Apple : 7th investor in 7 weeks: Jio Platforms gets $ 750 million from Adia |
- 7th investor in 7 weeks: Jio Platforms gets $ 750 million from Adia
- Garmin fitness tracker sales offer price drops across the US and UK this weekend
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 release date, price, news and leaks
- The most absurd consumer tech in video games
- The Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 might actually be called the Galaxy Watch 3
- VOX Cinemas and Tesla host region’s first carbon-neutral drive-in cinema screening
- If you stream one movie on Amazon Prime tonight, make it The Vast of Night
- The Sony WH-1000XM4 won’t reinvent noise-cancelling headphones – and they don’t need to
- New Apple Card installment plans could make buying Apple gadgets easier
- What is a LiDAR scanner, the iPhone 12 Pro's rumored camera upgrade, anyway?
- Are electric scooters legal in the UK? Everything you need to know
- 5 big things we've still got left to learn about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20
- Best Android phones in the Middle East for 2020: which should you buy?
- Best camera phone in the Middle East for 2020: The top smartphone snappers
- Best smartwatch 2020: the top wearable you can buy in the Middle East
- Intel’s revolutionary sandwich chip debuts in a tiny, business-focused Samsung laptop
| 7th investor in 7 weeks: Jio Platforms gets $ 750 million from Adia Posted: 07 Jun 2020 09:14 AM PDT Continuing its almost improbable run, Reliance Industries' digital subsidiary Jio Platforms on Sunday got $750 million (Rs 5,683.50 crore) from Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) -- its 7th big-ticket investor in as many weeks. Analysts are astonished at the pace of investment flowing into Jio Platforms especially at the height of global financial turmoil. Jio Platforms has now snared nearly $13 billion from seven investors, including the social media behemoth Facebook, by selling over 20% stake. ADIA, one of the world’s largest investors, is the third deal that Jio Platforms has landed for itself this week. Jio Platforms had earlier got $1.2 billion from another Abu Dhabi-based sovereign firm Mubadala. Further, late last Friday, equity firm Silver Lake chipped in an additional $600 million to increase its stake in Jio to 2.1%.
ADIA's India gambitADIA's investment values Jio Platforms at an equity value of Rs 4.91 lakh crore and an enterprise value of Rs 5.16 lakh crore. ADIA’s investment will translate into a 1.16% equity stake in Jio Platforms on a fully diluted basis. Established in 1976, ADIA is a globally-diversified investment institution that invests funds on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi through a strategy focused on long-term value creation. ADIA manages a global investment portfolio that is diversified across more than two dozen asset classes and sub-categories. Hamad Shahwan Aldhaheri, Executive Director of the Private Equities Department at ADIA, said: “Jio Platforms is at the forefront of India’s digital revolution, poised to benefit from major socioeconomic developments and the transformative effects of technology on the way people live and work." In a press release, he added: "The rapid growth of the business, which has established itself as a market leader in just four years, has been built on a strong track record of strategic execution. Our investment in Jio is a further demonstration of ADIA’s ability to draw on deep regional and sector expertise to invest globally in market leading companies and alongside proven partners.” With this investment, Jio Platforms has raised close to $13 billion (Rs 97,885.65 crore) from leading global investors including Facebook, Silver Lake, Vista, General Atlantic and KKR, Mubadala , Silver Lake again, and now Adia in seven weeks. Jio's scorcing paceJio Platforms, with more than 388 million subscribers in its three-and-a-half-year existence, is blazing a hot trail that its competitors are finding it impossible to match. Jio has made significant investments across its digital ecosystem, powered by leading technologies spanning broadband connectivity, smart devices, cloud and edge computing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, augmented and mixed reality and blockchain. On the latest investor, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, said, “I am delighted that ADIA, with its track record of more than four decades of successful long-term value investing across the world, is partnering with Jio Platforms in its mission to take India to digital leadership and generate inclusive growth opportunities. This investment is a strong endorsement of our strategy and India’s potential.” The stake sales are part of Jio Platforms' parent company RIL's Reliance Industries) plan to be debt-free by March. Most likely, the target is likely to be achieved by December, with Reliance already securing Rs53,124 crore from a rights issue that closed on 4 June. (You can read everything about Jio Platforms and its various investors in our comprehensive coverage here). This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Garmin fitness tracker sales offer price drops across the US and UK this weekend Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:59 AM PDT Garmin fitness tracker sales are offering discounts on cheap smartwatches across the US and UK this weekend. That means you can bag yourself a brand new piece of wrist-candy for less right now, and we're seeing a massive range to choose from. Whether you're after a cheap fitness tracker like the Garmin Vivofit 4 (now down to $68.83 / £54.99 in the UK) or the turbo-charged Garmin Venu (available for $349.99 in the US and £269 in the UK), there's plenty to get your hands on. Best Buy and Amazon are currently offering the best prices in the US, whereas Very and Currys are leading the charge with their own Garmin fitness tracker sales in the UK. So, whichever side of the pond you find yourself on, cheap smartwatches are offering some fantastic prices. We're rounding up all the latest offers below, as well as the latest prices on a range of Fitbit and Apple Watch models further down the page if you want to shop between brands. If nothing takes your fancy today, you can also check out all the best smartwatch prices and deals on a wider range of devices. Garmin fitness tracker sales in the US
Garmin fitness tracker deals in the UKIf these Garmin sales don't suit your needs right now, you can always check out the best cheap Fitbit sales and prices or the latest Apple Watch deals. Or you can play the long game and stay ahead of this year's Amazon Prime Day sales. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 release date, price, news and leaks Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:31 AM PDT Samsung didn't launch the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 alongside the Samsung Galaxy S20 range, but we're still expecting the device, and rumors suggest it could land soon. Indeed, it's overdue, especially when you consider that Samsung launched the Galaxy Watch Active 2 only six months after the original Watch Active arrived back in 2019. That was when we expected to hear of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2, but at the time of writing we still haven't heard any official news about it, despite the original Galaxy Watch being one of the company's best ever wearables. Below you’ll find all the leaks and news that we’ve heard so far about the wearable and further down there’s a wish list of all the things we want from the Galaxy Watch 2, to make it a worthy upgrade and a real rival to the Apple Watch 5 and the other best smartwatches. Update: It's rumored that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 will get its predecessor's best feature, but based on recent regulatory filings, it looks as though the wearable might actually be called the Galaxy Watch 3. Cut to the chase
Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 release date and priceOriginally we expected to see the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 a year after the original device - around the same time as the Galaxy Note 10 launch in 2019 - but the device didn't appear. Nor did it land alongside the Samsung Galaxy S20 family of phones in February 2020. The release of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 also makes us slightly question whether there will be a Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 at all, especially as the Active sequel can be bought with a leather strap, positioning it as a classier option than the original and a real alternative to the Galaxy Watch, and as we're now hearing about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 3. Either the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch Active 3 could land soon though, as two model numbers for Samsung wearables, which have previously been linked to one or other of these ranges, have now appeared on official certification documents in China. Since then, something listed specifically as a 'Samsung Galaxy Watch' has been certified in the US. That more or less proves that Samsung has a new smartwatch in the works, but certifications for new devices normally appear close to launch, so it also suggests the wearable might soon be announced. As for price, there aren’t any rumors there, but the original Galaxy Watch started at $329 / £279 / AU$499 (for the smaller 42mm version), so the Galaxy Watch 2 will probably cost at least that much. Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 news and leaksThere aren’t many Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 rumors yet, but an FCC listing for an upcoming Galaxy Watch (which is presumably either this or the Galaxy Watch Active 3) includes a sketch with various specs and features written on it. As you can see below, the wearable has GPS, LTE, a 5 ATM water resistance rating, a 45mm stainless steel case, military-standard durability, and uses Gorilla Glass DX. According to the most recent reports, it seems that Samsung may skip a number and call this upcoming wearable the Galaxy Watch 3, partly to avoid confusion with the Galaxy Watch Active 2 (we hope you're keeping up at the back). Beyond that, it's rumored that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 will have a physical rotating bezel. That's no surprise since the original Galaxy Watch had this feature, but we'd like to see it return, as it's a great way to navigate the interface. One source also suggests that the wearable will come in two different sizes – a 44mm one and a 40mm one. The original Galaxy Watch also came in two sizes, but they were 46mm and 42mm, so if true then the Galaxy Watch 2 might have been shrunk down a little, which is no bad thing, as the original was a hefty device in the larger size. It's worth noting that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has now launched in 44mm and 40mm sizes, so it's possible that this rumor was actually talking about that, especially since the sketch above mentions a 45mm size. Equally though, it's very possible that Samsung will start offering those sizes across its smartwatch range, especially as that's in line with the Apple Watch. A leak from sources known to popular Samsung blog SamMobile have said that the smartwatch will come with double the storage of previous editions so there will be 8GB of space for apps and music. The same blog has also reported that there will be a titanium version of the watch, alongside the expected aluminum and stainless steel ones. Titanium is light, durable and expensive, so this could be a premium option. It has also been reported that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 is codenamed ‘Renaissance’. One definition of that is ‘rebirth’ or ‘revival’, which – while we might be reading too much into the name - could suggest big changes are coming to the design or features of the watch. Will the Galaxy Watch 2 sport a new design? Finally, in the realms of unlikely but possible features, there’s a patent (spotted by Patently Mobile) for a Samsung wearable with a body composition feature that would use electrodes built into the strap to measure body fat percentage. We doubt we’ll see this on the Galaxy Watch 2 though, as that isn’t specifically named in the patent, and patents often take a long time to turn into products – if they ever do. That's it in terms of rumors, but we can take some educated guesses about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2, especially now that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has been announced, as the two are likely to share some features. A big new feature on the Watch Active 2 for example is its ECG (electrocardiogram), a feature which will let it monitor your heart’s rhythm and alert you to possible atrial fibrillation. In other words, it could be a life-saving feature. The Apple Watch 4 also offers this and we'd be very surprised if the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 didn't. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 also has a digital rotating bezel. This is in place of the physical one on the Galaxy Watch and could be something Samsung will move to for the Galaxy Watch 2. It's arguably not quite as slick, but also takes up less space, allowing for a more compact design. Of course, Samsung is also going to want to keep the two wearables distinct, so maybe it won't ditch the physical bezel - especially as its return has now been rumored. What we want to seeWhile we don’t know a huge amount about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 yet, we do know what we want from it. 1. More third-party appsTizen is good, but its app situation isn't. The Samsung Galaxy Watch runs Tizen, rather than one of the big-name wearable operating systems, and one downside of that is that there are fewer apps available than you’ll find on Wear OS or watchOS. So by the time Samsung launches the Galaxy Watch 2 we’d like to have seen it work with developers to get more apps on the platform, especially big name ones. 2. Better stress trackingThe Samsung Galaxy Watch tracks a lot of things and mostly does a good job, but stress tracking is definitely a weak link. While it’s available, it required us to manually measure our stress levels rather than tracking them automatically in our tests (despite claiming that it can do it automatically), and its accuracy could be questionable, since the data seems mostly based just on heart rate. So we’d like to see this feature overhauled for the next model. 3. Group challengesCompeting with friends can be a big motivator to get more active and handily the Samsung Galaxy Watch lets you do this. Your friends don’t even need a Galaxy Watch of their own – a Gear watch or the Samsung Health app will do just fine. However, you can only challenge friends individually, rather than having a group competition. It seems like this would be an obvious and easy feature to add, so hopefully Samsung will. 4. Compatibility with more wireless chargersThere shouldn't be a need for proprietary chargers. The Samsung Galaxy Watch charges wirelessly, but not just any wireless charger will do, you need a proprietary one that comes with it. This is inconvenient and if you’re ever without your charger means you’re likely to soon have a dead watch (though the Galaxy Watch at least has good battery life). So for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 we want it to work with standard, everyday wireless chargers. That way if you’re at the office or a friend’s house without yours there’s at least a chance someone will have one you can borrow. 5. Big improvements to BixbyAnother downside of using Tizen rather than Wear OS is that the Samsung Galaxy Watch is reliant on Bixby rather than Google Assistant. This is a problem, because Bixby is nowhere near as good as Google Assistant (or Siri or Alexa for that matter), with one particularly major issue being that it simply struggles to understand us on the Galaxy Watch. While you don’t have to use Bixby to interact with the Galaxy Watch, it has the potential to be a major feature, but until it gets a lot better it won’t be. 6. An ECGThe Apple Watch 4 already has an ECG. One of the big new features Apple added for the Apple Watch 4 was an ECG, a feature that lets it check for atrial fibrillation. It’s a major upgrade and one we’d love to see Samsung match with its rival device. This now looks very likely though, as Samsung has brought the feature to the Galaxy Watch Active 2. 7. Wider LTE availabilityThere are versions of the Samsung Galaxy Watch that support LTE, but only on select networks, which won’t suit everyone. For the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 we’d like to see an LTE model available on more or less all networks, so it’s an option for everyone.
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| The most absurd consumer tech in video games Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:30 AM PDT While the latest trailer for The Last of Us 2 was shocking in its brutal survivalist violence, it had one last surprise in store: a character is shown playing a PS Vita. Given how few people play the system nowadays, and the new game is set in 2033, we find the implication hilarious that one of the few pieces of tech to survive the apocalypse would be Sony’s underrated handheld console. Which got us thinking: what are the most absurd devices that pop up in video games? Sure, plenty of games incorporate tech advances that saturate our own world, like cell phones. But we’ve found some instances when including a specific piece of consumer tech feels, in hindsight, truly bizarre. These go beyond product placement to bend the suspension of disbelief, making us wonder what kind of world we’re playing in. Here are our favorite moments when gaming and devices don’t mix well at all. Sony Walkman Cassette Player – Metal Gear Solid seriesIn the Metal Gear Solid series, Solid Snake (and his various other aliases) tends to communicate with his superiors using a Codec receiver, a discrete device which directly manipulates the small bones of the ear by using nanotechnology. You’d like to think, then, that Snake would have moved on from his chunky old Sony Walkman Cassette Player to something a bit more… advanced. After all, there’s a multitude of reasons why cassette tapes are now a thing of the past: they’re bulky, need to be manually rewound, and the sound quality isn’t exactly top-tier. And yet Solid Snake refuses to leave his antiquated music player behind. Maybe he’s just stubborn; maybe he’s sentimental; or maybe Apple Care won’t cover devices that are taken into a warzone. Nintendo Switch – Donkey Kong: Tropical FreezeThe Nintendo Switch is a fabulous console, but it’s hard to argue that its Joy-Con controllers are best suited to smaller hands when they’re detached from the console. At a stretch, you could probably imagine a chimpanzee using a single Joy-Con without much trouble. But a tie-wearing, 300+ pound ape? Not a chance. We guess Nintendo missed the memo, though, as Diddy Kong and the ham-fisted DK play Nintendo Switch together as part of the game’s idle animation in Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze. Diddy probably gave him the inferior right-sided Joy-Con as well, the cheeky little monkey. (And before we get notes – yes, we know the original version had DK and Diddy grooving on the 3DS. That Nintendo decided to update it for the re-release is touching.) Energizer batteries – Alan WakeIn a world where darkness can only be defeated by light, batteries suddenly become a precious resource. That being said, only the best will do for Mr. Alan Wake, who exclusively uses Energizer batteries to power his flashlight. But here’s a question for you... how does Alan Wake always manage to put the batteries in the right way every time? Furthermore, how does he achieve this feat of wizardry in the dark and under duress? And finally, what kind of torch drains batteries that fast anyway? Some things in life will always be a mystery it seems, but Alan’s favorite brand of batteries will never be in doubt. And don’t get us started on all the Verizon phones in the game... Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.) – Super Smash Bros. SeriesWhat do you do when a niche NES peripheral gets largely forgotten about? Turn it into a character for Super Smash Bros, of course! R.O.B. was a typically novel idea from Nintendo that no one knew they wanted (and seemingly no one asked for, either). The toy was compatible with a couple of NES games, but was originally designed to make the NES appear more sophisticated to buyers, who were weary of video games after the infamous video game crash of 1983. R.O.B. was admittedly a clever piece of tech, but he’s best recognized today as one of Super Smash Bros. growing cast of characters. The plastic robot made his in-game debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and has been a mainstay ever since. Way to go, little buddy. Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Pokemon Red & BlueImagine: you’ve been waiting for this day your entire 10-year-old life. You finally get the summons from the kindly professor in town to pick your very own pocket-sized beast to start your amazing journey. You go home to kiss your mom goodbye (like a good kid) and pop up to your room...to play a bit on your Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Imagine being in a zoological wonderland where you get to raise, train, and battle Pokemon, but you’d rather sit inside and play Kirby All-Star. Oh well. We all need breaks. AlienWare 'Everything But The Saucer' AlienWare Desktop – Sims 2Many items in the Sims 2 are comical knock-offs of real-world products, and that extends to computers, coming from fictional in-game brands like LyfeB Gon and PeachySoft. And then there was the AlienWare desktop. For whatever backdoor partnership reason, EA planted one of the top off-the-shelf gaming computers in the world, and its humorous ‘Everything But The Saucer’ description even pokes fun at the cost of the rig both in-game (3100 simoleons!) and real life. (FYI some modders have resurrected the item, but only for Sims 3, sadly...) Sony Xperia Z5 – Uncharted 4Sony, Sony, Sony. As an entertainment and technology titan, it’s not too surprising that Sony takes products from one arm of the company and shoehorns them into films – Hotel Transylvania 2 and the James Bond movie Skyfall both have either suggested or literal Sony phones, while a PS4 blatantly appears in Chappie. (Yay, product placement!) But it’s a bit sillier when we realized characters in Uncharted 4 were sporting the Sony Xperia Z5, because even at that point in late 2015, Sony’s phones were struggling to compete. It’s one thing to put your latest phone in James Bond’s hand for a scene; it’s another to pressure your devs to animate your company’s smartphone for some desperate advertising. Windows Phone & Surface Tablets – Quantum BreakOkay, fair is fair: the 2016 time-manipulating third-person action game Quantum Break is chock-full of Microsoft products like Windows Phones and Surface Tablets, as Kotaku pointed out. This makes sense given the game was published by Microsoft Studios...and developed by Remedy Entertainment, which made Alan Wake (above on this list). It’s hilarious that both Sony and Microsoft leaned on third-party developers to get their devices into games.
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| The Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 might actually be called the Galaxy Watch 3 Posted: 07 Jun 2020 07:00 AM PDT Considering the original Samsung Galaxy Watch launched all the way back in 2018, anticipation levels are high for its successor – though it seems Samsung is skipping a number and calling the new device the Galaxy Watch 3. We had previously been calling the upcoming wearable the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2, but for whatever reason, that moniker has apparently been ditched, as per new filings made at Thailand's NBTC (Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission) regulatory body. As spotted by MySmartPrice, the filings feature product code numbers that match up with recent documentation logged at the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the US, so it seems a good bet that the Galaxy Watch 3 is what we're dealing with here.
It seems strange to skip a number completely, but it would avoid confusion in regards to the sportier Galaxy Watch Active 2 that Samsung makes as well. At the moment the original Watch is cheaper than the Active 2, but it's also a year older. What to watch out forWhatever the name of the new Samsung wearable, the rumors we've heard about the device so far still apply. Apparently, the rotating bezel that we saw on the original Galaxy Watch is making a return (it was dropped on the Watch Active 2). We've also heard speculation about the Galaxy Watch 3 (previously known as the Galaxy Watch 2) coming in a new titanium casing, alongside the more conventional aluminum and stainless materials that we've seen before. As for sizes, that's something else spilled by the NBTC listing: it looks as though the Galaxy Watch 3 will come in a choice of 41 mm and 45 mm variants, slightly smaller than the 42 mm and 46 mm sizes that its predecessor offered. The smartwatch is being tipped to launch on August 5, alongside a plethora of other Samsung hardware, including the Galaxy Note 20. We will of course keep you informed as soon as anything is made official. Via SamMobile This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| VOX Cinemas and Tesla host region’s first carbon-neutral drive-in cinema screening Posted: 07 Jun 2020 05:01 AM PDT Majid Al Futtaim, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and VOX Cinemas celebrated World Environment Day by hosting the region’s first carbon neutral drive-in movie screening for Tesla cars. The company also announced it is partnering with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to offset the carbon emissions from all VOX Cinemas Drive-In screenings The special screening, which took place at VOX Cinemas Drive-In on the rooftop of Mall of the Emirates, was attended by the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, along with over 100 movie enthusiasts in their Tesla electric cars. Majid Al Futtaim’s partnership with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence aims to ensure that all future screenings held at the VOX Cinemas’ Drive-In will have a carbon neutral footprint. This will be done through carbon measurement, reduction of avoidable carbon emissions, and offsetting the remaining ones. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim has implemented a waste collection process to ensure 100% waste recycling rates. Committing to a greener futureCameron Mitchell, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas said, “Our Mall of the Emirate’s Drive-In, has proven to be incredibly popular, not only when it was the only cinema in the MENA region that was operating, but even more recently as cinemas have started to open across Dubai. We are very proud to partner with Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to ensure that the VOX Cinemas Drive-In is a carbon neutral experience.” In keeping with its efforts to be more eco-conscious, Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates close to 3 million sqm of green certified floor area, and has committed to phase out single-use plastics from its operations by 2025. Tickets for the VOX Cinemas Carbon Neutral Drive-In can be booked on voxcinemas.com or through the VOX Cinemas iOS and Android app. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| If you stream one movie on Amazon Prime tonight, make it The Vast of Night Posted: 07 Jun 2020 05:00 AM PDT In a '50s New Mexico town, a switchboard operator, Fay (Sierra McCormick), and a local DJ, Everett (Jake Horowitz), start to pick up strange signals coming through calls and the radio. Together, across a single night, they work together to figure out what's going on, and what the source of the signals is. Presented as an episode of a fake anthology show in the vein of The Twilight Zone, The Vast of Night is a low-budget, cool little sci-fi film that's worth watching without much further knowledge than we've offered above. For a movie that cost less than $1 million to make, it's impressively shot, a great period piece and wonderfully spooky. So much of the film's running time comprises its two engaging leads sat in front of switchboards and microphones, taking strange phone calls, but a lot of magic is generated just with this storytelling choice. The Vast of Night is a contemporary spin on Roswell-style conspiracy stories, infused with more than a little '70s Spielberg. Director Andrew Patterson achieves so much just by creating ambiguity about the signals heard by the characters, and allowing the audience to fill in the gaps. While the film lacks one magnificent, shocking twist to make it unforgettable in the way all the best sci-fi anthology show episodes are, it's a neat little story that's just scary enough to keep you on-edge up until its finale. The Vast of Night didn't need the framing device of an anthology show to keep us hooked – the close friendship between its two young leads, and how they react to the unknown, is the real reason to watch.
Since this is Patterson's first movie and it shares a small-town America period setting, The Vast of Night is drawing comparisons to 2001's Donnie Darko. It's not quite that startling a debut, though, and it's a far simpler story. But at a lean 89 minutes, it's a perfect little film to pass the time while you wait for theaters to reopen where you are. In a nice touch, Amazon released the movie a couple of weeks earlier in drive-in theaters, which would be a perfect place to watch a film like this during the lockdown. Either way, though, this is an original sci-fi gem, the sort of festival circuit discovery that everyone will enjoy. The Vast of Night is now available on Amazon Prime Video. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Sony WH-1000XM4 won’t reinvent noise-cancelling headphones – and they don’t need to Posted: 07 Jun 2020 05:00 AM PDT Rumors of the Sony WH-1000XM4 – the successors to the best headphones we've ever tested – have been ramping up in recent months, coming to a head when a Walmart listing that appears to describe all the specs of the new headphones was leaked. While the existence of the XM4s is yet to be confirmed by Sony, the Walmart listing revealed the kind of changes (or lack thereof) we can expect over the Sony WH-1000XM3.
Now, normally we would expect a brand to make some significant changes when bringing out a successor to its last pair of headphones. In this instance, however, we’re relieved that Sony hasn’t tinkered too much with its class-leading noise-cancelling headphones. Instead, it looks like the company is making some very considered tweaks to the XM3, which could genuinely improve the user experience without detracting from a winning design. As they say, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. What’s new with the Sony WH-1000XM4?According to the leaked listing, one of these tweaks is the ability to connect more than one audio source to the headphones at once; multipoint pairing is something users of the XM3s have been calling out for, and it will allow you to pair the WH-1000XM4s with your laptop and your smartphone at the same time. There should also be a slight improvement to the sound quality. A feature known as “Edge-AI” can restore the detail lost in highly compressed audio files by upscaling them in real time, which Sony says delivers sound “as close as possible to that of a wired connection.” Wireless headphones have long been considered inferior to their wired counterparts in terms of audio fidelity, so this tweak will likely appease audiophiles who haven’t yet committed to cutting the cord. Connectivity in general should be improved too, as Sony makes the leap from Bluetooth 4.2 to Bluetooth 5, which brings faster pairing times, connectivity over longer distances, and stronger pairing in high traffic areas. The Sony WH-1000XM3. Anyone who has used the Sony WH-1000XM3s to make phone calls should notice an improvement in the sound quality as well, with a feature called Precise Voice Pickup that uses the headphones’ five microphones and advanced audio signal processing to make your voice sound clearer. The noise cancellation that made the Sony WH-1000XM3s so popular is also due an upgrade. According to the leaked listing, a feature called Adaptive Sound Control will “learn to recognize locations you frequently visit, such as your workplace or your favorite cafe.” “In addition it automatically detects what you’re up to – for example, walking, waiting, or traveling – and then adjusts ambient sound settings to best suit the situation,” says Sony. This is a feature that’s already been brought to the XM3s via a firmware update, so we've had a bit of a preview already. These are all smart tweaks to already-great features. So what’s staying the same with the Sony WH-1000XM4? What’s staying the same?Aside from these little tweaks and upgrades, the new XM4s seem to be very similar to their predecessors. It looks like there won’t be any material changes to the design of the Sony WH-1000XM4s, which we think is a great thing. We loved how comfortable the XM3s felt, with big padded earcups and a soft headband. They also looked great, with a sleek, minimalist build that appeals to a wide range of people, and we liked the touchpad controls – another feature that will be making a return. The sound quality shouldn’t change substantially either, aside from that AI upscaling feature that will help to curb the data loss from highly compressed files. Judging from the leaked listing, the XM4s will use the same 40mm drivers as their predecessors and support for Sony’s LDAC transmission technology – and as the XM3s are among the best-sounding headphones on the planet, we’re happy to see that the audio profile hasn’t been tweaked too much. Some may be disappointed to find that there’s no improvement to battery life – but with 30 hours of juice, the Sony WH-1000XM3 weren’t exactly short-lived. Plus, with a return of USB-C fast charging, the XM4s shouldn’t take too long to top up. A considered approachSony has a history of making careful tweaks to its products with each upgrade, and it’s something we’ve seen with the brand’s noise-cancelling 1000X range before. It’s a great way of instilling a sense of trust in the products, and it makes us feel confident that each new upgrade will bring genuinely useful updates, rather than skin-deep design changes that don’t really improve the experience of using the headphones. Sony wouldn’t be able to be subtle with its upgrades to the 1000X series if the original product wasn’t so good – and in a market where every company is trying to outdo one and other with headline-grabbing features like gesture controls and built-in AI (like the TicPods Pro 2), it’s a risky move to let the sound, feel, and look of the headphones speak for itself. That's especially true with the first-ever Apple over-ear headphones looking like they're going to launch in a matter of weeks and shake up the headphones market. Trends (or gimmicks, if you prefer) like virtual 3D audio, bone conduction, and crazy form factors (see: the Bose Frames) may come and go – but we don’t think there will ever be a time when people won’t want a great-sounding pair of noise-cancelling headphones that do their job with minimal fuss. Hopefully, that’s exactly what the Sony WH-1000XM4 will do when they’re finally released – and with this recent leak, it’s only a matter of time before we can get our hands on them and find out for ourselves. Can't wait until then? Check out the best Sony WH-1000XM3 deals we've found today: This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New Apple Card installment plans could make buying Apple gadgets easier Posted: 07 Jun 2020 03:00 AM PDT Apple already offers an installment payment plan for the iPhone, but it could extend similar plans to all kinds of other Apple hardware in the near future – as long as you make your purchases through the Apple Card. According to sources speaking to Bloomberg, the plans would be interest-free, giving you more time to pay off your latest Apple gadget purchases without penalizing you with interest repayments along the way. Apparently the plan is to give customers 12 months to pay on more expensive items like Macs and iPads, while cheaper gadgets such as AirPods and the HomePod would be paid off over six months.
None of this is official until it's confirmed by Apple of course, but it seems a smart move – not only would it give people more flexibility when it comes to buying Apple hardware, it would also be likely to generate more interest in the Apple Card. Coming soonThe details obtained by Bloomberg suggest the scheme could be unveiled within the next few weeks, with payments made through the Wallet app. We might get an announcement at the virtual WWDC 2020 event happening on June 22. It shouldn't take Apple too long to implement the new plans either – customers can already buy an iPhone over 24 months, interest-free, using an Apple Card. For now though, that deal is only available in the US. Apple hasn't commented officially on the rumors, as you would expect, though CEO Tim Cook has previously hinted that more installment plans could be introduced in the future. As well as being a way to drive up sales of Apple goods and Apple finance plans, the various payment options might help gadget buyers through the current global pandemic – which continues to affect most areas of life, including the tech industry. Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| What is a LiDAR scanner, the iPhone 12 Pro's rumored camera upgrade, anyway? Posted: 07 Jun 2020 03:00 AM PDT The iPhone 12's camera specs might still be up in the air, but there is one thing we are pretty sure about – the phone's two 'Pro' versions are likely to come with a LiDAR scanner. That's right, the same mysterious dot that first appeared on the iPad Pro 2020. But what is a LiDAR scanner? A built-in lie detector? A more relaxed version of radar perhaps? As we'll discover, LiDAR (or 'Light Detection and Ranging') does work in a similar way to radar, only it uses lasers to judge distances and depth. This is big news for augmented reality (AR) and, to a lesser extent, photography too. The more interesting question, though, is what LiDAR will let us do on the iPhone 12. Using our experience of seeing the tech on the iPad Pro 2020, we'll be exploring the kind of experiences LiDAR could open up on the new iPhones – and, ultimately, the Apple Glasses. But first, a quick rewind to the tech's origins, so you can sound smart during your next family Zoom meeting... What is LiDAR?The concept behind LiDAR has been around since the 1960s. In short, the tech lets you scan and map your environment by firing out laser beams, then timing how quickly they return. A bit like how bats 'see' with sound waves, only with lasers –which makes it even cooler than Batman's Batarang. Like most futuristic tech, it started life as a military tool on planes, before becoming better known as the system that allowed the Apollo 15 mission to map the surface of the moon. More recently, LiDAR (also known as lidar) has been seen on self-driving cars, where it helps detect objects like cyclists and pedestrians. You might have also unwittingly come across the tech in your robot vacuum. But it's in the past couple of years that LiDAR's possibilities have really opened up. With the systems getting smaller, cheaper and more accurate, they've started become viable additions to mobile devices that already have things like powerful processors and GPS – tablets and phones. Of course, not all LiDAR systems are created equal. Until fairly recently, the most common types built 3D maps of their environments by physically sweeping around in a similar way to a radar dish. This obviously won't cut it on mobile devices, so newer LiDAR systems – including the 3D time-of-flight (ToF) sensors seen on many smartphones – are solid-state affairs with no moving parts. But what's the difference between a time-of-flight sensor and the LiDAR 'scanner' that we'll mostly likely see on the iPhone 12? What's different about Apple's LiDAR scanner?You might already be familiar with the time-of-flight (ToF) sensors seen on many Android phones – these help them sense scene depth and mimic the bokeh effects of larger cameras. But the LiDAR system used in the iPad Pro 2020 – and, most likely, the two 'Pro' versions of the iPhone 12 – promises to go beyond this. That's because it's a LiDAR scanner, rather than the 'scannerless' systems seen on smartphones so far. The latter use a single pulse of infra-red light to create their 3D maps, but a scanning LiDAR system fires a train of laser pulses at different parts of a scene over a short period of time. This brings two main benefits – an improved range of up to five meters and better object 'occlusion', which is the appearance of virtual objects disappearing behind real ones like trees. Impressively, it's a speedy process too, but that speed is only really possible with the latest mobile processors. As Apple stated at the iPad Pro 2020 launch, the LiDAR scanner's data is crunched together with data from cameras and a motion sensor, then "enhanced by computer vision algorithms on the A12Z Bionic for a more detailed understanding of the scene". In other words, there's a lot going on to make it appear seamless. But while the iPhone 12's rumored A14 Bionic processor would offer good support for Apple's LiDAR scanner, there's plenty of room for improvement in the scanner itself too. As a blog post from the developer of Halide camera app points out, right now the iPad Pro's depth data just doesn't offer the resolution needed for some applications, like detailed 3D scanning or even Portrait mode. This means the iPad Pro's LiDAR scanner is designed more for room-scale applications like games or shifting around AR furniture in IKEA's Place app. It doesn't currently let you 3D scan objects with greater accuracy than other techniques like photogrammetry, which instead combines high-resolution RGB photos taken from different vantage points. Wouldn't it be great if these LiDAR scanner meshes could be combined with the kind of resolution and textures seen by RGB cameras or Face ID? That's the ideal, but we're not quite there yet – and it's unlikely that the iPhone 12 will immediately make that leap either. So what exactly might you be able to do with a LiDAR scanner on the iPhone 12? What might a LiDAR scanner let you do on the iPhone 12?So now we know the iPad Pro's LiDAR scanner works best at room-sized scales, what kind of things could it do on the iPhone 12? For the average person, the main two are AR gaming and AR shopping. Apple has previewed a few LiDAR-specific applications that are conveniently coming "later this year" (most likely to tie in with the iPhone 12's announcement) and one of the more interesting is the game Hot Lava. A first-person adventure game for iOS and PC, Hot Lava will have a new 'AR mode' in late 2020 that draws on Apple's LiDAR sensor to bring its molten rivers into your living room. So far, the demo isn't quite as impressive as we'd hoped – most of the objects that your character leaps around are in-game renders rather than your actual furniture, but there's still time for it to develop. Naturally, any mention of AR gaming brings to mind Pokemon Go, the only real smash hit for augmented reality so far. Interestingly, the game's maker Niantic seems to be forging its own AR path, rather than relying on Apple's tech. It recently announced a new 'reality blending' feature for Pokemon Go – which lets characters realistically hide behind real-world objects like trees – and revealed the acquisition of a 3D spatial mapping company called 6D.ai. This shows that next-gen AR gaming won't necessarily be tied to Apple's LiDAR-based tech or ARKit platform, but the iPhone 12 should at least give you a ringside seat for watching the AR battle play out. But what about non-gaming experiences for the LiDAR sensor? So far, the most polished seem to be based around interior design. For example, the IKEA Place app lets you move around virtual furniture in your living room, like you're in a real-life version of The Sims. But while the iPad Pro 2020's improved AR placement and occlusion (or ability to hide virtual objects behind real ones) are helpful, it's still not a scintillating new use for the LiDAR scanner. Still, while the tech is currently more useful for CAD designers and healthcare professionals (if you have an iPad Pro, check out the impressive Complete Anatomy app), there is still plenty of room for creativity and surprises to appear in the next year. As Halide's proof-of-concept app Esper shows, the LiDAR sensor could help app developers invent new creative forms that go way beyond traditional photography and video. In the meantime, it's fair to say that the LiDAR scanner on the iPad Pro and possibly iPhone 12 will initially be there to wow developers rather than tech fans. You'll get the chance to test-drive the future on LiDAR-equipped devices – but the real leap should come when these sensors and apps arrive on the Apple Glasses. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Are electric scooters legal in the UK? Everything you need to know Posted: 07 Jun 2020 01:20 AM PDT Are electric scooters legal in the UK? The short answer is no – for now. Although you can legally sell, buy and own e-scooters, it's currently against the law to ride them on public roads or footpaths. You could ride one on private land with the landowner's permission, or in an area conducting a trial (more on that later), but the law is otherwise quite clear: no e-scooting allowed. If you're stopped by police, you could receive a £300 fixed penalty notice, plus six points on your driving license – and although it might seem surprising considering how many e-scooters you see in a typical city, that does happen. Last summer, police in London stopped over 100 e-scooter riders over a single weekend. But why – and why are electric bikes different? Types of electric vehiclesAt the moment, electric scooters are classed as personal light electric vehicles (PLEVs) – a category that also includes cars and motorbikes, and requires licensing, tax, MOT, signalling ability, number plates and visible rear red lights. PLEVs must also meet minimum construction requirements to be considered road legal. By contrast, pedal-assisted electric bikes are treated the same as ordinary bicycles, and don’t have to be registered, taxed or insured. You have to be at least 14 years old to ride one though, and the motor must have a maximum power output of 250 watts. The motor shouldn’t be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling at more than 15.5mph. Any e-bike that doesn’t fall into those rules is treated as an electric motorbike or moped. Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are divided into two types: class two, which cannot be used on the road and have a maximum speed of 4mph, and class three, which can be used on the road and have a top speed of 8mph. Class three vehicles have to be registered, and can only be driven by someone 14 or older. Electric bikes are treated much the same as push-bikes provided they meet certain criteria and are pedal-assisted Electric scooter hire schemesThere have already been some small electric scooter trials in the UK, including a long-running scheme operating in London’s Olympic Park, but now the government is planning to extend trials to any town or city that’s interested. These trials were initially due to begin in 2021, but have been shifted forward in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to take the weight off public transport, and encourage people to get around in a way that’s more environmentally friendly than driving. Several electric scooter companies have confirmed that they’re talking to local authorities in the UK about starting pilot schemes. US-based Bird and Lime are making their case, according to CNBC, as well as European startups Tier and Voi. Although it’s yet to pick a provider, Milton Keynes is one of the first towns to confirm its participation in an electric scooter trial. The Buckinghamshire new town (which has also carried out extensive trials with autonomous ‘pods’ for short journeys) is particularly well suited to the project thanks to its system of redways – a network of wide dual-purpose footpaths and cycleways that provide ample room and a smooth surface for riding. It remains to be seen how older cities, with narrow or cobbled streets, would fare, but hopefully planned improvements to cycling infrastructure will also mean more scootable routes. Bird and Lime are among the e-scooter hire companies in talks with UK local authorities Privately owned scootersThere’s no word yet on whether trials will be limited to rental scooters (so that local authorities know the speed and type of vehicles on their streets), or will also allow people to ride privately owned scooters as well. There are certainly advantages to having your own scooter. Not only will it work out cheaper in the long term with regular use, it also means you won’t have to worry about sanitising the handlebars before setting off – something that would be tricky to manage with rented vehicles. Bird and Lime have suspended dozens of hire schemes around the world for exactly that reason (though interestingly, Spin says it’s been asked to ‘step up’ its hire services to fill the gap left by missing public transport). What's next?It seems it will only be a matter of time before electric scooters are legalised in the UK, but there will doubtless be rules on not only when and where you can ride, but also helmets, engine size, and maximum speed. While most electric scooters max out at 15mph, some can hit up to 29mph. When e-scooters do receive the green light, it’ll almost certainly be wisest to source yours from a UK retailer (many of which already exist) so you can be certain it’ll comply with the relevant laws and you don’t accidentally end up with something that’s classed as a moped, and you’ll be covered by an appropriate warranty in case anything goes wrong. We’ll keep you updated when new trials are announced and more information is provided, so stay tuned.
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| 5 big things we've still got left to learn about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Posted: 07 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is one of the most highly anticipated phones left to come this year – arguably second only to the iPhone 12. That high status has inevitably meant it's been extensively leaked, but while we have a good idea about many aspects of the upcoming handset, there are still a number of things that we don't know. With that in mind we've created this article, highlighting five of the biggest things that remain unknown or unclear at the time of writing, including the price, chipset, and more. They're things that either haven't been leaked at all, or are subject to conflicting leaks, leaving us unsure of what to expect. 1. The Galaxy Note 20 priceWhile we can take a rough guess at the price of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 based on its predecessor, this is one thing that hasn't actually leaked yet. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 started at $949 / £869 / AU$1,499, so the starting price here might be similar, but with manufacturers regularly pushing prices up at the top end it might well cost more. As such it's something we're eager to know, since the cost could have a big impact on how desirable the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is. 2. Will there be a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra?The Galaxy S20 got an Ultra model, so will the Note 20? For the Samsung Galaxy S20 range Samsung added a completely new model – the super-premium Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, so there's been speculation over whether it would follow suit with the Galaxy Note 20 range. The consensus seemed to be that it wouldn't, as no details of a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra had been leaked, and at least one source had specifically said there wouldn't be one. However, a Bluetooth certification listing has now mentioned a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra by name, suggesting that it might well be in the works after all. 3. The chipsetWe're fairly confident – based on past form - that US buyers of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will get a phone with the top-end Snapdragon chipset, while most other regions will get the top-end Exynos one. But what those top-end chipsets will be is less clear. In the US there's debate over whether it will be the same Snapdragon 865 chipset as the Samsung Galaxy S20 range, or whether it will launch with a newer (and so far unconfirmed) Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset. Similarly, in other regions it could get the Exynos 990 (used by the Galaxy S20 range in most places outside the US) or the Exynos 992 – a rumored chipset that would offer a small performance boost. For now we're not at all sure which combination the Note 20 range will end up with, but it's sure to have top-end power in any case. 4. The camera specsThe Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus While the camera specs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus have been leaked, we haven't heard much about the cameras on the standard Samsung Galaxy Note 20, which is surprising given what a major part of the phone that is. And even in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus, there's a big question over its optical zoom. We're expecting it will have a periscope lens, possibly with 50x digital zoom, but that's sure to be a gimmick like the 100x on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The optical zoom is far more important. Our best guess for that would be 5x (as the digital zoom is often ten times the optical) but that hasn't specifically been leaked. 5. The screen resolutionOkay, so we do have some idea of what the resolution might be. Ross Young (a display supply chain consultant) tweeted that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 would have a 6.42-inch 2345 x 1084 screen with 404 pixels per inch, and that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Plus would have a 6.87-inch 3096 x 1444 screen with 497 pixels per inch. However, he has since deleted those tweets, and this is the only mention of those resolutions that we've seen. The sizes are also at odds with other - more recent - size leaks we've seen, so we're not at all confident that Young's information is right here. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Android phones in the Middle East for 2020: which should you buy? Posted: 06 Jun 2020 11:07 PM PDT Because Android is such a popular smartphone operating system, this list has a lot in common with our list of the best smartphones. This is a rundown of the best Android phones or ones that aren't an iPhone. If you want to work out what the best Android phone to buy is based on your budget and needs then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve fully tested and reviewed all ten phones on this list and judged their displays, cameras, battery life and more to decide which we think is best.
Compared to buying an iPhone, buying an Android phone can be a dizzying choice thanks to the huge array of different devices from different manufacturers. While there are mid-range and budget Android options, this list is our collection of the best Android phones overall, so they’re higher in price as they have the best current features like top cameras, displays and build quality. This list collects all the big names, from Samsung and Huawei to the increasingly-prevalent Chinese manufacturers like OnePlus. There are loads of variations in screen size, processing power, camera capabilities and more, which does make finding the best Android phone for you pretty tough. So here they are - the best Android phones money can buy today. The Samsung Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus are – along with the Galaxy S20 Ultra – Samsung’s latest and greatest flagship phones, so it’s no wonder they top this list. While the S20 Plus has a slight specs edge, thanks to a larger 6.7-inch screen, a bigger 4,500mAh battery, a fourth camera lens (for depth-sensing) and optionally more storage, they’re largely very similar phones, so they’re fit to share the top spot. Both have a highly capable camera array, with 12MP standard, 12MP ultra-wide, and 64MP telephoto sensors, and both also have top-end power, thanks to a Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 chipset (depending on where in the world you are) and up to 12GB of RAM. They also both have a stunning 1440 x 3200 display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. At the time of writing this is arguably the best screen you’ll find on any smartphone. The design is premium too, and they’re both packed full of features, like reverse wireless charging, 5G, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and water resistance. They might not quite be the very best at everything, but they’re certainly the best Android phones overall. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S20 review Read more: Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus review Image Credit: TechRadar The Huawei P30 Pro could be the best Android phone we've used when it comes to photography. Its 5x and 10x zoom capabilities are staggeringly good. It also performs fantastically well in low light. For those who really want to get up close to their subject, the P30 Pro also offers a 50x digital zoom, and although quality is reduced it's still impressive. You also get plenty of power under the hood, an in-display fingerprint scanner, premium design and wireless charging with the ability to wireless charge other devices from the back of the P30 Pro. It's a top, top Android phone and only narrowly misses out on top spot due to the Galaxy S10 Plus' overall slicker and more rounded smartphone experience. Read more: Huawei P30 Pro review The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the best that Samsung currently has to offer and is on top our list of the best Android phones, even with its huge price tag. There's a lot to love in Samsung's Note phablet, from its beautiful 6.8-inch screen to the powerful selfie camera and the S Pen stylus which transforms your smartphone experience. Sure, the cameras aren't as good as the Huawei P30 Pro, and the body leaves a bit to be desired with its huge frame and slippery design, but this is still a great smartphone if you can stomach the price. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review The OnePlus 8 Pro is the latest and greatest OnePlus handset, and it comes very close to challenging the best Samsung phones. Its screen can rival them in fact – with its 120Hz refresh rate and crisp resolution, the OnePlus 8 Pro has one of the best displays you’ll find on a smartphone. It also has a top-end Snapdragon 865 chipset, more RAM than you’ll know what to do with, and most of the other flagship bells and whistles, such as water resistance and wireless charging. Its cameras arguably can’t quite match those of the very best phones – but they come close, and the price is the highest yet for a OnePlus phone – but still lower than some top-end handsets. All in all though, this is a stunning effort. Read more: OnePlus 8 Pro review Image Credit: TechRadar The Huawei P40 Pro is the best camera phone you can buy. it’s that simple. Recommending it does comes with its own set of caveats given the Huawei/Google situation though. That’s why despite its extensive list of stellar features, you definitely need to read our P40 Pro review before picking one up. The P40 Pro’s Leica-branded imaging system is spearheaded by a brand new 50MP sensor, which uses RYYB (red yellow yellow blue) sub-pixel formation, like the 40MP P30 Pro before it. Huawei claims this makes its cameras better able to handle dark scenes like a champion, and we can attest to the fact the P40 Pro absolutely can. The rest of the phone’s hardware is top-tier, it looks a treat and has plenty of power, so if (and only if) you’re comfortable with the Google-free software experience, the P40 Pro packs plenty to love. Read more: Huawei P40 Pro review If the Galaxy Note 10 is too expensive for you, the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the S10 Plus are the next best Samsung Android phones you can buy right now, packing the best of what Samsung has to offer. The Plus, in particular, is a big phone that's designed for big hands - and it takes the very best of what's on the smartphone market and puts it together in a compelling package that we've loved testing. The Super AMOLED display has been measured as the very best around, with super colours, plus there's a fingerprint scanner embedded in the display. Battery life is an improvement over the S9 Plus, thanks to the larger battery inside, and you also get Samsung's new Wireless PowerShare, allowing you to wirelessly charge other devices on the rear of the handset. The trio of cameras on the rear of the Galaxy S10 Plus are among the best on the market, offering more features, shooting modes and overall clarity. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S10 review Image Credit: TechRadar Like the look of the new S10 and S10 Plus, but not a fan of their lofty price tags? Well fear not, as Samsung has catered for you with the Galaxy S10e, which is our favorite one-handed Android phone. The Galaxy S10e has many of the flagship features of its pricier siblings, while offering a more palm-friendly size and a few compromises to help keep the cost down. It’s hard not to recommend the S10e to anyone who prefers a smaller phone. This smartphone is for folks who want to text and browse apps one-handed without compromising performance. Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S10e review
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| Best camera phone in the Middle East for 2020: The top smartphone snappers Posted: 06 Jun 2020 10:56 PM PDT One of the core features you'll likely want from a new smartphone is a powerful camera, and that's why we've put together a list of the very best camera phones that money can buy. At TechRadar we put smartphone cameras through rigorous testing in different lighting conditions, scenarios, and snap people, pets, plants and more to work out how each camera fares in the real world. Beyond the specs and capabilities of the cameras, there are a number of aspects you'll also want to consider. For example, getting a high-storage option or one that supports a microSD card will be helpful if you capture lots of 4K video, and flagging fundamental shortcomings like battery life so you don’t find yourself out of juice before the day is done. So to help you, we've compiled this list of the best camera phones, that we've tested extensively, to help you when it comes to choosing your next camera phone. Best camera phones 2020 at a glance:
The Huawei P40 Pro is the best camera phone you can buy for under $1,000 / £900 it’s that simple. In fact, for a certain type of photographer - one who values a telephoto camera - it’s just the best camera phone around, period. Recommending it comes with its own set of caveats given the Huawei/Google situation though. That’s why despite its extensive list of stellar features, you definitely need to read our P40 Pro review before picking one up. Irrespective of its software limitations though, its camera will knock your socks off. The P40 Pro’s Leica-branded imaging system is spearheaded by a brand new 50MP sensor, which uses RYYB (red yellow yellow blue) sub-pixel formation, like the 40MP P30 Pro before it. Huawei claims this makes its cameras better able to handle dark scenes like a champion, and we can attest to the fact the P40 Pro absolutely can. The main camera’s lens is a pretty standard f/1.9 aperture on paper, but with a huge sensor size (for a smartphone) and OIS, combined with Huawei’s mighty electronic image stabilisation, it’s still a low light star. This phone can pretty much see in the dark, even in automatic mode - something no other non-Huawei phones can do. There’s also a 40MP f/1.8 ultra-wide camera, a 12MP telephoto camera that’s capable of 5x optical zoom or 50x digital zoom, and a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor for creating bokeh effects. Photos taken on the P40 Pro are high on detail and low on noise. Unlike Samsung, Huawei’s photos don’t look overly sharpened, and while they aren’t as natural and neutral as those taken on the Oppo Find X2 Pro, many will prefer Huawei’s comparatively punchy style. As far as zoom goes, while the P40 Pro may not get quite as close as the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the phone costs a lot less, and more importantly, delivers more consistent image quality across its cameras. The rest of the phone’s hardware is top-tier, it looks a treat and has plenty of power, so if (and only if) you’re comfortable with the Google-free software experience, the P40 Pro packs plenty to love. Read more: Huawei P40 Pro review The iPhone 11 Pro doesn’t just feature the best smartphone camera Apple’s ever made, it’s also the best camera phone money can buy for a certain type of user. It’s reliable - you take a shot and it’s likely going to be a good one, even in middling light. Dynamic range is strong, and with three cameras, it’s versatile too. The primary camera features a 26mm focal length, perfect for grabbing everyday snaps. The ultra-wide camera takes a step back so you don’t have to, getting more in the frame with its 13mm focal length. As for the telephoto camera, as with the iPhone XS, it zooms into your subject with a 52mm focal length - perfect for portraits. While there’s no manual mode and the 12MP resolution is meagre on paper compared to some of the competition, results still impress, and Apple has introduced a new night mode which can hold the shutter open for incredible low light photography. This can’t beat the Astrophotography feature on the Pixels when steadied on a surface or a tripod, but handheld, it’s up there with the best of them. Add to the mix a beautifully consistent color and tonal profile across all three cameras, and if you’re an Apple fan looking for a camera champ, this is as good as it gets. Read our full iPhone 11 Pro review There’s a huge amount going on with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra’s camera setup. For starters, you’ve got over 200 megapixels across the front and rear cameras, then there are those smart new shooting modes to talk about; and finally - there’s that huge zoom - 100x ‘Space Zoom’. Marketing jargon? Absolutely, but irrespective, the S20 Ultra’s camera is a telephoto champion. It all starts with a 108MP primary camera sensor - the same as the one on the Xiaomi Mi Note 10. This time around, it’s combined with a 48MP optical zoom camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a time-of-flight sensor around the back, which gathers depth information for the blurry background, sharp foreground Live Focus stills and video. The Ultra’s zoom really is best-in-class when compared to other camera phones on the market. It uses a roughly 5x optical zoom with a high-resolution sensor to create virtually lossless 10x zoom images. Packing a fun Single take mode, the whole S20-range is social media-ready, capturing a range of photos and videos simultaneously so you can snap once, then decide later. They’re also all 8K-ready, shooting the highest resolution footage on the block. Why isn’t the S20 Ultra higher in our list? It’s night mode can’t topple the best out there, and Samsung’s processing is aggressive; so photos can look a touch too punchy. That said, this is still a stellar camera phone with an excellent zoom. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra review OnePlus has stepped up its game when it comes to smartphone cameras, bringing the new OnePlus 8 Pro closer than ever to the best of the rest thanks to the fact it’s powered by Sony’s new 12-bit IMX689 sensor. With a large 1/1.4” size and 1.12-micron pixels, the OnePlus 8 Pro’s main camera can capture stunning bokeh and clear as day photos, even in middling light. It isn’t just the sensor that’s specced out on the new OnePlus’s main snapper - thanks to phase detection autofocus and laser autofocus, not to mention OIS, it locks on quickly and keeps things steady across photography and video. Unlike periscope zoom cameras, the OnePlus 8 Pro can’t compete when it comes to getting up close and personal to subjects from a distance. That said, its 8MP, f/2.4, telephoto camera packs a 3x optical zoom and OIS, so betters the iPhone 11 Pro’s max focal length. The real boon when it comes to improvements on the OnePlus 8 Pro has got to be that 48 MP, GoPro-esque ultra-wide camera though. With a huge pixel count for an ultra-wide, an open f/2.2 aperture to let in plenty of light and a, 14mm (116°) angle of view, it gets plenty in frame and grabs more resolution than virtually any other ultra-wide camera around. Finally, OnePlus’s 12MP color filter camera. This bizarre addition captures a twisted take on reality, giving standard colors a neon, almost metalic screen-printed finish. Just like the OnePlus 7 Pro before it, video can be captured with a Super Stable video mode at up to Full HD, or in standard mode at up to 4K resolution. Is it the best camera phone you can buy? It’s definitely up there - but it can’t stack up to some other flagships. That said, as a package, it could be the best value across-the-board flagship around. Read our full OnePlus 8 Pro review Unlike the iPhone 11 Pro, the vanilla iPhone 11 misses out on a telephoto camera, instead packing an Asus ROG Phone 2-style wide + ultra-wide dual snapper around the back. Still, we’re delighted to see the new long exposure night mode fires up when shooting in low light on this lower-cost model. This means the iPhone 11 can see in the dark, even when you’re hand-holding the phone, and the photo quality across its primary and ultra-wide cameras is fantastic. Another area all the iPhones in our list excel is video capture; they all shoot 4K resolution video at up to 60fps, and do so across all their lenses. With smooth transitions between lenses and iMovie on board for basic edits, if we were going to pick up a smartphone for some easy-to-use, high-quality filmmaking, it would be any of the iPhones on our list. Read our full iPhone 11 review On many levels, we’re bigger fans of the S20 Plus than the Ultra. It costs cost less, and pack a much more manageable footprint. Even though they don’t have a “100x Space Zoom” or a 108MP main camera, they still take better snaps than last year’s S10 family. The main camera across both the S20 and S20 Plus sports a traditional 12MP resolution, combined with a wide open f/1.8 and a 26mm focal length - pretty standard for a flagship. With 1.8µm sized pixels, the S20s won’t be winning any big-pixel awards, but thanks to Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS, they still nail it nine times out of 10, even in dimly lit scenes. The 64MP telephoto camera may sound tantalizing - all that resolution combined with all that zoom. But, the ‘3x zoom’ these phones pack isn’t the whole picture. The S20’s 64MP sensor combines with a 29mm focal length - just 3mm greater than that of the 26mm main camera. The way it achieve a 3x zoom, however, is by cropping into the sensor, to achieve a 3x Hybrid Zoom. In turn, the phones can’t stack up to the periscope cameras on-test. As for the ultra-wide cameras on both phones, they clock in at 12 MP, with an f/2.2 aperture and a 13mm focal length. If you’ve opted for the S20 Plus, you’ll also get a time of flight sensor around the back to grab depth information. This helps blur out the background in Live Focus mode, though both phones offer respectable portrait-style shots. As with the S20 Ultra, the S20 and S20 Plus shoot 8K video at 24fps, and 4K video at up to 60fps. They also capture HDR video too, a relatively unique feature among smartphones today. Read our full Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus review The Huawei P30 Pro has got to be pretty special, given the fact it still clings onto a top three spot despite launching at the beginning of 2019. Its excellence comes down to its 'periscope' telephoto lens which takes astounding optically zoomed-in shots at a distance, and its fantastic low light performance, that actually bests the iPhone 11 Pro and Google Pixel 4s in automatic mode, though not always in night mode. There were a lot of cameras to test on this phone, including four on the back: a 40MP main lens, an 8MP telephoto lens, a 20MP ultra-wide lens, and then a ToF (time-of-flight) camera to sense depth for portrait photos. The Huawei P30 Pro camera also uses an RYYB (red yellow yellow blue) sensor instead of the industry-standard RGB (red green blue) sensor to capture more light, and it shows. The snaps we took for our review had more detail and less shadow than most of the competition, yet they didn't look completely overexposed. It's all amazing for a smartphone, but not entirely perfect. We did notice some purple fringing in areas, and the camera software controls aren't always responsive when switching between ultra-wide, 5x zoom, 10x zoom and digital 50x zoom. But the fact that you can get insanely close to objects with a 50x zoom and also shoot at night as if all of the lights were on really sets a new bar for camera phones. Read our full review: Huawei P30 Pro This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best smartwatch 2020: the top wearable you can buy in the Middle East Posted: 06 Jun 2020 09:59 PM PDT Today's best smartwatch models can perform a ton of tricks, such as enabling you to search the internet with your voice, track your location with GPS or even monitor your heart rate to protect your overall health – with our without pairing to one of the best smartphones on the market. We've tested the vast majority of the top-end wearables you can buy right now from the Apple Watch to Fitbits to Garmin watches to Tizen-sporting Samsung watches. There's also Wear OS (you may have known that in its previous incarnation called Android Wear) which is Google's own wearable operating system in the vein of Apple's watchOS - you’ll see it show up in a lot of these devices. During our review process, we take into account the design, features, battery life, spec, price and more for each smartwatch, rank it against the competition and enter it into the list you'll find below. Some of the high-end smartwatches might be reduced, especially older versions of recently-update devices - like the Apple Watch 3 or Apple Watch 4 – these may not be the latest models, but they're still great smartwatches in their own right. Below you'll find our full ranking of the very best smartwatches money can buy.
Best smartwatch at a glance:
The Apple Watch continues to define the smartphone category and is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. It works seamlessly with Apple's phones, and it's well worth considering if you plan to stick with the iPhone range for at least a few years. There aren't many huge upgrades over the Apple Watch 4, but the main change is it comes with an always-on display for the first time. That means you won't have to raise the watch to see your key stats, and instead it'll display most of the information you need on a dimmed screen. The design is similar to the Apple Watch 4 - a look that we loved - so you'll get a larger display than earlier iterations of the device, and it comes in either 40mm or 44mm sizes. All of the fitness features you'd expect come on this watch, and that includes a variety of top-end features such as the ECG monitor, GPS tracking, impressive heart rate monitoring and more. If you're looking for the very best Apple Watch, this is it... it's just not our favorite smartwatch money can buy. Read the full Apple Watch 5 review One of the best smartwatches you can buy right now is the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Following on from the Gear S3 series and the Gear Sport in 2017, the Galaxy Watch is much improved. We've tested out the larger 46mm version of the watch and it comes with a phenomenal four day battery life even when you're using it extensively. That's impressive considering a lot of other watches on this list last a day or so from a single charge. The rotating bezel remains a highlight of navigating around the Tizen OS on the watch, and the interface is one of the easiest to pick up that we've seen on a smartwatch. Apps available on the watch are more limited than Wear OS or watchOS 4 - two rival smartwatch operating systems - but it still offers the core basics and Samsung had provided a watch that's good at fitness as well as sporting a great design and lots more functionality too. Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch review The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3, if you're picky) was the best smartwatch but has recently been bumped off the top spot by the launch of Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch 5. With its new much cheaper price point, the Apple Watch 3 offers all the smarts of the Watch 2 but with a longer battery life and faster speeds when flicking through apps. This is the right kind of upgrade on the best smartwatch in the world. It's still water-resistant so you can swim with it and you won't have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you're out for a jog. There's GPS onboard to make running that little bit easier plus it comes running the latest watchOS 4 software and will be updated to watchOS 5 later in the year. Read the full Apple Watch 3 review Samsung shrank the best parts of the the Galaxy Watch into this sportier smartwatch that's slimmer, lighter and, arguably, more comfortable - then released a second version months after the first that included a few coveted features, including a rotating digital bezel and LTE version. Overall, not much has changed - which isn't a bad thing, as it's still a quality smartwatch at a decent price. Galaxy Watch Active 2 features a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 display that is bright and beautiful yet small enough to be strapped around your wrist than a lot of the other devices in this list. It still comes sporting all of the top-end fitness features you'd expect from Samsung's Tizen watch range, with 39 workout modes, a heart rate and ECG sensor, and health app with stress and sleep monitoring. While it's still more affordable than the leading Apple Watch, the price was bumped up from the original Watch Active, shrinking its value compared to the competition. It's certainly not a cheap smartwatch, but when compared to the original RRP of the Galaxy Watch you may prefer to opt for this version that's remarkably similar. Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review The Fitbit Versa 2 is the latest part-smartwatch-part-fitness tracker from Fitbit, one of the most famous wearable companies about. The Versa 2 brings a host of upgrades to the original Fitbit Versa, including an always-on display, Alexa integration, and a slightly smaller body. However if the original Versa wasn't quite right for you, the Versa 2 may not be the best either, as it's still fundamentally the same device, and it lacks some of the trappings of different smartwatches, like GPS functions or offline Spotify. But for general wearable fans, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a good option, and it's more affordable than some of the other options on this list too. Read our full Fitbit Versa 2 review This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Intel’s revolutionary sandwich chip debuts in a tiny, business-focused Samsung laptop Posted: 06 Jun 2020 08:00 PM PDT Launched last week, the Samsung Galaxy Book S features a new chip than Intell calls a “next generation Intel Core processor with Intel Hybrid Technology”. "Hybrid technology" here refers to Intel’s much-vaunted Foveros, found in the Core i5-L16G7 - a 10nm Lakefield CPU clocked at 3GHz with 4MB cache. It uses one big core and four small Atom cores, which is another first for this processor, emulating what ARM has been doing for quite a few years now with big.LITTLE. Note, Intel doesn’t currently list this CPU on its ARK database.
What makes Foveros so interesting is the fact it allows different, usually separate components to be layered one on top of the other in a 3D stack. To recycle Intel’s analogy, it's like layered cake as opposed to pancake layers. You end up with something that occupies much smaller real estate and, because they are physically closer (and more tightly integrated), should end up costing less, using less energy and reducing latency (which will improve performance). In a not so distant future, such a chip could mix and match memory, connectivity, I/O and even storage class memory, allowing Intel to offer a plethora of options to meet the needs of its customers - almost spilling into the world of semi-custom offerings. As for the new Galaxy Book S (the previous one used the Qualcomm 8CX), it weighs 950g, comes with a 13.3-inch 600-nits touchscreen display, 512GB eUFS (no SSD), 8GB LPDDR4x memory, four speakers, two USB Type-C ports and a 42Whr battery that should power the laptop for at least half a day. The device will suit a consumer's needs, but many of its features (e.g. long battery life, Windows Hello sign-in with a fingerprint sensor and Windows 10 Professional) are likely to be especially popular with a business audience. It's available to pre-order at £999 in the UK, but prices for other regions have yet to be announced.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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