Apple’s new iPads are hardly new at all. Don’t waste your money
It has taken Apple four years to get around to updating the iPad Mini line, but the new iPad Mini is virtually identical to its predecessor. It’s joined by a confusing iPad Air with no obvious target audience. Is Apple just trying to sell us lazy updates to dated designs?
Leaked ZTE concept phones are crazy, possibly fake, and totally worth seeing
Renders of what may be ZTE concept phones may show how the manufacturer could avoid using the notch on future devices. The Axon S has an unusual take on the slider design, while the Axon V moves the selfie camera out of the phone's body entirely. They're crazy, and may not be real, but are definitely worth looking at.
Latest Samsung Galaxy smartphone will pop up on April 10
Samsung will show at least one new Galaxy phone off on April 10, it has confirmed in a teaser tweet. The models it will reveal are unknown, but speculation recently has been around the Galaxy A90 making an appearance, and this special new phone may have a pop-up camera and a notch-less screen.
FCC to help first responders pinpoint 911 callers in multistory buildings
When someone calls 911 from their cell phone, wireless carriers provide operators with an approximate location. Now the Federal Communications Commission wants the carriers to use their technology to provide vertical location data to pinpoint emergency callers inside multi-story buildings.
Walmart to launch it’s own low-priced tablet, powered by Android 9.0 Pie
Walmart will soon launch its own low-cost, kid-friendly tablet, which will be powered by Android 9.0 Pie. The price and release date for the device has not yet been revealed, but leaked specifications claim that it will be powered by a MediaTek processor, with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of expandable storage.
Most Android antivirus apps fail to provide malware protection, study shows
A study by AV-Comparatives analyzed the effectiveness of Android antivirus apps in protecting against the 2,000 most common malware threats in the OS. Only 23 of the apps were able to detect 100 percent of the malware samples, and only 80 of the apps were able to detect over 30 percent of the malware
Huawei has a bold Plan B should tensions affect its software relationships
Huawei has its own software for smartphones and computers prepared, should its relationship with Google and Microsoft be adversely affected by ongoing tensions between it and the U.S.. The software's existence has long been discussed, and has now been confirmed by Huawei's CEO Richard Yu.
Think iPhones can’t get viruses? Our expert explains why it could happen
You may believe that iPhones are immune to viruses or malware, but you’d be wrong. We take a look at the risk of viruses or malware to iPhone users, ask an expert how safe the platform is, how it compares to Android, and discuss some other security risks and what you can do about them.
Samsung’s working on an invisible camera that hides behind a phone’s screen
Samsung envisions an "invisible" camera that hides behind a phone's screen, without any compromise on the way it operates, replacing the current hole-punch camera seen on the Galaxy S10. This, along with clever speaker technology also hidden behind the screen, will make full-screen phones possible.
Samsung commits to improving the Galaxy S10’s ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
The Galaxy S10 has a new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the screen, and while it's better than other examples, people have experienced problems. Samsung is aware of this, and even though it has updated the software once already, has committed to making further accuracy improvements over time.
Google’s Gboard is about to get a lot better at speech recognition
Google's Gboard is jam-packed with features, including great ways to search for GIFs and images, and ways to make typing easier. Now, it's about to get even better, thanks to the fact that Google is bringing its speech-recognition algorithms to the phone instead of keeping it in the cloud.
Microsoft’s Seeing A.I. app now lets users explore photos by touch
Microsoft first released the Seeing A.I. app back in 2017, allowing users with vision impairments to get narrated descriptions of objects and scenes in a photo using artificial intelligence. Now, the app is getting a major update -- bringing specific object recognition and iPad support.
What is 5G E? Explaining AT&T’s misleading network on smartphones
AT&T is rebranding potentially millions of 4G smartphones to make it appear as though they are on 5G networks, explaining that technologies deeply linked to faster 5G networks already exist on 4G. Competitors argue this is false advertising -- and Sprint plans to fight it in court.
You can listen or read on your commute now that Serial Box is on Android
Always looking for something to fill your spare time? Serial Box has just launched on Android, bringing the hit iOS app to even more phones. With options to either read or listen to a book in episodic formats, it's a fantastic way to consume books -- and you can get your first series for half off.
App schools fishing fans on the best time and place to hook that dream catch
Fishbrain, a fishing social network and forecasting app, has introduced BiteTime, a new feature that takes the guesswork out of when and where you are most likely to catch a certain species of fish. Using its own data and some machine learning, it leaves you to get on with the fun part: Catching the fish.
Allo goodbye: Save your Google Allo chat history before app closes on Tuesday
Whether you loved it or forgot it existed, Google Allo's shut down date has been confirmed. Allo is going away March 12, making this one of the final times you'll be able to download your existing chat histories and media. Here's how to download what you need from Google's chat app.
Bank tests biometric cards to make contactless payments faster, more secure
U.K. bank NatWest will start testing a payment card with a built-in fingerprint sensor soon. It will support contactless payments with the need for a PIN number, and also lift restrictions on the transaction amount. While this is the first U.K. test, the technology has been trialled elsewhere in the world, but never widely introduced.
In or out? Samsung’s shaking it all about with folding smartphone designs
Samsung's Galaxy Fold isn't even on sale yet, but information about the company's future folding smartphone endeavors is starting to spread. Samsung may launch a folding device with an outwardly facing screen in the future, and a patent revealed some ideas it may be working on to make this a reality.
Apple is offering bonus credit for iTunes and App Store shoppers
Apple is offering a 10 percent bonus when you add funds to your Apple ID account, paving the way for a few free purchases of apps, music tracks, movies, and any other content you can find in its online stores. The offer runs through March 14, so you'll have to hurry if you want to take advantage of it.
Android Q beta will roll out to more smartphones than Android Pie beta
The Android Q beta will involve more smartphones compared to the Android Pie beta last year, which included seven devices beyond Google's Pixel. The development is due to Project Treble, which makes it easier, faster, and less costly for manufacturers to update devices to the latest Android version.
Slack starts testing dark mode on iOS and Android: Here’s how to try it
Slack has started testing dark mode for the iOS and Android versions of the workplace collaboration app, and users who are interested in trying out the feature may sign up as a beta tester. Dark mode conserves battery life on mobile devices and makes interfaces easier on the eyes.
Apple to reportedly keep Touch ID, headphone jack in next iPad
Apple will keep Touch ID and the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on the 2019 iPad, which will reportedly be unveiled soon alongside the iPad mini 5. The features, which were removed from the 2018 iPad Pro, will live on in the 7th-generation iPad, though there are conflicting reports on display size.
The most beautiful iPhone in the world doesn’t come from Apple
The engineers at French company Remade buy used iPhones and and repair any problems they find before striping them and repainting them in lush, vibrant, hues: rose, orange, bronze, raspberry, foam, and sapphire. Sure, you could call it a refurbished phone. But it's more than that: It's remanufactured.
Where to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S10 range in the U.K.
The Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e have all been officially announced and can be pre-ordered right now, with deliveries expected on March 8. If you're in the U.K., where should you go to find the best price or the best deal? We've got all the details you need here, to make sure you get the best S10 phone with the best deal.
First major 5G network launch delayed over high-price plans, lack of phones
What was expected to be the world's first working 5G network for the masses has been delayed over concerns the phones required for it won't be ready in time, and the prices being charged by networks are too high. South Korea's government said the March launch will now most likely be delayed until April.
Honor Magic 2: News, features, release
The exciting Honor Magic 2 is almost completely bezel-less and has six camera lenses. The front three are revealed in a pop-up section above the screen. The flagship phone has all the top specs you want and a few surprises too. Here's everything you need to know about it, and the new Magic 2 3D.
Gmail’s handy Smart Compose feature lands on more Android phones
Google appears to be rolling out Gmail’s handy Smart Compose feature for all Android phones after launching it for desktop and its Pixel handsets last year. Smart Compose uses machine learning to offer phrases based on your personal writing style, helping you to tap out messages at speed.
Google Images gets shoppable ads to help you spend even more money online
Following in the footsteps of the likes of Instagram and Pinterest, Google is now testing shoppable ads within image search results. It means retailers can add tags that show the price and brand name of the displayed product, or of multiple products shown in a single image.
Huawei sues the U.S. government over a sales ban on its equipment and services
Huawei has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, claiming that its efforts to block the Chinese company from selling telecom equipment to federal agencies is unconstitutional. The lawsuit was issued in Texas, where Huawei's U.S. headquarters is based.
Samsung plans two more folding smartphones, and one could be out this year
Following the announcement of the Galaxy Fold, Samsung is reportedly working on two more folding smartphones, with one potentially coming before the end of 2019. The company is also experimenting with different designs for these devices, which will approach the folding phone concept in a different way.
Meizu Zero: Everything you need to know
While we expected to see some cool technical innovation this year, getting rid of holes on devices was not what we expected to see. The Meizu Zero has cut as many holes as possible to create an almost completely seamless device. There's no speaker, no headphone jack, not even a charging port.
Oppo F11 Pro banishes the bezels with a 90.9 percent screen-to-body ratio
The Oppo F11 Pro has an impressive 90.9 percent screen-to-body ratio, a 48-megapixel and 5-megapixel dual camera, and a pop-up 16-megapixel selfie camera. Sadly, there's a MediaTek processor inside, a Micro USB port for charging, and it's unlikely to get an official release in the U.S. or Europe.
Huawei says P30 Pro camera will have unique, revolutionary zoom tech
Huawei claims the P30 Pro will feature revolutionary camera tech that will change the way we take pictures. The phone will feature a new zoom system that won't affect quality and utliizes artificial intelligence. It's likely to take a similar approach to its capable Night mode. The P30 series will launch on March 26.
Lego surprises with the Lego Fold, its antidote to folding phone mania
Cheeky Lego has been poking fun at the current folding smartphone trend, and tweeted about the Lego Fold, its take on the hottest new mobile products. With a massive 11-inch display when unfolded, the Lego Fold's battery doesn't even need charging, it's so advanced. What could Lego's new product be? Find out here.