Beta code for iOS 12.2 hints at 4 new iPads, iPod Touch upgrade
Code within the iOS 12.2 beta references four new iPad models, all with Wi-Fi and cellular options, and with Touch ID instead of Face ID. The beta also hints at a new iPod Touch, which would be the first Touch update in about four years.
Google I/O 2019 will take place at a familiar time and at a predictable locale
Google has taken the wraps off of the dates and location for Google I/O 2019. The event is set to take place from May 7 to 9 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California -- which is pretty much when and where we would expect the event to take place. At I/O, Google is expected to unveil Android Q.
Facebook wants to merge messaging in Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram
According to a new report, Facebook is planning on merging messaging services in Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The goal seems to be to allow users to message each other no matter what the platform, and the change is set for 2020. Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly leading efforts.
The Nokia 8.1 is a Pie-powered midrange phone that’s not coming to the U.S.
If you're looking for a great midrange phone, you could do much worse than Nokia's great recent range. Its latest addition is the Nokia 8.1, a good-looking phone with a huge display, powered by the Snapdragon 710, and a claimed two day battery life. But it won't be coming to the U.S.
The Alcatel Onyx smartphone has a dual-sensor camera and costs just $120
Alcatel has a history of delivering good smartphones at a reasonable price, and the company is at it again with its latest offering. Alcatel has announced the new Alcatel Onyx, which boasts features like a 1.5Ghz processor, 2GB of RAM, a dual-sensor camera, and more -- and all for only $120.
Apple has just added a cash incentive to its ‘Shot on iPhone’ contest
Following complaints that Apple's "Shot on iPhone" contest offered no payment to the winning photographers, the firm has now reworded its terms and conditions to indicate that it will offer compensation. Ten winners will have their photos used on billboards and inside Apple Stores around the world.
Apple patent shows contact info could be displayed on the iOS Home screen
Apple filed a patent for a new way to show information on the iOS Home screen. The patent details being able to add a link to a contact card from the Home screen, allowing users to quickly and easily open up a contact's information. The information could be displayed intelligently, too.
Apple patent highlights iPhone with a glass front that curves around the sides
Samsung may have pioneered the way when it comes to edge-style curved glass, but it looks like Apple could be working on something similar. The company filed a patent for a device with a glass front that curves around the edge of the phone, making for an all-glass design.
Huawei to show folding smartphone powered by its new 5G chip at MWC
Huawei has announced the world's first single-chip, multi-mode 5G modem, and confirmed it will feature inside a folding smartphone that's to be announced at Mobile World Congress at the end of February. The chip could also be added to other 5G phones at the show. Here's what we know about this exciting new technology.
Pinterest makeup searches can soon be customized by skin tone
Browsing Pinterest for new makeup or hair ideas? You can soon customize the results based on skin tone. After testing the tool last year, Pinterest will soon roll out palettes to narrow search results related to hair and makeup only. Pinterest says the update is coming to iOS in the next few weeks.
Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30: Everything you need to know
Casio continues to refine its Pro Trek activity smartwatch. The latest model is the WSD-F30, and it adds several new features, including another new battery-saving mode that makes great use of the dual-screen technology. While the watch is still big, it is slightly smaller than previous models too.
OpenSignal report shows Verizon is still the best mobile network out there
OpenSignal has published its annual Mobile Network Experience report, highlighting different categories such as download speed and upload speed, and which among the top four carriers offers the best experience in those categories. As you might expect, Verizon holds the top spot.
The entire screen is also a fingerprint sensor on Vivo’s incredible Apex 2019
Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo has shown off the Apex 2019, a concept phone without any blemishes on its immaculate glass body, and a fingerprint sensor that takes up the entire screen. This slick-looking phone even has 5G, and capacitive buttons. It's not market-ready yet, but that may change in the future.
Xiaomi shows how its folding smartphone will look, and you’re going to love it
Xiaomi is the latest manufacturer to show off a folding smartphone prototype. The unnamed phone has a different design than others we've seen, adopting a double fold where the sides of the screen fold over the back of the device. It looks effective in the video, so hopefully we'll get our hands on one someday soon.
Honor View 20: Everything you need to know
After its phenomenal success with the View 10 in 2018, Honor has announced its sequel, the Honor View 20. Along with an improved processor, the phone has an entirely new type of display which has a hole-punch for the camera rather than a notch. Here's everything we know about the Honor View 20 smartphone.
Apple Pay coming to more top U.S. stores, including Target and Taco Bell
If you love contactless payments, then Apple Pay is the best way to pay on your iPhone and Apple Watch -- and you'll soon be able to use it to pay for your tacos. Apple Pay support is being rolled out across the U.S. for a variety of top retailers, including Taco Bell, Target, Hy-Vee, and more.
Here are the best selfie cameras on the market, according to DxOMark
DxOMark, the company known for testing cameras, is now extending its smartphone analysis to include the front-facing camera. The Selfie ranking will be kept separate from the overall mobile score. The company says the testing process involves more than 1,500 images and two hours of video.
Google Maps will now help drivers stay within speed limits, avoid speed traps
Google Maps will now start showing speed limits and speed camera locations, so that drivers will not be flagged for speeding tickets. The new features arrive to the app years after they were introduced in Waze, which Google acquired in 2013 for about $1 billion, with no need to update Google Maps.
Popular Android navigation apps are just Google Maps with ads, researcher says
A malware researcher found that 19 free Android navigation apps on the Google Play Store were nothing more than Google Maps, but with ads. One of the apps asked for a payment to remove the ads, while some were security risks as they asked for access to services that navigation apps do not need.
Apple resurrects the iPhone SE with brand-new units starting at $249
Apple quietly started selling the iPhone SE again, at even lower prices than when it was discontinued four months ago upon the launch of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. Brand new units of the 32GB version are on sale for $249, while the 128GB version is going for $299.
Windows 10 Mobile is dead: Switch to iOS or Android, Microsoft says
A Microsoft support page detailed the company's plans to end support for Windows 10 Mobile in less than a year, which means that there will no longer be any security updates for the operating system. Users with devices powered by the platform are suggested to switch to iOS or Android devices.
OpenTable points can now be used to whittle down cost of a hotel stay
Got some OpenTable Dining Points built up? Now those points can also be used to make your own hotel discounts. OpenTable is teaming up with Kayak to use points as discounts on participating hotels. OpenTable says the expansion of the points system is just the start.
Verizon’s deal could get you a free iPhone XR — but there’s some fine print
Verizon has launched a new deal for its smartphones aimed at encouraging customers to open up a new line. If you're willing to open up a new line and you want two new phones, you could get a free Samsung Galaxy S9, Google Pixel 3, or even an Apple iPhone XR for free.
Huawei in for a rough year as feds investigate alleged trade secrets theft
Huawei is also facing issues in the U.S., but it doesn't seem like that will end any time soon. According to a new report, the company is facing a federal investigation in the U.S. for allegedly stealing trade secrets -- and the investigation could come to a close in the near future.
It’s back! Here’s how to switch to Twitter’s reverse chronological feed
Twitter has finally brought back the reverse chronological feed, allowing you to see your feed based on the newest tweets, rather than using Twitter's algorithm that shows what it thinks you want to see. Thankfully, it's easy to switch to the reverse chronological feed on Android and iOS. Here's how.
Apple’s official iPhone XS battery case is finally here
Apple has been rumored to be working on a new iPhone battery case for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, and now those new cases are finally here. Cases offer seven hours of extra use for each iPhone, support wireless charging, and are now available from Apple for $129.
Biometric phone unlocks can’t be forced by feds, says U.S. judge
Fingerprint and face unlocks used to not be protected by the Fifth Amendment, but that may be about to change. A judge in California has ruled biometric unlocking methods of all kinds are protected in the same way as passcodes, which could eventually mean a change in wider law to protect user security.
Apple’s iPhone battery offer was reportedly way more popular than expected
As many as 11 million iPhone owners reportedly made use of Apple's cheaper battery replacement offer that launched in 2018 in response to the iPhone throttling debacle. The program proved so popular that Apple CEO Tim Cook said recently it hit its bottom line as fewer people upgraded to one of the new iPhones.
AT&T jumps the gun with deliberately misleading 5GE launch
With 5G appearing on the horizon, bringing the promise of major speed improvements to our smartphone networks, AT&T has decided to jump the gun and relabel its latest 4G tech as 5G Evolution. It’s a short-sighted move designed to fool people and it will cause confusion.
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 855 chip brings A.I. smarts (and 5G!) to 2019 phones
Almost exactly a year after the launch of the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomm took the wraps off of its next-generation mobile platform, the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. The new chip puts an emphasis on A.I. performance, 5G, and computer vision, while naturally increasing performance and efficiency.
Oppo could reveal a new smartphone with a 10x optical zoom
Telephoto lenses are a strong weapon in any cameraperson's arsenal -- but cracking a solid zoom on smartphones has been a riddle manufacturers have been trying to solve for years. Oppo may have gone above and beyond though, and it seems it may be about to show off a phone with a 10x optical zoom.
Google Fi is getting support for the next-gen messaging standard, RCS Chat
Google has been pushing the development of the RCS Chat standard, and now it's finally bringing that new standard to its own carrier -- Google Fi. With Chat, customers will get features like read receipts, better group messaging, higher-quality image and video messaging, and more.
HMD Global shows us how a slice of Android Pie is baked up
Waiting for Android updates can be a real chore -- but it's nothing compared to the work manufacturers have to do to get it out on their phones. HMD Global, creators of Nokia's phones, has released an infographic showing how Android updates like Android 9.0 Pie are cooked up by manufacturers.
Nokia 6.2: News and rumors
The Nokia 6.1 was our favorite budget phone of 2018, so we were always going to get excited when details of a successor came to light. However, the Nokia 6.2 will exceed those expectations if leaks are true. Here's absolutely everything we know about the Nokia 6.2 that may arrive in January.