Deal: 9 Cisco certification toolkits to launch your career
If the January gloom of your job is getting you down, how about starting a lucrative new career as a Cisco engineer instead? Today’s deal could be your ticket.
Networks are integral to every organization on the planet, meaning network engineers are in high demand. Cisco is by far the biggest name in networking, so Cisco certifications are highly sought-after when businesses are looking to recruit.
‘Cisco remains the biggest single player in enterprise networking, and it’s not particularly close.’ — NetworkWorld
If you’re thinking of earning your stripes, the Complete Cisco Network Certification Training Bundle is about as extensive and affordable as professional tuition gets.
This huge bundle contains nine learning kits, and the premium content is tailored to suit all levels of experience. A wide range of networking topics is covered, from the basics through to video networks, wireless networks, and security.
Each course contains all the materials you need to prepare for a particular certification exam. As you successfully pass each exam you further enhance your value in the global marketplace.
The acronym intake is pretty heavy at first, but you’ll quickly pick it up. Stick with the bundle and you’ll become a network specialist from the comfort of your own home.
The Complete Cisco Certification Bundle:
- 300-115: CCNP – SWITCH – Routing and Switching — $89 value
- 200-355: Implementing Cisco Wireless Network Fundamentals — $89 value
- 640-461: CCNA Voice – ICOMM v8.0 – Cisco Voice and Unified Communications — $89 value
- 100-105 ICND1 Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1 — $89 value
- 200-105 ICND2: Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 — $89 value
- 210-260 IINS: Implementing Cisco Network Security — $89 value
- 640-864: CCDA Cisco Certified Design Associate — $89 value
- 300-101: CCNP – ROUTE – Implementing Cisco IP Routing — $89 value
- 300-135: CCNP – TSHOOT – Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks — $89 value
The learning kits have a total retail value of over $800 but right now, you can get the entire bundle for only $59.
This offer expires in a few days, so no time like the present. Hit the button below to learn more.
The AAPicks team writes about things we think you’ll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links. To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.
Source: Android Zone
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This week in Android: It’s weird phone week
We got to play with a lot of cool tech at CES 2019, but little was cooler than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. Qualcomm had a reference device sporting the new SoC and we were able to put it through its paces, including our very own Speed Test G. The results are impressive.
In other big news this week, we found out Motorola is planning on bringing back the Razr phone, made famous in the mid 2000s. We don’t know a lot about the phone itself, but we can make some guesses based on a patent from August of last year.
Plus, we look ahead at the future of LG and OnePlus, including a new peculiar accessory for LG. Also, we have good news and bad news about Huawei’s security.
Here are your top stories for the week
4:20 – Snapdragon 855 performance and benchmarking: Speed Test G, AnTuTu & Geekbench
At CES, Gary Sims previewed the Snapdragon 855 processor in reference hardware. He had some fun with it.
21:45 – You’ll flip for the foldable Motorola Razr smartphone reboot
Motorola (read: Lenovo) is talking about releasing a new version of the Razr phone, this time with a folding screen.
34:40 – Google Pixel 3 Lite leaks in video review: Should you expect flagship photo quality?
The Google Pixel 3 Lite wanted to be just like its older siblings and come out with a full leak before its official announcement. Mission accomplished.
44:20 – Yes, there is a system-wide dark theme in this early Android Q build
You’ve been asking for it. Google’s giving it to you. A full, system-wide dark theme for those late-night phone-using sessions.
Meanwhile, here are some stories we couldn’t cover on the podcast
OnePlus in 2019: A force to be reckoned with
OnePlus made some remarkable strides in 2018, including working with a U.S. carrier for the first time. Will OnePlus be able to keep that momentum going in 2019?
Huawei Mate 20 Pro camera review
We took a deep dive into the camera on Huawei’s latest flagship and the results are a little surprising. No spoilers here though. You gotta click through.
LG in 2019: No more excuses
LG has not made great strides in the mobile space of late. It’s time for LG to do something to finally gain some world-wide ground.
LG might make a phone you can add another screen to… no joke
But honestly, LG, this probably isn’t it.
Opinion: Slider phones might seem cool, but are a design dead end
Slider phones are a great way to get smaller bezels, but they’re not a permanent solution. We break down why.
Huawei founder breaks years-long public silence to talk company security
The founder of Huawei had a few things to say about security and how the company handles security. Which is nice and all, but…
Huawei is reportedly under federal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department
Now don’t get us wrong, this particular case isn’t as bad as it sounds, but it’s not good either.
Xiaomi’s new in-display fingerprint sensor solves one big issue
Xiaomi showed off a video of a new kind of in-screen fingerprint sensor which has a larger touch area, making it easier to unlock your phone.
Galaxy S10 Plus photo leak: Is this Samsung’s new flagship?
A Samsung Galaxy S10 was spotted in the wild. Check it out here!
Who wants to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 9?
This week, we’re giving away a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Enter this week’s Sunday giveaway for your chance to win!
Don’t miss these videos
That’s it, folks! We’ll have another giveaway and more top Android stories for you next week. To stay up to date on all things Android Authority in the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters at the link below.
Source: Android Zone
The post This week in Android: It’s weird phone week appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.
Compare your Unlimited plan to these soon-to-vanish offers from Verizon and Sprint
How much are you paying for your Unlimited plan?
Even if your plan was a killer deal at the time, the competition between carriers has only been growing fiercer. This month, Verizon and Sprint are both pulling out all the stops to attract new customers with an impressive lineup of Unlimited plans, but you’ll have to act before January 31.
Keep your monthly bill in mind as you browse these offerings:
(Note: Verizon’s Unlimited plans here are part of a family mix-and-match promotion. The more phones you bring on, the cheaper your rate per device (1-4 phones). Subscribers don’t all have to have the same plan – you might choose two devices on Go Unlimited, one on Beyond Unlimited, and another on Above Unlimited. That way different family members only pay for the plans they need)
Verizon Go Unlimited
Go Unlimited is Verizon’s budget-conscious offering of the bunch. Unlimited talk, text, and data with mobile hotspot capabilities and access to Apple Music for six months. You’ll also get a $250 prepaid Mastercard when you bring your own eligible phone.
1 phone – $75
2 phones – $65
3 phones – $50
4 phones – $40
Includes
- Unlimited 4G LTE data
- Unlimited talk & text
- DVD-quality streaming (480p)
- Unlimited mobile hotspot (600Kbps)
- Verizon Up Rewards
- Mexico & Canada talk, text, & data included
- Apple Music free for six months
Verizon Beyond Unlimited
Beyond Unlimited is for users who stream lots of music or video. Of course you’ll get unlimited talk, text, and data with high-speed mobile hotspot capabilities, but a full Apple Music membership is also included. Streaming is HD-Quality (720p).
Beyond Unlimited also has Premium Unlimited 4G LTE Data to the tune of 22GB. What Verizon means by “Premium” is that for your first 22GB of data every month, your traffic will be handled with priority. After 22GB, you may experience slowdowns during times of heavy use.
Once more, $250 prepaid Mastercards are offered to those bringing their own eligible devices.
1 phone – $85
2 phones – $80
3 phones – $60
4 phones – $50
Includes
- Premium unlimited 4G LTE data (22GB)
- Unlimited talk & text
- HD-quality streaming (720p)
- Unlimited mobile hotspot (15GB at 4GLTE)
- Verizon Up Rewards
- Mexico & Canada talk, text & data included
- Apple Music included
Verizon Above Unlimited
Above Unlimited is Verizon’s powerhouse offering. If you’re a frequent flyer who needs global connection or a power user who churns through data at an incredible rate, this is the plan for you.
Naturally, you get unlimited talk, text, and data and high speed mobile hotspot capability. Apple Music is included, as are five travel passes every month that can be used in over 130 countries. The Premium Unlimited here snags you 75GB of uncompromised data monthly, and your streaming quality is HD (720p). Furthermore, you get half a TB of storage on the Verizon Cloud.
1 phone – $95
2 phones – $90
3 phones – $70
4 phones – $60
Includes
- Premium unlimited 4G LTE data (75GB)
- Unlimited talk & text
- HD-quality streaming (720p)
- Unlimited mobile hotspot (20GB at 4G LTE)
- Verizon Up Rewards
- Mexico & Canada talk, text & data included
- 5 Travel Passes per month for use in more than 130 countries
- Exclusive 500GB of Verizon Cloud
- Apple Music included
Sprint Unlimited Kickstart
Sprint’s Unlimited Kickstart is a stripped-down plan that offers basic unlimited service at a very competitive price. Don’t expect any extra features with this one, but if all you want is to get away from data restrictions and not worry about extra fees, it’s a pretty solid deal.
There are no leasing options with Unlimited Kickstart. Bring your own phone or buy one from Sprint outright, then you’re free to enjoy your unlimited access for just $25 per month.
Includes
- Unlimited talk, text & data
Sprint Unlimited Basic
Sprint Unlimited Basic is Ol’ Yeller’s default offering going at a promotional rate for a limited time. In addition to unlimited talk, text, and data, you’ll get 500MB of high speed mobile hotspot capability followed by unlimited data at 3G speeds. Bring your own phone, or lease one.
Unlimited Basic also comes with a Hulu subscription, which is a definite perk.
This plan will be particularly attractive to families, as savings increase dramatically if you have 3-5 people on your plan:
1 phone – $60
2 phones – $100
3 phones – $100 (through 1/31/20 then $120/mo.)
4 phones – $100 (through 1/31/20 then $140/mo.)
5 phones – $100 (through 1/31/20 then $160/mo.)
Includes
- Unlimited talk, text & data
- Sprint Flex Lease
- Mobile motspot
- Hulu included
Sprint Free Unlimited
You read that right. Sprint is running a limited time promotion that offers Unlimited service for a full year at $0 per month.
If that’s not a deal, I don’t know what is.
This is offer is available for those bringing along their own eligible device. There are no annual contracts or activation fees, and the total savings allegedly exceed $800 in the first year. This version of Sprint Unlimited doesn’t include Hulu, and some other restrictions apply.
To check your phone’s eligibility and the full details of this offer, click the button below.
Verizon and Sprint are certainly kicking off 2019 with a bang. If you’re paying more for less on your current plan, it might be a good time to make the swap to a new one. Just remember to act before January 31!
Affiliate disclosure: We may receive compensation in connection with your purchase of products via links on this page. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. See our disclosure policy for more details.
Source: Android Zone
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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 international giveaway!
It’s time for the Sunday giveaway! Like every week, we’re giving away another a brand new Android phone to one lucky Android Authority reader.
A big congratulations to the winner of last week’s OnePlus 6T giveaway, Donna O. from the U.S.
This week we’re giving away a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 9, courtesy of the Android Authority app!
If you’re looking for the best way to stay up to date with AndroidAuthority.com, look no further than the AA app for Android. Available for free in the Google Play Store, the official AA app is the fastest way to get all the latest news, rumors, tips and tricks, and device reviews on your mobile device.
It’s fast, looks good, and gives you breaking Android news at your fingertips — what more could you want?
The Galaxy Note 8 was a beast of a phone, and the Galaxy Note 9 is somehow even better.
The Note 9 is still the big, S Pen-touting flagship we expect from the Note line. It has a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 845 SoC, 6 or 8GB of RAM, a crazy 128 or 512GB of storage, as well as the same dual-camera setup we first saw on the Galaxy S9 Plus. It basically has the best specs you could expect to see on a smartphone in 2018.
There are some upgrades worth pointing out. First, the battery. Samsung increased the battery from 3,300mAh in the Note 8 to 4,000mAh in the Note 9. Plus, the S Pen now supports Bluetooth, so you can actually do things like control your phones camera and control music with the S Pen’s button. It’s pretty awesome.
It also unsurprisingly won many of our Best of Android 2018 awards, including the coveted Best Android phone of 2018 award.
To learn more about the Galaxy Note 9, check out our related coverage below:
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review: In praise of incrementalism
- The Galaxy Note 9 is the best Android phone you can buy
- The best Samsung Galaxy Note 9 cases you can buy
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs the competition
- 7 things you can do with the Galaxy Note 9’s Bluetooth S Pen
Enter the giveaway here
Samsung Galaxy Note 9 international giveaway!
Don’t miss: UE Boom 3 giveaway
Winners gallery
Terms & conditions
- This is an international giveaway (except when we can not ship to your country).
- If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal MSRP value to the prize.
- We are not responsible for lost shipments.
- We are not responsible if your giveaway prize malfunctions.
- You must be age of majority in your country of residence.
- We are not responsible for any duties or import fees that you may incur.
- Only one entry per person; please do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
- We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
- This giveaway is operated by Android Authority.
- The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.
More: Android Authority international giveaway FAQs
Source: Android Zone
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What you need to know about USB-C audio
Seeing as many 2018 flagships ditched the headphone jack, USB-C headphones became the default alternative to conventional 3.5mm earbuds. If you’re one who isn’t quite ready to embrace all-wireless listening, we’ve got you covered on everything you need to know about USB-C audio from the technicalities to actualities.
See: SoundGuys’ best USB-C headphones
What is USB-C audio and who is it for?
It serves as a solution to the missing headphone jack for many of us. While USB-C audio — like anything — has its pitfalls, it’s fine for many especially those who aren’t self-proclaimed audiophiles. What’s more, some manufacturers like Google include USB-C earbuds with the purchase of a headphone jack-less phone, rendering the lack of 3.5mm input a non-issue for general consumers.
Again, USB-C audio has stood as a passable interim remedy for those not yet ready to abandon all modes of wired music playback. Unlike with wireless or true wireless earbuds, listeners don’t deal with connectivity dropouts, Bluetooth codec compatibility, or battery life concerns.
How it works and how it doesn’t
The Google Pixel USB-C earbuds are included with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL to combat the misssing 3.5mm input.
Similar to converting audio to pass through a headphone jack, USB-C audio requires a DAC and amp for signal processing. Whereas the headphone jack retains processing within the phone, not all USB-C delivery audio uniformly. Thus, delivery methods get a little tricky as a headset can be classified as passive or active.
Quote: Accessory mode support, which means listeners with active USB-C headphones may run into compatibility issues.
If passive, the headphones rely on the smartphone’s DAC and amp to convert the audio signal from analog to digital. If, however, a pair of headphones is active, then it uses its own DAC and amp system. Therefore creating an external conversion process outside of the phone’s domain and into the headset’s.
The main perk of doing is that prolonging an analog signal state and bypassing the smartphone’s internal components mitigates distortion from other smartphone signals. Things get a tad more complicated, though, if you’re using active headphones. In this case, your phone needs to support Audio Accessory mode, which many don’t. Unfortunately, it’s not always apparent which models are active and which are passive, resulting in an expedition of trial and error.
Related: How USB-C headphones work
Issues to be aware of
If your smartphone doesn’t support USB Audio Class 3.0, you may have trouble with the Razer Hammerhead USB-C ANC earbuds.
Although the USB-C port is intended as a universal, multifunctional input, there are some idiosyncrasies that accompany the use of USB-C headphones.
When it comes to audio transmission, the lack of universal Audio Device Class 3 (USB ADC 3.0) integration handicaps the USB-C headphone functionality. Smartphones that don’t meet USB Audio Class 3.0 specifications rely on proprietary add-ons to enable features like noise cancellation. However, if all manufacturers were to adopt USB ADC 3.0, these features could be all-included. Instead, the lack of adoption is forcing its — as thought by some — irrelevant stature.
In short, there are two sets of rules that USB-C audio abides by: Android OS defaults and smartphone specifications. If you’re in the U.S., think of it like federal and state law, while states can assert their own regulations they must also abide by federal laws. That said, things aren’t always so cut-and-dry.
The lack of USB Audio Class 3.0 adoption makes it difficult to enable additional features like noise cancelling.
Take marijuana legalization: Federally illegal but legal within certain state lines. It’s this kind of mismatch seen in the USB-C audio field that results in confusion and compatibility issues. Until USB ADC 3.0 is universally ratified, some users may continue to experience said inconveniences.
USB-C audio: 2019 and beyond?
The JBL Reflect Aware earbuds were a fine USB-C option until they were discontinued.
Editor’s Pick
While USB-C earbuds have made headway, the mode’s future popularity may be curtailed. As observed during CES, few companies were investing in USB-C headphones. Admittedly our soles were unable to cover all 2.7 million square feet of the show floor, but the apparent absence of USB-C audio products felt deliberate. That paired with rumors of the headphone jack’s return in the anticipated Huawei P30 and Sony Xperia XZ4 smartphones makes opting for USB-C headphones in 2019 a dubious choice.
One thing is for certain, though: if USB-C headphones cease development, we’ll be left stranded with Bluetooth streaming as our only viable option. Although Bluetooth is fine for casual listening, it can’t outperform wired audio. This leaves us consumers in a bind. Without a dedicated audio port, the future could truly be wireless.
Next: Top 3 excuses companies make for ditching the headphone jack
Source: Android Zone
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Are Android updates getting faster? Let’s look at the data
If you want the freshest version of Android as fast as possible, the Google Pixel range is clearly your best bet. Historically, other Android manufacturers have been much less reliable. Although some have been faster and more consistent with security and version updates than others. It’s left consumers a little befuddled when buying devices that will see longterm support.
With Project Treble now supported by key Android flagships, in theory updates should roll out to us faster than ever before. It’s now been five months since Android Pie launched — does the data confirm Google’s optimism about faster updates?
Let’s look at the data
The data in the graph below plots the time between an Android version’s release date and the first confirmed report of an OEM rolling out the update to unlocked phones on a global scale. I looked at key devices announced well ahead of a new Android OS announcement, so we can fully assess upgrade times. This list includes the Samsung Galaxy S series, Huawei P range, and LG’s G models.
On average, Nougat updates took about 192 days to reach key devices, while Oreo was slightly faster at 170. Android Pie updates hit devices much faster, averaging just 118 days from Google’s launch to significant OEM rollout. That’s a significant improvement, though we’re still waiting on updates from LG and HTC, which could drag this average back up.
Most manufacturers are faster at providing updates now, but a few are slower. Huawei, Samsung, and Xiaomi were noticeably quicker this time around, bringing updates to key devices before the end of 2018. OnePlus and Sony were especially fast, but they’ve always been speedier than most. Disappointingly, Motorola has rolled out updates to its flagship Z series slower over the last few years.
Small OEMs update their phones faster but major brands are closing the gap
One final point of note. This data doesn’t include older device update times or how manufacturers treat mid-range smartphones. Both of these categories still receive updates notably slower than major flagship launches. However, the situation appears to be improving with some OEMs with the rollout of Android Pie.
Treble and One have helped
Sifting through a huge range of smartphone update articles, there are two key trends that I’ve identified. First, Project Treble has helped major manufacturers update Oreo-based phones much faster than before. Second, Android One allows for much quicker updates for a broader range of consumers.
Looking back at the data, you’ll note that Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi sliced their update times by almost half between Nougat and Pie, with the biggest jump coming in the last update. All three manufacturers pushed updates to flagship phones just before 2019. In previous years they delayed updates until late Q1 or Q2 the following year.
This is important because these phones are some of the biggest sellers. The Samsung Galaxy S9, Huawei P20 Pro, and Xiaomi Mi 8 are in a lot of consumer’s hands, and most will now be using Pie. Unfortunately, Google’s distribution numbers don’t include Android 9.0 yet, but we could expect much faster adoption of the latest OS because of this.
Project Treble has cut months of the waiting times for major flagship phones
Outside of big-budget flagships, many lower cost phones already run Android Pie too. These phones are predominantly Android One models, including those from Nokia and Xiaomi. Interestingly, LG already has a 9.0 Pie update for the LG G7 One, while the regular LG G7 ThinQ model is still waiting for its global rollout. Similarly, the HTC U11 Life has Pie ahead of the flagship HTC U12 Plus.
The reason this initiative provides updates so fast is Android One devices run a stock OS. There’s no custom skin, software, or apps to update and test for compatibility, unlike handsets with more complex features from Samsung and others. Combined with Treble simplifying the driver layer, it’s quick for manufacturers to grab Google’s update and flash it to their devices.
There’s still more to be done
The number of key Pie updates already out so far paints a good picture for Google’s latest OS version. However, there are still major differences between the fastest and slowest manufacturers — a gap we would obviously like to see close further. Not to mention that mid-range and older devices are still often quickly forgotten about. In an ideal world, we’d like to see all smartphones receive updates for longer than two years.
The real test for Android will come with the next major OS update. Can manufacturers provide consistent security updates, as well as key OS upgrades? Will last year’s devices continue to see support at this pace? Will Treble finally help to end Android’s long-running issue with fragmentation?
Source: Android Zone
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How Samsung’s luxury flip phones paved the way for the Galaxy F
Smartphones with foldable displays will hit the market in 2019 after years of speculation and anticipation. Some say these folding phones will revolutionize the stagnant mobile world. Others expect nothing more than an expensive gimmick.
Whatever foldable phones will become, one thing they certainly are not, is new. In fact, Samsung has been releasing expensive folding smartphones for many years.
Though they’re generally sold only in China, long-time Android Authority followers will already know about Samsung’s W series. These clamshell phones don’t feature folding displays, but they are in many ways the precursor to the upcoming Galaxy F, and could offer a glimpse of what’s to come.
Unfolding the specs
Samsung has been making W-series flip phones for the Chinese market since 2006, and it’s a line it continues to pursue in the present day.
W-branded smartphones offer high-end specs like you would find in Samsung flagship Note and S series, including the latest chipsets, multiple cameras, and lots of RAM. Last year’s Samsung W2019 has dual 12MP rear cameras, a Snapdragon 845 chip, 6GB RAM, and 128GB or 256GB storage.
Editor’s Pick
Like phones in the W series, Samsung’s upcoming folding phone is expected to offer premium specs inside an unconventional form factor. The current rumors suggest it will ship with the Snapdragon 855 chipset (the latest and greatest from Qualcomm) and two batteries.
The W series evolved from a single-display smartphone to include two displays, like the Galaxy F will. The W2019 has a 4.2-inch outward-facing display and a 4.2-inch display inside — almost the same setup as the folding Galaxy prototype Samsung showed off last November. Only, instead of opening up to reveal a small screen, partition, and a keyboard, you’ll just have one tablet-sized display to admire once unfolded, like in the image below.
A glimpse at how Samsung’s folding phone will work.
The Samsung W2019’s specs and design reveal Samsung’s familiarity, and willingness, to chase the premium end of foldable smartphones, but it has also revealed their viability.
Foldable, feasible
There appears to be no great desire for premium clamshell phones in the West or else Samsung would probably already sell the W series here — most people would probably think it’s a little dated. However, this range’s continued existence in China shows there is a market for niche phones with uncommon designs.
The Samsung W2019 isn’t a one-off product sold in limited quantities. It’s a major line with yearly additions. Why the lineup has proved popular, according to a 2014 Samsung blog post, relates to China’s cultural history.
“Generally, the concept of ‘premium’ refers to a trendy product of superior quality. In China, it refers to something more. The Chinese base their concept of ‘Premium’ on the thousands of years of their unchanged ideology and respect for the arts; it reflects China’s distinctive cultural identity,” wrote Samsung.
If the W2019 thrives in China because it acknowledges the market’s concept of premium, perhaps the Galaxy F will bear fruit in the markets hungering for technology’s bleeding edge.
Editor’s Pick
Apple regular finds itself around the top of the leaderboard in yearly smartphone shipments, though it has traditionally focused on the premium segment alone. A $1,500 phone with an unprecedented screen technology — as the Galaxy F is tipped to be — seems like a sensible gamble in the markets where such devices have proven successful.
Samsung’s luxury flip phones have even given it a chance to test such high price tags. The latest W phone, the W2019 released last year, cost 18,999 yuan (~$2,800) — far more than what expected with the Galaxy F. The phone’s predecessor, the W2018, was priced at 15,999 yuan (~$2,360). The series’ pricing has actually increased every year.
These are surprisingly expensive phones, yet they have an audience even with their antiquated design because they fit their market. Though nobody can be certain of this yet, it appears increasingly likely that phones with folding glass displays will carve a niche in markets craving innovative tech.
A Samsung folding phone prototype inside a case.
Knowledge and experience
Samsung’s W series has reduced the commercial risk of its upcoming folding device in several key ways. It’s not just market observations based on similar folding devices in China, Samsung has also gained valuable experience just by creating these products.
Samsung has for years had to consider the technological implications of two displays, things like durability (which we know has been a chief concern in the folding phone’s development), the physical constraints of the body (like how to fit the components around the folding mechanism), as well as how the Android software will integrate with two displays.
A smartphone with a folding display is a different beast, of course, but it’s more like a dual display clamshell phone than a traditional flagships like the Galaxy S series.
What Samsung’s learned from clamshells will undoubtedly help it in the folding display field, and give it an edge on manufacturers who’ve only ever developed for single screens.
Some of those OEMs will be hard at work readying their own folding phones, of course. Samsung faces competition from major OEMs like Huawei, Lenovo, Oppo, and potentially Motorola, which is said to gunning for a Razr series revival.
Samsung is already aware people will pay big prices for its high-powered flip phones — it’s produced many. As much of a technological leap as the Galaxy F may be, it’s only a small step away from a luxury flip phone. For Samsung, that can only be a good thing.
Source: Android Zone
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Here are the best Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets
In 2012, Microsoft launched its first Surface 2-in-1 laptop, as the creator of the Windows OS entered into the PC hardware industry for the first time. Many doubted Microsoft would have much of an impact, but the company slowly gained traction for its Surface products. By October 2018, sales of Microsoft’s Surface computers helped it to enter the top five makers of all PC hardware companies in the U.S. for the first time.
While the company also sells its Microsoft Studio line up of all-in-one PCs, most of its Surface sales come from its tablet 2-in-1 products, convertible laptops, and its standard notebook products. Here are the best Microsoft laptops currently available – and honestly a list of all available models period.
Related:
Microsoft Surface Go
The current direct successor to the original Surface 2-in-1 from 2012 is the Surface Go. Launched in August 2018, this is the cheapest of the Surface laptop products you can buy. Without the optional Type Cover keyboard, the Surface Go weighs just 1.15 pounds, with a 10-inch, 1,800 x 1,200 touchscreen display. Like all other Surface tablets, the Surface Go comes with its own built-in kickstand for watching videos hands-free, or working when you attach the Type Cover. It also comes with a Surface Connector for charging, a USB Type-C port for data transfer, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. Inside you will find an Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4415Y, and a battery that should last for up to nine hours.
The Surface Go comes pre-installed with Windows 10 in S Mode. That means you can access the tablet with the operating system’s touchscreen section, with apps from the Windows Store, but not the more traditional PC desktop. You can switch to a full Windows 10 OS at no cost from within the Surface Go, which adds additional access to the desktop and traditional Windows apps. Once the switch is made, you cannot go back to S mode unless you factory reset the tablet.
The starting price for the Surface Go is $399, and you can get it with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage and Wi-Fi wireless support. You can spend more to increase the RAM to 8GB or the storage to 128GB. In addition, you can purchase a model with LTE wireless support in addition to Wi-Fi hardware. The Surface Go Type Cover, which adds a detachable hardware keyboard, costs an additional $99.99.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 is the latest addition to the Surface PC family. It’s a traditional laptop — the display does not detach from the keyboard, nor does it rotate on a hinge like many other convertible notebooks. However, it’s still a very thin and light notebook, weighing just 2.76 pounds thanks to its all-aluminum casing. The Surface Laptop 2 has a 13.5-inch display with a 2,256 x 1,504 resolution. It comes with either 8GB or 16Gb of RAM, and you can also choose to put either an eighth generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor in the laptop. It also comes with the full Windows 10 OS.
You have plenty of storage options on the Surface Laptop 2, ranging from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD drives. It also comes in a variety of colors, including burgundy, platinum, cobalt blue, and black. Ports include a Surface Connect port, a Mini Display Port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB 3.0 port. Sadly, there is no USB Type-C port on the Surface Laptop 2. The battery life is supposed to last up to 14.5 hours on a single charge. Pricing for the Surface Laptop 2 begins at $999.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
If you want to get a tablet that also works like a PC, the Surface Pro tablets from Microsoft have always been the best bet. The newest model is the Surface Pro 6. It weighs about 1.7 pounds without the optional Type Cover, and comes with a big 12.3-inch display with a resolution of 2,736 x 1,824. The full Windows 10 device can have either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. SSDs in the tablet range from 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB. You can get either an 8th generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor.
Ports include the Surface Connect port for power, a microSD card slot, a Mini Display Port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB 3.0 port. Once again, there’s no USB Type-C port here. The good news is the battery life will last up to 13.5 hours on a single charge. You can get it in either black or platinum colors, starting at $899. You can also get the optional Type Cover for the Surface Pro 6, which adds a keyboard to the tablet, for around $95.
Microsoft Surface Book 2
The Microsoft Surface Book blew people away when the first version was revealed. It was a full notebook, but you could detach the large screen from its keyboard (no Type Cover here) and use it like a massive tablet. The Surface Book 2 is the latest version of this high-end laptop, launched in October 2017. The Surface Book 2 is the only Surface PC with two screen size options. You can get one with a 13.5-inch 3,000 x 2,000 resolution display, or one with a larger 15-inch 3,240 x 2,160 display. Both come with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB SDD options for storage and the battery life should last up to 17 hours.
If you choose the 13.5-inch version of the Surface Book 2, you can get it with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM and either a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 chip or an 8th Gen Core i7 processor. You also get the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 GPU if you pick the i7 model. The i5 version of the notebook weighs 3.38 pounds while the i7 model weighs 3.62 pounds.
The 15-inch version only comes with 16GB of RAM and the 8th Gen Core i7 chip, along with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU. It weighs 4.20 pounds. Both the 13.5-inch and the 15-inch versions come with two USB ports, a USB Type-C port, two Surface Connect power ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a full SD card slot. You also get an 8MP rear camera, an 8MP front-facing camera, dual microphones, and front-facing stereo speakers.
As you might expect, all of this high-end hardware and features come at a high cost. The 13.5-inch Surface Book 2 has a starting price of $1,499, while the 15-inch version begins at $2,499.
Source: Android Zone
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