Monthly Archives: October 2015

Microsoft’s clever hot-swap Surface Book graphics now cheaper

Ford may have popularized “any color you want as long as it’s black,” but Microsoft is taking a far more flexible approach to Surface Book sales. Though shipments of the convertible notebook-tablet hybrid aren’t expected to begin until Monday, the company has quietly added a new configuration seemingly targeted at those with more ambitious graphical demands but a tighter budget.

 

The new version keeps the Core i5 “Skylake” processor of the entry-level Surface Book, along with its 128GB of SSD storage and 8GB of memory.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsofts-clever-hot-swap-surface-book-graphics-now-cheaper-23411362/

Bisimoto Engineering EcoBoost Mustang heads to SEMA with 900hp

Ford has announced that it will have several customized Mustangs in its booth at SEMA and one of them is a very impressive EcoBoost four cylinder machine. This Mustang is built by Bisimoto Engineering and started life as a basic 2.3L EcoBoost car. Bisimoto designed 14 new parts for the EcoBoost Mustang just for SEMA.

Modifications to the powertrain include AEM electronics including an Infinity 6 ECU, boost controller, flex fuel sensor, and fuel pressure regulator. The engine internals where changed for more strength with Arias Pistons 9:1 hi-tensile forged billet pistons, ARP head and main studs, wheel studs, and bolts.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/bisimoto-engineering-ecoboost-mustang-heads-to-sema-with-900hp-23411239/

Samsung Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 get official

Samsung has officially launched two new budget smartphone offerings including the Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 smartphones. The new devices have been listed on the Chinese Samsung website and despite being budget offerings; they both have decent hardware inside.

Samsung Galaxy On5 and Galaxy On7 get official

The Galaxy On7 has a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED screen and the On5 has a 5-inch Super AMOLED screen. Both use an Exynos 3475 processor backed with 1.5GB of RAM. The rear camera is a 13MP f/2.1 unit and the front camera is a 5MP unit with an f/2.2 unit.

samsung-on-2

The operating system for both smartphones is Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and both have 8GB of internal storage. Storage can be expanded via microSD cards. The larger On7 smartphone has a 3000 mAh internal battery and supports 4G FDD LTE networks in China. It measures in at 151.8 x 77.5 x 8.2mm and weighs 172g. It will and with Samsung Milk Music installed in China.

Measurements for the smaller On5 aren’t offered. Pricing is unannounced for the Chinese market at this time, but both smartphones are expected to launch outside of China as well in the future. They seem to be decent entry-level smartphones so presumably the price will match that stature.

(slashgear.com)

Chrome, Feedly, iMovie, Vivint Sky get iOS 9 updates

iOS 9 has not only brought a lot of features to Apple’s platform itself, it has also opened up iPhones and most especially iPads to a whole set of functionality coming from third party apps. Of course, adoption of those features didn’t happen overnight, with updates happpening mostly in waves. This week, we’re seeing a couple of new ones spread across different types of app, from Apple’s own iMovie, to the Google Chrome browser, to Feedly news reader, and even Vivint Sky smart home control.

Chrome, Feedly, iMovie, Vivint Sky get iOS 9 updates

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus finally got a camera that natively supported recording video in 4K resolution. While that in itself is already a great thing, it would probably be better if you could do more with the videos they produced. Last week, Apple rolled out an update to iMovie on the Mac to support 4K video editing and not it is the iOS app’s turn to get the same treatment. To be precise, 4K support is only available for the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, and the iPad Pro.

imovie-ios9

While Google’s Chrome is largely viewed as a rival and maybe even subpar browser on iOS, that isn’t going to stop the search giant from giving Apple fans their own brand of “best browsing experience”. On iOS 9, that means supporting the platform’s new Split View multitasking. Of course, that feature is only available on iPads, particularly the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4.

Chrome-iPad-Multitasking-with_frame

But do not be sad, ye iPhone owners. the Chrome update also has something in store for you as well. Google is bringing its Chrome Autofill feature from the desktop to mobile, which includes Android in this context, too. Now you won’t have to re-enter your details again and again.

Chrome-iPhone-autofill

The popular news reader Feedly has also gone on an iOS 9 update spree. While it makes no mention of supporting Split View for iPads, the new Feedly does now integrate the Safari viewer so that viewing full articles feels and behaves like viewing them directly inside Safari. The new Feedly takes full advantage of 3D Touch on the home screen. Using force touch, you can jump directly to your desired section of articles, saving you time as well as a few CPU clock cycles.

feedly-ios9

Last but not the least, Vivint has released an update for its Vivint Sky app for iOS. This app allows owners of Vivint Smart Home products to remotely control them from anywhere in the world. The update not only brings in iOS 9 support but also neat features like viewing recorded clips. Vivint promises that Apple Watch support will be coming soon to give you an even more futuristic feel to controlling and monitoring your smart home.

vivint-ios9

(slashgear.com)

2016 MINI convertible gets longer and wider

MINI has offered up some images and details on the all-new MINI convertible ahead of the official launch of the car in Tokyo. The new convertible will hit dealerships next March and will come in Cooper and Cooper S versions. Both versions will be built on the BMW front-wheel drive platform and will have three and four cylinder engine options.

The biggest change for the new convertible is more room with the car being 4.5-inches longer than the previous version and 1.7-inches wider and almost an inch taller compared to the previous versions.

The wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer and the front and rear track are nearly two inches wider. This gives the car 25% more luggage volume with the top up.

The car retains the fabric roof and roughly the same roofline as the coupe version of the car. The top can be dropped at speeds up to 18mph and needs 18 seconds to open or close.

The car offers a pair of protection bars that pop up if the car rolls over. Eleven colors will be offered along with the Always open timer that tracks how much time the car spends with the top down.

When fitted with the base engine drivers get a 1.5L turbo engine making 134hp and 162 lb-ft of torque giving the car a 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds with an auto. The Cooper S gets a 2.0L turbo four making 189hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. The coolest part is that you can get a silver Union Jack on the convertible top.

Pricing will be announced in March.

(slashgear.com)

iFixit’s Nexus 5X verdict: easy peasy to repair

Once those are out of the way, the rest of the Nexus 5X’s innards is almost literally an open book and getting to the parts is almost a boring walk in the park for experts like iFixit. You immediately see the Nexus Imprint fingerprint scanner which Google promises to be blazingly fast.

ifixit-nexus-5x-2

There’s also the 12.3 megapixel Sony IMX377 sans optical image stabilization. The USB Type-C port is also there to mildly disappoint. For one, it only supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. For another, it’s soldered directly unto the motherboard unlike the other I/O ports, making it harder to replace.

Despite that, iFixit gives the Nexus 5X a repairability score of 7 out of 10, a rather high mark for a modern smartphone. The back is easy enough to remove and screws used are standard, requiring no special tool to remove. The parts are mostly modular, which makes them easy to replace.

ifixit-nexus-5x-3

And though the battery is partly secured, it doesn’t take too much work to take remove. The one wart on the Nexus 5X repairability grade is the fused display assembly, though that seems to be now a standard that we’ll just have to live with.

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/VYFbSpvSE-w”]Watch the Using Rcpp Syntactic Sugar video.[/su_youtube]

(slashgear.com)

Review: Lenovo Ideapad 100S – a budget Windows 10 laptop

Laptops are no longer a financial burden — the market is full of inexpensive notebooks, many of which cost less than a mid-tier smartphone.

These machines are usually targeted at students, kids, casual users, and those in need of a secondary laptop, one they’re willing to risk carrying at the subway or checking in at the airport. Lenovo’s newest Ideapad, the Ideapad 100S, is exactly that type of machine, hitting all the right marks: lightweight, small, cheap, and loaded and with Windows 10.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/review-lenovo-ideapad-100s-a-budget-windows-10-laptop-23411310/

Microsoft Q3: Bing, cloud biggest winners, phones still down

Microsoft’s investments and patience with its products, despite criticisms and contrary suggestions, are probably starting to pay off. The company has released its financial report for the first quarter of the 2016 fiscal year, which ended September 30, 2015 and the numbers are quite the mixed bag. Although Redmond is practically reporting a revenue loss, the company is strangely upbeat about the business. The details do hint at some businesses experiencing a growth surge, with things looking hopeful. That is, except for the poor smartphone.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-q3-bing-cloud-biggest-winners-phones-still-down-22411198/

Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance are torque monsters

Audi has announced the new RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance cars and each of them pack the same 4.0 TFSI engine under the hood.

Performance is a new designation for Audi debuting with these cars. That 4.0 TSFI engine isn’t exactly huge on displacement, but the turbo tech used by Audi gives both of these cars some big power and torque numbers with 605hp and a whopping 553.2 lb-ft of torque on tap.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/audi-rs-6-avant-performance-and-rs-7-sportback-performance-are-torque-monsters-23411223/

Nikon launches Nanoblocks version of first SLR camera

Love Nanoblocks (they’re like LEGOs) and Nikon cameras? If so, the camera maker’s new and unanticipated Nikon Nanoblocks kit is right up your alley. The kit allows users to assemble a blocky plastic version of its very first SLR camera, and though you won’t be using it to snap any pictures, it will make an interesting conversation piece amongst your collection.

Nanoblocks isn’t as popular as LEGO, though they’ve had their moments — we saw them not too long ago offering up miniature sets in partnership with McDonald’s, for example.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/nikon-launches-nanoblocks-version-of-first-slr-camera-22411165/

HTC One A9 vs iPhone, a brief history

At the launch of the HTC One A9, it was suggested that this newest HTC smartphone looked a whole lot like the most recent design for the iPhone. At the release of the iPhone 6, the same was said about Apple’s design looking very similar to the then-most-recent HTC smartphone release. At this crossroads of confusion, today we’re having a look at a brief history of smartphone releases from both companies, as captured over the last several years. Is it one company, or the other, or are we steadily heading toward smartphone design singularity?

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/htc-one-a9-vs-iphone-a-brief-history-22411135/

AAA study finds hands-free smartphone features still distract drivers

Google, Apple, and Microsoft have worked hard to implement hands-free features when it comes to safely using their smartphones while behind the wheel, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. While these settings are certainly better than physically holding and interacting with a phone while driving, it turns out they’re not quite as safe as we all thought. A new study from the University of Utah and AAA (American Automobile Association) has found that voice commands can still be very distracting.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/aaa-study-finds-hands-free-smartphone-features-still-distract-drivers-22411113/

Turtle Beach Xbox One headsets recalled due to mold risk

If you own a Turtle Beach headset, you might want to read on. Recently, Turtle Beach has announced that mold spores have been found on a small number of their Ear Force XO FOUR Stealth headsets. They are putting forth a voluntary recall in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company has confirmed that units sold between June 2015 and September 2015 may possibly be affected. There are a few ways to check to see if yours is included in this batch. First, the model number of the headset is TBS-2320-01 if you’re in the US, or TBS-2320-03 if you are in Canada. Next, you’ll need to check the serial number. The easiest way to do that is to find it on the headband, and enter it on the official recall website.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/turtle-beach-xbox-one-headsets-recalled-due-to-mold-risk-22411114/

Three things to know about Lenovo’s Ideapad 100S

Lenovo’s Ideapad 100S is small, cheap and just right (for many users). We recently reviewed it in full, and you’ll have to check out that full review to get all of the details. Following that, though, we’re back with a trio of notable highlights to get you started; things you should know if you’re considering grabbing one of these budget laptops.

1. It’s a budget system

The Lenovo Ideapad 100S is a budget laptop, and it makes no effort to hide that. You’ll only pay $199 USD for the laptop, which puts it in the financial range where few fear to tread. Whether you’re a student on a budget, a tablet lover with occasional need for a laptop, or a road warrior who needs an inexpensive second laptop, you’ll find the Ideapad 100S fits the bill.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/three-things-to-know-about-lenovos-ideapad-100s-24411369/

TomTom Spark review

The TomTom Spark does nothing revolutionary, but bringing music to your wrist is liberating. Yes it’s limited to old-school MP3s and not Spotify, but the feeling of smartphone freedom for music-loving runners is tangible. We also loved being able to hook up Strava and RunKeeper to our workouts, and it’s easily the most accurate heart rate system we’ve tested. The slightly underwhelming ecosystem does is a slight downside, but the TomTom Spark but still comes heartily recommended.

Read full post here:
https://www.wareable.com/sport/tomtom-spark-review

Canon EOS 5DS Digital Camera Review

When you’re watching a press conference and all of a sudden you hear a cacophony of shutter snaps, most of the time you’re hearing Canon DSLRs. Canon’s EOS cameras have long been the go-to for professional photographers the world over, prized for their combination of focus accuracy, image quality, and the company’s legendary lens library and customer service.

One thing that Canon isn’t well-known for is rapid change. In the past decade, in particular, Canon has been slow to upgrade its offerings, meaning its cameras often lag behind the pack when it comes to cutting edge features. Where its more nimble competitors like Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, and Panasonic have been churning out model after model, Canon’s been content to stick with the same full-frame lineup since 2012.

Read full post here:
https://www.reviewed.com/

Yamaha RX-V379 review

Those entering the world of home cinema for the first time might prefer to dip their toes into the budget market before jumping in at the deep end.

With its strong combination of features and performance, Yamaha does this part of the market better than most.

The Yamaha RX-V379 would seem like a good place to start. It’s the company’s entry-level amp and the successor to last year’s Award-winner at this price (which was the successor to the Award-winner the year before).

Read full post here:
https://www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v379/review

Android 6.0 Marshmallow review: All about polish and power

When Android 5.0 Lollipop started hitting devices last November, people could tell. Google’s new Material Design aesthetic made sure you wouldn’t mistake it for any prior version of the OS, which was great… especially when you consider how confusing parts of it could be. Now that Android’s look has been more or less firmed up, Google set about making its operating system smoother, smarter and more battery-friendly. The end result: Android 6.0 Marshmallow. So, how’d they do? Spoiler alert: pretty damned well.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/23/android-6-0-marshmallow-review-all-about-polish-and-power/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS91cmw_c2E9dCZyY3Q9aiZxPSZlc3JjPXMmc291cmNlPXdlYiZjZD0xJnZlZD0yYWhVS0V3amRzYXFsbXY3bUFoWERjOTRLSFlXLURwVVFGakFBZWdRSUJCQUImdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmVuZ2FkZ2V0LmNvbSUyRjIwMTUlMkYxMCUyRjIzJTJGYW5kcm9pZC02LTAtbWFyc2htYWxsb3ctcmV2aWV3LWFsbC1hYm91dC1wb2xpc2gtYW5kLXBvd2VyJTJGJnVzZz1BT3ZWYXcwQkVJVW13RGxsbmoxLTRrc0l4U1Fq&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKMBHqBt2OptjncO8hsnrnZEWda7usyOF4zGmuWJf25omDFq4CsZn9hAyFBH3iUi-FdrlBFJRdVybftBOvKyBTFTP7CK8qk9IvVlWioozcVBZKzXXZJs-dzGVsRX0xCB-v_dZ5EVG5IBfVGSF5bdWJUdp3Chhl-iu4kC72hN1mlK

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8 review: Samsung’s iPad mini 4 rival really is gorgeous, both inside & out

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 models are the successors to last year’s original Galaxy Tab S range, which featured the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and the Galaxy Tab S 10.5. We thought they were the firm’s best ever tablets, so we had been looking forward to the arrival of the second generation. We’re pleased to say that they don’t disappoint. Read on for our review of the Galaxy Tab S2 8.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 models became available to buy in the UK on 4 September to coincide with the release of the new Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (that’s a mouthful, isn’t it?).

Read full post here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Cyberpower Infinity X55 SE review: Skylake processor + AMD graphics = one power-hungry gaming rig

The Infinity X55 SE is a rugged-looking desktop PC with chopped off corners and a protruding front grill, which give it an industrial, almost military look marking it out immediately as a gaming PC. You also get a full-size transparent side panel, through which you can see the internal components illuminated by blue LEDs which also shine through the grille at the front. This is the Corsair Carbide SPEC-01 system case we’ve seen housing gaming PCs for some time now. You’ll either love it or hate it.

Read full post here:
http://devicelectronic.blogspot.com/2016/12/cyberpower-infinity-x55-se-review.html

2015 Mazda BT-50 off-road review – outback South Australia

In the outback, the heat is not your mate. It’s not a gentle, ocean-breeze warmth. Out here, the heat hits you in the face like a bitter ex-girlfriend. It sears your skin, burns your throat with every breath and makes sun-exposed metal unbearable to touch for more than a second or two – a fact I remembered only after having rested my hand briefly on a ute’s bullbar while getting up from digging sand away from its bogged front wheels. Yep, it burnt.

When driving out here, you swiftly realise that the outback doesn’t care about your mortgage repayments or your Friday-night fashion dilemmas or your #blessed life or the soy latte awaiting you in your hipster-cool home town. The outback – as beautiful as it is – is designed for one thing: to hurt you.

Read full post here:
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/2015-mazda-bt-50-off-road-review-outback-south-australia-36442

Huawei Mate S review: the Mate S is beautifully designed but doesn’t perform as well as we’d hoped, plus release date, price and specs

At IFA 2015 in Berlin, Huawei announced its latest smartphone: the Huawei Mate S. The announcement was a somewhat interesting affair, with an on-stage singing performance and a catwalk at the end, but even with all that, the Mate S was still the star of the show. It looks gorgeous, and offers some pretty interesting features. We’ve been using the Huawei Mate S for over a month now, and here are our thoughts.

Read full post here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Google Nexus 6P vs Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ comparison preview: A close call in this phablet battle

Google has announced a new flagship smartphone for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but is it better than Samsung’s latest phablet? Here’s our Google Nexus 6P vs Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ comparison preview.

The Nexus 6P is Google’s latest stab at a phablet, this time built by Huawei rather than Motorola. It has a 5.7in screen and incidentally Samsung launched the larger version of its curved screen with, you’ve guess it, a 5.7in.

Read full post here:
https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/

Runkeeper’s new Apple Watch app lets you jog phone-free

The Apple Watch got a lot more useful with WatchOS 2.0, an update that let developers write apps that can run natively on the Watch without the need for your iPhone. Runkeeper’s latest app update enables exactly that — you can now use the Apple Watch to track a workout without needing to bring your phone with you, something that’ll certainly be appreciated by those who don’t want to have an iPhone 6 Plus strapped to their arm during a run.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/

Xbox One Elite controller review: A better gamepad at a steep price

Is a gamepad worth $150? That’s the question Microsoft is asking with the Xbox One Elite controller, a revamp of its almost two-year-old paddle that shipped with the Xbox One. The company isn’t targeting this as a device for the mainstream, though. Rather, the Elite is instead for highly competitive gamers — the type that’d mod their controllers with third-party accessories for greater precision. The customization it offers comes at a steep price, costing over twice as much as the standard $60 controller.

Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/10/22/xbox-elite-controller-review/

Microsoft Surface Book Review

SUMMARY

Microsoft’s first laptop raises the bar for other notebooks, with fast performance, best-in-class battery life and a design that manages to be both premium and unforgettable. The detachable screen is also comfortable to use as a tablet, thanks to both its light 1.6-pound design, accurate pen input and some well-thought-out dimensions. Overall, we recommend it, especially to people who value performance, design and battery life above all else, and are willing to pay dearly for it. We just hope that next year’s model is a little lighter and that it offers longer battery life in tablet mode.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/microsoft-surface-book-1306306/review

Surface Pro 4 Review

SUMMARY

The Surface Pro 4 builds on the best parts of the Surface Pro 3, and it finally delivers a solid typing experience with the revamped Type Cover (which is unfortunately sold separately). It’s the ideal hybrid tablet in practically every way — it’s as light as a tablet, but as productive as any laptop. The only problem is you’re stuck with so-so battery life.

It’s probably fair to describe the Surface Pro 4 as an evolutionary update over its predecessor. That’s not to say the improvements, collectively, aren’t impressive: more of the same, or similar, is no bad thing when you’re talking about a tablet that in its several generations has built a loyal following.

Read full post here:
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/microsoft-surface-pro-4-1290285/review

BlackBerry Priv US pre-order page pulled, details revealed

The Internet is like an elephant. It really doesn’t forget. And there are a lot of people willing to help the world remember any kind of mistake, for better or for worse. So when BlackBerry “accidentally” publishes the pre-order page for the much talked about BlackBerry Priv but later pulls it down, the details it has revealed can no longer be unseen. Which is probably good for us, because we’re looking at BlackBerry’s first Android smartphone that is slated to ship November 16 for a price of $749.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/blackberry-priv-us-pre-order-page-pulled-details-revealed-22411030/

Android Marshmallow demands devices show ALL battery info

Google’s collection of “Compatibility Definition” requirements for Android 6.0 Marshmallow includes a clause on battery transparency. What you’re going to find there – if you’re a manufacturer – is a note on Power Consumption Accounting. While manufacturers working with previous versions of Android had a bit more freedom in what they did and did not show to the end user, this version requires that device implementations of Marshmallow “MUST be able to track hardware component power usage and attribute that power usage to specific applications.”

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/android-marshmallow-demands-devices-show-all-battery-info-22411066/

Garmin debuts new Forerunner fitness watches with heart rate monitor

The year of smartwatches continues to roll on, as a new set of fitness-focused wearables have just been announced by Garmin. This includes three new watches in the company’s Forerunner line, all with GPS, heart rate monitoring capabilities, and features aimed at runners. The first pair is the Forerunner 235 and 230 (seen above), followed by the much more high-end Forerunner 630. The most noticable change is that all three have a color display that is 44% bigger than previous models, along with thinner bezels.

Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/garmin-debuts-new-forerunner-fitness-watches-with-heart-rate-monitor-21410900/