Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations

Samsung will likely showcase its Zoom Anyplace sensor with the Galaxy S24 series. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung demonstrates new 200 MP ISOCELL Zoom Anyplace camera features before Galaxy S24 series release

Samsung has released a new video demonstrating its new 200 MP 'Zoom Anyplace' camera sensor, which it will showcase alongside a new ISP. The same video hints at the Galaxy S24 series featuring Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in some degree, too.

Alex Alderson, 29 Oct 2023 00:40

The teaser for the Special Event has led to speculation about the introduction of a LiDAR AF system. (Image source: Sony - edited)

Sony A9 III likely launching on November 8 as camera maker teases 'Special event' sparking speculation of LiDAR AF

Sony has revealed a special even where professionals and enthusiasts will be able to “pick up and experience the latest mirrorless α and lenses,” giving credence to recent rumours of a November launch for the Sony A9 III. Online speculation and rumours point to a fast 33-MP full-frame sensor with the potential for LiDAR AF.

Julian van der Merwe, 29 Oct 2023 00:18

Jsaux gives the Asus ROG Ally a fresh, transparent look. (Image: Jsaux)

Asus ROG Ally gets transparent case with RGB lighting for retrofitting, as well as versatile ModCase

The Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld cuts a fine figure with a transparent case, as a new, transparent back from accessory specialist Jsaux shows. At the same time, the manufacturer unveils the ModCase, a robust protective case for the handheld.

Hannes Brecher, 28 Oct 2023 23:24

Apple is expected to refresh it's Magic accessories line-up in the upcoming Apple Event (Image Source : UnSplash)

Apple Magic accessory refresh likely to turn up at Scary Fast event

Apple's Magic Mouse is infamous for its unconventional ergonomics and universally criticised charging method. Although the Cupertino giant is said to be planning an update to the device along with other Magic accessories, it is still unclear if the revision will include any long-awaited design improvements.

Sambit Saha, 28 Oct 2023 19:45

Alan Wake 2 running on a Steam Deck (Source: Notebookcheck)

Alan Wake 2 works on the Steam Deck but only with user assistance

CheckMag Alan Wake 2 is one of the most anticipated games of 2023. The minimum specifications were so high they had the PC community up in arms. But does it work on a Steam Deck? The short answer: Yes. But there are some fairly significant caveats. Read on to find out more.

David Devey, 28 Oct 2023 19:20

Electricity or temperature influence fiber length. (Source: MIT)

Smart clothing: Programmable fiber changes fabrics by pushing a button

When it's cold, the jacket contracts into thick layers; when it's warm, the fabric stretches again. MIT has presented a fiber that requires neither additional electronics nor is it expensive to produce.

Mario Petzold, 28 Oct 2023 19:16

Phanteks debuts 420 mm Glacier One D30 AIO

Phanteks, a well-known name in the realm of PC cooling solutions, has expanded its Glacier One D30 AIO lineup with a 420 mm model. Otherwise known as the Phanteks Glacier One 420D30 AIO, the new cooler aims to deliver exceptional cooling performance with a visually stunning design.

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 28 Oct 2023 19:00

VR goggles used to tackle mental illness (symbolic image: Bing AI)

New virtual reality therapy helps hoarders back to life

Virtual reality goggles can aid in treating hoarding disorder, a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as per recent research by Stanford University. The use of VR headsets in therapy can significantly alleviate the distress endured by those living in homes that are partially uninhabitable.

Nicole Dominikowski, 28 Oct 2023 18:46

Dragon Crystal Glass debuts in the 14 Pro. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi 14 Pro backed for Gorilla Glass Victus 2-beating durability with new Dragon Crystal Glass

Xiaomi has now provided a deeper dive into one of its new flagship smartphone's least predictable upgrades: a new form of protection for its premium 2K display. Dragon Crystal Glass has been made in-house by the OEM, rated for up to 10 times the drop-resistance of rivals such as Huawei's Kunlun Glass or Corning's top-end Gorilla Glass Victus.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 28 Oct 2023 18:29

The "Galaxy S24 Ultra". (Source: Concept Creator via YouTube)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Subtle yet premium design upgrades hinted at in new video render

Samsung may not launch its new flagship smartphone until 2024 - however, that has not stopped a famous designer releasing their idea of how its teaser video would look in advance. The new clip takes the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra design rumors into account, a switch to a titanium frame included. The device's S Pen also stars in the new leak.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 28 Oct 2023 17:21

The Retroid Pocket 2S Metal Edition will likely share the same core specifications as standard models. (Image source: Retroid)

Retroid Pocket 2S: New version teased with metal housing

Retroid has finally showcased the Pocket 2S Metal Edition, three months after the gaming handheld's initial release. Third-party metal shells are already available though and in more colour options than Retroid has planned.

Alex Alderson, 28 Oct 2023 17:13

Realme GT5 Pro model number, specs and design confirmed in new leak

The latest Android smartphone from Realme to be approved by Chinese regulator TENAA is most likely the brand's next flagship, based on the new and very prominent camera hump alone. The certification also reveals that the "GT5 Pro" runs on the latest and greatest silicon from Qualcomm, and will be paired with internals of equally premium status - with one puzzling omission.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 28 Oct 2023 16:26

The Onyx BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro has the same 10.3-inch colour E-ink display as its predecessor. (Image source: Onyx)

Onyx BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro: New Android 12 E-reader officially launches for US$649.99

Onyx has started selling the BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro, a 10.3-inch E-reader with a colour E-ink display running Android 12. The BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro is now orderable in multiple markets, including the US, where it retails for US$649.99.

Alex Alderson, 28 Oct 2023 15:39

Elon Musk rode a Cybertruck to Tesla's lithium refinery announcement (image: Tesla)

Tesla opens Cybertruck delivery event raffle for release date

The Cybertruck release date is scheduled for November 30, and Tesla opened a delivery event lottery for those who would like to take part in the festivities at Giga Texas. The attendance roster will be rather limited to the shareholders who would want to go and earn a spot, though.

Daniel Zlatev, 28 Oct 2023 14:33

WD Black SN850 PlayStation 5-compatible SSD (Source: Western Digital)

Deal | PlayStation 5-compatible WD Black SN850 SSD hits lowest price in 30 days, Western Digital crushes this deal with US$50 less

Optimized for intense gaming sessions, the WD Black SN850 is a PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD coming with a 5-year limited warranty. This SSD is fully compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles. The 2 TB version is now down to its lowest price in 30 days on Amazon, going for US$199.99 instead of US$259, but Western Digital offers it for just US$149.99.

Codrut Nistor, 28 Oct 2023 08:40

Gogoro pitches the CrossOver as a go-anywhere, do-anything electric scooter optimised for practicality. (Image source: Gogoro - edited)

Gogoro CrossOver debuts as electric "Two-Wheel SUV" boasting 90-mile+ range, all-terrain performance, and absurd practicality

Gogoro touts the CrossOver as the first two-wheel SUV, thanks to its wide range of use cases and highly-configurable storage system. It features a total of 26 attachment points and a split seat that flips up to become a backrest and reveal a built-in luggage rack.

Julian van der Merwe, 28 Oct 2023 07:34

Apple will be holding its "Scary Fast" event on October 30. (Image source: Apple)

Apple unlikely to launch new 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh at the “Scary Fast” event

According to reliable leaker Mark Gurnam, it now seems Apple won’t be updating the entry-level MacBook Pro with the M3 chip at the upcoming Apple Event, although it remains in development internally at Apple.

Sambit Saha, 28 Oct 2023 02:14

The Radeon PRO W7900 is a powerful graphics card for creators. (Image source: AMD)

AMD re-entering the workstation GPU market is a force for Nvidia to reckon with

CheckMag Since 2006, CUDA has been consistently gaining ground in the workstation and gaming market. In recent times AMD has introduced Pro Render and other features to entice workstation users.

Daniel Murti, 28 Oct 2023 01:38

Infinix has now released the 4G model of the Zero 30 smartphone. (Image Source: Infinix)

Infinix Zero 30 4G debuts with Helio G99

After unveiling the Infinix Zero 30 5G last month, Infinix has now released the 4G model of the smartphone. This 4G version of Zero 30 comes with the Helio G99, a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, a 108 MP primary camera on the back, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage.

Abid Ahsan Shanto, 28 Oct 2023 01:15

The iPhone gets a diary app from Apple for the first time in iOS 17.2. (Image: Victor Carvalho / Apple, edited)

Apple iOS 17.2 releases updates for unpacked iPhones and Journal app, watchOS 10.1 reportedly shortens battery life

Apple has released the first beta version of iOS 17.2, confirming that the update will introduce the long-awaited Journal app, expand the functionality of the iPhone 15 Pro's Action button, and allow Apple to roll out iOS updates to unpacked iPhones.

Hannes Brecher, 27 Oct 2023 23:38

The Mazda Iconic SP promises a balanced weight distribution, relative light weight, and double the power of the MX-5 Miata. (Image source: Mazda)

Mazda Iconic SP promises MX-5 Miata fun with twice the power from a rotary-hybrid powertrain

The Mazda Iconic SP, a RWD RX-8-meets-Miata hybrid sports car concept, was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show and is slated to run on a rotary-electric drivetrain that will burn biofuels, hydrogen, or LPG. Mazda also confirmed that the vehicle could be made more compact, hinting that we could see it realised as both a four-seater RX-8 replacement and a Miata-like compact roadster.

Julian van der Merwe, 27 Oct 2023 23:03

The Doogee Smini uses an almost tiny 4.5-inch display. (Image: Doogee)

Doogee Smini launches as an extremely compact, robust smartphone with secondary display and 3D face detection

With the Smini, Doogee presents an unusual smartphone that is smaller than virtually all current rivals with a 4.5-inch touchscreen. The device also offers 3D facial recognition, a fingerprint sensor and a 50 MP camera.

Hannes Brecher, 27 Oct 2023 22:47

Matter aims to connect all smart home devices under a common protocol (Image Source: CSA)

Matter update adds support for nine smart home device types including large appliances and safety sensors

The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has just introduced version 1.2 of the Matter smart home standard, which adds support for nine new IoT device types including appliances and safety sensors. It also improves device identification, representation and organisation, allowing users to access their devices in a more useful and natural way.

Vishal Bhardwaj, 27 Oct 2023 22:46

The OnePlus Open working with a stylus. (Source: u/Rashed341 via Reddit)

OnePlus Open has stylus support after all, according to early adopter

The OnePlus Open may have hit a number of the right notes as its brand's inaugural foldable Android smartphone; then again, advertising it as compatible with electronic pens was not one of them. Nevertheless, a Reddit user asserts that their unit does in fact work with a first-party stylus. The accessory apparently shows up correctly as a paired device and works on both of the Open's high-end screens.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 27 Oct 2023 20:16

The Mind modular workstation. (Source: Khadas)

Khadas Mind goes to retail following successful crowdfunding campaign

Khadas has announced that its innovative modular mini PC is now available via more conventional sales channels, having started out as a Kickstarter hit that garnered it over US$690,000 in backer rewards. Its retail units now start at just under US$800, although the accessories that turn it into a laptop-like PC or an RTX-powered workstation are optional extras.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 27 Oct 2023 19:45

The SimplyNUC Onyx series is now available at a cheaper price without a case. (Image source: SimplyNUC)

SimplyNUC Onyx: 4X4 motherboard now available at cheaper starting price with Intel Core i5-13500H, Core i7-13700H and Core i9-13900H processors

The SimplyNUC Onyx line has been updated to include cheaper motherboard-only options. Available as the NUC130XBi5, NUC130XBi7 and NUC130XBv9, the 4X4 motherboard all feature Intel Raptor Lake-H processors, as well as a minimum of 8 GB of DDR5 RAM and 256 GB of PCIe storage.

Alex Alderson, 27 Oct 2023 19:22

iQOO 12 series hype begins. (Source: iQOO)

iQOO 12 Pro set to launch as Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered, 144fps gaming, 100X Tele Lens flagship Android smartphone

iQOO has set its sights on a podium finish in the race to launch the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered flagship Android smartphone, having set an imminent launch date for its new 12 series. The brand has previewed its latest premium-tier design upgrades thus far, while hinting at extra, exclusive "high-frame-rate gaming" tech for the new handsets.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 27 Oct 2023 19:10

Canon appears to b e considering a mirrorless camera based on the design of the Canon AE-1, which has become popular among hobbyists. (Image source: The Canon Camera Museum)

Canon rumor points to retro mirrorless camera, with rangefinder designs possibly hinting at fixed-lens future

Canon appears to be hitching a ride aboard the nostalgia train, with leaks pointing to early research regarding a retro-inspired body. Canon is reaching into its own film camera history for the design, and has narrowed it down to four possibilities, including the venerable Canon AE-1 and F-1.

Julian van der Merwe, 27 Oct 2023 19:03

WD Black P10 Game Drive USB 3.2 external hard drive (Source: Western Digital)

Deal | WD Black P10 Game Drive 5 TB USB 3.2 external hard drive drops below US$90 on Amazon

Compatible with PCs and Macs, as well as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the WD Black P10 Game Drive USB 3.2 external hard drive uses a portable form factor and features a resilient design. The 5 TB model is now down to an all-time low of US$87.11 on Amazon, and certainly a better deal when compared to its 2 TB and 4 TB siblings.

Codrut Nistor, 27 Oct 2023 18:58

The AOOSTAR R7 should be more flexible than the AOOSTAR R1, albeit without AV1 decoding support. (Image source: AOOSTAR)

AOOSTAR R7 previewed as new mini-PC and NAS with four storage options and AMD Ryzen APU

The AOOSTAR R7 is a more powerful alternative to the R1 thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 5700U APU. The AOOSTAR R7 also has an additional M.2 2280 slot and supports dual-channel RAM, unlike its cheaper counterpart.

Alex Alderson, 27 Oct 2023 18:50

XeSS is almost 2x faster than native. (Image Source: Intel)

Intel shows XeSS performance boost for Meteor Lake iGPU running Dying Light 2

Unfortunately, Intel is not showing exact fps counts, probably because it is still working to improve driver performance before the December launch. Still, we can see that XeSS, Team Blue's super sampling solution is almost 2x faster than native rendering and the iGPU has a slightly lower TDP compared to native 1080p rendering.

Bogdan Solca, 27 Oct 2023 18:46

A OnePlus 12 render. (Source: OnLeaks x MySmartPrice)

OnePlus 12 tipped to launch with up to 24GB of RAM and well-chilled Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC

The OnePlus 12 has yet to launch as a new Android flagship smartphone, yet has allegedly turned up on the AnTuTu Benchmark database already, with scores purporting to confirm the presence of a new, cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. The new leak may also reveal the device's model number, cooling upgrades and RAM specs in advance.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 27 Oct 2023 18:24

The SSD easily attaches on the back of the GPU (Image Source: Asus)

Asus RTX 4060 Ti Dual GPU with integrated M.2 storage slot now available in Europe

This design offers an additional easy to access M.2 slot for fast NVMe storage for motherboards with limited M.2 connectivity. The SSD attaches on the back of the video card and it is directly cooled by the rear GPU sink. Since the GPU only uses 8 out of 16 PCIe lanes, the SSD can access 4 of the unused lanes.

Bogdan Solca, 27 Oct 2023 18:10

The Galaxy S24 Plus should combine up to 12 GB of RAM with an Exynos 2400 chipset in some markets, predecessor model pictured. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: New benchmark leak confirms overdue RAM upgrade

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus has been spotted with its rumoured RAM upgrade. Likely headed to the standard Galaxy S24 too, the additional RAM variant will work alongside the Samsung Exynos 2400 chipset in many markets.

Alex Alderson, 27 Oct 2023 18:09

Apple could make some gaming announcements for the Mac during its upcoming Scary Fast event on October 30. (Image Source: Apple)

Apple's upcoming Scary Fast event could lay ground for frighteningly good AAA gaming prospects on M3 Macs

Given what Apple has touted with the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 Pro SoC along with the availability of the Game Porting Toolkit, the M3 chip should be capable of delivering AAA gaming on the Mac. To that effect, Apple is speculated to make some announcements pertaining to Mac gaming during its upcoming Scary Fast event on October 30.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 27 Oct 2023 17:49

The Galaxy A15 should have a more vibrant and brighter display than its predecessor, pictured. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Samsung Galaxy A15 to launch with significant display upgrade from Galaxy A14 predecessors

This year, Samsung released the Galaxy A14 and Galaxy A14 5G with PLS LCD panels. Reportedly, Samsung will impart a major display upgrade for their successors, the launch of which is likely only a few months away.

Alex Alderson, 27 Oct 2023 17:05

AOOSTAR re-uses the R1's shell for the more powerful R7. (Image source: AOOSTAR)

AOOSTAR R1: New mini-PC doubles as NAS with twin 3.5-inch bays

The R1 is one of a few mini-PCs that AOOSTAR sells. The AOOSTAR R1 measures 162 x 162 x 198 mm, relies upon the Intel Processor N100 and has various expansion options, including a pair of 3.5-inch drive slots and 2.5 Gigabit RJ45 ports.

Alex Alderson, 27 Oct 2023 14:57

Google's Tensor G3 SoC bundles 9 CPU cores with a Mali-G715 GPU. (Source: Google)

All-Google Tensor G5 SoC could be on the way as Google reportedly taking development completely in-house

2025’s Tensor G5 SoC that may debut in the Pixel 10 devices is reportedly being entirely developed by Google. The report comes to us courtesy of @OreXda on Twitter. The leaker also claims that the Tensor G4 might also use a Google-made CPU but Samsung isn’t completely out of the picture.

Fawad Murtaza, 27 Oct 2023 13:40

Nvidia GeForce Game Ready Driver 545.92 update downloading in GeForce Experience (Source: Own)

Nvidia's third driver package this month comes with support for Alan Wake 2 and Ghostrunner 2

Yesterday, Nvidia released this month's third driver package. Labeled 545.92, it comes with GeForce Experience optimal settings presets for Alan Wake 2 (which also gets DLSS 3.5 support), Assasin's Creed Mirage, and Lords of the Fallen, as well as DLSS 3 enhancements for Ghostrunner 2.

Codrut Nistor, 27 Oct 2023 13:38

The Toyota FT-3e concept was shown at the Japan Mobility Show. (Image source: Toyota)

New Toyota FT-3e AI-designed concept SUV unveiled

The Toyota FT-3e concept SUV has been revealed at the Japan Mobility Show. The model follows on from the bZ4X with several design similarities. The company says the SUV was designed partially using AI, with features including an unusual exterior digital display on the front door.

Polly Allcock, 27 Oct 2023 13:30

The IKEA VALLHORN and PARASOLL smart home sensors will launch in 2024. (Image source: IKEA)

IKEA announces PARASOLL and VALLHORN affordable smart home sensor availability

The launch date and pricing for the IKEA PARASOLL and VALLHORN smart home sensors have been announced. The PARASOLL can detect if a window or door is open, while the VALLHORN motion sensor triggers smart lights. The products must be connected to the DIRIGERA hub to enable smartphone notifications and controls.

Polly Allcock, 27 Oct 2023 12:13

The Intel Core i7-14700HX has been spotted online (image via Intel)

Intel Core i7-14700HX: Benchmark listing confirms Raptor Lake refresh is headed to laptops

The Intel core i7-14700HX laptop CPU has been spotted online. It will join the Core i5-14650HX and Core i9-14900HX as 14th-gen offerings for laptops.

Anil Ganti, 27 Oct 2023 11:46

Epic Games Store freebies available until November 2 (Source: Epic Games Store)

Deal | The Evil Within 2 and Tandem: A Tale of Shadows are now freely available from Epic

Starting yesterday and until November 2 at 8/11 AM PT/ET, those looking for deals can head to the Epic Games Store and grab The Evil Within 2 and Tandem: A Tale of Shadows for free. On Steam, the first one is 85% off (until November 2) and goes for US$5.99, and the second is available for the US$9.99 list price.

Codrut Nistor, 27 Oct 2023 10:23

Rewind offers a modern cassette player with a Bluetooth chip. (Image: Rewind)

Rewind Cassette Player combines retro design with metal case, Bluetooth and USB-C

Vinyl continues to grow in popularity year after year. The Rewind Cassette Player promises retro sound on the go in a compact Sony Walkman-sized metal case with several modern convenience features.

Hannes Brecher, 27 Oct 2023 09:03

Nothing Power (1) was intended to charge multiple devices at once, but never made it to market. (Image: Nothing)

Nothing reveals the innovative failure that was Power (1) in video

After Apple announced its innovative AirPower charger and cancelled it after several years of delay, Nothing admits to having experienced a similar failure. Nothing founder Carl Pei talks about the unfinished Nothing Power (1) charger in an insightful video.

Hannes Brecher, 27 Oct 2023 08:44

The new Porsche Taycan EV looks sharp in Nürburgring testing spy shots thanks to updated graphics and redesigned headlights. (Image source: Auto Express)

New Porsche Taycan facelift spied on the Nürburgring, revealing sharper visuals and updated headlights

The facelifted Porsche Taycan EV, slated to arrive in 2024, has been spotted without camouflage in testing on Germany's legendary Nürburgring racetrack. The new Taycan looks to mostly feature sharper graphics and a more aggressive look, thanks to an updated face with sharper lines and new air intakes and vents on the front and rear.

Julian van der Merwe, 27 Oct 2023 08:40

Blackview Shark 8 Android 13 smartphone colors (Source: Blackview)

Helio G99-powered Blackview Shark 8 Android 13 smartphone unveiled with 6.78-inch FHD+ 120 Hz display

Although it uses the same MediaTek Helio G99 processor as many of its siblings, the Blackview Shark 8 sports a generous 6.78-inch display and, thanks to the ArcSoft 7.0 image processing algorithms, promises noticeable improvements in the photo department. Starting November 11, limited quantities will be available starting at US$93.99.

Codrut Nistor, 26 Oct 2023 23:52

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