Latest Tech News

Garmin continues to roll out beta updates for Fenix 6, Enduro, Tactix and MARQ series smartwatches at a breakneck speed. While Beta version 22.85 is only a few days old, the company has issued Beta version 23.00 with even more changes.

A major retailer has revealed the Suunto 9 Peak Pro ahead of schedule. Listed for its rumoured €449 price tag, the Suunto 9 Peak Pro will provide significantly better battery life than the Suunto 9 Peak, among other changes.

The Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2022 is Lenovo's latest Android 12-based tablet that has launched in China to start off with (hopefully). Its slightly plain metallic unibody can be spruced up with one of its various, occasionally color options, which start at about US$322 - although that is for its more affordable SKUs with a new MediaTek processor, whereas one with the Snapdragon 870 go for more.

A MyDrivers report indicates that some AIBs are having a tough time selling AMD RX 6000 series, between the mining crash and the impending arrival of next-gen parts. The RX 6700 XT is now selling for US$395 on Newegg, US$85 below its MSRP. This comes after price cuts saw RX 6900 XT pricing dip 30 percent below MSRP.

Lenovo's major Legion mobile tech product launch's reality has also just gone virtual with the announcement of the new VR700. The new headset is powered by the up-to-date Snapdragon XR2 chipset to power immersive gameplay or simulate a home theater-like streamed content experience. It will debut alongside its brand's new flagship smartphone later in August 2022.

Tesla's decision to make the side mirrors of its upcoming Cybertruck electric pickup easily detachable stems from the fact that they reduce range at highway speeds by 5%, said Elon Musk. While self-driving cars won't need mirrors in the future, he added, Tesla would still try and make them auto-configurable in its cars.

Xiaomi has brought the POCO M4 5G to Europe, having released the smartphone nearly four months ago in India. For some reason, the POCO M4 5G has received different camera sensors since leaving India, and not for the better. The smartphone still has a Dimensity 700 chipset, a 5,100 mAh battery and a 90 Hz IPS display, though.

Samsung advertises the Galaxy Watch5 series as featuring a new fast charging feature. Theoretically, the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro should recharge 0-45% in just 30 minutes. However, an independent test has shown that this is unachievable in practice. Instead, new owners of either smartwatch should expect to wait a lot longer for either smartwatch to reach 45% charge, let alone full charge.

The new device resembles a bandage that is primarily made of gallium nitride and gold plus various sensing membranes. Thanks to the piezoelectric properties of the gallium nitride layer, the e-skin can wirelessly transmit signals related to pulse, sweat and other human biomarkers.

Lenovo has tried to integrate the functionality of the TrackPoint buttons into the touchpad in the new ThinkPad Z series. This kind of attempt has already failed once. But this time, the innovative design could be a success.

Framework now allows Framework Laptop owners to re-use their old motherboards as a mini-PC, courtesy of a 3D-printed case. However, it did not take Lenovo's lawyers to claim an infringement, causing Framework to drop its current design. Framework has turned a negative into a positive though, with a competition for Framework fans.

Lenovo has introduced the Legion Y70, a gaming smartphone based on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. The Lenovo Legion Y70 also has a 144 Hz OLED display, a 50 MP triple rear-facing camera setup and a 5,100 mAh battery that supports 68 W fast charging.

A crowdfunding campaign for the Lawna smart mower is live on Kickstarter. The robot uses visual AI technology to map your garden, so it does not need a perimeter wire. An integrated humidity sensor allows Lawna to detect rain, stop mowing and return to its dock. Plus, you can control the mower via an accompanying app.

The recently launched Wing Bikes Freedom ST electric bicycle is currently selling from the discounted price of US$1,448.98 in the US. The e-bike is available with a range of battery sizes, with the top-end 10 Ah power pack delivering up to 60 miles (~97 km) on a single charge. Plus, the motor can assist you at speeds up to 22 mph (~35 kph).

On Monday, Google surprised fans by releasing Android 13 early. But even though a stable version of Android 13 is rolling out, Google still has issues to iron out from the release. The latest one is the inability of some Pixel users to send RCS messages while on mobile data.

ASUS has started selling the Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLED in Europe, which it equips with a 120 Hz, 550 nit and high-resolution OLED display. The Zenbook Pro 15 Flip OLED also relies on Intel Alder Lake processors and an Intel Arc Graphics discrete GPU, among other features.

Motorola has presented the Edge 2022, a smartphone equipped with a 144 Hz OLED display. Also on board is a 50 MP triple camera, the new MediaTek Dimensity 1050, and up to 8 GB of RAM with 256 GB of storage. The Motorola Edge 2022 is available at a price befitting its mid-range status too.

HNF-Nicolai has launched a new range of electric bicycles under the name XD4. The bikes are suitable for all terrains, with various models suited more to off-roading or urban adventures. The Speed variant, the fastest in the range, has a top speed of 45 kph (~28 mph). The lightest version is the Eco Naked, weighing 23 kg (~51 lbs).

Nothing OS 1.1.3, the Nothing’s second update this month, is now making its way to devices. The update brings with it a plethora of imaging improvements and bug fixes. Among other things, Google’s optional Adaptive Battery, a feature that aims to improve battery life, will also be available post update.

Samsung has posted a promo teaser clip for an upcoming SSD that the company has labelled as “The Ultimate SSD”. It is believed this may be the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe M.2 SSD that has already made an appearance on the PCI-SIG website. Hopes that the 990 Pro could be a 13 GB/s-capable PCIe 5.0 SSD may have been dashed, though.

The Intel Core i5-13600HX has shown up on the BAPCo Crossmark database. It has six performance cores and eight efficiency cores, for a total of 14 cores and 20 threads. Key specs such as its base/boost clocks are unknown, but the HX name tag suggests that its TDP could be around 55 Watts.

Polestar has noted that its recently-unveiled concept of an open-top electric roadster met with immense "positive reception" - so much so, in fact, that the brand is going to turn it as a commercial car. It will launch as the Polestar 6 LA Concept edition and is projected to achieve 150+ mph speeds - however, it will also be available in limited numbers and at a potentially shocking price.

It seems the launch date for the Apple iPhone 14 is closer to being set in stone thanks to the recent contribution of one of the industry’s most well-informed analysts. The actual iPhone 14 release date will likely be nine days later, with the whole launch, pre-orders, and release (sales) process arguably being hastened because of recession “risks”.

At just under $130 USD, the Lepow C2 is one of the least expensive 15.6-inch 1080p IPS monitors you can find. Users can connect PCs, compatible smartphones, and even gaming systems via the integrated Mini-DP, HDMI, and Type-C ports.

Multiple reports from Taiwanese news outlets suggest that the M2's successor, the Apple M2 Pro, will be mass produced later this year. It will use TSMC's cutting-edge N3 node and power MacBooks/Mac Minis sometime in 2023/2024.

Dell has unveiled pricing and availability for the XPS 13 2-in-1, a convertible machine based around Intel Core i5-1230U and Core i7-1250U processors. Equipped with a 49.5 Wh battery and a 13-inch display, the XPS 13 2-in-1 also supports active stylus input and a detachable keyboard folio.

LG has announced it will start selling its Ultra PC laptop series in the Eurozone. To be available as the LG Ultra PC 14U70Q and LG Ultra PC 16U70Q, the pair rely on AMD Ryzen processors, which power 16:10 displays with matte finishes. Like the LG Gram series, the LG Ultra PC series also has lightweight chassis, among other features.

Vincent Teoh from HDTVTest claims that the 240 Hz OLED display on the MSI Raider GE67 HX gaming laptop surpasses even the best plasma displays of yesteryear. Even though it is supplied by Samsung Displays, the 240 Hz panel doesn't use QD-OLED technology and has a few downsides.

MediaTek has unveiled the T830 as a new platform for the router-, Mi-Fi-, or CPE-type devices of the future. It is Wi-Fi 7 capable, and can handle 4G, 5G, up-to-10Gb/s Ethernet or Wi-Fi 6/6E inputs as well. The SoC is also compatible with battery power, and is touted as light on power use in these cases.

Xiaomi commenced public testing of MIUI Beta based on Android 13. Supposedly, Xiaomi is only looking for a small number of recruits, which must own either a Xiaomi 12 or a Xiaomi 12 Pro. While the beta testing is on MIUI's Global ROM channel, Indian owners of either device are ineligible to join the program yet.

Apparently, Google plans to follow in the footsteps of Apple with the Pixel Tablet, the expected name for the former's inaugural Pixel-branded tablet. Mirroring recent iPads, it seems that the Pixel Tablet will not support any 32-bit applications. Discovered in Android 13 code, the software limitation should improve efficiency for the 2023-bound tablet, among other advantages.

ColorOS 13 has launched as OPPO's latest mobile device UI that brings the major Android 13 upgrade and more besides. They include undeniable echoes of its cousin, OnePlus' OxygenOS, in its new tweaks and features, the Bitmoji and Spotify AOD modes included. Nevertheless, the OEM asserts that it also matches a commitment to productivity and digital health, thanks to Multi-Screen Connect, Large Folders, Meeting Assistant and more.

Samsung advertises the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro as being particularly slim, even more so than the Apple Watch Series 7. However, it turns out that Samsung's marketing is way off, as are other companies. The Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a special case though, with Samsung underestimating its actual thickness by over 40%.

It is only a matter of time before the Apple Watch can measure blood sugar levels, the sensors for which are already in development. Currently, this feature requires external sensors, unlike on competing smartwatches. Still, a CNET editor claims that the Apple Watch continues to offer life-saving benefits.

MediaTek's latest Pentonic chipset has debuted with an emphasis on remote group-watching and group-calling use-cases. It also features the up-to-date specs and features required to enjoy 4K gaming and content in general. The 700 is also touted as being Wi-Fi 7-ready and supporting "powerful AI enhancements".

After CATL revealed that the Model Y will be the first Tesla electric vehicle to have its upgraded lithium phosphate M3P battery installed, it seems that the 2023 Model 3 will be next. CATL's M3P units offer 10% longer range for a price similar or lower than the current LFP packs in the Model 3.

AMD’s upcoming Zen 4-based Ryzen 7000 chips are almost upon us. All SKUs including the Ryzen 5 7600X, the Ryzen 7 7700X, and the Ryzen 9 7900X are rumored to offer respectable performance improvements over their predecessors. Now, thanks to a user on AnandTech forums, we have our first real image of the Ryzen 7 7700X.

The 350 W PL mode may be easily accessible through a BIOS option, but smooth CPU operation will also require improved cooling and possibly a more powerful PSU on top of the premium Intel 700-series motherboard.

Hardware leaker SkyJuice has summarized the specs of AMD’s RDNA 3 GPUs. Per the leaker, AMD’s key focus with the RX 7000 series cards is to get maximum performance from the smallest die size possible, making the boards highly competitive in terms of performance while being cheaper to make than the competition.

Newer is better except for the few times when it's not. HP has adjusted the performance of the MicroSD reader and layout of the keyboard keys between model generations that some users may not be fond of.

Samsung has introduced what could be its most impressive monitor to date. Launched as the Odyssey Ark, the gaming monitor has a 1000R curvature, a 55-inch panel, a 165 Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, among other features.

Garmin has released Beta version 9.32 for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches. While the update contains only a few changes, it follows shortly after Beta version 9.31, which bundles more changes and adds the new Enduro 2 to the Public Beta program,

Creoqode has confirmed that the Lyra+ will not be shipping, owing to increased production costs. Worse still, the company has cancelled the entire project, dashing hopes of a gaming handled based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) ever materialising.

A developer has managed to enable a new display mode on the Pixel 6 Pro. Due to arrive later this year on the Pixel 7 Pro, the 1080p mode should provide better battery life for Google's current flagship smartphone.

Intel Raptor Lake engineering samples have been spotted producing incredible results on a synthetic benchmark. While there are some considerable caveats involved, desktop PC builders can still be excited by the results for the 13th-gen CPUs, with the upcoming Raptor Lake vs. Zen 4 showdown looking incredibly competitive.

The mid-range smartphone, which made a name for its high level of repairability, is the first Android 11 handset to run the open-source operating System.

A talented 3D artist has put together an image comparing the rear sides of five of the most recent Apple iPhones to visually highlight exactly what is going on with the overall design and the camera bump. The contrast between the iPhone X and the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro is especially striking. The lineup also reveals a missed opportunity for Apple.

OmniVision claims to have built on its initial 200MP image sensor breakthrough with a new product of the same class-leading resolution, yet potentially improved auto-focus and low-light performance. The new OVB0A also features pixels that the OEM touts as the world's smallest, so as to maximise light absorption in the new ultra-high-res CMOS.

Tesla has published and subsequently pulled the monthly subscription prices for the use of its Supercharger network by other electric car brand owners. The dollar tier, in particular, sounds particularly competitive, given that Electrify America charges four bucks a month for the subscription.

The flagship Xiaomi 12 variants emerged with curved displays across the board, and their 2022 successors were thought to be no different. However, an eminent leaker has now contradicted the leaks in question with assertions that at least 1 13-series member will debut with a flat display. It is still touted to launch with thin bezels and, possibly, next-gen LTPO technology.