News - Notebookcheck News

Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe Android phablet successors coming in late July 2017

Asus ZenFone 4 confirmed to arrive at the end of July

Although it was supposed to arrive last month, the ZenFone 4 lineup is now scheduled for a late July unveil. This has been revealed by Asus' CEO Jerry Chen, who recently spoke to Taiwanese website DigiTimes.

Codrut Nistor, 12 Jun 2017 20:10

Motorola introduces the Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus

The Moto E4 and E4 Plus, outed several weeks ago in a leaked Motorola conference photo, have been officially announced. Both devices will retail for under $200 and should be available this month.

John Garcia, 12 Jun 2017 18:54

Samsung Secure Folder Android app hits Google Play store in early June 2017

Samsung Secure Folder hits Google Play

This app that launched with the Galaxy Note 7 is now available via Google Play, being compatible with various Samsung handsets, such as Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Sadly, it does not work with other Android devices yet.

Codrut Nistor, 12 Jun 2017 17:55

Most apps send out some level of personal data to third parties. (Source: TechRadar)

Study reveals 70 percent of mobile app data is being shared with third parties

A recent study by a Spanish institute has just revealed that the majority of mobile apps used share data with third parties.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 12 Jun 2017 17:02

Alcatel Pixi 5 Android tablet back side layout shown on FCC

Alcatel Pixi 5 tablet apparently certified by the FCC

The new Android slate that arrived at FCC has the official name Alcatel 9024O, but its documentation also calls it "PIXI5-8" so it is rather safe to assume this is the Pixi 5 with an 8-inch display.

Codrut Nistor, 12 Jun 2017 11:55

Logitech says it took over four years of research and development to make Powerplay a reality. (Source: Logitech)

Logitech's new mousepad charges your wireless mouse as you use it

Logitech has announced a new mousepad that wirelessly charges compatible wireless mice. The so-called "Powerplay" mat will go on sale in August while the two compatible mice, the G903 and G703, will go on sale later this month.

Douglas Black, 12 Jun 2017 10:37

Huawei's upcoming flagship, the Honor 9, is set to be revealed before the end of the month. (Source: Huawei)

Leaping tiger: Huawei overtakes Apple in global smartphone sales

Huawei overtook Apple in global sales volume in December of 2016, according to Huawei India exec Allen Wang. This puts Huawei just behind Samsung in terms of numbers of handsets sold globally.

Douglas Black, 12 Jun 2017 10:18

Apple's Newton platform made its debut at Macworld Boston in 1993 but was marred by a poor OS and non-functional handwriting recognition on release. (Source: The Register)

Museum of Failure opens in Sweden, features Apple Newton and Google Glass

A so-called "Museum of Failure" has been opened in Sweden in an effort to showcase the more interesting failures from companies in recent decades and encourage learning from mistakes. The museum is 450-square-meters and features 70 different failed products.

Douglas Black, 12 Jun 2017 06:34

Microsoft says that the Xbox One X will be the company's smallest Xbox yet, though exact dimensions haven't been released. (Source: Microsoft)

Xbox One X is designed for 4K gaming, will ship November 7

Microsoft has officially unveiled "Project Scorpio" as the Xbox One X. The system will be one of the first of a new generation of consoles targeting 4K resolution not just for videos, but for gaming. The One X will release November 7 at a starting price of US$499.

Douglas Black, 12 Jun 2017 06:10

Oukitel K10000 Pro smartphone ships with a 10000 mAh internal battery

The 5.5-inch Android smartphone can be used to charge other devices and is now available for $180 USD.

Allen Ngo, 11 Jun 2017 20:25

Moto X4 with Snapdragon 660 set for possible June 30 release

Motorola took a lengthy break from the Moto X series but it looks like we'll be getting a new entry soon. The Moto X4, previously referred to as the Moto X (2017), has been touted for a June 30 launch. Snapdragon 660, dual rear cameras, IP68, 3800mAh battery.

Ricci Rox, 11 Jun 2017 09:26

The ZBOX CI327 nano is available with Celeron, Core i3, and Core i5 processors. (Source: Zotac)

Zotac's fanless ZBox CI327 mini PC now on sale starting at US$160

Pricing for Zotac's ZBOX CI327 nano mini PC has been released. The tiny PC starts at US $159 with a Celeron CPU, but can be configured with a Kaby Lake Core i3 or i5 as well.

Douglas Black, 11 Jun 2017 08:01

The only outward difference in the updated version seems to be a thin strip of a fingerprint sensor on the upper-right of the touchpad. (Source: KKJ.cn)

XiaoMi Mi Notebook 13 updated with GeForce MX150, Kaby Lake

Xiaomi's 13-inch Mi Notebook Air has been updated for 2017 with an Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU, Kaby Lake i5-7200U CPU, and fingerprint scanner.

Douglas Black, 11 Jun 2017 05:25

Nokia 6, 5, and 3 billed for June 13 India launch

HMD Global are finally set to to announce the introductions of the Nokia 6, 5, and 3 to the Indian market.

Ricci Rox, 10 Jun 2017 19:14

Verizon and PayPal to spearhead opening keynote of first annual MWC Americas expo

One of the many agendas will address the future relationship between IoT, VR, and 5G connectivity.

Allen Ngo, 10 Jun 2017 08:26

Volume controls made simple? (Source: Reddit)

Reddit designs new volume controls with hilarious results

Leave it to the Internet to put too much thought in redesigning one of the simplest mechanics in modern computers with pretty funny results.

Sam Medley, 10 Jun 2017 06:47

Asus Chromebook Flip C213 now listed on Amazon

The C213 is meant for education markets, but its solid spec sheet, ample connectivity, and option for an HD+ screen could make it a sleeper hit among Chromebook users.

Sam Medley, 10 Jun 2017 05:46

Rather than pressing the screen to move Pepe up, users had to control the Frog by screaming into their iPhone. (Source: Vice Motherboard)

Feels bad, man: Apple bans Pepe from its App Store

While still available on Google Play, Apple's App Store has apparently deemed any apps containing beloved meme "Pepe the Frog" as "objectionable content".

Douglas Black, 10 Jun 2017 05:42

Looks like you'll have to wait a while longer to squeeze the HTC U11. (Source: HTC Twitter)

The HTC U11 is now shipping, available in retail stores

[Update: Out of stock at US and Canadian sites.] HTC's new squeezable flagship phone is now available for purchase in the US from its online sites as well as Amazon and retail Sprint stores nationwide. Pre-orders are also shipping; some phones are already in customers' hands.

John Garcia, 09 Jun 2017 19:38

Google Pixel XL 2 surfaces on GFXBench

The Pixel XL 2 was spotted on GFXBench today. 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, Snapdragon 835.

Ricci Rox, 09 Jun 2017 18:58

Intel might have a lot of patents on their x86 architecture, but experts doubt Qualcomm would take such a risk if they were liable. (Source: Intel)

Intel bares its teeth at Qualcomm over Snapdragon-powered PCs

Intel has suggested it views Qualcomm's x86 emulation technology as a serious threat and potentially a violation of its intellectual property rights. Whether Qualcomm's technology (which allows Snapdragon CPUs to run full Windows 10) actually does infringe on Intel's IP remains to be proved.

Douglas Black, 09 Jun 2017 15:34

OnePlus 3T Android flagship gets a new firmware update based on Nougat 7.1.1

OxygenOS 4.1.5 rolls out

The new firmware is based on Android 7.1.1 like its predecessor, bringing mostly minor changes, such as push notifications for information from OnePlus, updated network settings for various carriers, multiple fixes and tweaks, as well as the security updates for May.

Codrut Nistor, 09 Jun 2017 15:21

Microsoft office building, Microsoft buys Hexadite to improve its cyberthreat detection and removal capabilities

Microsoft acquires Hexadite

The main goal of this new corporate acquisition is to improve Windows Defender, allowing commercial Windows 10 customers to improve the detection of various advanced cyberthreats.

Codrut Nistor, 09 Jun 2017 12:35

AT&T Locker service shutting down on August 3, 2017

AT&T Locker shuts down in August

This cloud service does not allow its users to store new files since June 4, and all existing files will be deleted in August. The service will be discontinued on August 3, announces AT&T.

Codrut Nistor, 09 Jun 2017 09:45

Elephone P8 Mini hits Antutu

The Elephone P8 Mini was benchmarked on Antutu and its scores were nothing but impressive, beating the Xperia Z Ultra, HTC Desire Eye, and ZTE Blade V8.

Ricci Rox, 09 Jun 2017 08:26

Lenovo may be considering an executive shakeup this year

The sinking Motorola brand has been a growing thorn on parent company Lenovo to the point where new leadership is now on the table.

Allen Ngo, 09 Jun 2017 06:44

It's not easy to get to, but the Kaby Lake CPU in the new 21-inch iMac uses a standard LGA 1151 socket. (Source: iFixit)

New 21.5-inch iMac has upgradable CPU, RAM, and 2.5-inch drive

iFixit has found that while the new 21.5-inch iMac is not easy to get inside, the RAM, 2.5-inch drive, and CPU are all technically user-replaceable.

Douglas Black, 09 Jun 2017 05:30

The JXD S192k is a Rockchip-powered Android gaming tablet

The new device is currently up for preorder and is powered by a Rockchip RK3288, 4 GB of RAM, and a 10,000 mAh battery. The device may also ship with 18 emulators preloaded onto it and a download center tailored for retro ROMs.

Sam Medley, 08 Jun 2017 21:36

A Facebook contest may have revealed the OnePlus 5's price

A recent contest for a Finnish rock festival is giving away a OnePlus 5 as part of its grand prize. Inadvertently, it may have also given away the price of the upcoming handset.

John Garcia, 08 Jun 2017 21:24

OnePlus tries its best to demonstrate that its handset is not an iPhone rip-off. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus posts an image of the OnePlus 5 in hopes of combating iPhone rip-off claims

A new Twitter post by OnePlus attempts to prove the differences between its upcoming device and the iPhone 7 Plus. Unfortunately, it does the exact opposite.

John Garcia, 08 Jun 2017 20:01

Coolpad Defiant Android smartphone with Snapdragon 425 and 1 GB RAM

Coolpad Defiant coming to T-Mobile next week

Although featuring band 12 LTE and RCS messaging, the 5-inch Defiant is a budget handset that runs Android Nougat and features a Snapdragon 425 processor, 1 GB RAM, and only 8 GB internal storage.

Codrut Nistor, 08 Jun 2017 14:50

Apple is on-track to open 40 Apple retail stores in China by this October. (Source: TechCrunch)

Chinese officials uncover massive data theft by local Apple employees

An underground identity-theft ring where Apple employees were selling customers' personal data was uncovered in China.

Douglas Black, 08 Jun 2017 11:15

Vodafone extends its 500 Mbps network across ten more cities

Known as "LTE Turbo" or "4.5G", only certain flagship smartphones in the market today can make use of the faster speeds including the Galaxy S8, S8 Plus, and the Xperia XZ and XZ Premium.

Allen Ngo, 08 Jun 2017 06:53

Nokia 5 Android smartphone to be succeeded by the Nokia 9 flagship

Nokia 9 hits AnTuTu

The TA-1004 model that surfaced on AnTuTu has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood, next to 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, and two 13 MP cameras, all with Android 7.1.1 Nougat on top.

Codrut Nistor, 07 Jun 2017 22:15

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy J7, in black. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung's Galaxy J smartphones get an S8-style makeover

All three phones in Samsung's affordable Galaxy J series have been updated with new specs and a refreshed appearance. The J3, J5, and J7 are coming to Europe this summer.

John Garcia, 07 Jun 2017 22:01

Android Nougat statue at Googleplex, Nougat now in control of 10 percent of the market

Android Nougat usage nearing 10 percent

The latest major Android version continues its solid growth, finally nearing the 10 percent market share barrier. Back in April, Nougat's market share was less than 5 percent.

Codrut Nistor, 07 Jun 2017 20:55

Asus Zenfone AR billed for June 14 release

The Asus Zenfone AR is set for a June 14 launch. 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of internal storage, and a 5.7" QHD display.

Ricci Rox, 07 Jun 2017 20:39

Apple Music hits a new milestone, now has 27 million paid subscribers

WWDC 2017 | Apple Music has 27 million paid subscribers

Although having 27 million paid subscribers does not sound bad at all, Apple's music streaming service still has a long way to go before catching Spotify, which currently has 50 million subscribers.

Codrut Nistor, 07 Jun 2017 15:55

Nubia Z17 Mini launched in India

The Z17 Mini, a more affordable version of Nubia's Z17 flagship has been launched in India. Snapdragon 652, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual rear Sony IMX258 sensors.

Ricci Rox, 07 Jun 2017 07:56

Wearables market up 18 percent YoY

Meanwhile, Fitbit loses its substantial foothold on the market to alternative smartwatches with more advanced features.

Allen Ngo, 07 Jun 2017 07:42

Third-party repair, such as that offered by popular YouTuber Louis Rossmann, is often preferable to having your device wiped and exchanged with a refurbished model by Apple. (Source: YouTube/Louis Rossmann)

Consumer watchdog accuses Apple of misleading customers about repairs

Australia's consumer watchdog is taking Apple to court over allegations that the company lied or misled customers about their rights as consumers under Australian law.

Douglas Black, 07 Jun 2017 05:30

WWDC 2017 | Apple announces HomePod smart speaker

The HomePod is a competent speaker built around Siri. The speaker can recognize where it's placed in a room in order to direct sound for a fuller, richer music experience. The speaker also includes full Siri interaction.

Sam Medley, 06 Jun 2017 23:58

This is how the OnePlus 5 actually looks

The OnePlus 5's final design has been leaked just two weeks before the phone's official launch. The first thing most people will notice: it looks just like an iPhone 7 Plus.

John Garcia, 06 Jun 2017 23:15

The Dell XPS 12 with detachable keyboard. (Source: Dell)

Amazon has a pretty good deal on a 4K 2-in-1 Dell laptop right now

If you're on the hunt for a cheap 2-in-1 notebook with a 4K touchscreen, look no further than the Dell XPS 12. Currently selling on Amazon for just over half-price, this laptop may not be packing the latest and greatest but suffices for general tasks.

John Garcia, 06 Jun 2017 22:09

T-Mobile Tuesday's huge anniversary giveaways are live, so get them before they're gone!

T-Mobile is celebrating the first anniversary of its popular giveaway program with its biggest prizes yet. From free phones to gift cards to unlimited pizza, it's all there for the taking, but only for today.

John Garcia, 06 Jun 2017 21:24

OnePlus' latest tweet provides the time and date for its upcoming live keynote. (Source: Twitter)

OnePlus 5 launch event officially announced

The myriad teasers regarding the OnePlus 5 have finally led to an actual launch date. OnePlus will officially debut its new flagship smartphone in a live event on June 20.

John Garcia, 06 Jun 2017 18:18

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge flagship gets Android Nougat on T-Mobile, next to Galaxy S6

T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to get Nougat this week

Although there is no precise date, we now know that T-Mobile has approved the Nougat update and the rollout of the new firmware should begin by the end of this week. There are no details about the changes, either, but we do not expect any surprises.

Codrut Nistor, 06 Jun 2017 16:05

HP Accelerator external GPU dock coming this August for $299 USD

According to HP, 60 percent of laptop gamers game on an external display. The Omen Accelerator external GPU dock will cater specifically to this market who may desire more graphics power than what their laptops have to offer.

Allen Ngo, 06 Jun 2017 15:17

HP refreshes Omen 15 and Omen 17 with Kaby Lake and AMD FX 580 graphics

The 2017 Omen series of notebooks will be one of the first to ship with AMD FreeSync display options.

Allen Ngo, 06 Jun 2017 15:17

Oppo R11 Android smartphone with Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and dual cameras

Oppo unveils R11 smartphone

The highlights of the new Oppo handset include a 20 MP selfie camera, a dual-camera setup on the back. This 5.5-inch smartphone has a Snapdragon 660 processor inside and 4 GB RAM.

Codrut Nistor, 06 Jun 2017 14:30

Latest Tech News

Asus ZenFone 4 confirmed to arrive at the end of July

Motorola introduces the Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus

Samsung Secure Folder hits Google Play

Study reveals 70 percent of mobile app data is being shared with third parties

Alcatel Pixi 5 tablet apparently certified by the FCC

Logitech's new mousepad charges your wireless mouse as you use it

Leaping tiger: Huawei overtakes Apple in global smartphone sales

Museum of Failure opens in Sweden, features Apple Newton and Google Glass

Xbox One X is designed for 4K gaming, will ship November 7

Oukitel K10000 Pro smartphone ships with a 10000 mAh internal battery

Moto X4 with Snapdragon 660 set for possible June 30 release

Zotac's fanless ZBox CI327 mini PC now on sale starting at US$160

XiaoMi Mi Notebook 13 updated with GeForce MX150, Kaby Lake

Nokia 6, 5, and 3 billed for June 13 India launch

Verizon and PayPal to spearhead opening keynote of first annual MWC Americas expo

Reddit designs new volume controls with hilarious results

Asus Chromebook Flip C213 now listed on Amazon

Feels bad, man: Apple bans Pepe from its App Store

The HTC U11 is now shipping, available in retail stores

Google Pixel XL 2 surfaces on GFXBench

Intel bares its teeth at Qualcomm over Snapdragon-powered PCs

OxygenOS 4.1.5 rolls out

Microsoft acquires Hexadite

AT&T Locker shuts down in August

Elephone P8 Mini hits Antutu

Lenovo may be considering an executive shakeup this year

New 21.5-inch iMac has upgradable CPU, RAM, and 2.5-inch drive

The JXD S192k is a Rockchip-powered Android gaming tablet

A Facebook contest may have revealed the OnePlus 5's price

OnePlus posts an image of the OnePlus 5 in hopes of combating iPhone rip-off claims

Coolpad Defiant coming to T-Mobile next week

Chinese officials uncover massive data theft by local Apple employees

Vodafone extends its 500 Mbps network across ten more cities

Nokia 9 hits AnTuTu

Samsung's Galaxy J smartphones get an S8-style makeover

​Android Nougat usage nearing 10 percent

Asus Zenfone AR billed for June 14 release

WWDC 2017 | Apple Music has 27 million paid subscribers

Nubia Z17 Mini launched in India

Wearables market up 18 percent YoY

Consumer watchdog accuses Apple of misleading customers about repairs

WWDC 2017 | Apple announces HomePod smart speaker

This is how the OnePlus 5 actually looks

Amazon has a pretty good deal on a 4K 2-in-1 Dell laptop right now

T-Mobile Tuesday's huge anniversary giveaways are live, so get them before they're gone!

OnePlus 5 launch event officially announced

T-Mobile Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to get Nougat this week

HP Accelerator external GPU dock coming this August for $299 USD

HP refreshes Omen 15 and Omen 17 with Kaby Lake and AMD FX 580 graphics

Oppo unveils R11 smartphone

Hot News

Android Nougat usage nearing 10 percent