need arises.

Both Android and iOS have easy-to-use systems for sharing your location with a friend, family member, or other trusted contact in an emergency. You can even create connections that’ll allow you to check up on loved ones to see if their phone has detected movement lately and then request an automated location update if you’re unable to reach them.

The key to all of this is to configure you ...

This smartphone maker put a selfie camera where no other phone maker has put one before

The Chinese smartphone maker ZTE's upcoming smartphone has a selfie camera that sticks out from the main body of the phone.

It's a novel design solution to avoid using the divisive notch that was popularized by Apple's iPhone X and adopted by numerous other Android phone makers.

Moving the selfie camera outside the main body of the phone has a few benefits, such as allowing more space for a larger battery and allowing for a full-screen display without interruptions from a notch.

It does, however, look unusual.

The Chinese smartphone maker ZTE is putting the s ...

Apple Releases Sixth Developer Beta of iOS 12.2

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming iOS 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fifth beta of iOS 12.2 and two months after the release of iOS 12.1.4. 

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12.2 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Developer Center. 

iOS 12.2 will see the launch of a new subscription service within Apple News, which Apple is planning to unveil at an upcoming March 25 event. Apple plans to offer unlimited access to magazines ...

How to Safely Opt Your Device Out of the Android Q Beta Program

While Google is letting users test out the upcoming Android Q through a public beta program, it’s not going to be for everyone. If you updated to the Android Q beta build and find your device has slowed down, that the battery isn’t as efficient, or that certain apps don’t run the way they’re supposed to (or at all), you’re not alone and chances are that you need to roll back to Android 9.

Performance issues and bugs like these are part of the tradeoff for getting early access to new software and features. Betas are meant to help developers find and solve problems, and to Google’s cr ...

Chrome OS 73 bringing additional tablet transition fixes to 2-in-1 Chromebooks, Pixel Slate

Perhaps the initial biggest issue with the Google Pixel Slate was the terrible animation performance when switching apps in tablet mode. I’d say that the second biggest was offering the Slate with an under-powered processor for the base model, but that’s a different issue else entirely.

Google did plan to address the tablet app animation issues with some fixes, but its work isn’t done yet: According to a related bug report, more optimizations are coming in Chrome OS 73… and beyond.

The open bug is actually for a lower-end Chromebook based on the Coral board, of which there ...

The most interesting feature of Android Q is the new logo

It looks like Google i/o is going to be rather dull this year as tinkering with the beta has revealed that the upgrades being made to Android are becoming more and more incremental. Android Q features a cool new logo which combines both the letter Q and the number 10 (Android 10.0) but on core features that will help Google close to the gap to iOS, there is very little.

To rub salt into the wound, this entire issue is moot because it takes Google around 6 years to upgrade its entire ecosystem to a new version of Android. By comparison, it takes Apple around 90 days to complete this ...

Apple Leak Corroborates Ugly New iPhone Design

Apple AAPL +1.3% is planning some surprising upgrades for its 2019 iPhones, but by far the most controversial is an ugly prototype design. And now it appears this will be Apple’s preferred iPhone design…

Respected Japanese site Macotakara reports contacts within Apple’s Chinese supply chain have confirmed the so-called iPhone XI will feature a triple camera array which is housed in a large protruding square on the back of the phone.

This design was initially leaked back in January by acclaimed industry insider Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka OnLeaks) but was ridiculed as being too ...

Windows 7 versus Windows 10: Here comes the big push

The clock is ticking on Windows 7, which means those last-minute Windows 10 upgrade projects are picking up momentum.

There's nothing like a looming deadline to concentrate the mind -- something that applies as much in tech as it does in journalism.

Microsoft recently revealed that Windows 10 has burst through the 800 million users mark. And while it's dangerous to read too much into these very broad statistics, it does seem that there has been an uptick in migrations in recent months. While it took nearly nine months to go from 600 to 700 million users, it only took only fi ...

Microsoft Nags Users to Upgrade to Windows 10

If you’re still using Windows 7, prepare to be informed of its imminent demise. This is because Microsoft is planning to remind you of the need to upgrade to Windows 10 using notifications on your PC. Yes, the hated nag screen is making a comeback.

After Windows 10 launched, Microsoft nagged Windows 7 users to upgrade. And because it was free, millions of people did so. However, for those who didn’t upgrade to Windows 10, those nag screens became a source of frustration. And now they’re back.

The End of Support for Windows 7 Is Nigh

To be fair to Microsoft, the compa ...

HP recalls more laptop lithium-ion batteries following reports of overheating, melting

HP expanded their recall of lithium-ion batteries for their laptops on Tuesday because the batteries can overheat and are at risk of causing burns or fire, according to a recall noticefrom the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

There have been eight new reports of battery packs in the U.S. overheating, melting or charring, HP said in the notice. Those reports included one minor injury and two reports of property damage that totaled $1,100.

The company is recalling 78,500 units in addition to another 50,000 units they recalled in January 2018.

The batteri ...

How to Enable Google Chrome's New Dark Mode

Google announced that the latest update for the Chrome browser, Chrome 73, has begun rolling out to Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. While these updates normally cover security fixes, system-level changes, and new tools for developers, Chrome 73 also includes a handful of new features for general users as well—including the much-requested Dark Mode—although their availability will be different depending on the platform you’re using.

Let’s go over the new features found in Chrome 73, when and where they’ll be available, and how to enable them.

Dark mode

After what s ...

Still running Windows 7? Get ready to be badgered to upgrade to Windows 10

Windows 7 will be a decade old when Microsoft discontinues support for the legacy OS on January 14, 2020. Leading up to that date, the company is planning to once again badger Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 by pinging them with notifications.

"Beginning next month, if you are a Windows 7 customer, you can expect to see a notification appear on your Windows 7 PC. This is a courtesy reminder that you can expect to see a handful of times in 2019," Microsoft states in a blog post.

Microsoft says its hope is that by dishing out the reminders around nine months ...

AS PROMISED, THE LENOVO YOGA CHROMEBOOKS HAVE RETURNED

Last week, Lenovo threw a curve ball by removing all but the 4K model of the Yoga Chromebook from their site. Despite hints that it may be permanent, our contact at Lenovo assured me that the 1080P models would return.

As I was enjoying my lunch today, the email came through that the “lesser" Yoga models are officially back in Lenovo’s storefront and one of them is even on sale.

The 4K model is still discounted by $108 but for those not willing to fork over $800, you can pick up the 1080P version with identical specs (sans the display) for $633.59. While the FHD display ...

Microsoft Brings DirectX 12 To Windows 7

Sometimes things happen that are unexpected – just ask Ned Stark. In a far less fictional event, Microsoft has posted an update on their DirectX Blog announcing that they’ve brought a form of DirectX 12 to Windows 7, via official support for the latest DX12 version of World of Warcraft on Windows 7. Where do we even begin?

For some background, Microsoft’s latest DirectX API was created to remove some of the CPU bottlenecks for gaming by allowing for developers to use low-level programming conventions to shift some of the pressure points away from the CPU. This was a response to sing ...

A closer look at Vivo's all-glass, port-free concept 5G phone

Picture this: you're holding two glossy all-glass concept phones for a photo, then one slips off and shatters another unit on the table. The room goes quiet. Everyone looks on in awe. You are left red-faced not because you broke a phone, but because you broke one of the few rare units in existence. That was exactly what happened to me at yesterday's Vivo APEXevent in Hong Kong.

To jog your memory, APEX is Vivo's line of concept phones, with the edition that was announced earlier this year being its second model. The pitch? It was some crazy all-glass "Super Unibody" sans b ...

Windows 10 will automatically remove updates, drivers that break booting

Windows appears to be getting a little smarter about updates that go wrong. A newly published support page (spotted by Windows Latest) describes what the operating system does when a recent update causes a boot failure. First, Windows will uninstall the update and revert to a configuration that should work correctly. It will then block the update for 30 days.

The page states that this approach will be taken for both driver updates and the regular monthly Patch Tuesday updates. It's not unusual for Microsoft to have to issue blocks for these updates to prevent them from being distrib ...

Best 4K Gaming Monitors for PC 2019: 144Hz to Budget

With great pixels come great image quality, and that’s why 4K (aka UHD) monitors have gamers so excited right now. A panel packing 8.3 million pixels (3840 x 2160) gives you the smoothest and most realistic images for PC gaming. That pixel army also makes it possible to stretch your screen real estate well past 30 inches without seeing individual pixels.

However, anyone who’s perused 4K monitor options knows that they aren’t cheap (yet). And if you’re searching for a 4K gaming monitor, you’re still going to want solid gaming specs, like a 60Hz-plus refresh rate, low response time an ...

The Android Q Beta is likely launching in just a few hours

We've been wondering when the beta for Android Q would land, given that past releases have all occurred at around this time of year. The bug tracker for the Android Q Beta has just been opened up by Google, and according to the date filter, the beta is going to launch later today, March 11th.

First spotted by XDA-Developers' Mishaal Rahman, the bug tracker for the Android Q Beta has just been unveiled to the public. If you go to the goo.gl link in the description for bugs that have already been reported, you'll be taken to an Issue Tracker search with a date filter for March 11th fi ...

Hey, Google, ditch Siri with a quick shortcut to the Assistant on your iPhone

Hey, Google, did you know I could bypass Siri with one click on an iPhone and go to you instead? 

Apple recently upgraded its Siri Shortcuts, which let you record quick one to two-word commands to Siri create a tweet, call the wife, read aloud your daily schedule or play your favorite podcast.

One of those options Apple is the ability to record yourself saying, "Hey, Google," in the same manner as you would do with Siri. The phone automatically goes to the Google Assistant app, (which you'll need to have, if you haven't already) and the Google microphone is cued, a ...

Chromebook popularity could prompt another round of Intel CPU shortages

Supplies of Intel’s CPUs, especially at the entry-level of the market, could worsen over the next few months according to a new report, which cites a popular period for Chromebook purchases as the reason behind the potential shortfall. This could lead to price rises and availability issues in 2019, with supply potentially only catching up with demand towards the end of the year.

Intel has experienced shortages of its most popular CPUs since August 2018, with low numbers of Core i5, Pentium, and Atom CPUs having the greatest impact on availability of devices. HP, Lenovo, and Dell, am ...

The Galaxy S10’s face unlock fooled by pictures, siblings

Here's another friendly reminder that if your Android phone doesn't have some kind of special hardware for face unlock, the feature probably isn't very secure. The latest phone to implement face unlock with nothing but the normal front camera is the Galaxy S10, and users across the Web are reporting that the feature is easily confused or defeated.

There are a number of reports that say—surprise!—a 2D image sensor can be fooled by a 2D image. The Verge was able to unlock the device with a video, and YouTube channel Unbox Therapy was able to unlock the S10 just by playing one of its p ...

Why I Chose a Canon Camera

I recently had the opportunity to completely replace my camera system. I chose the Canon EOS R and Canon lenses/flashes. If you had asked me a couple of days ago, Canon would have been my last option. This article is about what changed my mind.

I’m a long-time user of Canon, going back almost 15 years. When I got first 5D, Nikon didn’t even have a full frame option, and they were still using CCD sensors that performed horribly. Sony was not even in the equation.

Recently though, it’s becoming increasingly frustrating staying with Canon. The other brands all seem to innovate, ...

CSS to get support for trigonometry functions

CSS trigonometry functions approved but not expected to hit browsers any time soon.

CSS, which stands for Cascading Style Sheets, or the language that styles and arranges how page elements appear on a website, will get support for trigonometry functions such as sine, cosine, tangent, and others, ZDNet has learned.

The new trigonometry functions were approved at the end of February in a meeting of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) CSS Working Group.

The new functions approved and set to join the CSS standard are:

Sine - sin()
Cosine - cos()
Tan ...

Deal | Huawei MateBook X Pro with 512 GB SSD and GeForce MX150 now on sale for $1140 USD

What was once $1500 a year ago is now almost $400 cheaper to make room for the 2019 model coming next month. The upcoming Whiskey Lake-U refresh will be a relatively minor internal update over last year's model which makes this deal particularly attractive.

The deal on Amazon just went back up to $1300. Fortunately, Rakuten has the same model on sale for $1220 as of this writing.

With the MateBook X Pro Whiskey Lake-U launch imminent, now's the time to buy the last generation MateBook X Pro Kaby Lake-R. Amazon is currently listing the 2018 MateBook X Pro for just $1140 or hu ...

Chrome for Android might get a bottom tab switcher

Google has been working on various bottom toolbar interfaces for Chrome since late 2016. First, the address bar was moved to the bottom of the screen ('Chrome Home'), then Google began experimenting with moving various buttons to the lower part of the screen ('Chrome Duet'). Now the Chrome developers are trying something else — adding a tab switcher to the bottom.

This is still in the very early stages of development, as it doesn't even have a flag toggle yet. The below screenshots come from XDA Developers, who activated the feature through unknown means.

While the regular ...

LG G8 ThinQ to go on pre-order with its lowest flagship price yet

LG will run pre-orders for the G8 ThinQ smartphone from March 15 to 21 before sales begin the next day in South Korea -- with the smartphone having the lowest price tag ever for a flagship model from the company.

LG Electronics will begin pre-orders for the G8 ThinQ smartphone in South Korea on Friday, the company has announced.

Pre-orders will run until Thursday, March 21, with official sales kicking off on Friday, March 22.

The phone -- which will have 128GB of storage -- will be priced at 897,600 won, approximately $790, slightly lower than its predecessor the G7 ...

Microsoft planning a big upgrade to the entry-level Surface Book 2

Microsoft is planning a quiet upgrade to the Surface Book 2 line of laptops.

Listing for a new Surface Book 2 variant has been showing up at online retailers, listing an entry-level model with an Intel Core i5-8350U processor, a significant upgrade over the current Intel Core i5-7300U processor in the entry-level model.

That model is a dual-core processor, while the new processor is quad-core and therefore significantly more powerful.

The new Surface Book 2 is still listed at the same price as the older entry-level model with eight gigabytes of RAM and a 256 GB PCIe ...

Organize Your Gmail Inbox Fast by Right-Clicking

I hang my geeky head in shame for never trying this earlier, but I just noticed the other day that you can right-click in Gmail to pull up a useful Gmail-themed context menu. In fact, it’s probably faster to organize your emails this way then to select an email and use the chubbier buttons toward the top of Gmail’s UI to archive it, move it, or whatever.

Why didn’t I realize this sooner? To my credit, I’m used to seeing a browser’s default context menu whenever I right-click within a webpage. I don’t ever need to “Inspect” in Gmail, nor “View page source,” nor any of that, so I neve ...

MWC Solid State Storage News

At the 2019 Mobile World Congress and before there were several announcements about storage products for mobile devices (esp. phones). We also include a recent embedded solid state drive announcement.

In late January Samsung announced a 1 TB eUFS chip with Ball Grid Array connections for circuit boards. The device combines 16 layers of die (512Gb V-NAND flash memory) stacked on top of each other and includes a proprietary Samsung controller. The product is said to offer up to 1 GB/s sequential read speed. The company said that this is 10 X the speed of a typical microSD card. Random ...

Microsoft open-sources its Windows calculator on GitHub

Microsoft is making the source code for its Windows calculator available on GitHub today. The software maker wants to “build an even better user experience in partnership with the community.” Opening up the calculator means anyone can contribute code to improve the app, but Microsoft wants to evaluate prototypes of new features or user interface changes before the company starts implementing them or reviewing code.

The source code is now available on GitHub and it includes the build system, unit tests, and even the product road map for the calculator feature in Windows. While it mig ...

Xiaomi Redmi 7 specs leaked on TENAA

The entry-level lineup from Xiaomi will soon get mid-range features like a bigger 6.26-inch screen and a bigger 3,900 mAh battery for a considerably lower price. The Redmi 7 will most likely get the latest entry-level octa-core SoC from MediaTek and will feature three configurations: 2 GB RAM / 16 GB storage, 3 GB RAM / 32 GB storage, 4 GB RAM / 64 GB storage. It will also get a dual-cam setup and a fingerprint sensor on the back.

The successor of the Xiaomi Redmi 6 is close to being officially announced as it already got the TENAA certification in China. Following the successful re ...

All Intel chips open to new Spoiler non-Spectre attack: Don't expect a quick fix

Researchers say Intel won't be able to use a software mitigation to fully address the problem Spoiler exploits.

Researchers have discovered a new flaw affecting all Intel chips due to the way they carry out speculative execution for CPU performance gains.

Like the Spectre and Meltdown attacks revealed in January 2018, Spoiler also abuses speculative execution in Intel chips to leak secrets. 

However, it targets a different area of the processor called the Memory Order Buffer, which is used to manage memory operations and is tightly coupled with the cache. 

R ...

OnePlus 7 could come with popup camera and almost no bezels

OnePlus has unapologetically committed themselves to the elimination of bezels and notches on their latest smartphones, and the next one is no different. March 4, OnePlus 7 renders were released showing off a pop-up selfie camera, no notch, and essentially no bezels.

OnePlus' latest rendition of their flagship device, the OnePlus 6T, features some of the slimmest bezels on the market thanks to a teardrop-shaped notch housing the front camera. On March 4, just four months after the smartphone launched, renders of the next-generation model have surfaced on tech platform Pricebaba with ...

Boost Windows 10 Performance with Retpoline Spectre Mitigation

If you are using older Intel processors or AMD processors, you can boost the performance of Windows 10 by enabling the Retpoline Spectre mitigations that were recently ported to Windows 10 October 2018 Update build 1809.

In order to mitigate the Spectre vulnerabilities in Windows 10, Microsoft had introduced fixes that caused a performance decrease, which were more noticeable in older CPUs. To resolve these performance issues, Microsoft has been testing a new mitigation technique called Retpoline in Windows Insider Preview builds since build 18272.

This mitigation has recent ...

Galaxy Note 10 Will Deliver A Serious Galaxy S10 Beat Down

Samsung has been rightly heralded for its impressive trio of 10th-anniversary smartphones: the Galaxy S10 (details), Galaxy S10 Plus (details) and Galaxy S10e (details). But a surprising shortcoming has been discovered which suggests you’d be better off waiting for the (even more ambitious) Galaxy Note 10…

A teardown by TechInsights has revealed that Samsung cut a significant corner with its entire Galaxy S10 range: performance. All three Galaxy S10 models are fitted with three-year-old UFS 2.1 storage, despite UFS 3.0 being twice as fast, commercially ready and launching in premium ...

Review: Lenovo Yoga C930

Introduction

There's more to Lenovo than just ThinkPads. Since 2012, the firm's refreshing line-up of Yoga products has offered something a little different to the business-like appeal of a ThinkPad, making them a useful destination for a new generation of customer.

Yoga has become a place for Lenovo to experiment and innovate - the dual-screen Yoga Book C930 comes to mind - and after plenty of trial and error, it is now home to some of the best convertibles on the market. One such example is the Yoga C930 (not to be confused with the aforementioned Book), a premium, 13.9in ...

ASUS Chromebox 3 vs. Acer CXI3 Chromebox: Which should you buy?

I use Chrome OS every day for both work and play so I know the ins and outs of the operating system. I'm also a big fan of Chromeboxes and know what you need for Chrome on the desktop and what you don't.

Same power, more disk space

Acer CXI3 Chromebox

The Acer Chromebox CXI3 runs Chrome OS and all your favorite Android applications like a champ, and the list price includes more disk space. Your Windows apps will be left out, though.

Pros

8th generation Intel Core i3 processor

Small form factor

Chrome and Android app compatibility

...

Huawei P30 Pro leak gives Android fans their best look at this P20 Pro successor

HUAWEI P30 Pro appears to have leaked ahead of its grand unveiling later this month and may have given fans their best look at the P20 Pro's successor.

Huawei P30 Pro is set to debut at the Chinese OEM's scheduled hardware event in Paris on March 26.

P30 Pro is one of the most anticipated Android flagships of the year and is expected to make a number of notable improvements over its predecessor.

Huawei's new handset has been rumoured to tout four cameras on its rear, have an all-screen display and turbocharged internals.

The alleged P30 Pro was showcased in w ...

Microsoft is creating Windows Lite for dual-screen and Chromebook-like devices

Microsoft is making a Chrome OS-like version of Windows.

Microsoft is preparing a new lightweight version of Windows for dual-screen devices and Chromebook competitors. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell The Verge that the software maker is stripping back its Windows user interface with dual screens in mind. This new hardware could launch as early as later this year, depending on chip and PC maker readiness.

“Windows Lite,” as it’s codenamed internally, is a more stripped-down version of Windows that is initially being prioritized for dual-screen devices. Intel ha ...

The Moto G4 is now receiving Android 8.1 Oreo

After a long 18-month wait, the Motorola Moto G4 is now finally getting the Android 8.1 Oreo update OTA. However, the caveat is that this update is only currently rolling out to users in Brazil at present.

Considering that the device is so very close to Stock Android and Android 8.1 Oreo shipped to Nexus and Pixel devices as long ago as December 2017, this is most definitely long overdue.

Initially posted over on /r/Android, the update brings with it the December 2018 security patch as well as all of the extras brought about by Android 8.1 Oreo. The update will be welcomed b ...

WANT A FOLDABLE PHONE? HOLD OUT FOR REAL GLASS

Foldable phones like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Huwaei’s Mate X are coming, whether you’re ready or not. In fact, they’re coming whether they’re ready or not. The software remains untested or nonexistent. The prices are either astronomical or unannounced. But those potential issues can be fixed on the fly. The real thing you should hold out for? Glass.

Yes, glass. The stuff that you tap when you use your smartphone, that you take for granted until you manage to shatter it on the sidewalk. Glass is strong, and durable, and hard to scratch and easy to see through to the bright and shin ...

Windows 10 Update KB4482887 Released With Performance Fix for Spectre Bug

Microsoft has released the Windows 10 KB4482887 cumulative update for build 1809 that includes numerous fixes including Retpoline Spectre mitigation, a fix for an annoying Action Center bug, and numerous other bug fixes.

This update is available to all Windows 10 October 2018 Update (build 1809) users and can be installed through Windows Update. To install the update, simply go into Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update and then check for new updates.

We have outlined the most important changes in the new Window 10 cumulative update below.

Retpoli ...

The Ultimate Guide to Reinstalling Windows From Scratch

There comes a time in every Windows user’s life when things start to feel slower. Perhaps you’ve been installing and uninstalling a ton of applications, or you’ve been mucking around with obscure Windows settings (or worse, the registry). Maybe you even decided to live life on the wild side, like me, and signed up for Microsoft’s Windows Insider program, which recently caused my desktop system to screech to a halt. Whoops.

No matter the reason, it never hurts to give Windows 10 a top-to-bottom refresh—a new, clean installation of the OS, that is. Yes, you’ll have to reinstall your a ...

AMD’s new FreeSync 2 HDR demo shows off ‘next level’ tech for gaming displays

Oasis demo is meant to clearly illustrate the benefits of AMD’s technology

You may recall that a while back AMD had a ‘Windmill’ demo to illustrate how the original FreeSync worked to mitigate stuttering and tearing, and now there’s a second demo about to be unleashed to show off the benefits of the firm’s improved FreeSync 2 HDR technology.

The new ‘Oasis’ demo (note that it isn’t a benchmarking utility) runs through various intricate landscape scenes to make the benefits of FreeSync 2 HDR clear. It has been built using Unreal Engine 4 and supports HDR10.

Viewers ca ...

Microsoft adds more Edge features to Chromium

Microsoft is getting ready to start testing of their Chromium-based Edge browser for Windows 10, and behind the scenes are working hard to bring their native Edge features to Google’s browser engine.

Based on commits by Microsoft’s engineers, they are currently petitioning to add two new features to Chromium.

One is support for Windows 10’s system styling for captions displayed in a video. The Chromium post is titled ‘Add support for Windows system styling for captions’ and proposes:

Add 4 new properties to CaptionStyle.

Adds a WindowsCaptionStyle class that ...

Ready for Motorola's Razr comeback? The new foldable phone may launch this summer

Motorola's Razr phone comeback may be closer to a release. 

As interest in foldable phones continues to grow following Samsung's announcement of the Galaxy Fold last week and Chinese giant Huawei's Mate X on Sunday, a new interview seems to suggest that Motorola's take on the new smartphone design is nearing a release.

In an interview with Engadget, Motorola's vice president of product Dan Dery said that the company has "no intention of coming later than everybody else in the market."

Given that Samsung's foldable phone will arrive on April 26, for an eye-p ...

Huawei MateBook 14 vs Huawei MateBook X Pro: which laptop is best for you?

The two are so glaringly similar that it’s a tough choice

During MWC 2019, Huawei announced not one, but two fresh laptops for 2019: a refresh of the Huawei MateBook X Pro and the brand-new Huawei MateBook 14. However, looking at the two laptops’ spec sheets, they’re nearly identical – save for some key differences.

Naturally, these differences lead to some even more important differences: price. Depending on what you’re looking for from a luxury laptop, you could either get shortchanged by some missing features or end up severely overspending.

While all of the prici ...

HP Spectre x360 (2019) First Impressions

HP’s Spectre x360 has defined the state of the art in the premium portable PC market since the first version appeared in 2015. Since then, the firm has methodically improved the product each year in important ways and amped up its design.

And maybe we should start with that last bit first.

In 2017, the third-generation Spectre x360 design took a controversial turn that replaced the smooth curves of previous versions with a harder, more angular look. My knee-jerk reaction to this change was a bit negative. But the latest Spectre x360 revision takes this change to a new extrem ...

How to Turn on Your Windows PC Automatically Each Morning

Most of us have morning rituals, and yours probably involves a computer at some point. And while it’s not that hard to press the power button, wait for your system to boot up, and then type in your Windows password to log into your desktop, those are a lot of time-consuming steps that morning you has to sit and do. If you’re lucky, you can automate this entire process.

The one problem with this plan is that laptop manufacturers and motherboard manufacturers have a tendency to label settings differently. Nevertheless, the next time you power up your laptop or desktop, mash whatever b ...

Dell XPS 13 9380 vs Surface Laptop 2: Which should you buy?

We live and breathe Windows laptops and we've used all the leading Ultrabooks extensively. The XPS 13 and Surface Laptop 2 are two of our top picks, and here's how to choose between them.

Category leader Dell XPS 13 9380

The XPS 13 is generally the best all-rounder when it comes to Windows laptops and became the class leader for a reason. The battery life and port selection in particular are worth highlighting.

Pros

Quad-core processors

Optional 4K display

Great battery life

Thunderbolt 3 USB-C

Cons

No digital pen suppo ...

Chrome OS Dev adds support for backing up and restoring Linux containers

The recent addition of Linux app support to Chromebooks has made the laptops much more useful, especially in the eyes of developers. However, if you needed to wipe or upgrade your Chromebook, there wasn't an easy way to keep your Linux data. Previous code commits hinted at the ability to back up and restore the Linux container, and now that functionality has arrived in the Dev Channel.

There's a new #crostini-backup flag in Chrome OS Dev/Canary, and when activated, an option to backup your Linux files appears in the Settings app. The resulting backup is a .tar.gz file, which can be ...

Motorola RAZR foldable phone is still coming soon

In the past week, we have seen a flood of upcoming foldable phone announcements from Samsung, Huawei, and others. One of the biggest names in smartphones, Motorola, also has plans for such a device, and it may be coming sooner than you might think.

Engadget spoke to Motorola VP of Global Product Dan Dery at MWC 2019 this week. He confirmed that the company has been working on flexible and foldable phone products for some time and added that Motorola has “no intention of coming later than everybody else in the market.”

That would mean Motorola is targeting a release for its f ...

Apple MacBook vs. Dell XPS 13

Sometimes, you don’t want to carry a lot of laptop around with you. Maybe you’re highly mobile and rarely work in the same place for long. Or maybe you tend to work in cramped environments. Whatever the case, if you want a laptop that won’t take up a lot of space in your backpack or on you’re working surface, you have quite a few options.

We’ve taken a look at a couple of modern options, Apple’s diminutive MacBook with its 12-inch display and tiny chassis, and Dell’s XPS 13 that packs a 13.3-inch screen into a similar size. Which of them provides the smallest laptop with the fewest ...

OnePlus 7 won't bring you wireless charging

The upcoming OnePlus 7 will likely rock the latest processor and upgraded cameras. One thing it won't have, though, is wireless charging.

OnePlus phones are known for packing many of the latest features found in premium smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 -- and at a much lower price. But one feature that continues to elude OnePlus is the ability for users to place a phone down on a wireless charging pad for a quick boost. CEO Pete Lau still doesn't think it's worth adding to his products.

"OnePlus charging is one of the best," Lau said through an interpreter i ...

String of ions may out-compute best quantum computers

Usually, I reflexively delete press releases. This one was no different, but as the message vanished, the subject line registered—“IonQ… quantum computing.” It took a second, but I realized that the name might mean something I had never expected: a commercial, ion-based, quantum computer. A quick visit to the trash confirmed my suspicion.

After some negotiation, I was in receipt of a super-secret paper demonstrating the capabilities of IonQ’s new computer.

Engineering ions is not simple

Making an ion-based quantum computer seems like a bad idea. Think about the engin ...

Windows 10: New study shows Home edition users are baffled by updates

How annoying are Windows 10's automatic updates? In a new study, a group of UK researchers report that users of Home edition experience unexpected restarts and inconsistent installation times, caused by inappropriate defaults and inadequate notice of pending updates.

The single biggest complaint about Windows 10 is its approach to security and feature updates. Monthly cumulative updates and twice-yearly feature updates are downloaded and installed automatically, which can result in unexpected reboots that disrupt productivity and risk the loss of unsaved work. That pain point is par ...

Lenovo introduces the ThinkVision M14—a 14-inch, portable, USB-C monitor

Mobile World Congress is mostly about phones and other mobile tech, but Lenovo also used the show to introduce a handful of new products outside that narrow-but-vast category. The most interesting of them is a portable monitor that lets you bring the dual-monitor user experience with you and your laptop when you travel.

Labeled the ThinkVision M14, it's a 14-inch monitor with an IPS panel. The resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, which is plenty for 14 inches. It's built with modern laptop trends in mind, so it connects to your computer with USB-C. In fact, it has two USB-C ports, and bo ...

Xiaomi Mi 9 is a three-eyed fast charging monster

The king of value returns with a three camera, OLED, wireless charging superphone

Motorola and OnePlus consistently deliver great phones at amazing prices, but since entering the UK in 2018, few have been able to match Xiaomi for value. The latest entry in what we're calling the "how are you actually making money from this?" category is the Mi 9, which should be releasing in the UK at the end of March. The headline features are: a 6.39-inch OLED display, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and three camera lenses on the rear. But then dig beneath the surface and there's eve ...

LG’s answer to the foldable mania is a second screen

A more pragmatic and immediate way to have a foldable device

If you haven’t already soaked up the leaks about it, the new LG V50 introduced today is a souped-up V40 with the new Snapdragon 855 processor, improved cooling, bigger battery, and the futuristic addition of 5G. The V50 is LG’s first 5G phone, in fact, and it’s also the first to be compatible with a new accessory the company is rolling out: an entire second screen.

The LG Dual Screen is essentially a folio case with a second OLED screen in it. The V50 has a 6.4-inch display, however the secondary panel here is limi ...

Lenovo’s smallest and best-selling ThinkPad laptops get refreshed for 2019

More affordable IdeaPads get thinner display bezels and privacy features

Lenovo is making some largely incremental updates to its more affordable IdeaPad laptops and its ThinkPad X and T series today. While $1,000 and above laptops might be the more exciting and premium devices, it’s the models under $1,000 that most consumers opt for. Lenovo is now trying to bring some its more premium features to these lower price points.

Lenovo’s updated IdeaPad S540 now includes Intel’s 8th Gen Core i7 processors or AMD’s Ryzen 7 3700U processors and an option for Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 10 ...

Nokia 9 PureView has 5 rear cameras: *yawn*

Phones are already camera-studded in 2019, and now we have this.

The Nokia 9 PureView has five rear cameras and that doesn't even seem like that big of a deal. The anticipated Nokia 9 PureView is HMD Global's newest and boldest flagship phone under the Nokia brand the Finnish startup acquired several years ago. A word of warning: HMD says this phone is a "limited edition," being offered in a limited run. But it should be coming to the US (the phone costs €599, or $699, roughly converting to £535 and AU$980).

About those five cameras: remember Light?

It's fi ...

Motorola releases Pie kernel code for the P30 Note and G6 Plus

Slowly but surely, Android 9 Pie is rolling out to Motorola's lineup of phones. That also means new kernel source packages, which can be used by developers to create custom Pie-based ROMs and recoveries. Motorola has now released two new source packages for two (or possibly three) devices.

The first kernel source package is for the Moto P30 Note, nicknamed 'Chef.' The internationally-released Motorola One Power is based on the P30 Note, and even shares a similar nickname ('chef_sprout'), so it's possible this kernel package is for both devices.

Motorola has also uploaded Pie ...

Defence finally ditches XP for Windows 10

100,000 Defence users have made the migration from the operating system that Microsoft officially stopped delivering support for in 2014.

The Department of Defence has announced upgrading its operating system to Windows 10, finally ditching Windows XP, which Microsoft first pushed on the world in 2001.

The department contracted Leidos for the migration, which saw 100,000 Defence personnel receive a new "contemporary end user environment", for a cost of AU$67.6 million over a three year term.

A statement from Assistant Minister for Defence David Fawcett said Leidos ha ...

HACK A THINKPAD DISPLAY

Hackers really like their tools. This leads to holy wars over languages, editors, keyboards, and even laptops. The problem with laptops is that they age, and not always gracefully. [Syonyk] likes his ThinkPad T430S, except for one thing, its TN display wasn’t really very good. These flat screens use an older technology and show color changes with different viewing angles among other problems. So he managed to upgrade the device’s screen to IPS with the help of a replacement screen and an adapter (see right). Apparently, many similar ThinkPads can take the same sort of upgrade.

The p ...

Windows, dual-screen devices and shells: Piecing together Microsoft's Chromebook-compete strategy

It's Microsoft codename-apalooza time. How do Lite, Centaurus, Pegasus, WCOS and now, Santorini, all fit into what seems to be Microsoft's evolving Chromebook-compete strategy? Read on.

and stripped down version of Windows which may not be branded "Windows" as it looks very little like Windows. And there's the Windows Core Operating System (WCOS), which we Microsoft watchers believe to be the successor to Windows OneCore -- Microsoft's effort to make the core of Windows more modular so that it can be shared across Windows 10 devices. 

New Windows 10 devices like Ce ...

Windows 10 Timeline now works with Chrome

Microsoft responds to users requests by releasing a Chrome Timeline extension.

A new Windows 10 extension for Google Chrome allows users to access Windows 10's Timeline feature with Chrome. Timeline displays recent activity -- across Windows 10 PCs, enabled apps, the Edge browser for iPhone and Android devices and Office 365 apps -- in a visual catalogue that makes it easier to view and navigate.

Timeline was the star of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, but the only browser it worked with was Microsoft Edge, leaving fans of other browsers out in the cold. Apparently, Window ...

The Dell XPS 13 finally solves its nose-cam problem

I had to look long and hard to find anything I didn't like about the 2019 Dell XPS 13. Pressed to come up with a list, I'd say the woven glass fiber palm rest doesn't look or feel as high-end as it should. The white backlight shining through white keys (on the white and rose gold versions) sometimes makes it harder to see the keys, not easier. And in order to get a touchscreen model, you have to trade up to a 4K display, which is more expensive and not as battery-friendly.

Other than that, with this latest version of the XPS 13, Dell has done nearly the impossible -- it's made a lap ...

Microsoft launches new Office app for Windows 10

Microsoft is making a new Office app available to Windows 10 users today. It’s replacing the “My Office” app that currently exists, and it’s designed to be a lot more useful to Office users. It’s essentially a hub for launching recent documents, accessing the Office desktop apps, or simply finding the free web versions of Office. It’s a free app that will be preinstalled with Windows 10, and you don’t need an Office 365 subscription to use it.

The existing My Office app has many of these features, but the new Office app puts the focus on the free online versions of Office if you’re ...

Official-looking Nokia 9 PureView renders leak w/ Android One branding, five-camera setup

It’s been rumored for months now that Nokia is preparing to launch a phone with not two, not three, but a whopping five cameras on the back. Today, official-looking renders of the Nokia 9 PureView have just hit the web.

Courtesy of Ishan Agarwal, we’ve got our best look to date at the Nokia 9 PureView. These new renders offer up a fairly high-quality look at the device, all centering around that unique camera array.

With Zeiss at the center, there’s an array of 7 cut-outs on the rear of this device. There are five camera sensors, an LED flash, and what appears to be some sor ...

HP EliteBook 745 G5 Review

The HP EliteBook 745 G5 is a business laptop that puts security above all else.

Verdict

The HP EliteBook 745 G5 comes with all the trimmings you'd expect from a modern business laptop, but if its overt focus on security above all else means it makes a few too many compromises for more casual, personal use.

Pros

Impressive security features

Strong usability

Respectable performance

Cons

Unimpressive battery life

Dim display

Key Specifications

Review Price: £1076

AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 2700U 2.20GHz

< ...

Pre-installed malware discovered on Alcatel smartphones

Malicious weather app found sending user data to servers in China

While manufacturers often include pre-installed apps on their devices, Upstream recently discovered that Alcatel smartphones came bundled with a suspicious app from TCL. The app in question, “Weather Forecast – World Accurate Radar”, was found on the company’s Pixi 4 and A3 Max devices. However, instead of just providing users with weather forecasts and local weather alerts, it was actually found to behave like a typical malicious app.

TechRadar Pro spoke with Upstream’s CEO Guy Krief to learn how the company ...

HERE ARE SOME OF THE POSSIBLE NEW FEATURES OF OXYGENOS

Let’s go back to talk about OnePlus Product Manager Challenge, an interesting initiative by the Asian manufacturer to involve its users in the realization of the features of OxygenOS, the interface that drives the smartphones of this brand.

The deadline for contributing is 22 February, but several very interesting ideas have already been presented that could convince the OnePlus team.

One of these, for example, is the ability to integrate the screen recording directly into OxygenOS, allowing the user to determine the resolution and file type (GIF or MP4).

Another int ...

Next Windows update brings better Linux integration

The Windows 10 April 2019 Update boasts many improvements, not least of which is Windows Subsystem for Linux's new ability to let you access Linux files safely from Windows.

One of Windows Subsystem for Linux's more annoying tricks is it's hard to get at your Linux files from Windows. Oh, you can do it, but you take a real chance of ruining the files. To quote Microsoft, "DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, access, create, and/or modify files in your distro's filesystem using Windows apps, tools, scripts, consoles, etc." 

In the forthcoming Windows 10 April 2019 Updat ...

Honor 8X vs. Moto G7: Which should you buy?

Here at Android Central we use dozens of budget phones over the course of a year. With hardware becoming commoditized, you don't have to spend big bucks on a phone that excels at the basics. Let's break down two of the best options currently available in the market.

The Honor 8X combines a gorgeous two-tone design at the back with powerful internal hardware. The phone also has a great rear camera and a 3750mAh battery, and there really isn't a whole lot wrong with it. The main issue, however, is the fact that you won't be able to (officially) buy one in the U.S.

Pros

...

Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 Review: Chrome OS gets a proper workhorse

Chromebooks used to be the laptops that cost a dime a dozen, but in 2019 you can get premium Chrome OS devices that pack the specs and designs that are capable of getting real work done. For the past couple of months, I’ve been using the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook, and for getting things done, it’s one of the best options currently available.

The Lenovo Yoga Chromebook, the C630, represents a couple of firsts in the Chrome OS world. For one, it’s the first option ever to offer up a 4K display. On top of that, it’s also the largest “high-end” Chromebook ever with a whopping 15.6-inch dis ...

Whitestone Dome claims to be the only screen protector compatible w/ Galaxy S10’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

One of the biggest changes Samsung is bringing to its upcoming Galaxy S10 comes in the form of the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that resides beneath the glass. However, that sensor might cause some issues with screen protectors designed for the Galaxy S10 and S10+. Apparently, though, Whitestone Dome Glass screen protectors still work, and they might be the only option.

If you’ll recall this past week, a hands-on video leak revealed a screen protector on the Galaxy S10+ that housed a cut-out for the fingerprint sensor. For obvious reasons, that’s something most users simply aren’t ...

Microsoft’s new Remote Desktop Preview app leaks

Microsoft is working on a new Remote Desktop Client that is optimised for their Windows Virtual Desktop push, which would see companies run their productivity software primarily in Microsoft’s Azure cloud.

The client app has been leaked by WalkingCat, with download links available in his tweet below:

The client features:

Provides a remote desktop experience and remote applications on any device. Combine Microsoft 365 and Azure to give users the unique multi-session Windows 10 experience with outstanding scalability and low IT costs.
The main features are as fo ...

Kuo: 2019 iPhones Can Wirelessly Charge Other Devices, Feature Frosted Glass and Larger Batteries, and More

In a thorough research note outlining Apple's plans for 2019, analyst Ming-Chi Kuodescribes his outlook for the next iPhone lineup. According to Kuo, the 2019 iPhone lineup will mirror that of the current lineup, including 6.5-inch and 5.8-inch OLED models as well as a 6.1-inch LCD model. 

As for changes to expect in 2019, Kuo says the iPhone XR successor may be upgraded to 4GB of RAM, while all models will include frosted glass casing, larger batteries, the ability to wirelessly charge other devices, and new technology for indoor positioning and navigation.

The new 5.8" ...

Galaxy S10 Leak Exposes Samsung's Serious Problem

We know almost everything about Samsung’s 10th anniversary Galaxy S10 with Samsung itself happy to leak the full range. But what Samsung would prefer you don’t know is the range’s biggest upgrade comes with a significant problem… 

A new video leaked by MobileFun highlights the issue: Samsung’s world-first Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader does not work with screen protectors. Moreover, the only successful workarounds look either ugly or expensive.

MobileFun’s video demonstrates the former. The popular accessory retailer shows that the only solution for standard screen ...

The LG G8 has a vibrating OLED screen for a speaker

LG is continuing its dripfeed of pre-announcement G8 ThinQ announcements today with some news on the phone’s audio capabilities. The phone uses the same “Crystal Sound OLED” branding that LG has used on some of its TVs before; this means that the entire display will vibrate to work as a speaker, which was previously rumored. The news also confirms that the G8 will be the first flagship G-series phone not to use an LCD.

The G8 still has a bottom-facing speaker for louder use cases like speakerphone calls, and LG says this can be paired with the top part of the screen for 2-channel st ...

Asus ZenBook 15 vs. Dell XPS 15: Still not enough to dethrone the popular 15-inch king

The Bestselling Dell XPS laptop manages to be faster, tougher, brighter, and more feature-packed than the new competing Asus ZenBook 15 without running any louder or shorter. In return, the Asus laptop is much lighter and even a bit smaller, but its advantages don't go much deeper.

Whenever a new 15-inch multimedia laptop comes to market, someone will inevitably ask: How does it compare to the Dell XPS 15? The popular Dell laptop has become a standard of sorts for competitors to beat. It's not perfect by any means especially when it comes to bugs and crashes, but its sound hardware ...

Google redesigns Assistant’s built-in list of features and commands

Since launching in 2016, Google Assistant has expanded from speakers to phones, headphones, and Smart Displays. Each platform has a way to surface all of Assistant’s capabilities, with the phone interface recently tweaking the “What can you do?” list of commands and features.

Since launch, asking “What can you do?” to Assistant on phones would surface a carousel of commands grouped by a general topic. Meanwhile, “What can you do” was once also a straight list of capabilities sorted by device before Google replaced it with the current Explore directory of Actions.

The command ...

Microsoft starts testing a version of Windows 10 it won’t release until 2020

Microsoft has started testing an update to Windows 10 that it plans to release in 2020. It’s unusual for the company to test updates so far in advance, as Microsoft typically releases two updates per year and tests them with members of the public. Microsoft has not yet started testing its next 2019 update, codenamed 19H2, but Microsoft’s Windows Insider chief, Dona Sarkar, says additional testing is required for this new 2020 update.

Due in the first half of 2020, and codenamed 20H1, Sarkar says “some things we are working on in 20H1 require a longer lead time.” Microsoft has not ye ...

Samsung is already offering Galaxy S10 reservations

The Galaxy S10 has leaked to the Moon and back ahead of its February 20th reveal (see the Evan Blass leak above as proof), and even Samsung isn't pretending there are many secrets left. The tech giant has started taking S10 reservations in the US, giving sign-ups a guaranteed opportuntity to order the next-gen phone between February 21st and March 7th -- in other words, the S10 should arrive on March 8th. People upgrading from older phones can also get up to $550 back if they trade in their outgoing handsets.

Samsung isn't spilling all the beans just yet, but there's not much left t ...

Windows 10 on ARM will run on your Raspberry Pi 3

Third-party tool lets you explore another option aside from Windows 10 IoT Core

If you want to run Windows 10 on your Raspberry Pi, then previously, you’ve needed to stick with the IoT Core spin of Microsoft’s OS – designed for low-powered devices like Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets – but now it’s apparently possible to stuff Windows 10 on ARM onto the Pi.

This is achieved via an installer tool which has been made available by the same folks who put Windows 10 ARM on old Lumia 950 XL smartphones.

José Manuel Nieto, the developer behind the WoA Installer for Raspber ...

HONOR 8 PRO STARTS RECEIVING EMUI 9.0 IN BETA

Beta testing is underway to bring the new EMUI 9.0 with Android 9 Pie on board to the Honor 8 Pro. Honor has started to invite its users to try a preview of the new software update.

In the past months, the beta update has arrived for the Honor View 10, Honor 9 and Honor 8X, now it’s the time to get updated also for another smartphone relatively older: Honor 8 Pro. It is worth remembering that the device had arrived on the market with the EMUI 5.0 based on Android 7.0 Nougat.

The latest version of the EMUI is 9.0 and, as mentioned, is based on Android 9 Pie. Users inter ...

I wish I knew this Windows 10 Command prompt tip years ago

Some tips are so simple and easy that you can feel like you really missed out not knowing them.  Today we have a great one for when you occasionally use the CMD prompt.

Occasionally you have to open the CMD prompt in a specific folder, for example, to change the extension of a file easily.

Often this means laboriously navigating to the directory of the file, often by copying and pasting the file path into the CMD window, itself not that simple.

Today Mike Cary posted a pro-tip which makes this a lot easier.

To open a CMD window in the same directory as the fo ...

Android Pie 9.0: 3 settings to change right away

Make your phone work for you, not the other way around.

Google's Android Pie 9.0 operating system has slowly made its way to more devices than the Pixel ($350 at Amazon) line since its release. With an improved Do Not Disturb feature, gesture navigation and smart recommendations, Android Pie has a lot to like.

After updating your phone to the latest and greatest Android OS, however, there are a few things you should considering changing right away. 

The usual Android caveat applies here: Some settings may differ from what's shown here based on who makes your phone. M ...

Google Is Adding Excellent Right-Click Features to Gmail

“Google is making changes to Gmail” is not a phrase we’re used to hearing without a shudder going up our spine. But this time around, we’re feeling pretty good about it.

On Monday, Google announced that it will be adding a ton of new options to the menu when a user right-clicks on an email. Currently, a right-click gives you just three options: Archive, Mark as Read, or Delete. Soon, you’ll have practically any feature you could ask for in that little menu nestled just a single click away:

All you really need to know is that the option will be there soon. Users on the rapid ...

HP Omen Desktop PC review

One gaming PC powerhouse that’s worth the price

If you’re looking a future-proof gaming PC that runs beautifully, the HP Omen Desktop PC is a wise choice. It’s very powerful, easily upgradable, and very accessible, not to mention, decently priced.

FOR

High powered

Highly upgradable

Up to 165Hz refresh rates

AGAINST

Not the best looking PC

Not all gaming PCs are created equal. There are budget-friendly ones that barely do the job, and there are expensive ones that perform beautifully in exchange for a large hole in your pocket. ...

Lenovo ThinkPad X380 Yoga Review

Lenovo’s ThinkPad line is traditionally geared toward business professionals, but thoughtful features and impressive durability built into the X380 Yoga make it worthwhile for college students to consider.

Design

The traditional black-on-black design of the ThinkPad line is fully in effect with the X380 Yoga, but users of ThinkPads in a traditional, business setting will find plenty that’s different in the mix. As part of the Yoga sub-line, the X380 is a 2-in-1 device, complete with a rotating 13.3-inch touchscreen that folds flat against the base of the device, allowing it ...

Breathtaking Motorola Razr 2019 Envisioned In Concept Video

The Motorola Razr 2019 concept has just surfaced on YouTube, and it actually looks quite sleek. The design shown in this YouTube video is actually inspired by Motorola’s patent sketches which surfaced a while back, and quite possibly even some concept images that appeared recently. This video has a duration of almost four minutes, and it shows off the device from pretty much all sides.

If you take a look at the device, you will see a phone which basically looks quite similar to the original Motorola Razr, save for the fact it’s larger. The phone has one large display on the inside, ...

I like Windows 7: Why should I pay to move to Windows 10?

With Windows 7 security upgrades about to go poof in less than a year, there are still some Windows 7 diehards who refuse to upgrade. Here we explain that free Windows 10 upgrades are still available, counter some upgrade objections, and provide a great list of resources for upgrading your machines to Windows 10.

I'm still getting used to living in a small town. This time, it's the neighbors. I've lived in much bigger cities where I never even met my neighbors during my entire residence there. Here, the neighbors are more sociable, sometimes bringing cookies or fudge, sometimes comp ...

Windows 10 boost: These simple tricks could make your PC much faster

WINDOWS 10 is Microsoft's computer operating system that is incredibly capable. However, Express.co.uk is here to provide you with some useful tips that could make your PC run faster.

Windows 10 offers fans a swathe of system options that can be customised to optimise performance.

While some are relatively simple, others are slightly more complex.

Combined, all of these tricks could make a noticeable change to your PC.

Adjust which applications start automatically

Windows 10 allows users to choose which applications will be launched when a PC is booti ...

MSI PS63 Modern vs. Dell XPS 15: Which Powerhouse Laptop Wins?

MSI's venture beyond gaming laptops has reached a turning point with the PS63 Modern ($1,499 starting, reviewed at $1,599), the company's new premium Ultrabook designed for content creators. Set to go up against established competitors like the Dell XPS 15, the PS63 Modern has its work cut out for it.

Fortunately, the PS63 Modern brings a lot to the table, including a gorgeous, compact design; a snappy keyboard; and discrete Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti graphics. But how does this machine stack up against the XPS 15 ($999 starting, reviewed at $1,409), a mainstay on our best overall laptops r ...

HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 First Impressions

HP’s business-focused EliteBook x360 line has always impressed. But this latest 14-inch wonder is already a personal favorite. And that’s saying something in this golden age of premium PCs.

HP’s naming conventions are a little tough, so let’s step through the mouthful you see in the title of this article. The EliteBook line sits at the top of HP’s various families of business-focused laptops, much like Spectre does in its consumer offerings. The 1000 series, in particular, is an impressive set of premium thin and light portable PCs, and it consists of three members: The 13.3-inch El ...

Good enough 5G fixed-wireless broadband could change everything

Fixed-line broadband will always be better, but it might be to 5G what Betamax was to VHS.

Congratulations to Optus for re-creating fixed-wireless internet in Australia, and overbuilding parts of the nation that are currently covered by a government-owned wholesaler with ridiculous return expectations.

As the National Broadband Network (NBN) company would happily inform Optus, its fixed-wireless network has been beset by congestion issues, is unprofitable, and is incapable of hitting 100Mbps download speeds without major overhauling.

But the NBN is using fixed-wirele ...

Google Maps AR navigation is rolling out to a handful of users

Most people will still have to wait a while, however.

Google Maps' augmented reality navigation is finally rolling out several months after its debut, although you might still have to wait a while. The company told the Wall Street Journal the walking-focused feature will be available shortly, but only to Local Guides (community reviewers) at first. The feature will need "more testing" before it's available to everyone else, Google said. Still, this suggests AR route-finding is much closer to becoming a practical reality.

The core functionality remains the same. Goo ...

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Active specs leak ahead of launch

Welcome to the week in wearable tech – back once again to bring you a digest of what’s happened in the past week. The news was dominated by two Fitbit leaks – first of a new Fitbit kids fitness tracker and a second of what looks to be a Fitbit Versa Special Edition smartwatch – with no visible changes to the design.

Read on for a run-down of the rest of the week’s news that you might have missed.

We’re hurtling towards the release of Samsung’s next smartwatch – with speculation rife on exactly what it will be called. There’s two schools of thought – the Samsung Galaxy Watch ...

Motorola Moto G4 Plus is finally getting its Android Oreo update, starting in the US

Motorola’s latest Moto G7 lineup is being received as budget offerings for regions which do not see support from Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi. While the Moto G7 may not be the absolute best value purchase, it often is the only available and viable option present in certain markets. Even then, consumers considering the Moto G7 series should be aware of what happened with the Moto G4 Plus, which is finally receiving its Android Oreo update now.

Motorola revealed its Android 8.0 Oreo plans back in September 2017. However, the Moto G4 and the Moto G4 Plus were curiously missing from the lis ...

Microsoft releases new Windows 10 preview with gaming improvements and free State of Decay

Microsoft yesterday released a new Windows 10 preview with gaming improvements. The update bumps Windows 10 from build 18329 (made available to testers on February 1) to build 18334. These builds are from the 19H1 branch, which represents the Windows 10 update that will arrive in the first half of this year.

Windows 10 is being developed as a service, meaning it receives new features on a regular basis. Microsoft has released six major updates so far: November Update, Anniversary Update, Creators Update, Fall Creators Update, April 2018 Update, and October 2018 Update.

The s ...

Dell recalls hybrid laptop power adapters over shock risks

They could break in a way that would expose you to shock risks.

Dell's Hybrid Power Adapter is a clever way to keep your laptop running when you're far from a wall outlet, but some models pose a safety risk. The PC maker has issued a recall for versions of the combo power brick and battery bank made between January 2017 and March 2017 after 11 reports of them breaking and exposing their internal components, creating a shock risk. About 8,900 of the adapters are affected in the US, plus another 475 in Canada.

You'll know if you're affected if you see the manufacturing code CN ...

Honor View 20 review: Large screen, innovative cameras, great value

A year or so ago I said the Honor View 10 was a worthy and impressive flagship handset, easily able to hold its own with the best of the competition at its price. Since then we've seen an inexorable rise in top-flight handset prices, generating something of a backlash. We've also seen the recent arrival of Chinese giant Xiaomi in the UK, its £499 Mi 8 Pro creating a real buzz and anticipation of more to come.

If the £400-£600 price bracket was competitive before all that, it's even more cutthroat now, and Honor has upped the ante with the View 20. This 6.4-inch handset is available ...

Lenovo Yoga C630 review

The Yoga C630 has insane battery life, but is still too slow to replace your PC

The second wave of Qualcomm-based Windows 10 on ARM laptops have hit the market, promising faster performance to go along with lasting a long time on a charge and letting you work wherever and whenever you want. Lenovo’s Yoga C630 is a member of that second wave, and it aims to make up for the first generation’s poor performance.

We reviewed a configuration with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of eUFS storage, and a 13.3-inch Full HD display. You’ll pay $940 for this con ...

Windows Lite: Whispers focus on streamlining, ditching and Windows 7-like comfort

A Windows Lite OS, really? Expect to see a lot more talk about Lite. If and when we get such a thing, you might also expect positive comments like "simple," "uncluttered," and "good riddance live tiles."

OK, no official announcement from Microsoft, but rumors and alleged descriptions of what it will be like have surfaced since December. This is a stripped-down OS; Windows on a budget. For now, the new flavor is being dubbed Windows Lite but the name may indeed change.

TechRadar's Matt Hanson was among several writers on sites that described the ...

Forget Windows, these are Microsoft’s future platform bets

Microsoft CTO Kevin Scott recently gave an interview to Fortune magazine discussing about Microsoft’s future, challenges related to AI, and more. In the interview, Kevin Scott was asked whether Microsoft will continue to invest in new technologies like VR/AR if they didn’t get enough user adoption as expected. Kevin confirmed that Microsoft has not reduced its investments in mixed reality and actually has increased it.

He mentioned that his job is to make sure that Microsoft maintains its focus and its commitment to some of these investments over long periods. Kevin also revealed th ...

Huawei's MacBook Air Clone For Windows Is Nearly Flawless

Last year, Huawei took a big shot at Apple with the MateBook X Pro, a laptop that encapsulated some of the best things about MacBook Pro line while ignoring more gimmicky features like the Touch Bar and Apple’s frustrating butterfly keyboard. So for 2019, Huawei made a new mainstream 13-inch laptop meant to take down the recently revamped MacBook Air, and aside from one shortcoming, the MateBook 13 outclasses its biggest competitor in nearly every way.

From the outset, it’s no secret where Huawei is drawing its inspiration, as the MateBook 13 is an unabashed riff on the MacBook Air. ...

Windows 7’s Windows Media Player app is about to get worse

As Windows 7 hurtles towards its end of life date (January 14 2020), it looks like Microsoft is beginning to strip features from the ageing operating system, and it has now removed a key feature from Windows 7’s Windows Media Player.

According to a support document that Microsoft quietly updated a few days ago, “you may be unable to view information (metadata) such as the title, genre, and artist for songs, and the director, actors, cover art, and TV guide for movies in Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player.”

This move also affects the Windows Media Center app found ...

Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 review: A flexible workstation-class convertible

The Precision 5530 2-in-1 has a familiar look-and-feel, as its design is similar to Dell's impressive XPS 13 and XPS 15 laptops. According to Dell this is "the world's smallest 15-inch mobile 2-in-1 workstation", and it packs plenty of punch, but you do pay a premium price for it, with a starting price of £1,897.83 (ex VAT).

Creating a powerful yet portable 15-inch mobile workstation is not easy. It needs to be tough and robust to survive a lot of travel, yet light enough to be transportable regularly. Dell has done what it can to square this difficult circle. The build is ...

Everything New in Windows 10’s April 2019 Update

Windows 10’s next update is the April 2019 Update, which is version 1903 and was codenamed 19H1 during development. It features a light theme, speed improvements, and lots of polish. There are no crazy new features like My People or Timeline.

This article includes everything new as of Insider Preview build 18323, released on January 24, 2019.

Speed Improvements (Thanks to Better Spectre Fixes)

The news of Spectre shook the industry at the start of 2018. Spectre is a design flaw in CPUs, and it allows programs to escape their restrictions and read other programs ...

Motorola Razr V4 Can Beat Samsung's Galaxy X With Two Features

Motorola’s foldable Razr V4 might be an unexpected success story of the foldable smartphone generation, even up against the mammoth (in grandeur, not size) product Samsung’s Galaxy X will be.

As I explained in an article earlier this week, a way for smaller OEMs to compete in the foldable phone market will be to offer features other companies don’t, or solve the inevitable UX issues a flexible screen will bring. Based on the recently reported patent and rumours, Motorola might have a shot at doing both.

A familiar shape

The rumours suggest Motorola will create a mode ...

Samsung finally launched phones with notches, but didn’t copy Apple’s design

We were assaulted with phones with notches for most of 2018, as every smartphone maker that matters (aside from Samsung) copied Apple’s design. Some people mistakenly believe that phones like the first Essential handset an unpopular Sharp phone that brought notches to prominence. But there’s no question that, without Apple, we wouldn’t have had this explosion of notch handsets from all sorts of Android vendors.

In the second half of 2018, we did see plenty of no-notch, all-screen alternatives, proving that some device makers do want to differentiate themselves from Apple, as well as ...

HUAWEI MATE 9 GETS ANDROID 9 PIE STABLE UPDATE

According to users feedback, Huawei Mate 9 has been updated with Android 9 Pie stable update and users of this smartphone can now upgrade. The version number is MHA-AL 9.0.1.150. As usual, this update may not be available for all units of this smartphone. Those who have not received the update will have to be patient as it would likely arrive later.

The changelog includes

Natural minimalist natural design

Inspired by natural colors, the landscape elements and natural light and shadows are cleverly integrated into the interface design to create a natural sound effect ...

Over a year after promising Oreo for the Moto G4 Plus, Motorola is yet to do so

Motorola released the Moto G4 Plus back in 2016 and promised it would receive two major updates. A while later, the company went back on its word and claimed the mid-range phone would not get the update, prompting a media outcry which forced it to once again promise to deliver Oreo. It's been 16 months since then, though, and the G4 Plus is still on Nougat.

In what may turn out to be another case of corporate deceit, Motorola has failed to deliver on its promise to provide the Moto G4 Plus with Android Oreo, over 16 months after it was called out on its crookery.

Motorola re ...

DELL UNLEASHES NEXT GENERATION CHROMEBOOKS FOR EDUCATION

In the Chromebook space, Dell has remained a constant but relatively subtle OEM. While their latest flagship is a welcome addition to the premium Chromebook market, they continue to launch a handful of devices as the market expands with a focus on the educations sector.

On the heels of Acer, ASUS and HP, Dell has now tossed their own Gemini Lake Chromebooks into the ring at BETT 2019 in the hopes of capturing their share of the EDU market.

Like their counterparts, Dell has brought a range of new devices including 180-degree and convertible 11.6″ models designed with rugged s ...

Galaxy Note 9 has a huge advantage over the Galaxy S9 that you probably didn't know about

GALAXY Note 9 has a big advantage over the Galaxy S9 that you were probably not aware of, a new report has insisted.

Galaxy Note 9 debuted back in August and remains one of the best smartphone offerings on the market.

That is because the hardware boasts a swathe of flagship features and has a number of unique tools in its own right such as an S Pen stylus.

Note 9 comes with a huge 6.4-inch AMOLED display, a 4,000mAh battery and a dual camera system capable of taking great shots.

The latter of which took cues from the Galaxy S9 by implementing a variable apert ...

Vivo's new 5G concept phone has no ports, no seams and no bezels

Taking unibody design to the extreme, the refreshed Apex has all of 2019's buzziest specs.

Vivo has given a very 2019 makeover to the Apex concept phone it first unveiled last year. The new version has a minimalist design with no openings or bezels, and supports 5G, the next generation of cellular technology, which has the potential to increase connectivity speeds significantly. The prior incarnation of the Apex evolved into the Vivo Nex, which debuted last July.

The new Apex will be among the first wave of phones -- which will also include the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy S10 ...

Whiteboard for EDU now available worldwide on Windows 10 and iPad

Microsoft yesterday announced that Whiteboard for EDU is now available on Windows 10 and iPad worldwide. Microsoft first announced the preview of Whiteboard for Education in November last year. Whiteboard for Education gives the whole class a new space to engage, ideate, and create. Teachers and students can brainstorm and grow ideas on this limitless canvas, coming together on lessons, projects, and more.

Microsoft Whiteboard for Edu comes with several features for students and teachers, read about some of them below.

Teachers can also pick up where they left off and never ...

Everything New in iOS 12.2: HomeKit TV Support, Redesigned Remote, Safari Updates and More

Apple today released the first beta of iOS 12.2 for developers, and while it doesn't bring as many new changes as we might have hoped for in a 12.x update, there are still quite a few minor tweaks to be aware of. 

Below, we've listed all of the new features and changes that we've discovered in iOS 12.2 so far, and we'll update this post should any additional features be found. 

- Apple News for Canada - iOS 12.2 expands the availability of Apple News to Canada for the first time, with news sources available in either English or French. 

- HomeKit TV Support - Apple r ...

Latest iOS beta hints at 'AirPods 2' with 'Hey Siri' setup screen

A "Hey Siri" configuration tool found in Apple's latest iOS 12.2 beta suggests Apple is on the verge of releasing a second-generation AirPods model capable of native interactions with the virtual assistant. 

Discovered by 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo, the setup screen is nearly identical to Apple's existing "Hey Siri" configuration prompt, but for the first time includes mention of AirPods. Currently, the "Set Up 'Hey Siri'" window is restricted to iPhone.

The screen included in Apple's latest iOS beta version for developers is currently obscured f ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 Could Expose Crypto to Millions of Tech Savvy Users

This week, images were leaked potentially giving the world its first glimpse at South Korea-based tech giant Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S10. Among the images, was evidence that Samsung could be ready to launch a crypto wallet to store cryptocurrencies like Ethereum, and a blockchain explorer service called Samsung Blockchain KeyStore.

While the leaked images aren’t yet confirmation that the much-anticipated iPhone killer will indeed ship with the crypto wallet in tow, if it does, Samsung will be exposing crypto and blockchain to millions of its most tech-savvy smartph ...

Microsoft releases new patch for Windows 10 version 1809

Microsoft released yesterday a new patch for Windows 10 version 1809, in the form of the build 17763.292 . This is an optional update that follows this month’s Patch Tuesday released on January 8, but you may want to take a look at all the bug fixes included in this release.

The patch notes mention a fix for an issue causing Microsoft Edge to stop working with certain display drivers, and Microsoft has also fixed a compatibility issue with AMD R600 and R700 display chipsets. You can find the full list of fixes below:

Addresses an issue that may cause Microsoft Edge to stop w ...

Google to Gmail users: You're getting these three new editing features

Google serves up useful new tools for composing email in Gmail on the web.

Google is rolling out handy new shortcut features in Gmail to help users correct mistakes and edit while in compose view. 

The features include a new shortcut to undo or redo in the compose window and a new shortcut for strikethrough text. 

The shortcuts will be added to each end of the formatting menu located at the bottom of the Gmail compose window.

Just like word processors, Gmail will allow users to undo actions for the occasions you meant to copy text but accidentally deleted it ...

The 5 most iconic iPhone features that have disappeared over the years

If there’s one theme that will be prevalent in the smartphone industry in 2019, it’s change. After a ridiculously boring year in 2017 and another pretty boring year last year until the last few months of 2018, this year will see the introduction of all sorts of new smartphone form factors and features. “All screen” will finally be more than just BS marketing in 2019, as phone makers introduce innovative new solutions that allow their displays to truly reach all edges of a smartphone. Phones with foldable screens will finally begin to hit the market as well in 2019, after years of rumors and ...

XIAOMI TEASES FLEXIBLE SMARTPHONE THAT FOLDS LIKE A BIRTHDAY CARD

Weird Flex

It’s official: Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi has confirmed that it’s working on a flexible smartphone.

In a short clip posted to Chinese social media site Weibo today, Xiaomoi co-founder Lin Bin showed off an engineering sample of a smartphone with an astonishing display. The clip shows Lin folding the screen backwards on both sides, like a triptych or a birthday card.

Mass Effect

Lin said that Xiaomi is considering mass-producing the device, depending on how consumers react to it. He also asked Weibo users for suggestions for a name for the dev ...

Samsung might launch its own blockchain wallet alongside the Galaxy S10

Pictures posted by concept designer Ben Geskin on Twitter show off Samsung’s rumored cryptocurrencyservice, along with a clear image of the Galaxy S10.

The Samsung Blockchain KeyStore looks to be a blockchain wallet, which you’ll be able to either import an existing wallet or create a new wallet. According to the images, the Blockchain KeyStore only lists Ethereum as a supported cryptocurrency.

That said, a previous report from SamMobile claims that Samsung’s blockchain wallet will also support Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Ethereum-derived token ERC20 at launch.

The re ...

Google’s mysterious operating system that will replace Android runs on the Pixel 3

One of the best things about Google’s Android phones is that they’re always going to be the first to get Android updates, and those updates are guaranteed for three years. The Pixel 3 phones will get software updates through 2021, which is a great reason to buy a brand new Pixel phone. But, as it turns out, the new Pixel phones can also run another Google OS — the one that keeps popping in leaks and reports, and the one that will likely “kill” Android.

Fuchsia, as it’s currently called, represents Google vision for the future of smart devices. The operating system is being built fro ...

Apple to put THREE cameras on the upcoming iPhone 11 due for release in September, concept images reveal

YouTube site Concept Creator used existing image leaks to make the rendering

Three cameras have been shown in a new arrangement on the rear of the phone 

They would provide a superior depth perception and image quality on pictures

Apple's upcoming iPhone 11 will be fitted with three cameras and come with an all new aesthetic, according to leaked images. 

Images of the handset have been created in stunning 3D by YouTube site Concept Creator using existing leaked images. 

The device is not formally expected to be released until September 2019. 

...

This is likely our best look yet at Motorola's revamped Razr flip phone with a foldable display

Design patents filed by Motorola in December 2018 were discovered after a Wall Street Journal report said that a new Razr flip-phone-style device with a foldable display is on its way from Lenovo, Motorola's parent company.

The design patents don't definitively reveal what the new device will look like, but they give us a general idea as to what it could look like.

The design patents show a device that's nearly identical to the original Razr V3 flip phone.

Last Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Lenovo and Motorola will soon release a revival of its fam ...

Acer announces two new educational 12-inch Chromebooks

Chromebook usage in classrooms hits 30 million worldwide

Acer announced two 12-inch Chromebook devices today at the annual Bett conference for educators: the Chromebook 512 and the Chromebook Spin 512. Both feature 1366 x 912 resolution on 3:2 aspect ratio screens — a ratio which, according to Acer, falls between that of books and mobile media.

Compared to the Chromebook 512 — which starts at $329.99 and is equipped with a dual-core Celeron N4000 chip — the Chromebook Spin 512, which starts at $449.99, features a more powerful quad-core Intel Pentium Silver N5000 or Celeron ...

Apple's iOS 12.1.3 rolls out for iPhone, iPad and HomePod with bug fixes

The update includes fixes for issues like audio distortion on the iPad Pro and problems causing the HomePod to restart.

Apple on Tuesday released iOS 12.1.3 for the iPhone, iPad and HomePod, which includes bug fixes for all three devices. 

For the iPhone and iPad, Apple notes the update will fix a series of issues, including:

An issue in Messages that might impact scrolling through pictures while in the Details view.

A problem that could lead certain CarPlaysystems to disconnect from the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

An issue that could caus ...

Which HP Chromebook should you buy?

Best answer: HP has two Chromebooks that you should be looking at, and the one you want to buy depends on how you're going to be using it. The new HP Chromebook 14 comes with an all-new optimized AMD APU with Radeon graphics and looks like a great choice if you're after the traditional laptop form factor. The HP Chromebook X2 is a two-in-one detachable that has a great display, Intel Core M processor, and is our recommendation for best overall Chromebook.

Best Buy: HP Chromebook X2 ($539)

HP: HP Chromebook 14 ($270)

The form factor

HP has been making Chromebo ...

Microsoft wants suggestions on how to improve gaming on Windows 10

Microsoft wants your feedback on how it can improve the gaming experience on Windows 10, in terms of changing existing features, or adding entirely new ones.

This cry for feedback was actually made on the Xbox Ideas forums, as follows: “Team Xbox would love to hear how you’d like to see gaming on Windows improved. How can Windows 10 enhance your gaming experience? What features would you like added or changed to make gaming on Windows 10 even better?”

The post adds: “What do you want Windows to do (or stop doing) while you’re playing a game? What can Windows do to optimize y ...

Ugh, Android Q could give carriers more powerful ways to SIM lock phones

New Android Q code suggests the upcoming OS version will give carriers more control over SIM-locking phones.

Carriers could, hypothetically, lock out the second SIM tray in a dual-SIM phone if the first SIM isn’t approved.

Android Q could also make it possible for a carrier to blacklist other carriers — even if that carrier uses the same network.

Last week, we got our first look at what Android Q might have in store for us when it launches sometime this year. There were some exciting things seen in the source code, including the potential for a system-wide dark mode  ...

Motorola Goes Back To The Future With Razr

It’s taken a time, a very, very long time, but it now looks as though the current keepers of Motorola Mobile, Lenovo, will launch a restomod Razr.

The line drawings here show a recent patent application by Motorola Mobility for a new phone with a folding display. The photographs next to the patent pictures are of the original Razor concept model which I took in 2003. More than fifteen years separate the two and yet the design detail created by Chris Arnholt , shines through. It’s interesting to understand the legacy of this design.

Before Apple ruined innovation all phones l ...

Huge leak reveals Galaxy S10 pricing and confirms 1TB storage tier

For the past few months, we’ve witnessed an increasing number of Galaxy S10 rumors, revealing almost everything fans of the series would want to know about the phone. Report after report told us the same story: Samsung will have three distinct 4G Galaxy S10 models in stores this spring, including a phone with a flat screen. All three will feature Infinity-O screens and multi-lens cameras, and the premium models will feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.

We then learned more details about the phone’s specs, including camera, storage, and battery details, and we saw plenty of leak ...

Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro: Which Laptop Wins?

Hatfield-McCoy, Freddy versus Jason, da Vinci and Michelangelo — and in the laptop world, XPS 13 versus MacBook Pro. Some of the great rivalries of history include this heavyweight competition between Apple's and Dell's flagship devices, which rages on to this day. While the MacBook Pro was arguably the better machine at the start of the decade, the XPS 13 has turned a corner in recent years, outperforming the MacBook Pro in the past few matchups.

This year, the XPS 13 is better than ever thanks to some clever improvements made to its design and an upgrade to Intel's Whiskey ...

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 ...