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New emojis in iOS 12.1 (Source: Apple Newsroom)

Apple unleashes iOS 12.1, Group FaceTime and new emojis in tow

Just as previously rumored, the new update for Apple's mobile operating system — iOS 12.1 — comes with Group FaceTime and a set of new emojis. In addition to these changes that target all compatible iPhones and iPads, the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max receive depth control in camera preview and dual-SIM support.

Codrut Nistor, 30 Oct 2018 10:48

Single-board Hackintosh: Hackers load MacOS 10.14 Mojave onto LattePanda Alpha

Hardware tinkerers ETA Prime and Novaspirit Tech have managed to load macOS 10.14 Mojave on the LattePanda Alpha, a powerful single-board computer. While there are several bugs ranging from non-working audio to broken WiFi, this is currently one of, if not the, smallest Hackintosh-capable system currently available.

Sam Medley, 30 Oct 2018 04:31

Apple fans will have to wait for next year's iPads to maybe get OLED screens. (Source: Daily Express)

2018 iPad Pro design and hardware updates revealed in Bloomberg report

Apart from the thin bezels and the redesigned corners, the 2018 iPad Pro tablets are said to come with IPS LCD touchscreens plus the second-gen Apple Pencils, slimmer profiles (not including the rear camera), a USB-C port and a smart connector, True Depth camera setups with Face ID support, and, of course the latest 7 nm A12 Bionic SoC.

Bogdan Solca, 29 Oct 2018 19:04

All charts via Geekbench. See below for the top Android and iOS benchmarks, as of 10/28/2018

The iPhone XR is 25% faster than the fastest Android phones in Geekbench 4

The iPhone XR scored about 25% better than Android's best in Geekbench 4's multi-core benchmark. While this is impressive on paper (considering that the $750 iPhone XR is cheaper than most Android flagships), there is much more to consider when buying a phone than synthetic benchmarks and raw specs.

Sam Medley, 28 Oct 2018 17:18

The iPhone Xs Max uses an Intel modem instead of a modem supplied by Qualcomm as in the past. (Source: Notebook Check)

Qualcomm claims Apple has dudded it US$7 billion

Apple and Qualcomm don’t look to be nearing any kind of truce in their ongoing patent battle. In a federal court in San Diego, Qualcomm has accused Apple of being US$7 billion in arrears with patent royalty payments it believes it is owed.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 28 Oct 2018 10:51

Group FaceTime in action. (Source: Apple)

iOS 12.1 will unlock Dual SIM and Group FaceTime - but only for newer devices

The next upcoming update for iOS is now rumored to add Group FaceTime and dual SIM support to some phones. For some other, older models, however, only restricted forms of Group FaceTime are coming. Some others are not getting this feature at all.

Deirdre O Donnell, 27 Oct 2018 16:08

Vivaldi 2.1 Quick Commands settings (Source: Own)

Vivaldi 2.1 now available with improved Quick Commands

Less than a month after the release of the 2.0 major update, Vivaldi 2.1 arrives with noticeable improvements to the popular Quick Commands feature. Notes can be created directly in Quick Commands, Page and UI Zoom can both be adjusted via Quick Commands, the browser now supports the AV1 standard, and more.

Codrut Nistor, 26 Oct 2018 20:02

The original jailbreaking tool. (Image via CultOfMac)

U.S. Copyright Office may make circumventing DRM (jailbreaking) for repair purposes legal... sort of

A list of proposed rules put out by the U.S. Copyright Office would make jailbreaking devices like smartphones and smart speakers completely legal, if adopted. Jailbreaking, or circumventing DRM, is currently in a legally grey area. If these rules are implemented, then people could create their own tools to jailbreak a device for repair purposes. However, jailbreaking tools could not be distributed under these rules.

Sam Medley, 26 Oct 2018 05:54

Concept render of the 2018 iPad Pro. (Image source: iDownloadBlog)

Code snippet from iOS 12.1 beta all but confirms Face ID for iPad Pro

Buried in the latest iOS 12.1 beta code are instructions for users to hold their iPad in portrait orientation so that Face ID can be set up. If legitimate, this code would confirm rumors that Face ID is indeed coming to the next iPad Pro, widely rumored to be announced at Apple's event next week.

Sam Medley, 26 Oct 2018 05:17

Samsung Galaxy S10 now rumored to come in 4 variants, one of which will have 12GB of RAM

A leak on Weibo claims that the Galaxy S10 lineup will consist of 4 versions of the phone rather than the usual 2. One of these will be a 5G variant - with 12GB RAM. The Weibo poster also believes that the Huawei P30 Pro will have this spec.

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Oct 2018 20:05

Both speakers in this iPhone XS Max diagram should function to play audio. (Source: iphonefaqs.com)

Stereo-gate: iPhone XS and XS Max hit with new bug (audio this time)

The latest Apple flagship smartphones are facing yet another issue that means they do not work out of the box as described. This time, it seems that one of their dual speakers does not fire while playing audio. The bug has been reported numerous times on several different types of forum by now.

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Oct 2018 18:56

An example of what the Companion App looks like on iOS. (Source: Rockstar Games)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Companion App will put your game's map on your phone

Rockstar Games has announced the Companion App for its upcoming release, Red Dead Redemption 2. This app connects an Android or iOS device to the console in question, and allows the player to view maps, stats and progress on their phone or tablet while gaming.

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Oct 2018 18:30

The Apple iPad Mini 4 is only currently available with 128 GB storage. (Source: Apple)

Apple reportedly working on iPad Mini 5

A renowned supply chain analyst has predicted that Apple will soon update the iPad Mini series, with a fifth generation of the popular tablet possibly coming out in 2019. The iPad Mini 4 was released in 2015 and featured the now dated A8 SoC. It is expected an Apple iPad Mini 5 will come with “an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel.”

Daniel R Deakin, 23 Oct 2018 23:59

OnePlus appears to be squarely in Apple's crosshairs these days. (Source: GadgetsNow)

OnePlus has changed the 6T's launch date - because of Apple

OnePlus had announced some time ago that its next product launch would take place in New York on October 30th. However, Apple has just taken that same date to release the new Macs and iPad Pro. The Chinese company has responded by moving its own event up by one day.

Deirdre O Donnell, 20 Oct 2018 13:51

The iPhone XR adds blue to the Apple back-panel color gamut. (Source: Rogers)

iPhone XR now available for pre-order

The iPhone XR may be the be-notched version of the SE line of old. It offers many new Apple features in a slightly cheaper chassis. This alternative to the XS and XS Max may be attractive for those who like different colors, don't care that much about screen quality and don't want to spend all of US$1000 on a new iPhone.

Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Oct 2018 13:23

Chrome 70 now available with the ability to control browser sign-in

The latest Google Chrome browser comes with a new setting that allows its users to have a better control over the sign-in and sync features, the AV1 video streaming codec, as well as a rather large number of minor tweaks, fixes, and improvements. Chrome 70 is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Codrut Nistor, 17 Oct 2018 10:55

If you're a bit short of cash, consider the regular-sized XS for US$74,995. (Source: Brikk)

Own a solid gold Apple iPhone XS Max for just under US$100,000

A luxury customization company called Brikk has created a solid gold Apple iPhone XS Max that costs US$94,995. The device features 313 g (11.08 oz) of 22K gold and is appropriately part of the firm's Ingot Collection. Brikk has also developed a gold DualShock 4 controller, featuring diamond-studded buttons, available for US$13,995. A rather opulent set of AirPods with a whole carat of diamonds on each bud can be snapped up for US$9,995.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Oct 2018 21:36

The iPad Pro line may be refreshed with a super-thin 2018 model without many ports. (Source: Apple)

Next iPad yet again rumored to sacrifice 3.5mm jack for slimness

The next Apple tablet, which is likely to be the 2018 iPad Pro, may be even thinner than its predecessor. So thin, in fact, that it will not be able to accommodate the headphone jack any more. This leak comes from a relatively unknown, yet heretofore accurate, tipster.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Oct 2018 18:58

An EUV machine used in semiconductor manufacturing. (Source: Medium)

2019 iPhone processors to be exclusively provided by TSMC

Apple reportedly only has one partner to make chips for the next iPhones after the XS/R series: TSMC. These A13 processors are likely to be 7nm in die size. If so, TSMC could make history in being the first company to manufacture this architecture using the EUV technique.

Deirdre O Donnell, 12 Oct 2018 22:39

Lenovo dominates the PC market

Both IDC and Gartner revealed that Lenovo dominated the global PC market in the third quarter of the year, shipping around 16 million desktops, notebooks, and workstations out of a total of 67.4 million (according to IDC), and 67.2 million (Gartner) units sold worldwide during the given period.

Codrut Nistor, 11 Oct 2018 20:48

Fortnite - Disco Domination mode and quad rocket launcher now available as of mid-October 2018 (Source: Wccftech)

Fortnite gets Disco Domination mode, quad rocket launcher, and more

The patch 0.62 brings a new 50v50 battle mode to Fortnite, namely Disco Domination, as well as a quad rocket launcher. In the new mode, players fight to capture dance floors and raise disco balls. The new patch also brings back the Port-a-Fortress, loot drop rate adjustments, and various fixes.

Codrut Nistor, 11 Oct 2018 18:30

Farmer in my Pocket: Stardew Valley is coming to iOS October 24, Android port will follow soon

The uber-popular indie farming simulator Stardew Valley is getting an iOS port this month. The title is up for pre-order on the Apple App Store now and will be available for download October 24 for US$7.99. An Android port will be coming soon. If you haven't tried one of the many ports of the excellent farming/relationship-building/role-playing game, you can check it out on your iPhone later this month.

Sam Medley, 11 Oct 2018 16:13

Apple-branded device owners would choose Huawei over Samsung devices. (Source: Tech.Co)

Smartphone research data shows Apple winning over Android users

Research data, created by BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research and shared by Horace Dediu on Twitter, has shown that Apple and its products seem to be succeeding in tempting Android users away from their currently owned devices. For example, according to the statistics in the chart, 19% of Samsung-smartphone owners are considering an Apple device as their next purchase.

Daniel R Deakin, 11 Oct 2018 00:51

Concept art of what may be the 2018 iPad Pro. (Image source: iDownloadBlog)

The rumored 2018 iPad Pro will have an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, and more

With rumors swirling around a possible iPad Pro announcement later this month, 9to5Mac has reported new features supposedly coming to Apple's upcoming tablet refresh. Citing sources familiar with the development of the iPad Pro, the new devices will bring an almost bezelless display, Face ID, and a few new tricks to Apple's "prosumer" tablet line.

Sam Medley, 10 Oct 2018 17:02

Pokemon GO to get fourth-generation Pokemon (Source: Niantic/The Pokémon Company)

Pokemon GO to get fourth-generation Pokemon and many minor tweaks in the near future

Although the rumors about it surfaced back in April, it took a while for Niantic to finally confirm the arrival of the fourth-generation Pokemon from the Sinnoh region. However, the details are still not out yet, but Pokemon GO players should get ready to capture Turtwig, Piplup, Chimchar — or at least one or two of them.

Codrut Nistor, 10 Oct 2018 12:30

Western Digital creates world's first 96-layer 3D NAND UFS 2.1 for next generation of smartphones

Western Digital now sampling world's first 96-layer 3D NAND UFS 2.1 for next generation of smartphones

The embedded flash drive is no different in volume than existing 64-layer solutions for compatibility with a wide range of other consumer devices. Storage capacities begin at 32 GB and top out at 256 GB for high-end smartphone SKUs.

Allen Ngo, 09 Oct 2018 19:41

Apple iPhone XS charging bug solved by iOS 12.0.1

Apple fixes iPhone XS charging problems (and more) in iOS 12.0.1

Apple has just released iOS 12.0.1, just in time to stop what appeared to be an upcoming "charge gate" scandal caused by an issue that made iPhone XS handsets fail to charge when using a Lightning cable. This brand-new iOS update also irons out a WiFi-related problem, a Bluetooth bug, and more.

Codrut Nistor, 09 Oct 2018 19:34

Jailbreaking in iOS 12 is looking more and more likely. (Source: redmondpie.com)

Developer claims to have jailbroken iPhone XS Max

A well-known iOS developer, Luca Tudesco, is reported as stating that jailbreaking in the iPhone XS Max's A12 chip is possible. It may be a follow-up in which the related group Pangu claimed that they had done the same in iOS 12. However, there is no evidence that this option is more generally available yet.

Deirdre O Donnell, 08 Oct 2018 19:52

New Samsung Galaxy Note 9 or old iPhone X? Hm... (Source: CNET)

Samsung US is temporarily doubling its trade-in payoffs - even for iPhones

How about a new Galaxy S9, S9 Plus or Note 9 for your iPhone X? No? What if you get $600 as well? This is the premise of Samsung USA's new promotion. The company will increase its usual trade-in price, even for Apple products, for a limited time.

Deirdre O Donnell, 08 Oct 2018 19:22

Smartphone manufacturers need to stop marketing inaccurate product renders

Narrow bezels are all the rage these days—so much so that some OEMs have been overtly exaggerating their claims through marketing material. We want users to be aware of deceiving product shots that are seemingly becoming more commonplace amongst smartphone OEMs.

Allen Ngo, 08 Oct 2018 09:00

The T2 chip found in new MacBooks. (Source: macsales.com)

Can you fix your own 2018 MacBook? An internal Apple report says no, but iFixit says yes

An internal service document recently leaked from within Apple states that no-one but company staff and Authorized Apple Service Providers (AASPs) can repair or replace most MacBook 2018 and iMac Pro components without the devices becoming inoperable. However, iFixit has claimed to have done so with a MacBook Pro - and nothing happened.

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Oct 2018 17:49

The latest iPhone series has already beaten its forebears in early market share. (Source: Engadget)

iPhone XS series has outdone its predecessors in first-week sales

The iPhone XS and XS Max models have collectively outdone their predecessors when it comes to capturing a share of Apple customers in their launch year. They have also exceeded the iPhones 8 and 8 Plus when it comes to gaining this share in the week after their launch. However, the iPhone 7 Plus remains the most popular Apple smartphone.

Deirdre O Donnell, 04 Oct 2018 23:13

The iPhone 6S is being rivalled by Apple's newest wearable in some respects. (Source: takealot.com)

Apple Watch 4 found to be just as fast as iPhone 6S, but only for certain metrics

A developer has created an app that can test the 60fps rendering capabilities of the S4 SIP, the processing platform found in the 4th-gen Apple Watch. He has reported that the watch equals the iPhone 6S in this test. The watch also used less than 70% of its processing power while running this app.

Deirdre O Donnell, 04 Oct 2018 19:11

Huawei might have been a bit too overconfident with their claims regarding the supermacy of the Kirin 980. (Source: Pocketnow)

Huawei's Kirin 980 does not beat Apple's A12 Bionic in leaked Geekbench results

The latest Geekbench results come to contradict Huawei's claims from last week. The Kirin 980 is certainly not faster than the A12 Bionic, but it does perform better than Qualcomm's Snapdragon 845. This might just be an early Mate 20 test sample and performance might be better on the final version, we'll just have to wait two more weeks to find out for sure.

Bogdan Solca, 02 Oct 2018 21:48

Vivaldi 2.0 last setup screen (Source: Own)

Vivaldi 2.0 now available for download with Sync, Resizable Tab Tiling, Floating Web Panels, and more

Introduced last week, Vivaldi 2.0 is a major update that delivers essential features like Sync, Resizable Tab Tiling, and Floating Web Panels to this niche browser, as well as a fresh look with window background images and Start Page backgrounds. Vivaldi is now available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Codrut Nistor, 02 Oct 2018 10:50

Notebookcheck's Guide To How Much RAM/Storage Your Devices Need

In desktops and laptops alike, RAM is usually the easiest component to upgrade. However, tablets and smartphones all come with the memory chips soldered to the motherboards. In both cases you have to weigh all the options before making your purchase decision. How much memory do you need in a laptop? Is memory capacity more important than storage capacity? We will answer your questions in our in-depth article.

Sergey Tarasov, 01 Oct 2018 08:00

The weekly roundup - new Microsoft Surface devices, iPhone XS Max manufacturing costs, and 32 GB DDR4 RAM

This past week saw a plethora of smartphone rumors overshadowed by the launch of the iPhone XS and XS Max. Laptops with 32 GB DDR4 RAM modules are now a thing and Microsoft will almost surely announce new Windows features and Surface products in the days to follow.

Allen Ngo, 30 Sep 2018 23:57

Do the latest iPhones have a fundamental issue with their use? (Source: iPhoneTricks.org)

'Charge-gate'? Emerging reports of charging-port issues in some iPhone XS and XS Max units

Reports coming from several different sources claim that some brand-new iPhones are not charging unless their screens are on. This issue apparently affects both the iPhone XS and XS Max. However, the reports also suggest that this problem is software based, yet not constant across all devices.

Deirdre O Donnell, 30 Sep 2018 19:48

Google is shelling out billions to remain the default search engine for Apple's Safari browser

Google will reportedly pay US $9 billion over 2018 to remain the default search engine for the Safari browser. This price may go up to as much as $12 billion next year. However, due to the growing popularity of Apple's devices, the privilege may be worth the cost to Google.

Sam Medley, 30 Sep 2018 07:53

The iPhone XR will hit Apple stores and retailers on October 26, but do not expect it to be too affordable. (Source: Apple)

iPhone XR gets FCC approval, will ship in late October

The FCC has finally approved Apple's iPhone XR, and the smartphone is expected to hit the stores on October 26. Apart from the fast A12 Bionic SoC, the "more affordable" iPhone does not really feature anything that justifies the US$750 price tag. It only has 3 GB of RAM, a 12 MP rear cam and a 7 MP selfie, which in most cases is subpar even for mid-range phones.

Bogdan Solca, 28 Sep 2018 20:11

Opera 56 with video pop out (Source: Own)

Opera 56 now available with multiple improvements

The latest version of the Opera browser is now available as "the best browser for multitaskers" and its list of changes includes volume control for the video pop-out player, a page zoom indicator in the address and search bar, an easier way to report bugs, and more. Opera 56 is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Codrut Nistor, 26 Sep 2018 20:27

Microsoft Office 2019 PowerPoint (Source: Microsoft 365 Blog)

Cloud-independent Microsoft Office 2019 now available for Windows and macOS

Although there is still cloud support available across the apps of the new Microsoft Office 2019 suite, independence from the cloud — coming in the shape of an "on premises" version — is an excellent offering for the customers who do not need/do not trust/are not ready for the cloud. Obviously, there are some new features in the package as well.

Codrut Nistor, 26 Sep 2018 14:15

Appple macOS 10.14 Mojave now available as of September 2018 (Source: Apple Newsroom)

Apple launches macOS "Mojave" with dark mode, new apps, redesigned app store, and more

The 15th major release of Apple's desktop operating system and the successor of macOS High Sierra 10.13, macOS Mojave 10.14 is now available. In addition to the new dark mode, this release brings a few iOS apps to the desktop, including Apple News, Home, Voice Memos, and is also the last macOS version to support 32-bit apps.

Codrut Nistor, 26 Sep 2018 10:55

The iPhone XS Max (left) is estimated to cost Apple US$443 each in components. (Source: Apple)

iPhone XS Max component costs revealed

If there’s one thing that matches the size of the new iPhone XS Max models from Apple, it is their price. If you want to know how much money of yours the Cupertino giant is sticking straight into its bank account, read on. If you don't, it might be best to look away.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 26 Sep 2018 06:32

Antennagate 2.0? The iPhone XS and XS Max users are complaining of poor cellular and WiFi connections

The new iPhone XS and XS Max may have inherited the iPhone 4's poor cellular connection strength. Several users are complaining of poor or dropped cellular and WiFi connections. While these claims are still just conjecture, they are rapidly growing in number.

Sam Medley, 26 Sep 2018 05:59

A new survey suggests that consumers prefer their services as on-the-go as possible. (Source: SlashGear)

Over half of consumers surveyed would prefer a service accessible from their phones: new data

A new survey has indicated that the majority of consumers today may be more likely to support a business that demonstrates good mobile service implementation. This means that their apps, websites or online presences are easily accessible from a smartphone. The data suggests that this holds true for many industries, but applies to food delivery services in particular.

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Sep 2018 20:17

Cables, cables everywhere - but for how long? (Source: Electricals4Dummies)

Cable-based connectivity set to be worth US$34 billion in 5 years

The wired interface market - which encompasses all types of USB cable, as well as others (e.g. Thunderbolt or HDMI) - is estimated to have a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% well into the next decade. However, it appears that their wireless counterparts have the potential to outstrip them in the same general time-frame.

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Sep 2018 18:57

Apple

Apple unleashes iOS 12.1, Group FaceTime and new emojis in tow

Single-board Hackintosh: Hackers load MacOS 10.14 Mojave onto LattePanda Alpha

2018 iPad Pro design and hardware updates revealed in Bloomberg report

The iPhone XR is 25% faster than the fastest Android phones in Geekbench 4

Qualcomm claims Apple has dudded it US$7 billion

86% Apple iPhone XR Smartphone Review

iOS 12.1 will unlock Dual SIM and Group FaceTime - but only for newer devices

Vivaldi 2.1 now available with improved Quick Commands

U.S. Copyright Office may make circumventing DRM (jailbreaking) for repair purposes legal... sort of

Code snippet from iOS 12.1 beta all but confirms Face ID for iPad Pro

Samsung Galaxy S10 now rumored to come in 4 variants, one of which will have 12GB of RAM

Stereo-gate: iPhone XS and XS Max hit with new bug (audio this time)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Companion App will put your game's map on your phone

Apple reportedly working on iPad Mini 5

OnePlus has changed the 6T's launch date - because of Apple

iPhone XR now available for pre-order

Chrome 70 now available with the ability to control browser sign-in

Own a solid gold Apple iPhone XS Max for just under US$100,000

Next iPad yet again rumored to sacrifice 3.5mm jack for slimness

2019 iPhone processors to be exclusively provided by TSMC

​Lenovo dominates the PC market

Fortnite gets Disco Domination mode, quad rocket launcher, and more

Farmer in my Pocket: Stardew Valley is coming to iOS October 24, Android port will follow soon

Smartphone research data shows Apple winning over Android users

The rumored 2018 iPad Pro will have an edge-to-edge display, Face ID, and more

Pokemon GO to get fourth-generation Pokemon and many minor tweaks in the near future

Western Digital now sampling world's first 96-layer 3D NAND UFS 2.1 for next generation of smartphones

Apple fixes iPhone XS charging problems (and more) in iOS 12.0.1

Developer claims to have jailbroken iPhone XS Max

Samsung US is temporarily doubling its trade-in payoffs - even for iPhones

Smartphone manufacturers need to stop marketing inaccurate product renders

Can you fix your own 2018 MacBook? An internal Apple report says no, but iFixit says yes

iPhone XS series has outdone its predecessors in first-week sales

Apple Watch 4 found to be just as fast as iPhone 6S, but only for certain metrics

Huawei's Kirin 980 does not beat Apple's A12 Bionic in leaked Geekbench results

Vivaldi 2.0 now available for download with Sync, Resizable Tab Tiling, Floating Web Panels, and more

Notebookcheck's Guide To How Much RAM/Storage Your Devices Need

The weekly roundup - new Microsoft Surface devices, iPhone XS Max manufacturing costs, and 32 GB DDR4 RAM

'Charge-gate'? Emerging reports of charging-port issues in some iPhone XS and XS Max units

Google is shelling out billions to remain the default search engine for Apple's Safari browser

iPhone XR gets FCC approval, will ship in late October

87% Apple iPhone XS Smartphone Review

86% Apple iPhone XS Max Smartphone Review

Opera 56 now available with multiple improvements

Cloud-independent Microsoft Office 2019 now available for Windows and macOS

Apple launches macOS "Mojave" with dark mode, new apps, redesigned app store, and more

iPhone XS Max component costs revealed

Antennagate 2.0? The iPhone XS and XS Max users are complaining of poor cellular and WiFi connections

Over half of consumers surveyed would prefer a service accessible from their phones: new data

Cable-based connectivity set to be worth US$34 billion in 5 years

Tags

Lenovo dominates the PC market