Samsung’s camera-equipped stylus concept is straight out of a Bond movie
Samsung is working hard to make its S Pen stylus more useful to more people, having taken a step forward in that direction with the Galaxy Note 9. A patent has revealed what could be done in the future, and it involves putting a camera in the S Pen itself. The associated images give us an idea of how it may function.
Get that special someone a TicWatch with these Valentine’s Day discounts
Mobvoi's TicWatch lineup is one of the most-loved lineup of smartwatches, and for good reason. The company has devices for fitness junkies, the fashion-conscious, and more. And now, for Valentine's Day, the company has announced some pretty sweet discounts for its devices.
Google releases two new Android apps for those with hearing problems
Smartphones should make your life easier, and Google is working hard to make sure everyone's favorite oblongs are working hard to close accessibility gaps for many people. The two newest apps, Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier, aim to make life easier for the hearing impaired using Google's tech.
YouTube ‘Explore’ tab aims to jazz up video recommendations
YouTube is expanding testing of an Instagram-style "Explore" tab that aims to surface a broader range of interesting content. An initial trial launched last year, but following some improvements, it's now being tested with more users prior to a full rollout possibly some time this year.
Apple is now selling refurbished iPhone X handsets from $769
Refurbished iPhones direct from Apple can be a worthwhile buy, though you have to get in there quick when one lands in its online store. The tech company has just started selling refurbished iPhone X handsets — the first iPhone to offer a truly "all screen" experience — with prices starting at $769.
American consumers think Apple is leading the way in 5G — but it’s not
While the likes of Samsung and Huawei are expected to unveil 5G smartphones this year, Apple will most likely lag behind and finally launch a 5G iPhone in 2020. Despite that, most American consumers seem to think that Apple is a leader in the world of 5G, according to a recent survey.
The powerful Black Shark 2 gaming phone could surface by April
Can't put down Fortnite and do all your gaming on your phone? There's a phone for that -- last year's affordable gaming phone, the Black Shark, might be getting a 2019 update with updated specs and a (hopefully) low price. Here's everything we know about the Black Shark 2 gaming phone.
Viber is finally getting group calling, along with a slick new design
Viber has announced Viber 10, a radical redesign of the Viber app that puts an emphasis on easy navigation and access to things like Viber Communicates, chatbots, and so on. On top of that, the app is getting group calls. The new design will roll out to Viber users over the next few days.
Uber and Lyft rides in New York City just got more expensive
If you use Uber or Lyft in New York City, you might have noticed your fares are now higher than before for the same trip. It's the result of a number of new rules that went into effect on February 1, one of which means better pay for the city's 70,000 ridesharing drivers.
Yes, Samsung, the foldable phone’s exciting, but don’t forget about the Galaxy S10
Samsung's first Unpacked event of 2019 is shaping up to be filled with exciting tech goodies -- quite possibly the foldable smartphone. But we're hoping it won't overload us with new products, when the Galaxy S10 will likely be enough for one day. It could be good for business too.
Google Play Store junks malicious beauty camera Android apps that stole pictures
Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro discovered 29 malicious beauty camera apps for Android that loaded full-screen ads, attempted to phish for sensitive information, and stole users' pictures. The apps have been taken down from the Google Play Store, but not before millions of downloads.
Energizer will launch 26 smartphones at MWC 2019, including foldable device
Energizer will unveil 26 new models across four lines at MWC 2019, including one with an 18,000 mAh battery, and a foldable device. The new Ultimate line will include two models with dual selfie pop-up cameras, which is the first time that such a feature will launch on smartphones.
Nasty FaceTime bug lets you hear call recipients before they’ve answered
A FaceTime bug lets you listen to the audio of the person you're calling before they've even answered. Besides the obvious privacy concerns, the issue could lead to awkward situations if anyone tries to replicate the bug and the recipient utters something untoward when their name flashes on the display.
Alphabet’s Verily is reportedly working on shoes that can track your weight
Fitness tracking is getting increasingly important, but while the likes of Apple are working on fitness-tracking watches, Alphabet's Verily is instead turning to shoes. According to a recent report, Verily is working on shoes that can track your weight and offer things like fall detection.
Visible’s unlimited everything service is coming to Android
There's a new mobile service provider on the block, and it's being backed by a player with plenty of experience. Visible is a new startup from Verizon that offers super-low-cost service that is also unlimited. Folks in the U.S. can get unlimited data, messages, and minutes for just $40 a month.
MWC 2019: Here’s what to expect, from 5G to foldable phones
While CES kick starts the year, it's MWC that really gets the ball rolling. We're expecting to see a massive amount of new phones from a bunch of manufacturers this year, with a special emphasis on 5G and foldable smartphones. Here's everything that we expect to see at MWC Barcelona 2019.
Uber seeks to be a ‘one-stop shop for transportation’ with new app feature
Uber is adding public transit options to its app in a bid to become a one-stop shop for public transportation. Part of the idea is to make it easier for those who want to start or finish a journey in an Uber while using public transit in between. The new feature has arrived first in Denver, Colorado.
Apple patent hints at Force Touch volume rocker on a future iPhone
Apple is continuing its war on physical buttons, and has filed a patent for a volume rocker that uses Apple's Force Touch tech. The patent specifically relates to touch- and force-sensitive rocker switches, and could end up being used on either the iPhone or the Apple Watch at some point in the future.
Google removes its own data-collection app after it got past Apple
Only a day after Apple removed Facebook's Research data collection app from its systems, Google has removed a data collection app of its own, which it also managed to get past Apple. The app, called Screenwise Meter, involved collecting data on users' smartphone habits.
HMD’s Nokia phones arrive on Verizon and Cricket, without Google’s Android One
HMD Global is ramping up its presence in North America for its Nokia phones, and that starts with three key carrier partnerships. The Nokia 2V is coming to Verizon, the Nokia 3.1 Plus to Cricket Wireless, and Rogers gets the Nokia 2.1. But what happens to the Android One program?
In 2018, smartphone sales stopped growing annually for the first time
Two data analysis companies have said that in 2018, the smartphone market declined for the first time, meaning we all bought fewer smartphones than in 2017. The drop over 2017 may not sound substantial, but with the numbers involved, it's more significant than you may think. What will happen this year?
Teens, young adults willingly shared private data with Facebook for cash
Would you willingly share data like private messages with Facebook in exchange for $20 a month? A Facebook Research app does just that. After a report questioned the app's data collection, Apple removed the iOS app, while an Android version appears to remain available through beta testing platforms.
Samsung’s new big-but-small chip could mean the end of the mobile MicroSD card
Samsung has developed a new 1TB memory chip for smartphones, doubling the largest amount available today, and says it's ready for production to start. The tiny chip is not physically any larger than the 512GB version, yet will store twice the amount of data. However, don't expect the resulting phones to be cheap.
Stealth cameras and super-fast charging excite at Oppo’s big U.K. launch
You may not have heard of them, but Oppo has launched in the U.K., and it's bringing three phones with it -- the RX17 Pro, the RX17 Neo, and the space-age Find X. It struck a deal with retailer Carphone Warehouse, which will stock all three phones, ready for you to try out in store. Here's what you need to know.
FaceTime bug: A teen and his mom spent a week trying to warn Apple
News of a serious FaceTime bug that let iPhone users eavesdrop on the person they were calling went viral on Tuesday. It now appears that a teen and his mom tried to warn Apple about the flaw multiple times, but the "poorly set-up" bug-reporting process made it difficult to make contact.
Apple boss hints at lower iPhone prices to fight falling sales
Apple boss Tim Cook said the company could lower iPhone prices in some markets in a bid to boost sales. The news comes as Apple released data on Tuesday showing a rare year-on-year decline in iPhone revenue. Cook cited factors such a strong dollar and pressures on the global economy.
Snapchat reportedly toys with the idea of making its snaps permanent
Snapchat could soon make public posts last forever. According to Reuters, the company is considering extending the lifespan of public posts shared in Our Story to make snaps more easily shareable outside the app. The change would not affect private posts shared only with friends on the app.
Stakes are high for Samsung, as it promises new phones will meet expectations
The head of Samsung's mobile division has spoken out about the forthcoming launch of the Galaxy S10 and potential folding smartphone reveal, saying the new devices will meet our expectations. Excitement around the new hardware is high, but behind the scenes on the business side, Samsung also needs them to be a success.
Apple wants app developers to be a lot clearer about subscription costs
Apple wants developers to be more up front with cost information when it comes to in-app subscriptions. In a set of revamped guidelines, the company laid out a raft of recommendations to ensure there are no nasty surprises for iDevice owners when they sign up for a paid subscription.
U.S. government files criminal charges against China’s Huawei
After months of tensions, the U.S. government has officially filed charges against Huawei for counts of bank fraud, theft of technology from T-Mobile, and more. Specifically, many of the charges seem to be against Huawei CFO Meng Whanzou, who is being held in Canada.
The Samsung Galaxy M series is the first with an Infinity-V display
Samsung is finally releasing phones with its new Infinity-V display. The company has unveiled the Samsung Galaxy M10 and Galaxy M20 smartphones, which boast edge-to-edge displays with an Infinity-V cutout, plus decent specs at a very affordable price. The phones are only available in India.
Google exec sparks controversy with Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XS photo tweet
Which picture do you prefer? That's the debate raging after a Google executive shared two images comparing the iPhone XS with a photo from the Google Pixel 3 taken with Night Sight mode. The difference is massive; but which one is the "better" photo? You may have to take a closer look to see which side you'll come down on.
Bezel-less phones are terrible for typing on, and it’s only going to get worse
Bezel-less smartphone screens look great, and folding smartphones are an exciting part of the mobile future; but we don't like where the typing experience is heading because of these two trends. Tapping out messages on some phones is already painful, and software designers need to pay attention now.
Samsung will start replacing plastic in packaging with sustainable materials
Samsung is switching out plastic components in the packaging of its products for paper and other environmentally friendly materials. The company has set a goal of using 500,000 tons of recycled plastics and collecting 7.5 million tons of discarded products by 2030, since the initiative started in 2009.