Microsoft has unveiled their second-generation augmented reality goggles at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. HoloLens 2 was made official yesterday in Barcelona.
As you might imagine, there are some significant improvements over the first-generation device. Microsoft says both the fidelity as well as the usability aspects have been honed.
Resolution has been bumped up, and HoloLens 2 can now view up to 2K content, but perhaps even more importantly the field of view was doubled.
Previously one of the main complaints with HoloLens has been that you sometimes have to seek for the field of view for AR content, because it is so limited.
Now you'll be able to get more information on your screen but also with better resolution, while also not having to turn your head as much.
Microsoft says that the resolution now allows viewing of font sized down to eight.
They also said that they've made the new version much more comfortable to wear, although it's not entirely clear how. From the looks of it the cushions have been improved but also, as the video hands-on by The Verge explains, it is lighter and smaller the the predecessor.
There are also new gesture controls that help with the navigation on the virtual UI.
HMD Global showed off a new Nokia smartphone that can snap photos with up to 240-megapixel resolution using five separate lenses.
A new contender in the current smartphone camera battle has come forth. The Nokia 9 Pureview was shown off at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona over the weekend. The key selling feature of this smartphone is what it can do with its five cameras on the rear of the device.
Three are monochromatic (they only record light in shades of grey) and two are conventional color lenses. All five can capture 12-megapixel images, but they work together to produce single multilayer images up to 240 megapixels in detail. An infrared sensor compliments the five cameras and allows the device to perceive and accurately capture depth like never before on a phone.
Depending on the light settings, the cameras capture detail up to four times in quick succession, and then the device's software picks one of the color shots as the primary image. The other stills are then used to add even more detail to the image, producing stunningly detailed shots that can even retain details otherwise lost (such as objects in shadows etc.)
The dynamic range this permits (12.4 stops) is higher than any other smartphone on the market, touts HMD Global, which licenses the Nokia brand. Using depth mode, Nokia 9 PureView can identify over 1,200 layers to build a detailed depth map, allowing you to re-focus your shots later in Google Photos.
The latest version of WinRAR addressed a serious security flaw that left users' PCs vulnerable to attack for almost two decades.
WinRAR is one of the best tools available for creating, opening and modifying file / compression archives, such as RAR files, ZIP files, 7zip, ISO and so many more. It has been very popular for pretty much all of its existence, but it had a nasty flaw present for a long time that went unnoticed.
Check Point Research revealed that there was a problem with how WinRAR handles ACE archives, and crucially, even ACE archives that had a different file extension (e.g. .rar). In a nutshell, a crafted ACE archive when extracted with WinRAR could place an executable file in the startup folder in Windows, meaning that the OS would run that executable file on the next boot.
This is a serious problem for obvious reasons. Technically, WinRAR had been using a third-party tool to extract ACE archives, and that's where the vulnerability lay and goes some ways to explaining why it was not noticed by WinRAR developers until pointed out.
To address the issue, WinRAR v5.70 beta 1 does not support opening or handling ACE archives at all. It is worth emphasizing that there is no evidence this flaw was used in any known attacks.
Samsung held its yearly Unpacked event this time around in San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. A new city and a new venue for Unpacked brought out some new approaches to press events of this sort.
Samsung started with a bang by unveiling Galaxy Fold, or Galaxy F as we knew it previously. However, it was never to be seen after the keynote when we got to try out the new Galaxy devices. Neither were Galaxy Fit, an affordable (one can presume even without price details) fitness tracker, or perhaps the most anticipated Galaxy device, the 5G version of Galaxy S10.
What we did get to handle weren't all that bad either. So let's go through our first feelings after the initial hands-on.
At Samsung's press event in San Francisco today, the South Korean firm has unveiled three new wearables alongside its Galaxy S10 handsets and Galaxy Fold.
Samsung's wearables line-up has expanded with the newly designed and health-conscious Galaxy Watch Active, the new Galaxy Fit, and the new cord-free Galaxy Buds.
First up is the Galaxy Watch Active.
The new Galaxy Watch Active sports a new thin, light and versatile design and it focuses on your health and wellbeing. Exercise, sleep, stress and health tracking features are the selling point of Samsung's largest Galaxy-branded smartwatch. The device can monitor your blood pressure through a My Bp app that has been designed with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Galaxy Watch Active keeps up with you by auto-detecting when you run, bike, row, use the elliptical trainer, or start a dynamic workout. You can work with 39 activities, set daily goals and keep track of your progress all the way through.
Samsung has marked the tenth anniversary of the original Samsung Galaxy S smartphone with the release of a powerful and speedy Galaxy S10 5G.
It was announced along with three other models: Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy S10+ (plus) and Samsung Galaxy S10e. You can read about those models here.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G beefs up things again over the S10+. As the name suggests, it supports 5G connectivity for lightning transfer speeds compared to current 4G technology. It also has a larger screen again, trading in the 6.4-inch screen on the S10+ for a 6.7-inch AMOLED, 3040x1440 (19:9) Infinity-O AMOLED display.
It packs 8GB of RAM. For internal storage, this model can be purchased with up to 256GB internal storage. It packs the same 4,500 mAh battery (with support for Super Fast Charging at 25W as the S10+ and weighs the same 175g.
There are three camera lenses on the back; a standard camera (12 MP, OIS, f/1.5 or f/2.4), ultra-wide 123-degree angle camera (16 MP, f/2.2), and a telephoto camera (12 MP, OIS, f/2.4). On the front is a 10 MP, f/1.9, Dual Pixel AF.
Samsung has shown off its shiny new Galaxy S10 handsets on the tenth anniversary of the original Galaxy S smartphone.
There are three options to choose from: Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy S10+ (plus) and Samsung Galaxy S10e. To start with what is common to all of them, we would first note that they are all driven by a Snapdragon 855 processor (in the United States), or Exynos 9820 (outside the U.S.). They all support WiFi 6, Near Field Communication and Bluetooth LE.
The new models also support reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare7), which allows owners to charge other devices using their Samsung Galaxy S10. An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner lurks beneath the curved edge screens of the Samsung Galaxy S10 and S10+ but is moved to the side for the S10e.
While the Samsung Galaxy S10e has two cameras, the S10 and S10+ features a standard camera (12 MP, OIS, f/1.5 or f/2.4), ultra-wide 123-degree angle camera (16 MP, f/2.2), and a telephoto camera (12 MP, OIS, f/2.4) on the back. With the S10, you can easily switch between the lens based on what you need at the time. The S10 is the first smartphone that can record video in HDR10+.
The S10 camera has a new Instagram mode that allows you to quickly send photos to your Stories and share immediately.
Samsung has unveiled its new Samsung Galaxy Fold, a powerful smartphone that unfolds into a tablet.
Rumors and leaks had confirmed that Samsung show off its foldable smartphone at the Galaxy UNPACKED 2019 conference in San Francisco, and the South Korean firm didn't disappoint. The Galaxy Fold resembles a normal smartphone in your hand but unfolds into a powerful tablet. It unfolds smoothly and naturally, like a book.
Folded, you can work on a 4.6-inch HD+ Super AMOLED (21:9) display, but unfolded it sports a large 7.3-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED (4.2:3) display. It supports three-app multitasking and app continuity ensures that your experience on the smaller screen switches seamlessly to the larger display
The device features an impressive six cameras; three on the back (16 MP Ultra Wide Camera F2.2, 12 MP Wide-angle Camera, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.5/F2.4, and 12MP Telephoto Camera, PDAF, OIS, F2.4), two front dual cameras (10 MP Selfie Camera, F2.2 and 8MP RGB Depth Camera, F1.9), and cover camera (10 MP Selfie Camera, F2.2).
Under the hood is a powerful 7nm Snapdragon 855 processor (in the United States), or Exynos 9820 (outside the U.S.) and 12GB of RAM. Internal storage runs to 512GB. Two batteries combine to provide one 4,380 mAh equivalent source.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is known for his iPhone analysis, which we told you about yesterday. However, the man has some insight on other devices as well, some of which we haven't seen in years.
According to the KGI Securities analyst, Apple is finally going to release and update to highly-anticipated Mac Pro, The Verge reports. The modular trash can Mac Pro (pictured), originally from 12 years ago and revamped in 2013, is going get new hardware and updated design.
To compliment the PC-like hardware of Mac Pro, Apple is supposedly introducing a new monitor as well. It's not certain if Apple will revive the Cinema Display brand, but it's said to be 31.6 inch display with 6K resolution.
Ming-Chi also expects new MacBook Pro models, which were last updated over two years ago. Perhaps a little surprisingly Apple is going to bring back larger MacBook Pros with 16 or 16.5 inch display.
It's been a while since Apple has supported such a large notebook. You might remember the 17-inch MacBook Pro that was sold between 2006 and 2012.
You still remember the format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD? Well, you probably remember, or realize, that Sony-backed Blu-ray won that battle.
Thus, ever after early 2008, Blu-ray was the de facto disc format for high-definition video. However, discs never really managed to fight off the beast that is Netflix.
For years we've seen the decline of physical media, and Blu-ray was certainly not an exception. Even though movie studios started supporting 4K Blu-rays in late 2015 and tech companies introduced Ultra HD players in the first half of 2016, it seemed inevitable that Blu-ray would die off soon.
One of the killing blows to Blu-ray was when Sony, the company behind the brand, decided to not support Ultra HD Blu-ray in their newest PS4 Pro gaming console.
Now the demise seems to be closer than ever with Samsung stopping the production of 4K Blu-ray players. In fact, Samsung isn't going to bring any new Blu-ray players to the U.S. market, CNET reports.
There's one man above others when it comes to analysis about future iPhones. Every year it seems to be KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from Taiwan to whom we turn to about upcoming iPhone models.
This year is no different, as he has given his take on what the 2019 iPhone will feature. On the basis of previous guesses, we should take these fairly seriously.
Since last years iPad Pro was revealed to be the first USB-C iOS device, one of the main feature changes for this year's iPhone has been rumored to be the charging connector.
According to our main man Ming-Chi Kuo, though, it is not going to happen. Apple will hold on to at least 2020 before introducing an iPhone with USB-C charging.
There also won't be changes to models in terms of display sizes or technologies, and Apple is looking to stick with three different models. This means there's going to be a cheaper LCD option and two sizes in more expensive OLED screened iPhones.
One thing Apple intends to upgrade is the Face ID camera. In addition to better facial recognition there's also going to be new bigger batteries, frosted glass backs, indoor navigation with a new radio sensor as well as bilateral charging, which allows you to charge other devices (like the AirPods) with the iPhone.
The world is filled with Android devices. While Apple might be king of high-end smartphones, Google's operating system has conquered the world in numbers.
This also means that it is cheaper to replace Android phone with a new one, especially if you don't use the most expensive Google or Samsung phones.
In the cheaper phones, however, also the limited amount of storage capacity often becomes a reason for upgrade. That's why it's important to know how to easily transfer your data from an Android phone to a new one.
Cryptocurrencies were the hottest trend in 2017 as Bitcoin was climbing at an unforeseen pace. While last year was horrible for Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies, the blockchain technology is still seen by many as the future of currency, and perhaps even the internet as a whole.
Even traditional financial sector is recognizing the possibilities blockchain and its distributed ledger. One of the largest banks in the U.S., JP Morgan Chase, has now revealed that it has a cryptocurrency of its own.
This is the first time a major U.S. bank has introduced a digital blockchain currency.
JP Morgan's coin, incidentally called the JPM Coin, isn't going to be shared publicly like the Bitcoin, however. While their crypto is still in the early stages of testing, we already know that it's only meant for transactions between clients of its wholesale payments business, CNBC reports.
The actual testing will commence in a few months and a small portion of the wholesale payments will be done with the new blockchain currency. The currency is used as a digital token to pay customers. The token can be created instantly, which is its core strength against traditional currency.
Microsoft tends to release a couple important updates a year to Windows 10. However, software giant has already started testing a significant update due next year.
The next major update is the codename 1H19 which, as you might guess, should land sometime the first half of the year, possibly in April. There's probably going to be another update later in the year, but Microsoft is already looking at 2020 in the Windows Insider program.
The beta testers within the Windows Insider program can join a Skip Ahead group, which updates their operating systems straight to 2020. Apparently the 1H20 update is going to require more comprehensive testing than the usual biannual updates.
There's no word on why this is the case, and what the big new features are. Rumors have it that Microsoft is changing the system from the very foundation, which would explain the heavy handed testing.
Testing for the second update of 2019, or 2H19, hasn't yet started, so we don't even know how that is going to change the game. 1H19 update, however, should include things like separating Cortana and search, and a new lighter colored theme.
Over the past few months, Sony's newest set of wireless active noise canceling headphones have gotten a lot of press and good reviews. The WH-1000X series has reached its third version, Mark 3. This WH-1000XM3 has been crowned the new ANC king by reviewers and influencers alike.
Sony promises a fairly diverse set of features with the WH-1000XM3, which should prove them one of the more versatile headphones around. There should be top notch noise cancellation, support for passive use, quality design, a multifunctional smartphone app, and amazing sound.
So, of course, we had to try out these things ourselves, and see if the hype is really real.