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Feb 7, 2020
A concept render of what a Xiaomi Mi 10 Explorer Edition could look like. (Image source: @xiaomishka)

Rumour | The Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro will feature at least 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM

Xiaomi has already offered a taste of the cameras in the Mi 10 Pro, and now the company has also confirmed other features about the Mi 10 series. The Chinese company will reserve premium features for only the Mi 10 Pro either, with the regular Mi 10 set to have bragging rights over the Galaxy S20 series in at least one area, too.
Alex Alderson, 07 Feb 2020 13:48
 

Samsung Galaxy M20 gets Android 10 update in Europe

The Samsung Galaxy M20 is now receiving its much-awaited Android 10-based One UI 2.0 update in Europe. It is currently available in Germany, Luxembourg, and Greece. Users in other regions should receive the update in the coming days.
Anil Satyanarayana, 07 Feb 2020 13:19
The MSI Modern 15 has dual-channel RAM while the Modern 14 is stuck in single-channel

The MSI Modern 15 has dual-channel RAM while the Modern 14 is stuck in single-channel mode

The Modern 15 is more than just an enlarged version of the Modern 14. Though they may share similar chassis styles and materials, their motherboards are completely different for some notable changes in port options, expansion options, and overall performance between them.
Allen Ngo, 07 Feb 2020 11:05
Intel's Ice Lake series was launched in 2019. (Image source: Intel/FayerWayer)

Mysterious Intel Core i3-1000NG4 processor makes curious appearance on Time Spy benchmark

A processor with the designation Intel Core i3-1000NG4 has been spotted having a crack at the Time Spy benchmark. With a base clock of 1.10 GHz and just two cores to utilize, unsurprisingly the CPU did not rack up a gigantic score. But the big questions here are what does the “N” stand for and is this chip a further addition to Intel’s Ice Lake series?
Daniel R Deakin, 07 Feb 2020 10:26
Looks pretty but isn't the most durable. (Source: CNET)

Big oof: The Motorola RAZR shows awful durability as it fails a folding test

Hinge noises aren’t as bad as it gets for the new Motorola RAZR. The phone was put through a folding test to see how many times it could be folded before showing damage. The results were...rather disappointing, especially in light of the phone’s US$1500 price tag.
Ricci Rox, 07 Feb 2020 09:40
Current and next-gen console production could be affected by the coronavirus epidemic. (Image source: GoNintendo)

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X could be delayed by coronavirus outbreak; Nintendo Switch production also affected

A financial services company has suggested that the current Wuhan coronavirus outbreak could end up forcing a delay on the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X next-gen consoles. Nintendo has also revealed that the virus has affected Switch console production. China is the world’s largest console hardware manufacturer.
Daniel R Deakin, 07 Feb 2020 05:01
Feb 6, 2020
The "OnePlus hidden camera phone patent" image. (Source: LetsGoDigital)

OnePlus may have patented a hidden-camera phone, but not as you might think

A new report claims that the smartphone OEM OnePlus has patented a phone with hidden rear cameras. However, this design allegedly depends on physical components rather than the next-gen electrochromic technology found in this company's recent concept device. On the other hand, it also seems to integrate an under-display selfie camera.
Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Feb 2020 23:37
Pink MSI Prestige 14 laptop now shipping for $1399 just in time for Valentine's Day (Source: MSI)

Pink MSI Prestige 14 laptop now available for $1399 just in time for Valentine's Day

Don't let the bright amiable color fool you. The pink MSI laptop will be faster than most 14-inch and 15.6-inch Ultrabooks in the market because of its 6-core Core i7-10710U Comet Lake-U CPU and GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics.
Allen Ngo, 06 Feb 2020 21:02
The Galaxy Buds+ bring a number of improvements, along with a US$20 premium. (Source: Evan Blass)

Galaxy Buds+ to offer Game Mode for lower latency; extra microphone for improved call quality, more

Ever tried playing an online FPS on a wireless earbud? Latency galore. Samsung will attempt to cut down on latency by introducing a game mode on the upcoming Galaxy Buds+, along with a number of other major improvements over the current Galaxy Buds.
Ricci Rox, 06 Feb 2020 20:40
Xiaomi only released the Redmi 8A in September last year. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Rumour | Xiaomi to launch the Redmi 9a next week featuring a 5,000 mAh battery and dual cameras

Thinking about buying the Redmi 8a? Well, Xiaomi company executives are dropping heavy hints that a successor is already in the works, and it could be arriving as soon as next week. Better still, the device, likely called the Redmi 9a, will retain the 5,000 mAh battery of its predecessor while adding a second camera. A Redmi-branded powerbank may be in the offing too.
Alex Alderson, 06 Feb 2020 19:49
The Realme C3 has launched in India. (Source: Realme)

Realme C3 launches: new MediaTek silicon and a 5000mAh battery for US$98

The Realme C3 has become the first phone with a MediaTek Helio G70 processor, as it launches via Flipkart in India. It also has a 6.5-inch HD+ display with 3-4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of internal storage. It starts for INR 6999, or about US$98.
Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Feb 2020 19:13
The 2nd-gen OPPO Find X will finally be revealed. (Source: OPPO)

OPPO announces a launch date for the Find X2

The smartphone OEM OPPO has issued press invitations for the launch of what may be its next flagship, the Find X2. This phone, which is thought to have state-of-the-art specs such as a 120Hz display, will debut in Barcelona, but not at the upcoming MWC event to be held in the same city.
Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Feb 2020 18:44
Qualcomm reports its 1Q2020 earnings. Source: Qualcomm

Qualcomm announces its first-quarter earnings for 2020

Qualcomm has released its first earnings report for the year 2020. The quarter (1Q2020) saw no less than US$5.1 billion in revenue for the chipmaking giant. This is a 5% improvement compared to 1Q2019. In addition, the company's latest pre-tax earnings saw a year-on-year increase of 69%.
Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Feb 2020 17:55
The Huawei Enjoy 9. (Source: Huawei)

A possible budget Huawei P40 variant appears in an official certification

A phone called the Huawei P40 Lite E has reportedly been approved by a Russian telecomms authority. This device might also be called the Enjoy 10 on its launch in other markets. However, its new leak does not offer any information on its specs.
Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Feb 2020 17:15
The Redmi K30 Pro will likely use the same 64 MP Sony IMX686 that's on the vanilla K30. (Source: Geekbuying)

Bigger battery, faster charging, better performance for the Redmi K30 Pro

The Redmi K30 was something of a disappointment, and Xiaomi will be hoping to make amends with the Redmi K30 Pro. A new report has now shone more light on Redmi's upcoming flagship phone, and things are looking up for expectant fans.
Ricci Rox, 06 Feb 2020 16:23
The upcoming Ryzen 7 4800H and Radeon RX 5600M mobility chips are ready to take on the Intel and Nvidia competition. (Image Source: nl.hardware.info)

First tests pitting the upcoming Intel Comet Lake-H i7-10750H against the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H and the Radeon RX 5600M against the refreshed Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q emerge on 3DMark

The AMD chips appear to be dominating the Intel and Nvidia counterparts when it comes to 3DMark's separate tests. Still, the Intel + Nvidia setup leads in the combined tests, showing that AMD might want to further optimize its chips for combo loads.
Bogdan Solca, 06 Feb 2020 16:18
The Mi 10 series could feature a 108 MP like the Mi Note 10 Pro. (Image source: Xiaomiaddictos)

Rumour | Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro impresses with 108 MP, 10x zoom and video camera samples

While Xiaomi may unveil the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro during an online-only event, company VP Lu Weibing has been sharing the camera capabilities of the upcoming flagships. A 108 MP main sensor paired with a 10x zoom camera and a Snapdragon 865 all for less than US$500?
Alex Alderson, 06 Feb 2020 15:47
Is a Ryzen 9 Renoir U-series chip on the way too? (Image source: AMD via Engadget)

Rumour | An AMD Ryzen 9 4900U? Is AMD planning another 8 core APU for laptops?

Thought you knew what AMD was planning for its Renoir processors? Better known as the Ryzen 4000 series, AMD has already confirmed Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 4000U SKUs. However, there is now evidence of there being a Ryzen 9 chip, specifically the Ryzen 9 4900U. A mere typo, perhaps? Well, that seems unlikely too.
Alex Alderson, 06 Feb 2020 15:12
Wacom hardware seems to do more than advertised

Another one caught red-handed: Wacom has been tracking your activity as well

Although Wacom hardware should have no reason for sending out the history of application use of its owners, it looks like this has been happening for a while and there's no official explanation for that yet. Nevertheless, this story is quite intriguing and worth keeping an eye on.
Codrut Nistor, 06 Feb 2020 11:57
The Galaxy S20 Ultra. (Source: 91Mobiles)

How much will the Samsung Galaxy S20 phones cost?

Going by all available information, the Galaxy S20 phones will be more expensive than their predecessors—in the US at least. While that may sound like a thoughtless move by Samsung, some context is necessary.
Ricci Rox, 06 Feb 2020 10:44
8K video recording will be available on this year's Snapdragon 865-powered flagships, but do we really need this feature right now? (Image Source: Qualcomm)

Updated | Qualcomm showcases 8K video recorded with Snapdragon 865-powered phone, quality is iffy

8K video recording capabilities are coming to Snapdragon 865-powered flagships this year, even though they will be mostly useless and potentially buggy, at least judging by a showcase video posted by Qualcomm on YouTube. It is important to note that the video was shot in November last year, so maybe Qualcomm managed to fix all these problems in the meantime, so maybe the upcoming Galaxy S20 phones will not be plagued with such issues.
Bogdan Solca, 06 Feb 2020 09:38
The Samsung Galaxy A50 features an Exynos 9610 SoC. (Image source: Samsung)

The legions of Samsung Galaxy A50 owners should brace themselves for an impending One UI 2.0 update

It appears one of the world’s current best-selling smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A50, could be receiving the expected update to One UI 2.0 soon thanks to the information revealed in a recently spotted Wi-Fi Alliance certification. The Android 10 upgrade will be welcomed by fans of the phone, which dominated sales charts in Europe and other markets in 2019.
Daniel R Deakin, 06 Feb 2020 08:53
Feb 5, 2020
The Doogee S58 Pro. (Source: Doogee)

The Doogee S68 Pro is a rugged smartphone with reverse wireless charging

Doogee has announced the S68 Pro, another in its long line of toughphones. However, this one also has the reverse wireless charging feature normally found in Huawei or Samsung flagships. This power will come from the device's 6300mAh battery.
Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Feb 2020 23:47
The Compal PivoBook. (Source: IF)

Dual-format laptop: The PivoBook's display can be rotated through 90 degrees

Compal has won an IF Design Award 2020 for its latest notebook, and for good reason. The PivoBook has a 14-inch OLED display that can be tilted into portrait mode without being removed from the rest of its form-factor, making it ideal for coders, writers or designers that also like content-consumption.
Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Feb 2020 23:10
Smart thermostats play an increasingly important role in home energy use these days. (Source: eBay)

New research finds nearly 30% of US high-speed internet households would buy a smart thermostat

Thermostats are just another household items that have been made smart over the last number of years. They have developed to the point that they can implement automatic usage plans, including those remotely set or sent by an energy company, in order to save money. A new study shows that more US households are interested in these functions.
Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Feb 2020 22:14
The new Ricoh WG-70. (Source: Ricoh)

Ricoh announces the WG-70, a new rugged camera with a "microscope" function

Ricoh - which currently markets the cameras formerly known under the PENTAX brand - has launched a new camera with a durable, waterproof casing. The WG-70 also has a "digital microscope mode", which enables effective close-ups that is further enhanced with its ring of 6 LEDs that are also intended for macro photography.
Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Feb 2020 21:34
The Huawei Mate X. (Source: Huawei)

Huawei touted to debut 65 W fast-charging technology on the Mate Xs

Huawei's 22.5 W SuperCharge was class-leading three years ago but the company has slowly lost ground on that front. That could be set to change soon, though, as a new report claims the Chinese company could debut a new 65 W fast-charging technology on the upcoming Mate Xs.
Ricci Rox, 05 Feb 2020 19:48
The rollout continues. (Source: LG)

Update | The Android 10 rollout for the LG G8 ThinQ continues

LG looks to be getting better with software updates. The South Korean company is continuing its Android 10 rollout for the G8 ThinQ, and the latest version of the phone to receive the update is the US unlocked model. Both the Sprint and Verizon models already received the update.
Ricci Rox, 05 Feb 2020 19:47
An up-to-date Galaxy Home Mini render. (Source: TizenHelp)

Samsung reportedly sows confusion over the Galaxy Home Mini and its launch date

Samsung has been linked to an upcoming budget smart speaker since 2018. More recent reports appear to confirm that this device will be called the Galaxy Home Mini and that it would launch on February 12, 2020. An even newer leak asserts that this date has in fact been pushed up a bit.
Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Feb 2020 19:08
HardROCK64: A new and affordable Raspberry Pi alternative with a six-core processor and multiple ports. (Image source: Pine64)

HardROCK64: A new and affordable Raspberry Pi alternative with a six-core processor and multiple ports

With the HardROCK64, Pine64 has brought a new single-board computer (SBC) to the table to take on the Raspberry Pi. The new SBC features a 6-core processor, numerous connections, up to 4 GB of RAM and all for the princely sum of US$35.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:56
Sania Box: An add-on-board kit for experimenting with the Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 4. (Image source: SaniaBOX)

Sania Box: An add-on-board kit for experimenting with the Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 4

The Sania Box is an embedded computer kit designed for the Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 4, specifically to develop STEM skills for children. The box comes with numerous components and is intended to make it easier for children to get into making projects with single-board computers.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:49
Huawei released the Nova 3i in August 2018. (Image source: Huawei)

Thousands sign petition in response to news that the Huawei Nova 3i will not receive EMUI 10

While many other Kirin 710-powered smartphones have now received EMUI 10 and Android 10, Huawei has frozen out the Nova 3i. The official confirmation that the device will not be getting a second OS upgrade has clearly irked some fans and owners of the handset, with thousands joining forces to demand that EMUI 10 reaches the Nova 3i.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:39
The iPhone SE 2 is rumoured to feature a 4.7-inch display. (Image source: ConceptsiPhone)

iPhone SE 2: New renders offer a look at Apple's rumoured next budget smartphone in an array of colours

With mass-production of the iPhone SE 2 rumoured to start in the next week or two, a popular YouTube channel has produced a new set of renders show what the device could look like. Combining the design of the iPhone 8 with new colourways, the iPhone SE 2 could be a blend of past and present Apple hardware.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:25
The OnePlus 7T successors were spotted on Amazon India. (Image source: OnePlus)

OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro appear on Amazon

OnePlus is preparing to launch its next-generation flagship smartphones, specifically the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. While there have been a few reports speculating about the design of OnePlus' upcoming devices, we now have official confirmation that the phones exist.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:18
No new Nintendo Direct this week, folks. (Image source: Nintendo)

Rumour | No Nintendo Direct this week, but two could occur before the end of the month

Rumour has it that Nintendo is not planning to host a new Nintendo Direct next week, despite claims that there would be two this month. While the first is supposedly about Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the second may be about some unannounced Nintendo Switch games.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 18:04
The rear camera bump on the Galaxy S20 Ultra in all its glory (Image Source: Ice Universe)

Real life pictures of Samsung's Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra plus "reliable" U.S. pricing scheme get leaked

Behold the majestic camera bump on the Galaxy S20 Ultra model! It is twice as wide as the one from S20 / S20+ and almost half as wide as the phone itself. There is a dedicated mic between the main sensor and the LED, as well. Care to pay US$1,399 for it? Too much? How about US$1,199 for the Galaxy S20+? No? Maybe the US$999 regular S20 is the phone you are looking for, then?
Bogdan Solca, 05 Feb 2020 16:55
The 15W Ryzen 4500U beats 15W Coffee Lake parts by over 50 percent (Image source: AMD)

Massive Ryzen 4500U leak: 50 percent faster than i5 8250U, Console-level Vega 6 benched in AC: Odyssey and GTA V

Breaking embargo, Ukrainian outlet Overclockers.ua posted a review of the Ryzen 4500U-powered Acer Aspire SF314. The review and benchmarks provide us with a clear picture of how the Ryzen 4000-series APU performs.
Arjun Krishna Lal, 05 Feb 2020 16:27
Samsung Galaxy M31 teaser image (Source: SamMobile)

Samsung India teases upcoming Galaxy M31, 64 MP camera and a generous battery in tow

While most details remain sketchy, the teaser that surfaced online earlier this week suggests that the Galaxy M31 will hit the market with a 64 MP main camera and a generous battery able to provide at least 5,000 mAh like the Galaxy M30, maybe even more than 6,000 mAh (Galaxy M30s).
Codrut Nistor, 05 Feb 2020 15:59
Huawei announced the Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro in November 2016. (Image source: Huawei)

Rumour | Huawei gives fans hope that the Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro will receive EMUI 10 and Android 10

While there have been complaints about how quickly LG and Samsung drop support for their former smartphones, Huawei may be treating to its older handsets differently. The company has now given fans hope that the Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro will receive Android 10 courtesy of EMUI 10, which would be their third OS upgrade since they were unveiled in November 2016. Better still, they will retain Google Mobile Services functionality, too.
Alex Alderson, 05 Feb 2020 14:53
Disney+ continues to grow its subscriber base. (Image via Disney)

Disney+ hits over 28.6 million subscribers

Disney+, Disney's incredibly popular streaming service, now boasts over 28.6 million paid subscribers. Other streaming services offered by Disney, including ESPN+ and Hulu, also saw impressive year-over-year growth.
Sam Medley, 05 Feb 2020 14:53
The Google Pixel 2 XL received a very good score of 88% in our review.

Android 10 update headaches skipped by Google Pixel 2 XL enjoying Android R

There have been plenty of headlines written in regard to smartphone owners waiting to receive an update to Android 10. However, smartphones are definitely not created equally, as an image of a Google Pixel 2 XL running on an alleged version of Android R has demonstrated. Android R is likely a preliminary name for Android 11.
Daniel R Deakin, 05 Feb 2020 10:45
A compact RGB cooler for small form factor cases. (Source: Cooler Master)

Cooler Master releases the MasterAir G200P ultra-compact RGB CPU cooler

Cooler Master has added another RGB product to their line of CPU coolers with the new MasterAir G200P. Previous compact heatsinks from Cooler Master have often been older "flower" designs, or have been wider or taller than the now-popular compact square.
Craig Ward, 05 Feb 2020 10:28
The PS5 could feature an NVMe SSD from Samsung. (Image source: Snoreyn/LetsGoDigital)

The PlayStation 5 gets an official landing page but what's more interesting is the console might get a Samsung 980 QVO NVMe SSD

PlayStation 5 watchers should be aware by now that Sony has published a landing page for the next-generation console. To nobody’s surprise, there were no new big reveals about the PS5, but fans can sign up to receive updates. In the meantime, there has been speculation that the console’s SSD could end up being a Samsung 980 QVO model.
Daniel R Deakin, 05 Feb 2020 08:17
The Ryzen 5 4500U offers better performance than a corresponding Intel Comet Lake-U. (Image Source: AMD)

AMD Ryzen 5 4500U takes on the Core i5-102010U and Core i7-9750H — Acer Swift SF314-42 compared to the Dell XPS 13 7390 and the XPS 15 7590 in Geekbench

A Geekbench listing of the AMD Ryzen 5 4500U running on an Acer Swift 3 laptop has surfaced. The Ryzen 5 4500U shows good gains when compared to the Core i5-10210U in the Dell XPS 13 7390. While not on par with the Core i7-9750H in the XPS 15 7590, the Ryzen 5 4500U does bring in a significant gen-on-gen performance bump.
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 05 Feb 2020 07:03
Great cameras, mediocre audio. (Source: MI)

Skip the Mi Note 10 Pro if you need great audio from your phone

The Mi Note 10 Pro launched to much fanfare with its penta-camera setup that offered 5x optical zoom and a 108 MP main camera. It's, by all means, a capable camera smartphone and will appeal to hobbyist photographers; but audio looks to be an entirely different issue.
Ricci Rox, 05 Feb 2020 06:47
Galaxy Buds+ spec sheet highlights some key features about Samsung's upcoming headphones

Leaked Galaxy Buds+ spec sheet highlights larger battery, an additional microphone and a $149 price tag

Galaxy Buds+ are expected to release alongside the Galaxy S20 series. The headphones will come with upgraded batteries, 2 way dynamic speakers, an extra microphone, and a dedicated iOS app. It will reportedly be priced at $149.
Anil Satyanarayana, 05 Feb 2020 02:50
LG will not be present at MWC 2020. (Image via LG)

MWC 2020 | LG, ZTE withdraw from MWC 2020 due to coronavirus concerns

LG and ZTE both issued statements earlier today announcing that the companies would not be attending MWC 2020. Citing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in eastern China, both companies will not be physically present that this year's conference.
Sam Medley, 05 Feb 2020 02:03
The Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is showing signs of life as it makes its way into retail channels. (Source: Google)

Glassholes rejoice! Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 Developer Edition reaches retail channels

Google has announced that its Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is headed to regular retail channels for developers. Although failed as a consumer product, at least in the immediate future, the company has found legs for it in enterprise so much so that demand has warranted its wider availability.
Sanjiv Sathiah, 05 Feb 2020 00:51
Feb 4, 2020
Ntablet: A tablet that comes with an interchangeable processor and that should also appeal to Raspberry Pi hobbyists. (Image source: Ntablet)

Ntablet: A tablet that comes with an interchangeable processor and that should also appeal to Raspberry Pi hobbyists

Ntablet has announced its eponymous open-source tablet, a device that supports Android and Linux. The Ntablet can be connected to external sensors and actuators, while it even has a replaceable processor.
Alex Alderson, 04 Feb 2020 23:34
You should set aside at least a few months to catch up with the entire The Witcher universe. (Image source: CD Project Red)

The Witcher Calculator: This is how long it takes to get through all the books and games in the series

After the success of The Witcher series on Netflix, you may want to dive deeper into the universe around Geralt von Riva. However, where should you start? Well, a fan of the series has now created an online calculator that not only calculates how many months to plan, but also the optimal order in which to plough through everything The Witcher.
Alex Alderson, 04 Feb 2020 23:23

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