The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X isn't a new chip by any means, but it still offers a lot of power at a very good price. Now, the price has dropped to its lowest yet, coming in at $159. So, if you've been looking to build an AMD-based PC or are just trying to upgrade an older computer, now is a perfect time to pick up this chip.
The Apple Watch Ultra might be the best smartwatch Apple has to offer, but it’s not necessarily the best option for most buyers due to its sky-high price and massive size. Unless you’re an athlete or adventurer, you’ll be better served by the Apple Watch Series 8, which not only offers comprehensive health tracking tools but also carries a more palatable price tag. Another advantage of going with the Apple Watch Series 8 is the massive band and strap selection. While you can reuse an old band from an older Apple Watch, it's always nice to have different options to switch things up.
It was only recently that Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro 9, and sure enough, it's the best Windows tablet you can buy right now, on top of being one of the best Surface PCs on the market. Still, it's far from a perfect device. But as is typical in the tech world, we're always looking forward to the next thing. We've already got our sights on the Surface Pro 10, even if it's likely a whole year away.
The most exciting thing about a big Android update is being able to follow a pattern to get a taste of all the new features. Google's Android 12 update marked the biggest visual redesign of the operating system since Android 5 Lollipop thanks to Material You. The new design philosophy, along with an exhaustive list of new features, made Android 12 look and feel radically different from previous iterations. Android 13 then came along and doubled down on many of the same aesthetic choices. Now we're moving on to Android 14, and it's likely that there will be even more under-the-hood changes.
Our iPhone 14 vs Galaxy Z Flip 4 comparison pits Apple’s newest standard iPhone against Samsung’s latest clamshell. The iPhone 14 is the most iterative upgrade ever, bringing very few noteworthy changes over its predecessor. It features a powerful A15 Bionic processor, a beautiful OLED display, an impressive camera system, and basic satellite connectivity.
Snapchat has joined hands with Amazon Fashion to introduce a new set of AR Lenses that will make shopping for eyewear a whole lot easier. The new Lenses let you try eyeglasses and sunglasses from brands like Maui Jim, Persol, Oakley, and Costa Del Mar within the Snapchat app and purchase them from Amazon Fashion using a direct link.
The Google Pixel series has always been the darling of Android enthusiasts and smartphone camera geeks, but a combination of sub-par hardware and lack of global availability meant they were always niche devices, coming nowhere close to the commercial success or mainstream recognition of the iPhone.
Sony has been teasing the PlayStation VR2 since the beginning of the year, little by little sharing details and images of its next-generation virtual reality accessory. After what seemed like an eternity, today, we finally get a release date and a price for the device, and it definitely isn't going to be as cheap as the last generation's offering.
The iPhone 14 Pro is the star of the show in Apple's latest smartphone lineup. While the standard iPhone 14 is an incremental upgrade, the Pro model is packed with tons of exciting features and improvements, including the new pill-shaped notch that enables Dynamic Island, Always-On display, powerful A16 Bionic chip, and improved cameras. Starting at $999, the iPhone 14 Pro is certainly not a cheap phone. Sure, it has durable materials like its Ceramic Shield front, stainless steel frame, and Gorilla Glass, but an accidental drop on a hard surface can leave your phone's display cracked or its back scratched. That's why it's best to put a case on your shiny new iPhone 14 Pro as soon as you get it.
The HP EliteBook 865 G9 is one of the largest business laptops in HP's lineup, and one of its most premium. It comes with a big 16:10 display, a premium aluminum design, and the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 series processors, which deliver very good performance. HP has also brought its 5MP webcam to all of its premium laptops in 2022, including the EliteBook 865.
The Surface Laptop 5 is Microsoft's latest flagship laptop, packing 12th-generation Intel Core processors and Thunderbolt 4 support for the first time in the lineup. We reviewed the Surface Laptop 5 and found it to be a great premium laptop, but it's not without competition. A notable example is the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which is also one of the best laptops you can buy right now. It's a premium, thin laptop with great specs, just like the Surface Laptop 5. So, if you're looking for a new premium laptop, is the Surface Laptop 5 or the Dell XPS 13 Plus the better choice?
MSI makes some of the best gaming laptops around, so I was excited to check out the MSI Vector GP76. This 17-inch gaming laptop has powerful specs, including the highest-end mobile chip in Intel's 12th-generation lineup, the Intel Core i9-12900HK, Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive (SSD).
In a month, Google will announce the best apps and games on Google Play for 2022 as part of its annual Best of Awards. The awards highlight the top apps and games across various categories, including a Users' Choice category that takes votes from users like you into account. If you'd like to play a part in selecting the best Users' Choice app and game on the Play Store this year, you can now cast your vote on the Play Store.
October 26, 2012 marked a monumental date for Microsoft. When it came to Windows, everything changed in a way that we're still feeling the ramifications of today. That was the day that the company released its first PC, the Surface RT, and it was also the release date for Windows RT and Windows 8. A few months later, the Surface Pro arrived.
Over the last few weeks, several manufacturers have released the first stable Android 13 update for their flagship devices. Shortly after Google released the update for the Pixel lineup, OnePlus rolled out OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 for the OnePlus 10 Pro. Samsung followed suit with the first stable One UI 5 update for the Galaxy S22 series earlier this month. Now, Realme is joining the fray with the first stable Realme UI 3.0 update based on Android 13 for the Realme GT 2 Pro.
If you have a Steam Deck or are looking to pick one up, then you're probably familiar with how it's less of a handheld console and more of a small computer. It runs SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux, and Valve hasn't locked down users' access You have full privileges to do whatever you want on the software front, and there's nothing stopping you from even putting Windows on it if you want. However, maybe you want to listen to music while you game. Thankfully, it's easy to install Spotify on the Steam Deck.
The CPU, or central processing unit, is one of the most important components of a PC. Choosing the right processor is a complex decision to make, but buying the best CPU is crucial as it plays an intricate role in deciding how well your PC performs in different workloads, how well it runs games and more. Intel really came back to the table in recent years with the 11th and then 12th Gen CPUs. And it continues with the 13th Gen Raptor Lake chips.
The iPhone 14 and OnePlus 10T make for an interesting comparison. The OnePlus 10T is one of the best affordable flagships in the U.S., offering a big display, Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, crazy fast charging, and a rich software experience. In many ways, it's even better than its more expensive sibling OnePlus 10 Pro, packing a more powerful CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and faster charging speeds.
Get ready to dig into Android 13! Google has officially started the update rollout via stable channel. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, or Pixel 4a, you’ll be among the first users to see what Android 13 QPR1 has to offer.
Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 5 series brings a lot of improvements over the last year's models to improve the overall user experience. The Galaxy Watch 5 checks a lot of the right boxes to become what is arguably the best Wear OS smartwatch on the market right now. But as seen in our Galaxy Watch 5 unboxing, the new smartwatch doesn't come with a lot of goodies inside the retail box. In fact, Samsung doesn't even provide additional bands for it, which is why we decided to round up some of the best bands and some other accessories you can buy for your Galaxy Watch 5. So here are the best bands, cases, and screen protectors you can buy for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 in 2022.
The Pixel 6a is the best budget smartphone from Google yet, featuring the same bold design and the Tensor SoC as the more expensive Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in a compact package. But to achieve a cheaper price tag, Google had to cut some corners, and as a result, the phone doesn't use the same premium materials as its higher-end siblings. While the Pixel 6 sports Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back, the Pixel 6a uses Gorilla Glass 3 on the front and a plastic back. In addition, the Pixel 6a also has a fairly large camera island that sticks out from the back. If used without a case, your Pixel 6a can easily pick up scratches and, at worst, accidental damage. A case is your best bet to keep your shiny new Pixel 6a in the best shape and free from wear and tear. Luckily there are plenty of protective cases available for the device. To help you pick one, we have rounded up the best cases for the Pixel 6a below.
While Apple offered iterative improvements on this year's iPhone 14 lineup, we might see some major changes on the iPhone 15 series next year. Apple recently confirmed it will ditch the Lightning port on future iPhone models, and the iPhone 15 series could be the first to launch with USB-C ports. In addition, Apple could drop the physical power and volume buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to a recent report from renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are here, representing a modest upgrade over the last year's models. The new phones feature a slightly updated design, an improved chipset, and some other bells and whistles. Like with last year's phones, the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro aren't just bigger and smaller versions of each other. There are some noteworthy differences between the two, so we decided to put together a comprehensive Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro comparison to highlight everything you get by picking one over the other.
Windows 11 was released on Oct. 5, 2021, over six years after Windows 10 made its debut. Microsoft recently released the first major update for the OS — Windows 11 version 22H2 — but we've heard the next thing on the cards could very well be Windows 12. It sounds like Microsoft is doing away with major annual updates, and instead going for a big, new version of Windows every three years, similar to what happened before Windows 10.
Through a Press Release in October 2022, Apple unveiled the entry-level iPad 10 and M2-equipped iPad Pro in 11-inch and 12.9-inch variants. These welcome additions to the growing iPad line respectively pack lower-end and premium technologies that cater to different budgets and needs. Notably, the iPad 10 introduces a completely overhauled chassis with flat edges — which matches that seen on other recent iPad models.
With every new software update there's the potential to introduce new solutions while at the same time, creating new problems. That looks to be the case with the recent macOS Ventura update, as it is being reported that a new vulnerability has been created, leaving users unprotected and exposed. Thankfully, there's a workaround, but many might not be privy to the initial problem or its solution.
Remember that Montblanc Summit 3 smartwatch that was announced just a few months back? Maybe the $1,250 price tag will help jog your memory. Yes, that Wear OS 3 smartwatch made by a luxury brand featuring the Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset. Well, if that wasn't enough for you, the brand is debuting a new collaboration in the form of a special edition Naruto version of the watch that will retail for $1,570.
After releasing the Google Home app for Wear OS on the Play Store shortly after announcing the Pixel Watch earlier this month, Google is now prepping a Wear OS version of the Google News app. The app has already made an appearance on the Play Store, giving us an early look at its UI and features.
After testing One UI 5 based on Android 13 on the beta channel over the last few months, Samsung recently rolled out the first stable release to the Galaxy S22 series. The company is now gearing up to release stable updates to other smartphones and tablets in its portfolio and has shared a release timeline for the same.
Today, Spotify announced its quarterly numbers for Q3 2022, sharing that it had amassed 195 million paid subscribers to its service. The number is impressive, especially since the company beat its earnings guidance number by a million. If that wasn't enough, the company is moving forward with a goal to push across the 200 million subscriber mark by year's end. Unfortunately, great subscriber numbers don't always translate to happy stockholders, especially when its gross margins were below expectations, resulting in the stock taking a small tumble during after-hours trading.
If you've been using WhatsApp, you'll probably have noticed something strange. That's right, WhatsApp has stopped working, leaving messages in limbo. At this point, it's tough to say exactly what the issue is, but many users are reporting on Twitter and other social media channels that private messages aren't going through, stuck with one check. This same issue is also occurring for group chats as well, with users reporting that the chats just aren't pushing through. If you're currently using the app, you can see it is struggling to connect to the server, with its connecting wheel spinning without end.
If you've been using WhatsApp, you'll probably have noticed something strange. That's right, WhatsApp has stopped working, leaving messages in limbo. At this point, it's tough to say exactly what the issue is, but many users are reporting on Twitter and other social media channels that private messages aren't going through, stuck in limbo with one check. This same issue is also occurring for group chats as well, with users reporting that the chats just aren't pushing through. If you're currently using the app, you can see it is struggling to connect to the server, with its connecting wheel spinning without end.
While it might seem like ages ago, Samsung originally released the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G in 2020. When it was released, it was loaded with One UI 2.1 running Android 10. For the most part, Samsung remains fairly committed to its older devices, and thankfully, the original Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G will gain support for Android 13 through One UI 5. Although it has yet to arrive to devices around the world, the company has opened its One UI 5 beta program for Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G owners in South Korea.
Today, Apple was finally able to make good on its promise, delivering some of the missing features it withheld during the initial release of iOS 16. While iOS 16.1 brings iCloud Shared Photo Library, third-party support for Live Activities, Apple Fitness Plus, and many other features, there are also smaller details that can often be overlooked, like the addition of Clean Energy Charging. We did have some details about this feature, but now, we know how it will work, thanks to a support page detailing the ins and outs.
This week, Samsung is having a sale to celebrate its 53rd anniversary, and a large number of its products on its website, including popular smartphones, monitors, and TVs, have received huge discounts. The sale will go on until November 1, so if you've been eyeing something from Samsung, be sure to check through all the product categories because there is something for everyone. In addition to all the products that are on sale, Samsung will be highlighting certain devices each day as part of its "Deals of The Day" event. While we can't list everything, these are just some highlights from the vast array of items that are currently being discounted.
Jetpack Compose is a declarative UI engine written in Kotlin that aims to replace or be a viable alternative for classic imperative UI engines, like Android’s XML layouts. In essence, Jetpack Compose is a powerful code-only layout engine that can make UI implementation a lot easier. It was first released in alpha in August last year, followed by a beta release in February this year with a lot more additions. Now, at Google's Android Developer Summit, the company has announced that Compose is coming to Android TV. Even better is that Material 3 is now in Stable, meaning that you can use it to build your apps with confidence.
The long-awaited launch of the Intel 13th Gen CPUs is now behind us, but the initial product family was far from everything we're going to see. Initially launching only unlocked, higher-end 13th Gen CPUs like the Core i9-13900K, we've always expected that the family would be padded out by other variants and some entry-level products.
Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company announced that it would be introducing a cheaper, ad-supported tier of its Disney Plus service in the U.S. The upcoming budget-friendly plan would cost $7.99 per month, while the ad-free one goes for $10.99. So for $3 less, users get to enjoy the service, while dealing with occasional advertisements. According to the company, this plan will launch in the U.S. on December 8. Apart from that, it doesn't share much about the potential restrictions and the type of content users will be able to access. New evidence now suggests that Disney Plus might drop support for GroupWatch and SharePlay on the budget-friendly plan.
Today, OnePlus announced its latest handset, the Nord N300 5G. T-Mobile will be the exclusive wireless carrier in the United States to offer this device, and it's giving new and existing subscribers an amazing deal by offering it for free starting on November 3. This promotion will be available to former Sprint customers, and it will also extend out to T-Mobile's pre-paid wireless network, Metro.
About a week ago, OnePlus teased its upcoming handset, the Nord N300, revealing some of its specifications like its 90Hz display and 33W SuperVOOC fast charging. Now, the firm has revealed the handset in full, giving us our first look and all the important details.
Wear OS is the go-to operating system for smartwatches in the Android ecosystem unless you're looking at the likes of a Xiaomi or Fitbit fitness band. However, there's no easy way to switch from one Wear OS device to another, and you'll need to reset and start again whenever you move over. There's no easy backup system, unlike when you want to switch from one Android smartphone to another. That's set to change, as an APK teardown conducted has shown us what data is likely to be transferrable in the near future.
After months of beta testing, the Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra are getting a stable channel build of One UI 5 in Europe and in Asia. The update is based on Android 13 and is rolling out for both Exynos and Snapdragon users. Whether you were on the beta channel of One UI 5 or the stable channel of One UI 4.1 doesn't matter either, as users of both channels will be able to update.
Windows 11 first showed its face on June 24, 2021, and became officially available on October 5 of that same year. Today, most laptops sold come with Windows 11 installed out of the box, but the Windows development cycle never stops, and there's always something to look forward to. That's where the Windows Insider Program comes into play, as it lets fans try out new Windows 11 features in preview before anybody else.
With the breadth of modern laptops you can find on the market today, there's something for just every type of use case. Business laptops are naturally popular because, at the end of the day, laptops are productivity machines. There are a lot of options when it comes to business laptops, and to help you find the right one, we've rounded up the best options you can find today.
Gaming laptops come in all shapes and sizes these days. Not only are they powerful, but they can also be stylish to suit the needs of serious gamers. However, if you’re like me and mainly use a laptop for daily productivity, you might not want a gaming system that’s too visually striking, but you do want the raw power to play games like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
Without a doubt, Dell's XPS laptops are some of the best laptops around. Indeed, year in and year out, I'm excited when one arrives at my door, and every time, I get to say that it's one of the best laptops on the market. The Dell XPS 13 9315 (the 2022 model) is no different, although things are a bit different this year.
If one update this week wasn't enough, Valve has pushed another update, just as the week comes to a close. The new update hit Steam Deck beta and preview channels, offering lots of bug fixes, UI adjustments, and some new optimizations.
It's been a couple of years since it was first released, but Apple still keeps the MacBook Air with M1 chip in its lineup because it offers a ton of power, and at a fair price. While it normally retails for a starting price of $999, the laptop has recently been discounted, knocking $200 off of its retail price.
Instagram has evolved from a photo sharing service to something much more. While it has added a lot of features over the years, the social aspect of the app has become much more involved, offering users numerous ways to communicate with an audience. Thankfully, the app has also implemented lots of safeguards for its users, and with its latest update, it attempts to fortify some old features and also introduce new ones.
It's only been a few months since the release of Snapchat Plus, but what might come as a surprise is that the paid subscription service currently has over a million users. While the app usually provides general updates, it has been more aggressive lately, focused on providing value for its paid subscribers by debuting new features on a monthly basis.
If you've ever dabbled in video editing, chances are, you've come across DaVinci Resolve. The program offers a robust set of tools and features and can tackle even the most complex projects. Best of all, it has been available for free for PC and Mac for quite some time. Now, Blackmagic Design, the company behind DaVinci Resolve, is looking to bring its software to iPads, announcing that an app will be made available through the Apple App Store sometime later this year.
Today, Google announced its new Lock Screen widgets for iOS 16, which are now officially available. The widgets were announced last month and give quick access to some of its most popular apps. The widgets can also provide you with information at a glance. If you’ve never tried to customize your lock screen before, check out our in-depth guide on how to do it so that you can try some of the new widgets from Google.
One of the most significant benefits of having a Lock Screen is that you can set up different layouts for different times of the day. You can have one for work and one for personal use; it’s easy to switch between the two. As for the newly released Google Lock Screen widgets, several apps take advantage, like Search, Chrome, Drive, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google News.
Having access to Search straight from the Lock Screen allows you to search for something instantly using voice or typing it in. If you need to take things further, you can utilize the power of Google Lens and even do quick translations on the fly. With the Chrome Lock Screen widget, you can also initialize a search or use Incognito mode. Furthermore, if you want to play a quick game, pop into Chrome’s exclusive Dino Run game.
Sometimes it’s essential to have easy access to your files. With the Drive widget, you can access suggested files and folders and even continue working on a project from your computer. As for Maps, this widget is robust, offering real-time traffic updates, and can provide estimated travel times from home and work. As expected, the widget can also help navigate shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. With Gmail, the widget will show messages in your inbox and how many emails have arrived for each inbox category.
In addition, it has also implemented some entertainment widgets with YouTube and YouTube Music. You can tap to watch Shorts and new videos or search for a video right from the widget. You can also gain easy access to your favorite music, song, or artist with just one tap. Finally, Google News will offer real-time headlines, allowing users quick access to daily news worldwide. If this sounds interesting, it might be worth trying it out, so be sure to take a look.
Source: Google Blog
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Google’s newest Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro come packed with many notable upgrades, including a faster chipset, better cameras, and more software smarts. While the new Pixel 7 series feels like an iterative upgrade from the Pixel 6 series, it is the most refined Pixel lineup yet. Beyond excellent cameras and smart software features, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro also offer a great navigation experience.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro support all major global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS. What’s more, both phones boast dual-band GNSS. That means they can lock on to two GNSS frequencies at the same time: L1 + L2 (GPS), G1 (Galileo), B1i + B1c + B2a (BeiDou), and L1 + L5 (QZSS). This enables the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to compute their positioning with increased accuracy even in dense areas, delivering a faster and more reliable navigation experience.
With support for all major satellite navigation systems and dual-band GNSS, the Pixel 7 series provides smooth navigation in apps like Google Maps and Uber.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are powered by Google’s new Tensor G2 chipset and deliver excellent camera performance. The Pixel 7 Pro is the most premium offering, packing a 6.7-inch curved OLED QHD+ display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. It also gets a more advanced camera system, featuring a 50MP main shooter, a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter. The standard Pixel 7, on the other hand, flaunts a 6.3-inch OLED FHD+ panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and has a dual camera setup consisting of a 50MP main shooter and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter.
If you’re thinking of getting the latest Google flagship, check out the best Pixel 7 deals to see how much you can save on your purchase. And don’t forget to grab a protective case from our best Pixel 7 case collection.
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Today, SpaceX announced that it is expanding its satellite internet service to cover airplanes. The new service, Starlink Aviation, will launch next year and will offer speeds up to 350Mbps, which is quite a bit faster than what we currently see on commercial flights.
Starlink Aviation states on its website that it will be able to provide high-speed, low-latency, in-flight internet, something that is not all that common. With speeds up to 350Mbps, those traveling would be able to do a lot more than just check email and could easily use the service to watch streaming video, make video calls, and maybe even do some online gaming. At least that last one is what Starlink thinks could be accomplished with its service.
Since this is a satellite-based internet service, it states that it would be able to provide coverage anywhere around the world. Starlink’s low-profile Aero Terminal would be able to maximize its network with its “electronically steered phased array antenna,” which provides “new levels of reliability, redundancy, and performance.” Of course, this specialized antenna needs to be installed on the plane but the company states that it doesn’t require too much time. The kit will include the aforementioned terminal, a power supply, two wireless access points, and a harness.
While all of this sounds great, the kicker is that the service will cost anywhere from $12,500 to $25,000 per month. In addition to the monthly service fee, there will also be a one-time charge for hardware that will cost $150,000. I guess the silver lining here is that there are no long-term contracts involved, and all the plans offered include unlimited data. Furthermore, the company will guarantee the equipment for as long as you are subscribed to its service. Starlink is currently taking reservations, stating that it will launch in 2023.
Satellite service has been getting quite popular lately, with Amazon getting closer to launching its own satellites. T-Mobile has also partnered with SpaceX to launch its own service in 2023. Apple has also utilized the service in its latest iPhone 14 devices, making it possible to communicate with emergency services if in a remote area.
Source: SpaceX Starlink
Via: The Verge
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Best Buy is currently offering some great deals on Samsung’s latest Android tablets, with up to $160 off on the flagship Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. You can also save up to $70 on the affordable Galaxy Tab A8, which is one of the best affordable Android tablets available on the market right now.
The flagship Galaxy Tab S8 is available at a discounted price of $580 (originally $700) for the base 128GB Wi-Fi-only model, while the 256GB storage variant can be yours for $620 (originally $780). Both models come with an S-Pen in the box and are available in three cool colorways — Graphite, Pink Gold, and Silver. Follow the link below to order yours right away.
The slightly more premium Galaxy Tab S8 Plus with a larger 12.4-inch display is down to $800 (originally $900) for the base 128GB Wi-Fi-only model, while the 256GB variant is currently available for $850 (originally $980). Like the Galaxy Tab S8, the Plus variant also comes with an S Pen in the box and it’s available in three color options — Graphite, Silver, and Pink Gold.
The 128GB variant of the top-of-the-line Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra can be yours for $1000 ($100 off its original price), while you can get the 256GB variant for just $80 extra. The tablet is also available in a 512GB storage variant, which is currently available for $1,250 (originally $1,400). Follow the link below to order yours from Best Buy.
Lastly, the affordable Galaxy Tab A8 with its 10.5-inch display, Unisoc T618 SoC, 3GB RAM, and 32GB storage is going for $180 on Best Buy right now ($50 off). It’s also available in 64GB and 128GB storage configurations with 4GB RAM for $220 and $260, respectively.
What do you think of the Best Buy deals on Samsung’s latest Android tablet lineup? Will you purchase the tablets at these prices or will you wait until next month for Black Friday deals? Let us know in the comments section below.
The post Samsung’s latest Android tablets are available at attractive discounts on Best Buy appeared first on XDA.
Looking for a new Windows laptop? Both the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2 are great options in 2022. These are laptops made directly by Microsoft, with great displays and keyboards. However, they are devices made for two different groups of people: One Microsoft laptop is more affordable, and the other is a premium device. But which falls more in line with your needs? That’s why we’ve put together this buying guide pitting the Surface Laptop 5 vs Surface Laptop Go 2.
We’ll compare the various specifications of both devices, like the CPUs, displays, webcams, and more. Now let’s dive deeper!
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When you want to look into the performance of the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2, you need to check out the CPU and RAM. In all these areas, the Surface Laptop 5 is better than the Surface Laptop Go 2, but considering the Surface Laptop Go 2 is nearly half the price, performance would never be comparable to a flagship laptop.
The Surface Laptop 5 sports Intel’s latest 12th-generation CPUs inside, with options for the 15-watt U-series Core i5 or the Core i7 CPU, as we listed above. These CPUs have 10 cores and 12 threads. Those are great numbers, but the thing that makes these CPUs great for performance is the hybrid architecture, which features both performance and efficiency cores. We want to be clear that the Surface Laptop 5 is not a gaming laptop, but this can help your device run better when you’re doing heavier productivity tasks like editing in Photoshop or playing light games like Fortnite.
Besides that, you can configure Surface Laptop 5 models with up to 16GB of RAM on the 13.5-inch model and 32GB on the 15-inch model. These days, more RAM is better, and we suggest 8GB as the minimum, so a 16GB option is nice.
Looking now at the Surface Laptop Go 2, it has Intel’s last-generation CPU inside. It has a single CPU option, the 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7. This is a very good chip for the basics like web browsing and multimedia streaming, but it won’t do you much good if you want to do gaming or photo editing. It does have a higher wattage at 28 watts, but this is just a quad-core CPU, so the Surface Laptop Go 2 will slow down heavily with more intensive tasks. Combine that with the slower 8GB LPDDR4 RAM, we wouldn’t suggest you go beyond the basics with this device. It’s an entry-level laptop. For things that need more CPU power, the Surface Laptop 5 is much better.
Similar to their internals, the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2 have very different displays. Sure, they both have displays with 3:2 aspect ratios to help boost productivity, but the similarities end there.
With the Surface Laptop Go 2, Microsoft focused on portability and affordability. That wasn’t the case with the Surface Laptop 5. It’s hard to beat the 13.5-inch and 15-inch displays on the latter device. These are high-resolution displays. You can get 2256 x 1504 resolution, or 201 PPI, on the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5, and 2496 x 1664 resolution, or 201 PPI, on the 15-inch model. This gives you a lot of pixels to play with and room to stack windows side by side. Other than that, the Surface Laptop 5 also supports the Surface Pen.
On the other side of the price point, the Surface Laptop Go 2 will get you a much different screen. Its lower resolution only maxes out at 1536 x 1024 with just 148 PPI. There’s also no Surface Pen support, either. For basic web browsing and productivity, this display is decent. But it’s still below the 1920 x 1080 resolution we look for on most laptops. Again, it’s a sacrifice for the price.
The designs of the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2 might seem the same from up close, but there are a few differences. Of course, the size is one, but there are also colors and materials being used.
As a $1,000 device, the Surface Laptop 5 wins for its premium design. Along with the Alcantara fabric keyboard option, it has options for an all-aluminum casing on 13.5-inch and 15.-inch models. That metal does come with some extra weight though — the 13.5-inch model weighs 2.8 pounds.
In terms of portability, the Laptop Go 2 is smaller than Laptop 5. It’s made from a mix of aluminum and polycarbonate composite resin and is lighter at about 2.48 pounds. You can definitely feel the difference. In terms of size, it has a 10.95 x 8.10 x 0.62-inch footprint. The Laptop 5 has a bigger 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57-inch footprint. Of course, both are still portable, but as you can see, the Laptop Go 2 is smaller and will be easier to transport.
The other design element to note is the inclusion of backlit keyboards. The Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn’t have one, but the Surface Laptop 5 does. Other than that, there are the colors. The Surface Laptop 5 comes in Platinum in the Alcantara fabric and metal finish, then Sage, Black, and Sandstone in metal-only finishes. On the Surface Laptop Go 2, the colors include Platinum, Sage, Ice Blue, and Sandstone. No matter which Surface Laptop model you choose, there will be various colors you can pick out.
With both the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2 being made by Microsoft, the webcam, ports, and connectivity are very similar. There’s almost no difference, except the Surface Laptop 5 has Thunderbolt 4 on its USB-C ports.
Across both Surface Laptops, you’re getting 720p webcams, though the Surface Laptop 5 has a Windows Hello webcam. The Surface Laptop Go 2 has a Windows Hello fingerprint reader. Other than that, both devices have a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Surface Connect port for charging. The lone difference is that support for Thunderbolt 4 on the Surface Laptop 5, which will help you connect to external GPUs. The Surface Laptop Go 2 doesn’t support this.
Both the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 2 are great devices. They line up with some of the best laptops we’ve reviewed. However, they’re for different buyers, so which one you choose is up to you. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a slower CPU, a screen that isn’t pixel dense, or a keyboard that isn’t backlit, then the Surface Laptop Go 2 is for you. On the other end of the spectrum, the Surface Laptop 5 is nearly double the price, but it has a better display, a backlit keyboard, better overall performance, and support for the Surface Pen. We’ll let you decide which one fits your needs, but for sure, if you can afford it, the Laptop 5 is the better option!
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Fast chargers are very useful in certain situations. If you’re ready to leave the house but your smartphone or laptop battery is low, a compatible fast charger will be able to add a decent amount of charge in a short period of time. While some device makers bundle a compatible fast charger in the box, others either don’t pack any kind of fast charger or bundle a lower-powered charging brick. Also, it’s becoming a trend not to bundle any kind of charger in the box for smartphones. You can safely blame Apple for that.
So whatever the reason, if you’re in the market for a fast charger that supports USB Power Delivery (USB PD), we can help. In this article, we’ve selected some of the best USB PD Fast Chargers on the market. You can pick one that matches the supported wattage in your budget.
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USB PD (Power Delivery) is a specification used by manufacturers to deliver increased power over USB to their devices. It works with USB Battery Charging implementations to provide a robust fast charging solution. USB PD was originally introduced back in 2012 and has since been revised multiple times. The latest revision — USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 3.1 — was announced in May 2021, and it supports delivering up to 240W of power over USB Type-C. The USB PD 3.1 chargers are already here and we’ve added a few of them to this collection below.
In terms of cross-compatibility, Qualcomm’s QuickCharge 4.0, 4+, and 5 are compatible with the USB PD specification. Similarly, Huawei and Samsung’s fast charging standards also work with USB PD. So if you have a device with QuickCharge 4 or Huawei SuperCharge support, it can be charged faster with USB PD chargers as well. Notably, some of Samsung’s devices use Programmable Power Supply (PPS), so unless your USB PD charger also supports PPS, you won’t get the top charging speed. Your device will still charge faster than normal though.
If you want to know more about various fast-charging standards and fast charging in general, make sure to read our detailed explainer on fast charging.
Choosing the right charger for your smartphone or laptop can be a struggle due to the presence of various charging protocols, power requirements, and more. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most important things you need to consider while picking the right charger for your device:
With all these factors in mind, a typical purchase decision will count the number of devices you need to simultaneously charge and how quick you need the charger to be. For example, if you have a Macbook Air and an iPhone charging for most parts of the day, you can get away with a 65W USB Power Delivery charger with two ports. But if you have a more power-hungry laptop and more devices to charge simultaneously, you may need to look at 100W multi-port chargers. If you just have an iPhone to charge, you can get by with a single-port 18W or 30W charger, depending on how recent your phone is.
If you only have one device to charge, then you should consider buying a charger with a single USB-C port. These chargers tend to be the most portable and affordable ones on the market.
The USB PD chargers mentioned in this section have two USB ports, so they’re perfect for those who want to charge more than one device simultaneously.
We recommend picking up a multi-port USB-PD charger if you want to charge more than two devices simultaneously. We’ve included
These are the best USB PD fast chargers you can buy on the market right now. As you can see, there are a number of options with different wattages and port selections. You can choose one depending on your requirements. We’ll continue to update this post with newer and better options in the future, so be sure to explore those options too.
If you just need a simple charger for your phone, the Anker 511 charger is a good option to consider. Those wanting to charge more than one device can buy the Baseus 30W dual port or the Spigen Arcstation Pro charger. More advanced users with multi-devices, on the other hand, can go with the Baseus fast charging station.
So which USB PD charger are you planning to get? Let us know in the comments section. Also, check out our recommendations on the Best USB Cables to go along with your new charger.
The post These are the best USB PD fast chargers for phones and laptops in 2022 appeared first on XDA.
Although Google’s latest flagships, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, already have the latest Android security patches, the devices are running a Google Play System update from July. The Security hub on the Pixel 7 series even prompts users to update to the latest Google Play System update as the “device hasn’t had a system update in 90 days,” but checking for updates did not bring up any available updates until yesterday. Google now seems to be rolling out a fresh Google Play System update for the devices, but you can’t download it.
9to5Google reports that the new Google Play System update started showing up for Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro users recently, and we can confirm that it’s available on all our units. The update measures just 7.6kB, and its description states: “Latest security update from Google. Update now to keep safe and improve device stability.” However, it fails to download, and tapping the Download & Install button brings up the following error: “Updates are temporarily unavailable. Try again later.”
Basic workarounds like rebooting the device, clearing the cache, and switching to a different network connection don’t seem to be of any help, and the download fails every time. We’re not sure what the underlying issue is at the moment, but we expect Google to shed some light on it soon.
It’s worth noting that Google started rolling out the Google Play System update for October 2022 earlier this month with Play Store changes, bug fixes, and updates to system management services. However, this update is currently not available for the Pixel 7 series. According to a recent comment from a Product Expert on Google’s support forums, the July 1, 2022 update is the latest Play System update available for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
Have you received a new Google Play System update on your Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro? Were you able to download and install it? Let us know in the comments section below.
Via: 9to5Google
The post Pixel 7 series receives new Google Play System update, but you can’t download it appeared first on XDA.
