Law enforcement agencies are buying GrayKey, a device to unlock iPhones
Unlocking an iPhone may no longer be the arduous task it once was for law enforcement officials. It would appear that an increasing number of U.S. authorities are buying a cost-effective device capable of unlocking iPhones without breaking a sweat. It's called GrayKey, and it costs $15,000 to $30,000.
Google could soon let you sync smartphones for music playback
Your Android phone could soon be usable in a network of others if Google's latest patent is anything to go by. The patent describes the use of a mesh network for using multiple smartphones to listen to music -- which would be perfect at a picnic or where there aren't any other speaker systems.
Google launches its lightweight search app, Google Go, in South Africa
Google has officially launched Google Go in South Africa in an effort to address the concerns of those with weak data connectivity and high data costs. The app reduces the amount of data needed to display search results and is available in 26 sub-Saharan African countries through the Google Play Store.
Apple’s latest patent ensures your screen turns on to the right brightness
Apple has been awarded a new patent that could help ensure that your phone always turns on to the right brightness -- even when it's dark out. This would help ensure that when the screen does turn on, it isn't overly bright in a way that hurts your eyes at night.
Some Android manufacturers lie to customers about installing security updates
According to a recent report, some Android manufacturers aren't just not installing the latest security updates, but they're lying to customers by saying that their phones are fully up to date. There are plenty of reasons why a manufacturer might skip an update -- but lying about it is sure to raise questions.
Uber is stepping up its game on passenger safety features
Uber is taking a closer look at its passenger safety features and working to improve its previously sparse set of tools. On April 12, the transportation giant announced "several new improvements to double down on safety" in the app, including a plan to improve the background screening process for its drivers.
Theft-resistant SafeSkin case puts your precious iPhone on lockdown
Are you losing sleep over the possibility of your phone being stolen? You're not alone. As phones get more expensive, the risk taking them everywhere with us gets worse and worse. This case from SafeSkin is looking to end that by making your iPhone virtually theft-proof.
Third-party display repairs are breaking iPhones after iOS 11.3 update
Smashed your iPhone screen or have a problem with your display? Hold off on getting it repaired for cheap, as eager iPhone users are being given a rude awakening after updating to iOS 11.3. Displays replaced or repaired by third-party repair shops are having issues following the iOS 11.3 update.
LG looking for faster OS updates with new Software Upgrade Center
LG is looking to speed up the glacially slow pace of Android updates with its new Software Upgrade Center, built to ensure that OS updates and improvements are delivered in a timely manner. But which phones will receive the benefit of the dedicated software house first?
Google Lens can now identify the breed of that cute dog you just saw
Google celebrated National Pet Day this week by adding a couple of new animal-focused features to its Photos app. They include a new trick for Lens, Google's A.I.-powered photo-analyzing tool, that cleverly IDs the breed of dogs and cats you've photographed, while also offering information about them.
Apple slapped with $502.6 million in damages in ongoing battle with VirnetX
Apple has been ordered to pay $502.6 million to a company called VirnetX for infringing on four patents related to online communications. VirnetX is largely considered to be a patent troll -- meaning its business relies on owning patents it won't use and going after companies that do use them.
Google has officially stopped selling the original Google Pixel
The original Google Pixel paved the way for for Google's new hardware, but the phone is no longer available from the Google Store. In other words, those looking for a stock Android device that isn't $650 or more may have to look elsewhere -- though the phone is still available from third-party retailers.
T-Mobile is celebrating Earth Day with $250,000 and a lot of trees
As one of the few truly global days of celebration and recognition (after all, who on Earth doesn't benefit from our planet?), it only makes sense that we mark Earth Day with the gusto it so deserves. And here to help us do just that is T-Mobile, who is promising to make it "easier than ever to make a difference."
Judge says Samsung ‘rigged the deck, fixed the game’ with Galaxy
A long-running battle between Samsung and disgruntled customers is set to continue next week, as a class-action lawsuit over the capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S4 moves forward in court. In an earlier hearing, a judge claimed Samsung had "fixed the game" and "rigged the deck" to mislead the public.
Qualcomm’s new chips aim to give security cameras A.I. smarts
Qualcomm has today announced two new processing chips that will leverage the power of edge computing in IoT set-ups to help make individual cameras smarter, with enhanced image stabilization light-enhancing smarts, and new AI processing units.
Rumored revamp of Spotify’s free mobile service could be a big step up
Spotify is on the hunt for new users and is reported to be prepping a new version of its free mobile service to do just that. The revamped offering could make it easier for music fans to select tracks instead of restricting them to shuffle mode. The tricky part will be converting those users to the paid model.
This is what Apple’s new (Red) iPhone 8 and 8 Plus look like
Marking 11 years of partnership with the (Red) HIV/AIDS nonprofit, Apple has announced two new models of the Product (Red) Special Edition for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.
82 percent of U.S. teens use an iPhone — and that number is only growing
A massive 82 percent of teens in the U.S. currently use an iPhone, and according to a recent report that number is likely to continue to grow. In fact, the number sat at around 78 percent last fall. Not only that, but the increased iPhone use may drive Apple Watch sales, too.
App downloads and revenues continue to grow on Android and iOS
According to a report released by app analyst App Annie, the app market on both iOS and Android has continued to grow, with both the Google Play Store and iOS App Store seeing an increase in the number of new downloads and purchases made inside apps.
ZTE Axon 8: News and rumors
Rumors and news are circling around ZTE's next dual-camera flagship, the ZTE Axon 8. Its release might be just around the corner -- and might it have a new double-notch? Here's everything you need to know about the rumored device's price tag, design, cameras, release date, and more.
True wireless charging is one step closer with WattUp’s FCC certification
Wireless charging is great, but it's still a form of being tethered. Breaking the attachment of a device and the charging pad is the next big thing in wireless charging, and Energous - the company closest to achieving it - is another big step closer with WattUp certification.
Samsung’s Dex Pad, which helps turn your Galaxy S9 into a desktop, arrives May 13
As a follow-up to its Dex Station, Samsung has launched the Dex Pad. Users will be able to connect their Galaxy S9 to a monitor through the Pad for a full desktop experience.
Kindle or print? What readers choose depends on what they read
Analyzing Amazon book sales, researchers discovered typical Kindle readers choose different types of books than people who read traditional print books.
Four generations of iPhone go head-to-head in our app-launching drag race
The iPhone X may be the latest-and-greatest device from Apple, but does the upgraded processor allow the headset to outpace the iPhone 8 Plus, 7 Plus, or even the iPhone 6S? To find out which device is quicker, we pitted the four smartphones against one another in the ultimate test of speed.
Facebook will soon let everyone unsend messages, just like Zuckerberg
Private messages from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg are disappearing mysteriously from Facebook Messenger inboxes -- and soon, you're going to be able to do exactly the same thing with your friends.
Snapchat now uses the iPhone X’s TrueDepth Camera to make better filters
Snapchat's AR-powered Lenses now look even better on the iPhone X, thanks to the new implementation of Apple's TrueDepth tech.
The mind-reading AlterEgo headset (almost) promises telepathy with Alexa
Researchers at MIT have created the AlterEgo, an incredible wearable device that reads "subvocalizations," or words we say to ourselves in our head, and it could change the way we interact with voice assistants and mobile devices.
Facebook brings AR features to ‘Ready Player One,’ ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ posters
Facebook introduced a new feature that allows you to take photos of movie posters to see augmented reality content.
Samsung spent a year adding stereo sound to the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus
Samsung gave us an inside peek at its year-long journey to create the perfect stereo speakers for the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus
HTC pool selfie advert banned because the U11 can’t dive like Tom Daley
An advert for the HTC U11 has been banned following accusations that the short video inflated the capabilities of the phone.
A.I. helps Oscar the chatbot answer 75 percent of travel questions
Need to know how many bags you can bring? Just ask Oscar, the travel chatbot for Air New Zealand, recently expanded to the U.S. and Canada.
Amazon rolls out Alexa hands-free to Fire 7, Fire HD 8 tablets
Amazon is officially rolling out support for Alexa "hands-free" mode to more its fire tablets. While the feature was originally only available for the Fire HD 10, it's now available for the Fire 7 and Fire HD 8.
Apple is working on touchless controls and curved screens for the iPhone
Apple is apparently seeking to differentiate itself from the crowd, and according to rumors of developments within Apple, it may do so.
Skyscanner travel app now lets you book train tickets, too
Skyscanner now lets travelers in the U.K. search for and book train tickets. The popular app already helps out with flights, accommodation, and car rentals.