Business Articles

Qualcomm has announced that it will partner the US broadband company Charter to deliver a new router for the latter's Spectrum Advanced WiFi service. It is rated to deliver 10 gigabit per second (Gb/s) wired speeds as well as Wi-Fi 7 to the customers that upgrade to it, while still supporting features such as the My Spectrum App and Security Shield.

As part of Volvo's move to electrification, the Swedish car company will cease production of its diesel-powered engines in early 2024. The brand's stated goal is an entirely electric line-up by 2030.

Qualcomm asserts that it will unlock next-gen broadband speeds with its new 10G Fiber Platform. It is designed to become the basis of next-gen service access devices capable of using 10 gigabit (10Gb) cables to unleash Wi-Fi 7 speeds within the home. It also features Qualcomm's Service Defined Wi-Fi technology, a feature touted to make the gateway in question as custom as possible.

An EXPEED 7 processor and 24.5 MP BSI sensor with 8.0-stop, five-axis IBIS meet to produce a retro camera with promising specifications and features for photography and videography alike. Dual card slots also give the Zf redundant storage, while an array of colours adds even more personality to the package.

A Tesla Model 3 caught fire and burned out on a New Jersey highway after hitting debris in the road at speed. The fire is reminiscent of a design weakness of early Model S units, which sparked an NHTSA investigation, and may highlight a need for more robust vehicle design.

The latest iPhones have had an unusually long pre-order phase following their launch compared to previous generation. According to a widely-respected analyst, the new telephoto zoom lens exclusive to the 15 Pro Max is a main factor in this situation. It has also become more expensive to produce - however, that cost might be worth it to Apple in the long run.

Oukitel asserts that its latest device proves that "Camo is the New Fashion" among rugged smartphones. The WP27 does indeed strive to stand out with its new colorway, and also offers a 120Hz display, 12GB of RAM and Android 13, albeit with a 4G/LTE-only SoC. It is available at just US$159.99 for a limited time to celebrate its launch.

The Republic of Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) has concluded that TikTok has violated various aspects of GDPR as it relates to "child users". The social media giant faces a "reprimand" as well as a multi-million-euro fine for its apparent failure to close loopholes that might have allowed an unsafe level of access to those under 16 on its platform. It also has a three-month deadline to address these failings.

ARM has now successfully implemented its initial public offering (IPO), said to have inflated its stock price by 10% right from the start of trading. Big names in tech such as Samsung, Intel, AMD and MediaTek are projected to become significantly invested in the offering, now hailed as the largest of its kind in the last few years.

Huawei has now released a list of spare parts for its latest foldable smartphone with prices nearly as jaw-dropping as that for the Mate X5 itself. Some repairs for the device's highest-end Collector's Edition could nearly buy a whole new iPhone 15 instead, whereas others are practically worth half a retail unit of the device in question.

Huawei has released another version of the new MatePad 11.5 of virtually the same specs - except for its PaperMatte display rated to eliminate glare for improved eye comfort. The OEM also asserts that it supports a realistic pen-on-paper writing experience thanks to some dedicated haptics effects. The tablet is also touted as thin and light with a "high-performance" processor.

The discounted configuration also includes 32 GB LPDDR5x-6400 RAM, 512 GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, a 16-inch IPS screen with 1920x1200 resolution, 5 MP webcam and a USB4 port.

BMW product development head, Frank Weber, confirmed that the next M3 will be a performance EV based on the Neue Klasse platform that has the capability to put down 1,000 hp through all four wheels.

Lenovo concentrates the Intel variety of the ThinkPad T14 2023 on the Raptor Lake U15 series. This leads to a better battery life and lower emissions, but the performance is not convincing.

Qualcomm has announced that its Snapdragon Modem‑RF Systems will continue to power mobile data on iPhones of the next few generations. The news may imply the state of silicon development at Apple, and is touted to keep Qualcomm at the forefront of 5G development over the next 3 years.

SK Hynix asserts that it did not in fact breach official US trade sanctions in order to help Huawei to make its latest flagship smartphones. Nevertheless, its components have reportedly been found in units of the new Mate 60 series. The company has announced that it has launched an investigation into this case.

Laptops with secondary displays are a fast-emerging niche of the PC market, and are, according to the latest market analysis, particularly valued by gamers for their multi-tasking potential. Their demand is projected to enjoy a steady upward trajectory over the next four years, driving the worth of their segment up by over half a billion dollars in the process.

The EliteBook 1040 G10 is HP's premium business laptop, but it shows some weaknesses in the test. Overall, the package is weaker than the EliteBook 845 G10, which offers faster AMD CPUs and a better 120-Hz display.

VW says it is testing a working prototype of the electric ID GTI hot hatch that closely resembles the ID GTI concept we saw earlier this week. It may still change before the start of production in 2027, but the test vehicle is more compact than the concept. VW design boss also confirmed that there is an electric VW R car coming in the future.

BMW is canning the controversial subscription services that merely activated pre-installed hardware in its customers' vehicles, but the subscription model will stick around for other post-sales add-ons.

Kia's EV5 has been previewed on the marque's YouTube channel, giving us a detailed look at the design of both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The video reveals an EV9-adjacent design and a spacious, practical interior that doesn't skimp on buttons or features.

Qualcomm has announced that the next generation of e-mobility and/or micro-mobility vehicles can now be powered by its silicon, thanks to the new Snapdragon Digital Chassis for 2-Wheelers and New Vehicle Class SoCs. They are rated to bring their OEM's Digital Cockpit features and services to EVs that are not cars for the first time, V2X, navigation, ARAS and wireless connectivity included.

The world's lightest 14-inch business laptops are back with updated hardware, and the list of available options goes all the way up to 13th gen Intel Core i7 P-series processors with Intel vPro support. The list of highlights also includes TPM 2.0 security, face and fingerprint login, as well as a webcam cover.

Notebookcheck has just passed 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, publishing a healthy mix of reviews, product showcases, and spectacular b-roll. Our host and video lead, Alex Waetzel, works with the written review team to deliver top-shelf tech content on the video platform.

The Tesla Cybertruck has been spotted once more, giving us a clear look at the vehicle's stance when the air suspension has it lifted all the way. While suspension travel remains a mystery, the claimed 16-inch ground clearance seems right on the money.

The winner of Polestar's recent design competition is the Synergy electric supercar as a full-size, single-seater electric supercar scale model with a minimalist “floating interior” design. Polestar will collaborate with Mattel to produce the Synergy as a Hot Wheels model.

ASUS is now selling NUC-branded mini-PCs, starting with the NUC 13 Pro and NUC 13 Extreme. The company has also committed to supporting existing Intel-branded NUC mini-PCs from 10th Gen Intel Core processors onwards.

TCL has announced that it is bringing its line of energy storage and management solutions to the home to the global market. Its Energy Storage System is based on "high-security, long-life" LiFePO4 battery technology in order to better manage a home energy supply in a potentially bill-cutting, emergency-solving manner. There is also a One-Stop Smart Energy Solution rated to connect TCL solar panels to the OEM's new Heat Pump for a "self-sufficient" hot water supply.

ENGWE has put its latest "Super" X-series electric bikes up for sale in the US and Europe for a new simultaneous Labor Day/Autumn event. The deals include US$200 or €300 discounts on the OEM's flagship all-terrain, up-to-1,200W motor X26 model. There are also more deals on older e-bikes such as the foldable EP-2 Pro and cruiser-style M20.

Volkswagen has announced an electric GTI concept based on the front-wheel drive ID. 2all expected to launch in around 2027. The German marque will face stiff competition from the likes of Fiat, Mini, Renault, and perhaps even Tesla. Volkswagen appears to be leaning more heavily on legacy nameplates than previous comments indicated.

TCL's IFA 2023 booth is replete with unusual and cutting-edge display technology, including the latest CSOT prototypes hinting at a future with devices such as 17-inch foldable laptops. The first-gen NXTPAPER display smartphones, on the other hand, are market-ready, touted to deliver the most eye health-friendly, non-glossy experience in a sub-7-inch form-factor for the first time.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has addressed a technology conference claiming that the company will regain the lead chip fabrication node technology in 2025. He also said that Intel has managed to snare a “large customer” for its 18A node, which is on track for 2025

Ulefone has come to demonstrate how rugged its Android devices really are at IFA 2023 by even inviting attendees to come and stand on some of them on the show floor. The OEM has also taken the opportunity to unveil new products such as its latest Armor Pad-series tablet - not to mention the Armor 23 Ultra, its maker's inaugural "two-way satellite communication" smartphone.

AGM has come to IFA 2023 to reveal that it has broken out of its normal rugged, feature-rich smartphone mold into tablets for the first time. The Pad P1 still has IP68 and IP69K ratings for potentially advanced water-resistance, as well as a "powerful" enough MediaTek chipset for independent connectivity in its 4G/LTE variant. The new "all-in-one" slate launches today (September 1, 2023) on the European market.

Earlier this week, Huawei introduced the Mate 60 and Mate 60 Pro, its two latest flagship smartphones. While Huawei tends to offer at least one Mate series model globally, this will not be true with the Mate 60 series.

Introduced as office-oriented minimalist cases or as RGB-illuminated versions aimed at gamers that also feature a tempered glass transparent side panel, the two new midi ATX tower cases from Sharkoon are already available as VS8/VS9 (black) and VS8 RGB/VS9 RGB (white or black). The suggested prices are 49.90 Euros (US$54) and 59.90 Euros (US$65).

Polestar aims to launch the Polestar 4 EV with Mobileye's SuperVision Level 2+ ADAS capabilities throughout 2023 and 2024. Polestar aims to have the Intel subsidiary's Chauffeur Level 4 ADAS in its vehicles in the future. Curiously, the upcoming Polestar 3 has been overlooked for the Mobileye treatment.

AGM has unveiled its latest mobile phone as the M8 Flip, a device that, unlike most of the OEM's devices with its 'threefold' rugged attributes, is capable of folding along a hinge. It has the edge on the average traditional clamshells with what might be the loudest speaker of its class, integrated into a round cover display.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Sony's arm that manages PlayStation, has acquired California-based headphone maker Audeze. With Audeze under its belt, SIE hopes to bring "Audeze’s expertise into the PlayStation ecosystem". Aside from announcing that Audeze will "operate independently", Sony has not revealed any other details, for instance the acquisition amount, regarding the deal.

Faced with increasing Starlink satellite Internet bandwidth demand, SpaceX is reportedly looking to expand its network of data centers. To do so, it may have partnered with Cloudflare to increase network speeds.

Tesla's Elon Musk flaunts the production-ready Cybertruck in an online appearance ahead of the electric pickup truck's official announcement. Meanwhile, Tesla takes the wraps off the Cybertruck Delivery Event Invite referral program that seems awfully difficult to take advantage of.

The mobile workstation has already done all the hard work to pave the way for a potential XPS 16. Its design and AC adapter would translate perfectly into a 16-inch XPS model if we are to ever see more options in the XPS series.

Panasonic plans to flesh out its line-up of S series L-mount lenses, with at least four new lenses confirmed on the latest roadmap. Of the four lenses in question, perhaps the most tantalising is a 100-500 mm super telephoto lens — a niche not currently served by the Lumix line-up.

SK Hynix has announced that it is ready to sample its latest form of high bandwidth memory (or HBM), pitched at advanced applications such as research or AI, to its customers. HBM3E is rated to keep up to 10% cooler thanks to the new production technique used to make it. It is also compatible with systems already set up to use the preceding HBM3.

With speeds of up to 2,600 MB/s, the 7.68 TB SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE PRO STUDIO enterprise-class desktop external SSD has an impressive endurance of 11,000 TBW and features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports that allow for easy daisy-chaining. Thanks to a 43% discount, it goes for US$999.99 instead of US$1,749.99.