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The HP Elite X3 is currently the highest-end smartphone running Windows 10 Mobile. (Image source: HP)

Windows may be moving to a unified mobile/desktop OS

According to rumors, Microsoft may soon be killing of development of Windows 10 Mobile in favor of pursuing a unified operating system that more closely ties development and features of the desktop version of Windows to a retooled...
Sam Medley, 08 Aug 2017 00:01
BLU's tweet announcing their product are back online. (Source: Twitter)

BLU phones back on Amazon following privacy fears

After privacy concerns caused Amazon to delist some phones by budget smartphone manufacturer BLU, the products are once again available through the online retailer. Although BLU has denied allegations of any wrongdoing, privacy is...
Sam Medley, 05 Aug 2017 22:47
The recent driver update has stopped Windows Hello from activating facial recognition. (Source: Own)

UPDATE | Newest driver update makes the Surface Pro 4 blind

The latest driver update from Microsoft has stopped Windows Hello from activating the IR camera needed for facial recognition on some Surface Pro 4's. However, the problem with the screen vibration bug might also have been fixed.
Craig Ward, 02 Aug 2017 17:41
This is the second time this year that a broadcom WiFi chip has caused security issues. (Source: Business Insider)

Broadcomm WiFi can be hacked on iPhone and several modern Android phones

A Black Hat researcher has found a vulnerability with Broadcom wireless chips used in various phones including iPhone, Nexus, and Galaxy S phones. This bug allows a hacker to overflow the memory in the wireless chip and execute co...
Craig Ward, 30 Jul 2017 23:13
Ryzen is great — so why are most AMD notebooks embarrassingly bad?

Ryzen is great — so why are most AMD notebooks embarrassingly bad?

With Ryzen, AMD has come back to the desktop market as a major competitor to Intel. But what is going on with the state of AMD-based notebooks? Generally made with absolute bottom-rung components such as 1366 x 768 TN panels and slow storage and RAM, it's clear that AMD needs to get Raven Ridge (Ryzen) into laptops as soon as possible — as well as encourage OEMs to put in a little more effort.
Douglas Black, 30 Jul 2017 13:30
Apple is not the only company forced to either cooperate with the Chinese government or face losing access to the market, but they are the largest. (Source: Shutterstock)

Apple pulls VPNs from Chinese App Store

Apple has pulled a number of censorship-defeating tools from their App Store in China, citing Chinese law. The move to accommodate the Chinese government deprives many in the country of access to information.
Douglas Black, 30 Jul 2017 09:48
Lightweight, elegant, and performant, at least according to Huawei's marketing. The latter is debatable.

Huawei MateBook X exhibits massive throttling

Is it acceptable to refer to a notebook that loses up to 37 % of its initial performance after a few minutes of high load already as performant? We are faced with this conundrum once again with the latest Huawei MateBook X with it...
Alexander Fagot, 28 Jul 2017 17:40
Liron Damir, the head of UX, has left Essential. (Image source: LinkedIn)

Lead designer of the Essential phone leaves the company

The head of UX for Essential, Liron Damir, has left the startup to work at Google in the Google Home division. This marks the third departure of a key employee at Essential in as many months.
Sam Medley, 28 Jul 2017 00:09
Image source: Fairphone

Fairphone will stop software and hardware support for its first device

The Fairphone, which was meant to be an easily repairable, long lasting smartphone, will no longer be supported. Fairphone, the company behind the device, will no longer sell replacement parts and has halted software development.
Sam Medley, 24 Jul 2017 18:20
Chinese security forces in Xinjiang are reportedly checking residents for whether or not they have installed the spying app. Failure to have the app installed can lead to up to 10 days detention. (Source: Twitter/即时中国大陆映像)

Some Chinese residents forced to install government spyware on phones

The Chinese government has made the installation of surveillance software on phones mandatory in the north-western city of Urumqi. Urumqi is the capital of Xin Jiang province, which is home to most of China's Turkic Uighur minorit...
Douglas Black, 22 Jul 2017 10:29
The iPhone 7 uses an Intel modem for AT&T and T-Mobile variants, while the rest use a Qualcomm part. (Source: Extreme Tech)

Intel paints Qualcomm as anti-competitive bully in public statement to ITC

Intel has weighed in on the Qualcomm vs. Apple suit with a public statement in response to a request for comment by the ITC. In the statement, Intel alleges that Qualcomm is a bully, using the court system to crush competition. In...
Douglas Black, 22 Jul 2017 09:12
Users found that using a proxy could triple their bandwidth on the affected sites. (Source: ArsTechnica)

Verizon allegedly throttling Netflix and Youtube

Verizon "unlimited" subscribers have complained about YouTube and Netflix being throttled to 10Mbps, resulting in decreased video quality in some situations. Verizon later admitted to testing"optimizations", but denied that they h...
Douglas Black, 22 Jul 2017 06:41
Soon OnePlus 5 owners will be able to dial these three numbers without worrying if their phone will reboot. (Source: Own)

OnePlus 5 OTA update for the emergency call bug expected soon

OnePlus has been in contact with the original user who reported the 911 reboot bug, and they have successfully tested a bug fix that has stopped the phone from rebooting when dialing emergency services. It is expected that they wi...
Craig Ward, 21 Jul 2017 06:09
Yesterday's memes are now today's news. (Source: Know Your Meme)

Facebook to allow paywalled articles later this year

Facebook is reportedly working on a paywall system to access shared articles.
Douglas Black, 20 Jul 2017 04:59
A comparison between the Surface Pro 4 and a faulty Surface Pro 2017 showing the excessive backlight bleed on the latter. (Source: Surface Guy)

Complaints growing regarding excessive backlight bleed on Surface Pro 2017

Microsoft uses their line of Surface devices to help set an example for OEMs; however, their quality control appears to have slipped a bit as over 200 users have claimed on the Microsoft forums that their devices are showing exces...
Craig Ward, 19 Jul 2017 11:22
The Galaxy Note 7 has been estimated to have cost Samsung between US$5 and 10 billion. The Note FE and recycling initiative will help ameliorate that. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung will recycle remining Galaxy Note 7 devices, recovering 157 tons of precious metals

In addition to releasing limited numbers of refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices as the "Galaxy Note FE", the Korea tech giant has reported it will be recycling remaining Note 7 stock to recover up to 157 tons of precious met...
Douglas Black, 19 Jul 2017 06:38
Source: Essential

Another key executive leaves Essential

Brian Wallace, former director of marketing for Essential, has left the startup. His departure follows that of Andy Fouché, former head of communications, last month. These departures will only add to Essential's recent problems. ...
Sam Medley, 18 Jul 2017 19:30
The OnePlus 5 has had a bug-filled launch. (Source: OnePlus)

Some users report OnePlus 5 crashes when dialing 911

There is new concern shown by OnePlus 5 owners as allegations appear on reddit of phones rebooting when dialing 911. The cause of the bug is currently unknown, however OnePlus is in contact with those experiencing the issue to try...
Craig Ward, 18 Jul 2017 16:01
Surface Pro 2017 plagued by hibernation bug, Microsoft working on it

Microsoft Surface Pro has a hibernation-related bug

The successor of the Surface Pro 4 is now facing a new bug, this time involving random entries in hibernation mode. Fortunately, it seems that Microsoft has already identified the issue and a fix should arrive soon.
Codrut Nistor, 14 Jul 2017 07:40
Image source: Vertu

Vertu, the luxury smartphone maker, is shutting down its manufacturing arm

The uber-expensive smartphone brand has had to shutter its manufacturing business, leading to the loss of 200 jobs. The brand is now over $160 million in debt and may soon begin bankruptcy proceedings. Vertu phones may soon be a t...
Sam Medley, 13 Jul 2017 23:36
Image source: Samsung

Bixby button remapping is once again available for the Galaxy S8

In what is amounting to a game of Android developer chess, an XDA contributor has updated the bxActions app, allowing users to circumvent the recent Bixby button remapping block pushed out by Samsung to Sprint and T-Mobile Galaxy ...
Sam Medley, 12 Jul 2017 23:50
Spurred by AMD's Ryzen, Intel released a plethora of new CPUs at Computex 2017. (Source: Intel)

Are six cores better than four for gaming?

Techspot pits the i7-7700K against the slightly more expensive hexa-core i7-7800X, and the results are conclusive: the 7800X might give you more cores, but it's less (game) performance for more money.
Douglas Black, 12 Jul 2017 11:14
The Intel Pentium G4560 may be impossible to find on store shelves later this year. (Source: Intel)

Intel may limit or discontinue the Pentium G4560

Intel may be artificially reducing stock of the Pentium G4560 due to the CPU's cannibalization of sales of the Core i3 line, which is double the MSRP of the Pentium while only offering a small bump in performance. Expect prices fo...
Sam Medley, 12 Jul 2017 00:05
The Essential Phone was pre-orderable for US$699 in May and should have shipped in June. (Source: Essential)

Andy Rubin's Essential Phone hits delays, trouble

Android brainchild Andy Rubin's Essential Phone should have shipped in June, but that date is over 10 days past. In the midst of the delay, CNBC's Todd Haselton has reported that Essential's head of PR has apparently left the comp...
Douglas Black, 10 Jul 2017 07:20
The backup power system consists of a 100 MW Li-ion Powerpack from Tesla, coupled with Neoen's Wind Farm near Jamestown, South Australia. (Source: Tesla)

Elon Musk and South Australian authorities team up to develop the biggest Li-ion backup battery

The grid-scale renewable energy backup system will provide enough power for more than 30,000 homes and will become the highest power battery system in the world by a factor of 3, according to Elon Musk.
Bogdan Solca, 08 Jul 2017 10:48
The Surface Pro features improved performance, battery life, and design over the Surface Pro 4. (Source: Microsoft)

Surface Pro users complain of random shut-offs

Microsoft has confirmed that some Surface Pro units are being affected by sudden and random hibernation — though other users assert the laptop is simply turning off abruptly, causing them to lose work.
Douglas Black, 08 Jul 2017 07:19
Lexar's JumpDrive brand was once synonymous with USB storage. (Image source: Amazon)

Lexar memory cards and flash drives have been discontinued

Micron Technology, Inc., stated that they will discontinue the Lexar brand of removable storage devices in an effort to pursue "higher value markets."
Sam Medley, 28 Jun 2017 21:23
Source: Rhomb.io

Smach Z handheld gaming PC likely to be delayed (again)

Due to a disagreement with a key hardware partner, the Smach Z handheld gaming PC is likely to run into further delays (if not cancellation).
Sam Medley, 27 Jun 2017 00:20
The bug affects all Kaby Lake and Skylake chips with Hyperthreading. (Source: Intel)

Serious Hyperthreading bug affects Intel Skylake and Kaby Lake architectures

A serious bug in the microcode for Intel's Kaby Lake and Skylake CPUs has been found. The bug can cause misbehavior of software and loss of data. It affects all 6th and 7th-gen CPUs with Hyperthreading enabled.
Douglas Black, 26 Jun 2017 17:11
Image source: Microsoft

Windows 10 S can be infected with malware

While Microsoft has claimed that Windows 10 S is not vulnerable to any currently known malware, a clever cybersecurity professional has found an exploit in Microsoft Word that can run malicious code in the operating system.
Sam Medley, 24 Jun 2017 00:57
Image Source: Forbes

Google Glass gets updated after three years of silence

Both the MyGlass Android app and the firmware on Google Glass devices have been updated out of the blue.
Sam Medley, 22 Jun 2017 05:17
The OnePlus series has always had the ethos of flagship performance at mid-tier prices. (Source: The Verge)

OnePlus 5 caught gaming benchmarks (again)

Chinese manufacturer OnePlus has been once again caught by XDA in manipulating phone behavior for higher benchmark scores. In this case, the tweaks cause the OnePlus 5 to score around 5 percent higher than other Snapdragon 835 han...
Douglas Black, 21 Jun 2017 15:49
Single-board computers are great for creators of IoT devices or learners who want to experiment with programming. (Source: Digital Trends)

Intel aims to axe their Joule, Galileo, and Edison SoCs for makers

Intel's Galileo, Jules, and Edison single-board computers will come to an end after this year, according to the company's internal documents. It isn't clear what product(s), if any, will replace them.
Douglas Black, 20 Jun 2017 21:46
Reading between the lines, Windows 10 S stays fast because it's less susceptible to bloat. (Source: Windows Central)

Is Windows 10 S really faster?

Microsoft has advertised Windows 10 S as faster than regular Windows 10, but the reality is that it just needs less maintenance.
Douglas Black, 17 Jun 2017 17:30
LeEco in shambles as company closes service center in Shanghai

LeEco in shambles as company closes service center in Shanghai

LeEco is having significant issues after the disaster that was its expansion into the US. New information claims that the company is already shutting down service centers at home in China.
Ricci Rox, 16 Jun 2017 23:10
Image source: Google

Pixel XL 2 rumored to be cancelled

Multiple sources are reporting that Google has cancelled project "muskie," which was speculated to be a successor to Google's 2016 flagship Pixel XL.
Sam Medley, 14 Jun 2017 15:44
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
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
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 ...
Douglas Black, 09 Jun 2017 15:34
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
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
Source: Android Police

Andy Rubin's Essential brand accused of trademark infringement

Spigen, a smartphone manufacturer that owns trademark rights to the term "Essential," has sent a Cease and Desist order to Andy Rubin's Essential company. Claiming that Essential infringed on their copyright, Spigen demanded that ...
Sam Medley, 04 Jun 2017 22:54
Samsung Bixby virtual assistant US launch delayed due to multiple problems

Samsung delays Bixby's US launch

Although the Galaxy S8 and S8+ flagships are available in the US and Bixby should have been ready at launch as well, it looks like Samsung's virtual assistant is facing English syntax and grammar issues and fixing them might take ...
Codrut Nistor, 02 Jun 2017 13:55
A recently confirmed Android exploit can seize control of your device. (Image source: goh4x.blogspot.com)

"Cloak and Dagger" vulnerability can leave your Android phone open to attack

The exploit, which has long been theorized, was confirmed by computer security researchers. By using invisible overlays and some clever social engineering, hackers can quickly gain full control to an Android device.
Sam Medley, 27 May 2017 03:34
The unassuming intrusion method has made this attack one of the most widespread in recent history. (Source: Check Point)

Vulnerability found in subtitle system of VLC, Kodi, and other media players

By injection malicious code into subtitle files, hackers are able to take full control of a device that loads the malicious subtitles. The exploit affects four of the biggest media streaming services: VLC, Kodi, Popcorn Time, and ...
Sam Medley, 26 May 2017 21:00
The Xperia Z3, released in Q4 2014, remains Sony's most well-received smartphone in years. (Source: Sony)

Sony discontinues upper-midrange phones

Sony has announced cuts to its "Premium Standard" product line amid profoundly disappointing international sales of those model smartphones.
Douglas Black, 25 May 2017 13:13
This is what an extra $1,200 gets you. (Source: Amazon Japan)

Special edition VAIO Z Flip makes engine noises on boot-up, forms a dent in your wallet upon purchase

A Mercedes-Benz–branded VAIO Z Flip is now available for purchase, but is currently limited to Japan. The special edition notebook hopes to entice buyers with its generously-applied logos and a unique boot-up feature, but its high...
John Garcia, 24 May 2017 23:26
Apps can now be restricted based on SafetyNet Attestation. (Image: Google Play Console)

Rooted phones may not be able to download some apps from the Google Play Store

A new update to the Play Console allows developers to restrict access to their apps based on SafetyNet testing. They can hide apps from phones that fail SafetyNet (i.e., rooted devices).
Sam Medley, 19 May 2017 21:13
HTC's U Ultra is the latest in a long line of HTC devices to meet a tepid reception. (Source: HTC)

HTC pledges to streamline operations after 8th consecutive quarter of losses

Taiwanese ODM HTC has reported its 8th consecutive quarter of losses this Q1 2017. The latest financial report from the company revealed its lowest revenue in a year. The upcoming flagship HTC U 11 is a possible bright-spot for th...
Douglas Black, 15 May 2017 03:39
The completely non-serviceable SSD of the 2016 Apple MacBook Pro. (Source: iFixit)

Opinion: With the Surface Laptop, Microsoft joins Apple to push a disturbing trend

Editor Douglas Black argues that designing a non-budget computer with a soldered SSD is a great leap in the wrong direction.
Column by Douglas Black, 12 May 2017 09:25

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Redaktion, 2013-05- 8 (Update: 2013-09-27)