LG starts MWC 2019 early with the new Q60, K50, and K40 phones
LG has announced three new smartphones ahead of Mobile World Congress 2019: The Q60, the K50, and the K40. All are midrange devices that offer more than we usually expect, including multi-lens cameras, large screens with small bezels, and military-tough bodies. Here's what you need to know about them.
To avoid the notch, Vivo’s new smartphone has a secret selfie camera
Vivo has already experimented with a motorized selfie camera, and now it's bringing the cool technology to a more affordable device -- the Vivo V15 Pro. The motorized front camera joins a capable rear camera, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a great looking design. Here's what you need to know about the V15 Pro.
Apple stomps on one FaceTime bug, only to have another one appear
Having fixed a FaceTime bug that let users eavesdrop on calls, another issue with Apple's video chat app appears to have surfaced. It concerns adding people to group calls, though there is a workaround. Apple launched group calls for FaceTime in 2018, though the rollout has been far from smooth.
Barbie’s Corvette ain’t got nothing on Sphero’s fully programmable robot car
Sphero is known for devices like the Sphero Bolt and BB-8 Star Wars toy, but now the company is back with another addition to its lineup -- the Sphero RVR. The RVR is a fully programmable robot car that can be expanding with different features and has a range of built in sensors.
Need speed? Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon X55, the world’s fastest 5G modem
Ahead of a wave of 5G smartphones to be unveiled at MWC 2019 in Barcelona next week, Qualcomm is preparing for an even faster future. On Tuesday, the silicon giant unveiled a second-generation 5G modem for the following wave of smartphones, promising blistering download speeds as high as 7Gbps.
Be careful who you bokeh, jokes Apple’s latest iPhone ad
With iPhone sales under pressure, you'd think there wouldn't be much to laugh about at Apple HQ just now. But the company has nevertheless seen fit to inject some humor into its latest handset ad, which highlights Depth Control — a camera feature that lets you adjust the bokeh in portraits.
13 crazy gadgets that could be ingenious or insane
We take a look at 13 eye-catching inventions and ask whether they're brilliant or bonkers. Do we need a sleep robot, smart belt, laundry folding machine, or bionic bird? Decide for yourself as we explain what each of these crazy gadgets is designed to do and what they'll cost you if you decide they're a genius idea.
New Apple patent hints clamshell-style foldable phone may be in the works
Apple has filed a patent for a foldable phone that suggests the company could be following in the footsteps of the likes of Samsung and Huawei. The patent describes a clamshell-style foldable phone with two separate sections joined together by a hinge and flexible display.
North will launch pop-up stores across the U.S. so you can try its smartglasses
North, the Canadian startup formerly known as Thalmic Labs, wasted no time bringing its latest wearable to consumers. Its Brooklyn and Toronto showrooms have received its first shipment for those who made orders early, and North has also announced a way for the rest of the country to check out Focals.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Coffee Meets Bagel dating app data may have been breached
Are you planning on using Coffee Meets Bagel to find love on Valentine's Day? If you've been using the app for a while, you'll probably want to change your password -- the company said a data breach may have occurred prior to May 2018, and may have resulted in emails, names, and more being accessed.
Love Playmoji pack adds animated Valentine’s stickers to your Pixel photos
Valentine's Day is here, and to celebrate, Google has added the "Love Playmoji" pack to the Playground feature on its Google Pixel camera. The new feature will add cute extras such as animated love hearts, notes, characters and more to your Pixel photos via augmented reality.
Smartwatch sales soared in 2018, with Apple leading the charge
Did you buy a new smartwatch in 2018? You're certainly not alone there, asthe NPD Group, a market research organization, has reported smartwatch sales soared in 2018. Apple is leading the charge in this growth, but there was still room in the market for competitors, as Samsung and Fitbit also did well.
Google insists it’s doing what it can to purge Play Store of malicious apps
Google is continuing with efforts to provide a secure and safe app store, this week revealing that rejected app submissions increased by 55 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, while those that did get through were spotted and removed more quickly than before — often before anyone could install them.
Google might release a smartwatch and multiple Pixel phones in 2019
With all eyes on MWC and Samsung, you might have forgotten about Google. However, Google seems to have a lot planned for 2019. According to a report, Google is planning on releasing multiple new Pixel phones, a smartwatch, a new Google Home, and a Nest Security camera, all within this year.
The Apollo Traveller is the fastest recharging power bank we’ve ever used
The new Apollo Traveller power bank from Elecjet is available now. This 5,000mAh portable charger is capable of fast charging an Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel phone at top speed, but it can also be recharged incredibly rapidly. It's slim, it stays cool, and it's impressively efficient.
Allstate’s SquareTrade buys phone repair service iCracked
Allstate may be looking to diversify its service a little. The company announced that SquareTrade, a company Allstate owns, is buying iCracked, a popular phone repair service that currently operates in more than 60 cities around the U.S. and Canada. It's unknown how much SquareTrade spent.
OnePlus breaks into the top five among U.S. smartphone companies
OnePlus finished its best year yet by breaking into the top five smartphone companies in the U.S. in terms of market share in the $500-plus category. Spurred on by sales of the excellent OnePlus 6 and 6T, alongside a partnership with T-Mobile, and fresh support for Verizon, OnePlus is riding high.
Google still thinks people are interested in modular smartphones
Google has filed new patents related to modular smartphone designs and technology, several years after it discontinued Project Ara, the name given to its own range of modular devices. The patents cover hardware similar to what we've seen in modular devices, and to how Project Ara was intended to look.
9 million veterans can now access their health records on an iPhone
Apple announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that allows as many as 9 million veterans to access their health records straight on their iPhone. The announcement could have a significant impact on veterans' health, allowing them to take better control of their medical needs.
Apple’s most affordable 2018 iPad is now even cheaper on Amazon at $249
The entry-level iPad is the iPad to get for the vast majority of people. It's inexpensive, well-designed, and quite powerful, especially for the price. Not only that, but speaking of price, the entry-level 9.7-inch iPad is now even more affordable straight from Amazon -- so now is a good time to buy.
When is your phone getting Android 8.0 Oreo? We asked every major manufacturer
The latest and greatest version of Android is here, and we're counting the days until all of our favorite phones are updated. To keep you in the loop, we've reached out to every major Android hardware manufacturer and asked them when they'll update their devices to Android 8.0 Oreo.
Here’s how to disable FaceTime on your Apple iPhone and Mac
FaceTime is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, but many don't need it, or simply don't want it. Thankfully, it's very easy to disable FaceTime, both on your iPhone or iPad, and on your Mac. Here's how to disable FaceTime for yourself, no matter which device you're using it on.
Everything we know about the OnePlus 5G phone
OnePlus has clarified a statement regarding when it will use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. Initially stating it would be the first to do so, it now says it will be among the first. In further news, it will produce a separate 5G phone that may cost up to $300 more than its existing devices.
Google Maps AR mode previewed, now in testing with small group of users
Google Maps AR mode is expected to launch to the public soon, as it has been rolled out to a small group of users for testing. The Wall Street Journal previewed the augmented reality feature, which provides directions to the user's entered destination in the form of on-screen arrows.
Dell recalls over 9,000 hybrid power adapters due to shock hazard
Dell has issued a recall order for over 9,000 hybrid power adapters that were sold with power banks, as they may pose as an electric shock hazard. Owners of the devices are advised to immediately stop using them, and to contact Dell to find out how they can secure a free replacement.
Xiaomi Mi A1, OnePlus 5T emit the most radiation among smartphones, report says
A report by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection compiled the specific absorption rate of smartphones, which represents the the amount of radiofrequency waves emitted. Xiaomi and OnePlus were found to be the worst offenders, taking the top two spots and four spots each in the top 16.
Your emoji game is getting a big upgrade with 230 new additions this year
There are thousands of emojis, but they could still be a whole lot more inclusive to a wider range of people. The Unicode Consortium has approved a list of 230 new emojis, which are set to roll out to users in the second half of this year. Emojis include different kinds of couples, foods, and more.
You can now dance with Childish Gambino in Playground on Pixel
Ever wanted to dance with Childish Gambino? Now you can, and Google is challenging you to a dance off with him. Google has added an AR version of Childish Gambino to Playground for Pixel, so Pixel users can dance with him to a number of his hits, or simply pose for a selfie with the man himself.
FaceTime bug: Apple rolls out a fix to enable group calls again
FaceTime group calls are back, so long as you update your iDevice with the fix that Apple just rolled out. It fixes a FaceTime flaw that let people eavesdrop on the people they were calling. Lawmakers are now asking Apple to explain the background to what they described as a "significant privacy violation."
Google Play recommends these movies, books, and apps for Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is right around the corner and in celebration, Google announced a series of discounts on movies, audiobooks, ebooks, and more. In addition, the company is recommending apps and games that you can enjoy with that special someone, or just by yourself.
Apple patent suggests it will allow for more than two Face ID registrations
According to a new patent, Apple is working on a way to allow for multiple Face ID registrations and it could eventually open up a way for multiple users on one iPhone or iPad. Currently, users can register up to two faces, and they can be two different people, or different versions of the same face.
Apple patent hints at flexible display that hides speakers, buttons, and more
Apple is working on a new flexible display tech that could be used to hide speakers, buttons, and more -- while still changing shape to accommodate for those features when it needs to. The display could, for example, act as a membrane for a speaker, or allow you to press down on it like a button.
The Vivo V15 Pro comes with the world’s first 32MP pop-up camera
Vivo is leading the way with alternative options to smartphone design, and it's bringing that design philosophy to its midrange options. The Vivo V15 and V15 Pro are set to launch on February 20, and are set to include a number of cool new toys, including a pop-up 32-megapixel selfie camera.
FaceTime bug: Lawmakers demand answers from Apple’s CEO
A House of Representatives committee is demanding answers from Apple regarding the recently discovered FaceTime bug, describing it as a "significant privacy violation." The vulnerability, which let FaceTime users eavesdrop on the person they were calling, was discovered at the end of last month.