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Oct 21
The Samsung J7 smartphone. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung J7 catches fire in an Indian flight causing a mid-air scare

A Samsung J7 smartphone caught fire on a Jet Airways flight bound to Indore from New Delhi causing mid-air panic. The flight staff were unable to extinguish the fire and had to drop the phone in a tray of water to put off the flames.
Nokia 8 Smartphone Review

87% Nokia 8 Smartphone Review

Three lenses. With the Nokia 8, HMD Global now also revives the legendary Finnish brand in the premium range. At a fair price of around 580 Euros ($565), the buyer gets a well-built and well-configured 5.3-inch handset whose dual-camera can score with a never before seen feature.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (8998) | Qualcomm Adreno 540 | 5.3" | 160 g
Azio Levetron Mech5 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (Source. Amazon)

Are gaming keyboards really faster than conventional keyboards?

Gaming keyboard manufacturers, much like gaming mice manufacturers, claim fast response times to entice games to pay the premium. Unlike gaming mice, however, we do not find enough benchmarks that have actually put the claims to test. As a result, gamers and enthusiasts have (until now) gone by the manufacturer's claims of high polling rates and low response times. So is that shiny new RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting or N-key rollover actually more responsive than a conventional keyboard? Dan Luu's mini-experiment proves otherwise.
Consumer Reports doesn't want you to buy a Surface Book 2

Consumer Reports doesn't want you to buy a Surface Book 2

Well-known for its independent and impartial reviews, the magazine is already openly biased against the upcoming Microsoft detachable without any hands-on proof to show for it.
Oct 20
HP Envy 13-ad006ng (i7-7500U, MX150) Laptop Review

84% HP Envy 13-ad006ng (i7-7500U, MX150) Laptop Review

HP XPS 13 for gaming. A compact 13.3-inch Ultrabook with GeForce MX150 graphics and a metal chassis? Sounds like a solid concept, doesn't it. In our comprehensive review update we'll try to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the HP Envy 13 with MX150 and Core i7-7500U.
Intel Core i7-7500U | NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (Laptop GT 1030) | 13.3" | 1.3 kg
There's no doubt that the Mi A1 offers better value for money.

Android One returns to its usual expensive form with the HTC U11 Life

The HTC U11 Life is expected to be launched alongside the U11 Plus on November 2. While the device's specifications sheet looks to be impressive at first sight, a few points marred a package that could have competed for the top spot in the mid-range market.
HTC U11 Plus unofficial render (Source: TheRoyale)

HTC U11 Plus renders surface online

The upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 835-driven HTC U11 Plus is expected to get an official launch on November 2, when it is also supposed to become the first HTC handset with a display ratio of 18:9.
Ubuntu Linux 17.10 "Artful Aardvark" (Source: Canonical)

Ubuntu Linux 17.10 now available with GNOME 3 as default desktop interface

The new Ubuntu Linux 17.10 release is nicknamed "Artful Aardvark" and comes with the latest version of GNOME as the default desktop, thus dropping Canonical's Unity graphical shell.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro. (Source: Huawei)

Huawei Mate 10 devices launched in China

The Huawei Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro have been launched in China, with the smartphone giants making slight changes to the memory configuration of both devices. The phones will also sell for much cheaper in China, the base version of the Mate 10 being almost $250 less than what it went for at the European launch.
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The HTC U11.

HTC U11 Plus confirmed for November 2 launch

HTC has posted an image on its official Twitter account that announces an event for November 2. The image features a large "U", so we believe that it's the much-expected U11 Plus.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro scores 97 on Dxomark

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro was reviewed on camera benchmark website DxOMark, with the flagship recording an impressive total score of 97, just one point behind the Pixel 2.
The 360 Round camera integrates 17 lenses. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung reveals 360 Round camera for VR content creators

The 360 Round is the first camera that features genuine 3D VR recording capabilities. It comes with 17 lenses and it can record and stream in 4K. The included proprietary Samsung software makes it easy to edit the footage and preview it on a Samsung Gear headset.
The Megablast speakers are taller than the Blast ones. (Source: Logitech/UE)

Logitech presents the UE Blast and Megablast Bluetooth speakers with Alexa

Featuring the latest Alexa voice assistant that comes with the UE Blast and Megablast wireless speakers can play your favorite music, control IoT-enabled devices and perform more than 25,000 other tasks.
Samsung is bringing mobile gaming to the desktop with DeX. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung DeX gets gaming support for major Android titles

Samsung has announced a partnership with several leading Android game developers to bring their games to the desktop via a Galaxy smartphone and its DeX PC dock. Vainglory, Survival Arena, BombSquad and Lineage 2 will all be compatible with Samsung's DeX Android-based desktop environment.
Dell Alienware Aurora desktop. (Source: Dell)

Dell Aurora R7 starts shipping today as the first desktop to offer six-core Coffee Lake-S

The refreshed Aurora R7 desktop from Alienware starts shipping today, including Intel Coffee Lake-S six-core processors and AMD RX or Nvidia GTX graphics cards. Dell claims that this is the first pre-built desktop to offer the Coffee Lake-S processors.
Cover art for Sid Meier's Civilization III. (Source: Mobygames)

Deal | For a limited time you can claim Civilization III for free and play just one more turn

The Humble Store has Steam keys for the Complete Edition of Civilization III available for free, but get in quick because this deal ends on Saturday.
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50 new external reviews +
Curved: Die Medienmaschine zum Kampfpreis, Business News Daily: Google Pixelbook: Is It Good for Business?, Hexus: Review: Gigabyte Aero 15X, Hexus: Review: Aorus X7 v7, What Hi-Fi: Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017) hands on, Computer Shopper: Amazon Fire 7 (2017) Review and Ratings, Gadget Diary: Lenovo K8 Plus Review – A recommendable compact phone, Business News Daily: Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017): Why It's Good for Business, G Style Magazine: Five Reasons to Buy the LG V30, The Techy: LG Q6 Review: Full Vision for Masses, Htxt Africa: Blackberry KEYone review – A great business partner, The Indian Express: Asus Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro review: Dual front cameras on board, but does it deliver?, Computer Shopper: Huawei MateBook E Review, The Indian Express: Apple iPhone 8 Plus review: Till the iPhone X comes, this is the best, Know Your Mobile: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Review: A Truly Exceptional Phone - Now With Google Daydream VR, Gadget Diary: ASUS Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro review: A boon to selfie enthusiasts ?, Know Your Mobile: iPhone 8 Review: Don't Waste Your Time or Your Money, Hot Hardware: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Review: A More Powerful, Premium And Refined Flagship, Hot Hardware: Moto Z2 Play Review: A Refined Battery Life Champion Returns, Android Guys: HTC’s U11 offers a disappointing overall package with a few very bright spots (Review), Engadget: iPhone 8 and 8 Plus review: Change in small doses, Know Your Mobile: HTC U11 Review: Android Oreo Update Officially Confirmed, DP Review: OnePlus 5 camera review, Fone Arena: Vivo V7+ Review, Ausdroid: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Camera Tech Explained With Example Photos: Back 12MP+12MP, Front 8MP Selfie, Tech PP: Vivo V7+ Review: Big Selfies, Small Bezels, Big Price, Cybershack: Australian Review: Htc U11 - Quality And Value, Tech Nave: Honor 8 Pro review - Thin metal VR powerhouse phablet on a budget, What Hi-Fi: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review, What Hi-Fi: Apple iPhone 8 Plus review, Phone World: Vivo V7 Plus Review – 24MP Selfie Camera, The Indian Express: Coolpad Cool Play 6 review: Great overall performance, dual-cameras, Gadget Diary: Doogee Mix review: A bezel-less smartphone on a budget?, The Indian Express: Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review: The return of the Note series, The Indian Express: Apple iPhone 8 Plus review blog: Great phone, but should you buy this?, Gadget Diary: Coolpad Cool Play 6 Review – Brute Force, Dual Cameras, Techno Buffalo: iPhone 8 review: Apple’s best smartphone already feels outdated, Kitguru: Apple iPhone 8 Plus Review, Fone Arena: Moto G5S Plus Review, Android Authority: ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom review – is it worthy of its name?, Extreme Tech: iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Review Roundup: Great Phones No One Thinks You Should Buy, Fone Arena: Nokia 6 Review, Soycincau: Nokia 8 review: Hype is the least of its problems, Tech PP: Nokia 6 Review: Plus Stability and Strength, Minus Experience, Android Authority: ZTE Blade Z Max review, Tech Smart: Nokia 8, Pocketnow: Apple iPhone 8 Plus Review: A fine phone, but not the exciting iPhone, Android Authority: Nokia 6 review
Nokia 7 Android smartphone with Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 (Source: Nokia China)

Nokia 7 now official

The Nokia 7 is a new 5.2-inch mid-ranger manufactured by HMD Global that comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor and 4 GB or 6 GB RAM, as well as 64 GB internal storage. It will launch exclusively in China next Tuesday.
MSI GF72VR 7RF (7700HQ, GTX 1060, 120 Hz) Laptop Review

82% MSI GF72VR 7RF (7700HQ, GTX 1060, 120 Hz) Laptop Review

Blown away? MSI is once again introducing another line of gaming notebooks aimed at the consumer market. The new GF72VR brings a high refresh rate display and sheds the optical drive but changes little else. Do these changes leave us breathless, or is the GF72VR full of hot air.
Intel Core i7-7700HQ | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Laptop) | 17.3" | 2.7 kg
Oct 19
The new Aorus X9, a 17.3-inch gaming laptop in a slim chassis. (Source: Aorus)

The Aorus X9 holds dual GTX 1070 in SLI and a low-profile mechanical keyboard in a slim 17.3-inch chassis

Aorus have announced their new X9 gaming laptop, with aggressive looks, SLI graphics, and a low-profile mechanical keyboard, all in a slim 17.3-inch chassis. Two screen options provide either 120 Hz refresh rate or 100 percent AdobeRGB depending on preference.
Image: The Phawx (YouTube)

Second Win: GPD Win 2 prototype leaks

An image of what could possibly be the upcoming GPD Win 2 shows some design changes from the original GPD Win, including a revamped keyboard and a larger screen. Internally, the GPD Win 2 may also be sporting an Intel Core m3 CPU, a huge improvement over the Atom chip in the original.
Sharp Aquos R Compact Android smartphone with Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (Source: K-tai Watch)

Sharp unveils the Aquos R Compact smartphone

The Aquos R Compact is a slightly watered-down version of the Sharp Aquos R that was announced back in April. It is a waterproof 4.9-inch handset powered by a Snapdragon 660 processor that is expected to hit the market in December via Softbank.
Redmi Note 4.(Source: MI)

We may be getting the Redmi Note 5 within the next few weeks

It's prime Redmi time, so it's no surprise that rumors and leaks of the upcoming mid-rangers are starting to crawl out of the woodwork. Actual specifications and prices of the Redmi Note 5 may be inconclusive at the moment but sources have billed the Xiaomi favorite to be launched before the popular 11/11 shopping festival in China.
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Huawei Mate 10 Pro.

Kirin 970 benchmark scores place it on par with the Snapdragon 835

Qualcomm has something of a monopoly on the Android market at the moment, so it's particularly impressive that Huawei's in-house Kirin 970 is able to compete with the Snapdragon 835 on all fronts.
MSI GS73VR 7RG (i7-7700HQ, GTX 1070 Max-Q, FHD) Laptop Review

84% MSI GS73VR 7RG (i7-7700HQ, GTX 1070 Max-Q, FHD) Laptop Review

Finally, a GS notebook with quieter fans. The MSI GS family has always been popular for its attractively thin design and enthusiast-level horsepower. Incorporating a Max-Q GPU is perhaps the best thing to happen to the series as it directly addresses one of its biggest and most persistent issues.
Intel Core i7-7700HQ | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q | 17.3" | 2.4 kg
A look back at 25 years of ThinkPad notebooks: Part 3 - The 2010s and modernization under Lenovo

A look back at 25 years of ThinkPad notebooks: Part 3 - The 2010s and modernization under Lenovo

Our third part in the series about the history of the ThinkPad notebook brings us up to the present. In the years after 2010 and all the way to 2017, Lenovo has brought big changes and modernization to the ThinkPads. This also included making some controversial decisions, which we will be taking a close look at.
The Redmi Note 5A was lsunched months ago. (Source: Xiaomi)

Redmi Note 5 spotted on Geekbench

A Redmi Note 5 has supposedly been spotted on Geekbench but listed specifications and details don't conform to anything we expect from the device.
There's also an 18-core/36-thread iMac Pro coming later this year. (Source: Apple)

Apple's upcoming iMac Pro with 10-core custom Intel Xeon CPU surfaces on GeekBench

The 10-core Xeon CPU is more than 50% faster than the 8-core model when it comes to multi-core performance tests. Apple will also launch an 18-core/36-thread iMac in December this year.
Asus VivoBook S15 S510UQ (i5-7200U, 940MX) Laptop Review

81% Asus VivoBook S15 S510UQ (i5-7200U, 940MX) Laptop Review

The Unfinished. Asus' multimedia-office newcomer compels with its elegant design and a particularly light and compact case, but can hardly keep up in the gaming arena with its GeForce 940MX. Despite many good attributes, we cannot give a purchase recommendation to the device, which is not just due to the modest battery life.
Intel Core i5-7200U | NVIDIA GeForce 940MX | 15.6" | 1.7 kg
Samsung is giving its Galaxy smartphones the ability to run Linux via DeX. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung bringing Linux to DeX for Galaxy smartphones

Samsung is working towards bringing Linux for DeX to its latest Galaxy smartphones. Users will be able to install any Linux distro and use DeX as though they are running Linux on a PC.
The HTC U11 Plus is rumored to feature the 18:9 display, as well. (Source: GSMArena)

HTC U11 variant with 6-inch 18:9 display pops on GFXBench

The mysterious U11 variant seems to have the same specs as the original U11, save for the reduced 4 GB RAM. If the GFXBench leak proves to be true, this would be the first HTC smartphone with an 18:9 display.
HP ZBook x2 convertible coming December 2017 (Source: HP)

HP ZBook x2 convertible tablet coming in December

The HP ZBook x2 is now official and should hit the market in December as the world's most powerful detachable PC. It features a quad-core Intel Core Kaby Lake-R processor, NVIDIA Quadro graphics, and starts at US$1,749.
Fujitsu refreshes super-light 1.7 lbs UH75 notebook with Kaby Lake-R (Source: pc.watch.impress.co.jp)

Fujitsu refreshes super-light 1.7 lbs UH75 notebook with Kaby Lake-R

The Lifebook UH series is almost twice as light as the MacBook Air and is slightly thinner with faster processor options as well.
Windows Mixed Reality support comes with the Fall Creators Update for Win 10. (Source: Microsoft)

Windows 10 Fall Creators update now rolling out

Microsoft has commenced the global rollout of its Fall Creators Update for Windows 10. Users can either wait for the update to reach them, or do a manual clean install of the latest Windows 10 ISO to get it immediately.
Oct 18
Prime position: Moto X4 to go on sale via Amazon Prime Exclusive tonight, will retail for $330

Prime position: Moto X4 to go on sale via Amazon Prime Exclusive tonight, will retail for $330

The upcoming mid-range smartphone from Motorola will go on sale via Amazon's Prime Exclusive Phones program tonight at 10 PM PST (12 AM CST). The Moto X4 will retail for $330, a $70 discount, but will feature tailored lock screen ads and pre-installed Amazon apps. The deal is available only to Amazon Prime members.
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AMD Ryzen 7 2700U SoC

Zen x86 4 cores @ 2200 MHz 14nm
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AMD Ryzen 5 2500U SoC

Zen x86 4 cores @ 2000 - 3600 MHz 14nm
Dell Visor and controllers in use. (Source: Dell)

Dell's augmented reality Visor and controllers now shipping worldwide

The previously announced Dell Visor headset for Windows augmented reality is now shipping with global availability. Dell's design gives a sleek and modern headset, and a pair of controllers that look like a mix of those for the Vive and Rift.
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s (4415U, HD610) Laptop Review

80% Lenovo IdeaPad 320s (4415U, HD610) Laptop Review

Simple and affordable. Lenovo has presented the IdeaPad 320S, an affordable entry-level notebook. We have tested one of the lowest configurations available and will report how much (or how little) you can expect from a notebook that costs less than $500.
Intel Pentium 4415U | Intel HD Graphics 610 | 14" | 1.5 kg
Macbook Pro: Does Apple have a problem with defective keyboards due to dust getting stuck?

Macbook Pro: Does Apple have a problem with defective keyboards due to dust getting stuck?

Since 2015, Apple has one by one changed the keyboards on its Mac-products to the new Butterfly-design, a precess accompanied with much interest but also criticism. The new design helped Apple in their pursuit for thinner and thinner products, but now it seems that the new design has a reliability problem: Some users experience problems with dust and dirt ge...
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Intel Core i7-4790K SoC - Benchmarks and Specs

Haswell x86 4 cores @ 4000 - 4400 MHz 22nm
Acer Swift 3 SF315 (8250U, MX150, FHD) Laptop Review

84% Acer Swift 3 SF315 (8250U, MX150, FHD) Laptop Review

Multi-talented. Acer's 15.6-inch all-rounder is equipped with a quad-core processor, an IPS display and a GPU with enough performance power to render current games – and more. Even with its high-performance hardware, it offers a long battery life.
Intel Core i5-8250U | NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (Laptop GT 1030) | 15.6" | 1.9 kg
The Raven Ridge mobile APUs are expected to hit the market in late 2017. (Source: AMD)

AMD Ryzen 7 2700U and Ryzen 5 2500U mobile Raven Ridge APUs get leaked benckmarks

PCPerspective revealed that the two Raven Ridge APUs perform almost as well as an Intel Core i7-85550U + Nvidia MX150 GPU combo when it comes to graphics tests.
Google's custom-designed Pixel Visual Core Image Processing Unit. (Source: Google)

Android 8.1 Oreo coming soon to Pixel 2, will enable custom Pixel Visual Core processor

Google has revealed that it will be releasing Android 8.1 for developers soon. At the same time, it revealed a previously unknown morsel about some previously unknown custom silicon it has embedded in its Pixel 2s that will be enabled with the update.
The Nervana NNP is expected to ship in late 2017. (Source: Intel)

Intel presents its new Nervana Neural Netwok Processor

Intel intends to keep up with Nvidia and AMD on the AI market by releasing the Nervana NNP for deep learning applications. The new NNP is actually an ASIC with a non-standard cache hierarchy controlled directly by software commands, and it comes with improved scalability. The Flexpoint numerical format allows for increased parallelism, while the deep learnin...
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Chuwi LapBook 12.3 (Celeron, 2K IPS) Laptop Review

84% Chuwi LapBook 12.3 (Celeron, 2K IPS) Laptop Review

How much notebook do you need? The affordable Chuwi LapBook 12.3 is designed for everyday tasks. The metal chassis, the high-resolution display, as well as the silent operation are advantages of the laptop.
Intel Celeron N3450 | Intel HD Graphics 500 | 12.3" | 1.4 kg
Microsoft Surface Book 2 15-inch and 13.5-inch (Source: CNET)

The Surface Book 2 13.5-inch stacks up to the MacBook Pro 13-inch with power and oomph

Microsoft's new Surface Book 2 13.5-inch ticks all the right boxes for a capable prosumer laptop while still retaining the platform's unique features. The new notebook is now available in completely fanless variants and features the latest 8th generation Intel CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics.
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13.3-inch Razer Blade Stealth in black (left) and gunmetal grey (right). (Source: Razer)

Razer stealthily releases the first Razer Blade Stealth with a quad-core processor

Razer has announced a quad-core upgrade for the 13.3-inch Razer Blade Stealth. This provides more processing power for use with the Razer Core and external GPU. Razer has also includes a larger power supply, indicating that they might tweak a higher CPU TDP for increased performance.
Oct 17
GammaTech SA14 R3 semi-rugged laptop. (Source: GammaTech)

The semi-rugged Durabook SA14 gets an upgrade and can still take a beating

GammaTech has announced an updated Durabook SA14 R3 semi-rugged notebook for use in field situations. It now includes Kaby Lake and Windows 10 Pro in addition to a carry handle and the ability to survive rough handling.
AT&T-exclusive ZTE Axon M foldable Android smartphone (Source: ZTE USA)

Foldable ZTE Axon M smartphone now official

The ZTE Axon M features the slightly outdated Snapdragon 821 processor, but it is the only handset to feature a dual display folding design with four operating modes nowadays. Sadly, it will only hit the market via AT&T next month.
Asus ROG Strix GL703VD-DB74 (7700HQ, GTX 1050, FHD) Laptop Review

83% Asus ROG Strix GL703VD-DB74 (7700HQ, GTX 1050, FHD) Laptop Review

Sleek & affordable gaming? The Asus ROG Strix GL703VD is a 17.3-inch entry-level to mid-range gaming notebook which tries to find the right balance between style, performance and price. Unfortunately, Asus' new notebook runs too hot and is too noisy given the comparatively modest performance of its graphics card.
Intel Core i7-7700HQ | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 (Notebook) | 17.3" | 3 kg

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Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone Reviews, Tech, and News

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Notebookcheck (Update: 2017-10-19)