Business Articles

CES 2020 | Dell announces massive 86-inch 4K interactive touch monitor

The Dell 86 4K Interactive Touch Monitor is a monster 85.6-inch touch display targeted at boardrooms and collaborative workspaces. The monitor supports 20-point multitouch, allowing multiple people to work at the board at once. It...

Sam Medley, 02 Jan 2020 15:00

Zotac Inspire Studio mini PC is a Magnus in disguise with GeForce RTX 2060 Super graphics (Source: Zotac)

CES 2020 | Zotac Inspire Studio mini PC is a Magnus in disguise with GeForce RTX 2060 Super graphics

The Core i7 and GeForce Super mini PC offers 270 degrees of ventilation in a chassis size of just 5.85 L. The new white color is similar to the white color used for the Razer Studio laptops and MSI Prestige laptops.

Allen Ngo, 02 Jan 2020 08:38

In-display fingerprint sensors really took off in 2019. (Source: Medium)

More mid-range phones could upgrade to under-display fingerprint scanners in 2020

In- or under-display fingerprint sensors are becoming more and more common among mobile devices. However, they are also mostly confined to AMOLED panels, which means getting this spec is likely to entail spending more on a new pho...

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Jan 2020 19:13

Visionox has allegedly agreed to supply Huawei with flexible displays. (Source: Visionox)

Huawei and Honor devices with foldable or wrap-around displays are now potentially on the cards

A new report published by a Chinese media outlet asserts that the flexible-display maker Visionox has agreed to supply its displays to the OEM Huawei. This agreement will apparently take effect from early 2020. Therefore, this bra...

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Jan 2020 18:17

Smart homes and the devices that make them are more and more popular. (Source: Verify Recruitment)

29% of US high-speed internet households now have a smart home device

The latest research on smart-home tech uptake has shown that 29% of all broadband-using households in the US polled owned at least 1 such device. This is a change of 20% compared to 2018. However, concerns about personal data rema...

Deirdre O Donnell, 31 Dec 2019 17:14

Various forms of extended reality may become very successful in the future. (Source: SHRM)

VR, AR and MR may make a US$30 billion industry by 2030

Virtual, mixed and augmented reality are probably the most familiar forms of extended reality - or technologically-enhanced experientia - out there. The latest research suggests their combined market may be worth US$30 billion or...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Dec 2019 19:25

The new Xiaomi Watch Color. (Source: Weibo)

Xiaomi's next smartwatch will have a round face

Xiaomi has teased its new Watch Color, a wearable that, unlike its last, has a round face. It is slated to come in a variety of finishes and bands that will give it a total of 1540 different possible looks. This new device will be...

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Dec 2019 17:44

TCL's CES 2020 showcase will be based on mini-LED

TCL has announced that the new displays to be shown off at the next CES by this company will feature mini-LED technology. This next-gen form of backlight may prove a viable alternative to OLED. TCL asserts that its version are cap...

Deirdre O Donnell, 29 Dec 2019 21:23

An interior shot of one of the alleged 100 new Xiaomi stores. (Source: Weibo)

Xiaomi opens 100 physical stores simultaneously in China

Today, (December 29, 2019) Xiaomi's CEO Lu Weibing posted to Weibo claiming that the OEM opened no less than 100 brick-and-mortar stores in its native China. These outlets, which were apparently full of potential customers interes...

Deirdre O Donnell, 29 Dec 2019 18:56

Geralt's having a good run (Image source: USGamer)

The Witcher games, Witcher books, get a big boost after The Witcher Netflix launch

The runaway success of Netflix’s Witcher adaptation appears to have had a knock-on effect on the rest of the franchise. The Witcher games recently reached record-high player counts and Andrzej Sapkoswki has been propelled to the t...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 29 Dec 2019 18:06

The P30 Pro debuted the periscope lens. (Source: AnandTech)

Update | The Huawei P40 Pro will debut with 10x optical zoom; renders and details revealed

The Huawei P40 and P40 Pro are confirmed to be billed for a launch in March. Details and renders of the devices have now been revealed, painting the pictures of two ambitious flagships set to compete against the Samsung Galaxy S1...

Ricci Rox, 29 Dec 2019 00:16

The Watch's optical sensor allegedly violates a patent (Image source: Apple)

Apple Watch: Doctor sues Apple for violating atrial fibrillation patent

A lawsuit was recently filed against Apple, claiming that the company engaged in willful patent violation. The issue at hand is that the Apple Watch Series 3 allegedly violates a patent filed by Dr. Joseph Wiesel with regards to a...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 28 Dec 2019 16:16

Lenovo's Privacy Guard ePrivacy Filter is not very effective

Lenovo's first attempt of an integrated privacy filter is not very convincing. The picture quality is not affected, but the privacy filter only works at low brightness levels.

Andreas Osthoff, 27 Dec 2019 20:00

Apple "Tree Angel" Jony Ive contributes US$129,000 to UK tree-planting campaign

Jony Ive, Apple’s former design head, made a $129,000 contribution to the Daily Mail’s “Be a Tree Angel Campaign.” The campaign, running over the course of National Tree Week, seeks to spread awareness and enhance the UK’s green c...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 27 Dec 2019 19:28

HTC's struggles continue. (Source: News4Europe)

Distress bells toll as HTC plans yet another massive layoff

HTC continues to take hit after hit. The Taiwanese company's mobile business has suffered over the past few years, and the company is set to downsize its workforce yet again, slightly over a year after it laid off 1,500 staff.

Ricci Rox, 26 Dec 2019 22:14

Airpods Pro may soon be manufactured in Vietnam (Image source: Apple)

AirPods Pro suppliers reportedly expanding production in Vietnam

Apple suppliers Goertek and Luxshare are reportedly seeking financing to invest in Vietnamese AirPods Pro manufacturing. In the context of the ongoing US-China trade war and rising wages in China, this marks another instance of pr...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 26 Dec 2019 20:19

The streaming giant posted remarkable decadal returns (Image source: Netflix)

"Best-performing stock of the decade": Netflix posts 4000 percent decadal returns

Netflix’s stock delivered over 4000 percent in decadal returns, making it the “best-performing stock of the decade.” But, as competition heats up in the streaming video market, questions are raised about just how viable Netflix’s ...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 26 Dec 2019 19:39

Samsung is to release the Galaxy Fold in Taiwan soon

Samsung reportedly plans to release its first-gen foldable phone to the Taiwanese market soon. It is slated to do so in January 2020, and is said to cost well over US$2000 in this new region. The device already features on the OEM...

Deirdre O Donnell, 26 Dec 2019 19:33

Sony's tiny image sensors are one of the company's biggest assets. (Image via Sony)

Sony's imaging business is booming, cannot keep up with demand

Sony's image sensor business is in high demand. Even running its factories 24/7 cannot keep up with demand. Sony's semiconductor business expects to generate over US $9 billion in revenue this year, about $8.15 billion of which co...

Sam Medley, 26 Dec 2019 18:21

Apple's iPhone XR outsold every other smartphone each quarter since launch

The iPhone XR topped global sales charts in the third quarter of 2016, marking its fourth consecutive quarter at the top, according to Counterpoint Research. Other entrants in the top 10 global sales charts for 2019Q3 include Sams...

Sam Medley, 26 Dec 2019 16:48

LG V60 touted for MWC 2020 launch, second screen in tow

The LG V50 ThinQ 5G was unveiled back in February and its successor is billed to come exactly a year after. Going by a new report, the LG V60 ThinQ will be announced at MWC 2020, and it will feature a second screen with an upgrade...

Ricci Rox, 26 Dec 2019 10:21

A future generation of this speaker may also offer wireless charging. (Source: HonorBuy)

Xiaomi makes a Bluetooth speaker that is also a wireless charger

If a hands-free speaker with the ability to deliver the kind of charging to match is all you want for the holidays, it seems Xiaomi (nearly) has you covered. It has just certified a device called the Mi Wireless Charger Bluetooth ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Dec 2019 18:07

Renders of the Samsung Galaxy S11. (Source: XEETECHCARE)

The Samsung Galaxy S11 could actually be the Galaxy S20

Samsung is billed to release the Galaxy S11 phones in February. The problem with that, however, is that there's a chance we won't be getting the S11, as a new tip touts a Huawei-esque naming scheme switch that will see the phones ...

Ricci Rox, 24 Dec 2019 11:48

Did you hate the CGI in Cats? Don't worry! Universal is updating the visuals of the film. (Image via Universal)

In unprecedented move, Universal is rolling out day-one patch for the movie Cats

At the request of the director, Universal will roll out an update to the movie Cats, which released this past Friday. The "patch" aims to clean up some of the CGI in the movie, which has largely been panned by critics. The film sc...

Sam Medley, 24 Dec 2019 07:12

Nest Hello video doorbell data on a DISH-connected TV. (Source: DISH)

DISH integrates Google Nest's doorbell into its TV receiver platform

DISH, a source of paid TV that also integrates apps such as Netflix, has announced that some Google Nest products can now co-ordinate with its "Hopper" or "Wally" receivers. As a result, users of both products will gain the abilty...

Deirdre O Donnell, 23 Dec 2019 19:45

OPPO believes the 5G era has begun in earnest. (Source: EE)

50 carriers worldwide have 5G services by now

50 carriers in 27 different locations had set up 5G networks by October 2019, whereas over 300 others in about 109 additional markets may be preparing to do so. This is in accordance with some of the latest research on 5G deployme...

Deirdre O Donnell, 22 Dec 2019 19:08

Physicality Games will launch next year. (Source: Physicality Games)

Physicality Games is an upcoming sales platform for hard-copy games

Physicality Games is a new retailer setting itself up as a platform for games in physical form. Its creators assert that its listings will not be "limited", as with some sellers in this market. It also intends to sell merchandise,...

Deirdre O Donnell, 21 Dec 2019 21:21

A GoPro HERO8 Black with a Light Mod. (Source: GoPro)

GoPro launches the Light Mod for the HERO8 Black

GoPro has released a new product that is compatible with its pre-existing mounts. However, it is not an action-cam: it is instead a mini LED floodlight intended to be used with one of them, the HERO8 Black. It can also clip onto t...

Deirdre O Donnell, 21 Dec 2019 20:19

AMD aims to promote the "proliferation of new blockchain-powered gaming platforms." (Image source: AMD)

AMD becomes Blockchain Gaming Alliance member

AMD recently joined the Blockchain Gaming Alliance, the first hardware manufacturer to do so. They aim to provide members with computing platforms to power new, blockchain-based gaming functionality. What are the implications for ...

Arjun Krishna Lal, 21 Dec 2019 17:32

A new Mac Pro with an OWC RAM upgrade kit. (Source: OWC)

OWC releases its max-outable Mac Pro 2019 RAM upgrade kits

OWC has unveiled its 64 or 128GB RAM stick kits for the new Mac Pro. They come in 768GB to 1.5TB SKUs, meaning a user can match Apple's factory maximum with this third-party memory. However, this option may also enable some saving...

Deirdre O Donnell, 21 Dec 2019 16:54

Apple continues to dominate the smartphone market, raking in 66 percent of industry-wide Q3 profits (Image source: Wired)

Report: Apple earned 32 percent of all revenue in the smartphone industry

Third quarter financial results show that Apple continues to reign supreme in the smartphone space. Reports indicate that Apple secured over half of the industry's profits and one-third of its revenue.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 21 Dec 2019 12:30

Google acquires indie game developer Typhoon to bolster Stadia

Google announced yesterday that it has acquired Typhoon, an independent game developer. Typhoon's first game, Journey to the Savage Planet, is due out January 28, 2020. While Google has not given much detail surrounding the acquis...

Sam Medley, 21 Dec 2019 05:29

Motorola postpones the Razr launch and pre-order events

Motorola had planned to open Razr 2019 pre-orders in the United States on December 26, 2019. However, the OEM has now pushed this event, as well as its subsequent launch, back to an unspecified date. This is said to be due to unex...

Deirdre O Donnell, 20 Dec 2019 20:59

OnePlus has opened its OneSRC. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus opens its own paid security-incident bounty program

The OnePlus Security Response Center (or OneSRC) is this OEM's first bug-bounty initiative. It offers cash incentives (in USD) to report deficiencies in its own software. They start from US$50, but go into 3 to 4 figures for the m...

Deirdre O Donnell, 20 Dec 2019 20:27

Opinion | It's time for Microsoft to drop the Surface Connect port

There is no need for a Surface Connect port now that Thunderbolt 3 is becoming ubiquitous amongst mid-range to high-end laptops and tablets. There is nothing that Microsoft can't do with the more universal Thunderbolt 3 port that ...

Allen Ngo, 20 Dec 2019 08:09

An Intel mini-PC with a GBT-NUC lid on. (Source: PoE Texas)

Power-over-Ethernet on some Intel NUCs is now possible

PoE Texas has announced the GBT-NUC, a new type of lid for certain Intel mini PCs that enables them to access power and data through just 1 Ethernet cable. Therefore, the devices can function independently of a conventional wall-p...

Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Dec 2019 21:16

A classic example of Samsung's XCover phones. (Source: DHGate)

Samsung may release a new XCover series phone soon

Samsung has reportedly put a device called the SM-G715FN/DS through FCC testing, suggesting that it will be released soon. Some leaks allege that this phone will be marketed as the XCover Pro, thus resurrecting the OEM's line of t...

Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Dec 2019 19:16

Facebook continues its gaming quest with acquisition of PlayGiga

Facebook announced today that it has acquired cloud gaming startup PlayGiga. The startup, which is based in Madrid, has experience working with telecoms to build gaming-as-a-service platforms that rely on 5G networks. This is yet ...

Sam Medley, 19 Dec 2019 15:54

The Nikon Z 7 can now film in RAW and use some CFexpress cards. (Source: Nikon)

Nikon updates the Z 7 and Z 6 with CFexpress card and RAW video output support

The latest firmware update for Nikon Z-series cameras allows them to use CFexpress, a new memory-card format associated with faster transfers compared to XQD. This new software also allows the Z 6 or Z 7 to record 4K UHD or full-H...

Deirdre O Donnell, 18 Dec 2019 21:19

Netflix tests quarterly, half-yearly and annual subscription plans in India

Netflix is reportedly testing some new plans in the Indian market. It will let users avail discounts on the company's Premium subscription by paying for three, six or twelve months of service in advance. Since they are a part of N...

Anil Satyanarayana, 17 Dec 2019 23:06

Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro 15 now shipping and already out of stock (Source: Asus)

Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro 15 W500 now shipping with 48 GB of RAM and it's already out of stock

The redundantly named ProArt StudioBook Pro will have some of the highest specifications in the ultra-thin mobile workstation space. Expect to pay at least $4000 USD for this professionally-tuned system.

Allen Ngo, 17 Dec 2019 21:29

Corsair will soon own Scuf gaming, as well as all of its patents. (Image via Corsair)

Corsair looking to move into game controllers with its acquisition of Scuf

Corsair recently acquired Scuf, a manufacturer of customizable console and PC game controllers. This purchase is yet another move by Corsair to branch out into other market sectors. Corsair purchased Elgato, which makes video stre...

Sam Medley, 17 Dec 2019 17:51

Valve Index, the latest premium entrant in the VR market (Image source: Valve)

SuperData XR Dimensions market intelligence platform introduced: claims VR isn't dying

SuperData recently announced its XR Dimensions market intelligence platform. XR Dimensions focuses on trends in the AR and VR industries. Initial XR Dimensions reports make bold claims: VR is thriving and AR is already mainstream....

Arjun Krishna Lal, 17 Dec 2019 08:01

An LG 8K Signature OLED TV. (Source: LG)

Some of LG's 2020 TVs are set to go beyond the 8K Ultra HD criteria

LG has announced that the next generation of Signature OLED and NanoCell TVs have "exceeded" the requirements for the 8K Ultra HD designation. This new spec has been developed by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) in order ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Dec 2019 21:38

The RazerStore London is the company's sixth, and largest, brick and mortar store. (Image source: Razer)

Razer opens its first brick and mortar store in Europe

Razer has opened its first shop in Europe, giving fans the chance to experience all its laptops, peripherals and clothing in one place. Located in London's West End, the store covers over 3,700 square feet split across two floors....

Alex Alderson, 16 Dec 2019 14:34

AT&T has launched its 5G service. (Source: AT&T)

AT&T rolls out 5G (for real) to its first 10 US cities

AT&T has announced that its 5G service is now live in 10 different American cities, Los Angeles and New York included. In fact, it claims to have 2 (authentic) flavors of this connectivity: 5G and 5G+, which are based on low-band ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Dec 2019 20:26

The updated Google Assistant is now available in some non-US regions. (Source: Google)

The latest Google Assistant version is rolling out to more English-speaking regions

Google unveiled an updated Assistant with new features at its I/O event this year. It has only been available to the US market since then; now, however, it is being applied to others such as Ireland and Canada. Then again, it rema...

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Dec 2019 19:39

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are currently at their cheapest ever - US$120 off!

The Pixel 3a phones are widely regarded as being some of the most recommendable devices in the market right now, especially in the US. The 3a and 3a XL have MSRPs of US$399 and US$479 respectively, but can now be had with a massiv...

Ricci Rox, 15 Dec 2019 19:03