Important news for Telegram that decides to release just before Christmas an update that allows you to have group voice chats. A novelty that has already been released and that will undoubtedly make all users of groups in the messaging system happy.
by Bruno Mucciarelli published 23 December 2020 , at 15: 01 in the channel Telephony Telegram
Telegram introduces voice chats in groups. The update has just come out and both Android and iOS users will find it on the PlayStore or even on AppStore as a notification. An update that changes the pace of Telegram, even if already ahead of many competitors, and that now allows to reach users who usually surf the system in groups and above all so close to Christmas, almost as if it were a gift from the Telegram CEO as a reward for the trust of its users.
Telegram: here are all the innovations introduced
Voice Chat
Each Telegram group can now become an always-on voice chat room. In this case the voice chats are parallel to the communication with texts and media, and extend the functionality of the group by adding a living layer to discussion. Can be used as virtual offices for work teams or as an informal lounge for any community.
Attention, underlines Telegram, that the voice chats will not be real group calls but in fact they can achieve the same objectives because they offer at the same time flexibility instead of the old school programming. In larger groups, they also offer fortuitous opportunities to talk to people. The beauty of voice chats is that the groups that activate them will be able to see them immediately thanks to a special bar at the top that shows who is talking . This will help the group members choose the right moment to join the conversation, perhaps to take a coffee break or even to discuss a situation.
How does voice chat work? Just join it and you can then be free to move in the app, to browse conversations and send messages. You will stay connected to the chat and microphone controls will be visible on the screen so you can quickly mute and unmute yourself at any time. If you are on an Android smartphone , you will be able to enjoy the full experience of Voice Chat with a system floating widget which will show the microphone controls and who is speaking, even when Telegram is in the background.
You can chat with anyone online or invite other people through the dedicated menu. Voice chats can host several thousand participants , which means they will work for any purpose, whether for consulting family members while shopping or for a large live event. Like Telegram groups, Voice Chats are also ready to change the way people can collaborate and want to keep in touch. In the coming weeks, Telegram has already said it wants to refine it further, listening to feedback, improving noise suppression and adding other features such as videos and screen sharing .
Push -to-Talk
On Telegram Desktop and in the native app for macOS, you can choose a push-to-talk button for Voice chats, to control the microphone even when Telegram is not in the foreground. And above all this can be implemented simply by using the space bar.
Outlines of the stickers
Animated stickers on Telegram are optimized for efficiency and provide animations to 180 frame with infinite resolution less than 50 KB . With today’s update, the stickers will load even faster than before – and they will show a sparkling outline .
SD card storage for Android
Users on Android devices can now move their Telegram app data from internal storage to their own SD card , allowing those with limited memory capacity to save more media and files and maximize their Telegram experience.
For minimize the space occupied by Telegram on your device just check the menu Settings> Data and archive> Archive use for further suggestions.
New animations on Android
Telegram added new cool animations throughout the android app: when you tap the button New message , when opening profiles, when managing chat folders and everywhere see the message counters .
Read messages on iOS
If you are using iOS, it will now be possible to have Siri read the incoming messages aloud in the earphones. To activate it just go to iOS Settings> Notifications> Read messages and set Telegram to YES to stay updated on chats even during any type of other operation.
Improvements in editing
Android users can now quickly edit a photo they have already sent to add effects , drawings or sticker with the powerful media editor. IOS users can tap the pen button to edit and postpone quickly a photo received. Each of these features was previously only available on one of the two platforms, but now both iOS and Android offer equal opportunities to draw mustache on selfies. When you are going to modify a message or a caption , as you get closer to the maximum message length, a counter will appear showing the number of characters remaining.
Other animated emojis
No update is complete without some new animated emojis. As usual, just send a message with a single emoji to get one of these in a chat.
Suggestion Platform
Many Telegram features started as suggestions from users. To help identify potential new features and locate bugs within the app, we are launching a Platform for bugs and suggestions public . In this case the supported language will only be English but other support languages will also arrive. Telegram will launch the ability to suggest new features and report bugs gradually to ensure that each report receives the attention it deserves.
Messenger Telegram wants to introduce a payment model in view of its rapid growth. All currently free functions remain free, as Telegram founder Pawel Durow announced. However, there will be new functions for which users will then be asked to pay.
On advertisements to finance the service, which are displayed when reading Durow wants to continue to do without news. “Communication between people should be free from advertising of any kind,” he writes. According to him, Telegram is now used by 500 millions of active users. The service was founded 2013 and was initially popular with opposition activists in authoritarian countries because of its encryption, but has recently become the focus of German authorities because of questionable groups and criminal activities devices.
“We won’t sell the company like the founders of WhatsApp,” says Durow. “The world needs Telegram to stay independent.” And to ensure that, the service must generate income from the coming year. “We will introduce innumerable new functions and welcome billions of new users,” says the founder. The 36 – year old is considered the Russian Mark Zuckerberg. However, Durow lives abroad for fear of political persecution. He also founded the social network Vkontakte, the Russian equivalent of Facebook. In contrast to Facebook, there is even less control of the content there, which is why the platform is said to be popular with neo-Nazis, among others. Russian authorities have full access to Vkontakte.
Language areas at Telegram A new function for group voice chats is immediately available at Telegram, similar to a Discord room that runs continuously. You can then simply click in and out. The language rooms should also work for groups with several thousand participants. In the mobile app, a corresponding button appears within the group as soon as the update has been downloaded. A push-to-talk option is available on the desktop. The voice chats will soon be expanded to include video. Group admins must enable the function. “Voice chats are not group calls, but can achieve similar goals and are much more flexible than group calls with classic scheduling,” writes Telegram in the blog post.
Of course there are also more animations and animated emojis that can also be loaded faster. “If you are still using iOS, you can allow Siri to read incoming messages over your headphones,” it says with a swipe at Apple. (With material from dpa) / (emw)
In mid-November 2020 the Certificate Authority (CA) Let’s Encrypt warned of the expiry of the IdenTrust root certificate with which its own free X. 509 certificates are cross-signed. Instead of solving the problem with a new cross signature, the CA wants to rely entirely on its own root certificate ISRG Root X1 in the future in favor of more independence.
For Android devices with operating system versions prior to 7.1.1, this would have meant that apps and internal browsers would no longer have been able to connect to servers with certificates from Let’s Encrypt. At least not without manual “contortions”, because with these versions Let’s Encrypt’s own root certificate is not contained in the memory of the root certificates. From the start of the changeover to ISRG Root X1 on 11. January 2021 it would have hailed error messages when surfing many websites – because an alternative “Intermediate Certificate”, the previous root certificate “DST Root X3” from IdenTrust until it expires on 11. September 2021 should have been explicitly requested by the server operator.
A comprehensive solution to the problem was initially missing. But now Let’s Encrypt has convinced IdenTrust to continue to act as a higher-level certificate authority and to provide the new root certificate ISRG Root X1 with a cross signature for another three years. This means that the compatibility problems feared from January will no longer apply, according to a current blog entry by Let’s Encrypt.
DST Root X3 long-term as an anchor certificate Already when Let’s Encrypt was founded almost five years ago, IdenTrust came up with the DST Root X3 root certificate as Partner on because this s ch was already established in the leading web browsers as well as under Windows, Mac OS X, iOS and Android. The cross-signature ensured that these systems and browsers also trusted Let’s Encrypt from the start, whose own root certificate ISRG Root X1 was still largely unknown.
Current browsers and systems have long known this certificate, but old ones Android versions whose certificate store cannot be updated by Google, simply not. Let’s Encrypt will therefore continue to provide a certificate chain that contains its own ISRG Root X1 with a cross signature via IdenTrust’s DST Root X3.
Since the validity of DST Root X3 in September 2021 is an unusual action, so Let’s Encrypt. As an anchor certificate, it is still not worthless, as these basic root certificates in particular are not assigned an expiration date on Android – they remain valid indefinitely on this platform. Other operating systems and browsers ignore the cross-signature because of the expiry date, but are satisfied with the current ISRG Root X1 anyway.
But not complete independence The ISRG (Internet Security Research Group) consortium behind Let’s Encrypt and IdenTrust have obtained confirmation from the auditors that this procedure continues to meet the guidelines of the CA / Browser Forum. As a higher authority and association of CAs, browser manufacturers and developer companies, it monitors the issuing practice of recognized X. 509 certificates.
For IdenTrust, this step means continuing to share part of the responsibility for Let’s Encrypt. And for the free provider, a dependency remains, from which Let’s Encrypt actually wanted to free itself, according to its now updated statement. The need to continue to use the older Android versions, which are still in widespread use, ultimately outweighed the desired independence via one’s own root certificate.
Longer term, longer certificate chain The change to the new, downwardly compatible certificate chain as the standard will take place on 11. January 2021 now in late January or early February 2021 respectively.
The The new certificate chain with two intermediate certificates (center) still contains the DST Root X3 from IdenTrust as a cross signature for old Android versions.
(Image: letsencrypt.org)
Nothing changes for the server operator and visitors and no further actions are necessary than the usual certificate renewal with one of the Let’s Encrypt clients. However, the provider points out that the client used must be up-to-date in order to use the latest version of the ACME (Automatic Certificate Management Environment) used for domain validation. As an official client, Let’s Encrypt offers its own Certbot written in Python, but also maintains a list of compatible clients in other languages.
For connecting to servers and services with certificates from Let’s Encrypt, this means longer certificate chain with the additional intermediate certificate, more effort for the TLS handshake, since the server presents two certificates. Let’s Encrypt wants to make the handshake more efficient again in the future and is therefore planning ECDSA-based root and intermediate certificates in the coming year, which will be significantly shorter than the previous RSA-based certificates. (ovw)
In the dispute between Apple and Facebook about tightening anti-tracking measures under iOS, the network citizens’ rights activists of the globally operating Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have now also intervened. The organization’s official blog states that Facebook’s accusation that the iPhone group is endangering small businesses with the measures is “laughable”.
Facebook: Apple is about profit The campaign is actually directed against users and small business companies, like this the organization. “You shouldn’t be deceived: This latest Facebook campaign is another direct attack on our privacy,” said the EFF. Despite the “clever packaging”, she also turns against other entrepreneurs, both small and large.
Apple will prescribe an opt-in for tracking in apps in iOS and iPadOS. According to Facebook, this reduces the effectiveness of targeted advertising and thus harms small businesses that would thereby reach fewer customers. In addition to direct press work, Facebook management tries to spread this message through a large advertising campaign in the USA. Advertising boss Dan Levy said Apple is not about data protection, “it’s about profit”.
Gigantic empire of user tracking However, the EFF makes this accusation on Facebook itself. The group is afraid that its users will find out what information the company collects behind the scenes together with other “data brokers”. From this, Facebook has “built a gigantic empire based on tracking everything you do”.
The EFF goes on to state that targeted advertising, Facebook, Google and other providers as Ultima Ratio, actually have hardly any advantages over regular ads – especially not for content publishers. The additional profits ended up in the pockets of data brokers such as Facebook, Google and various “dodgy companies”. Facebook doesn’t do any of that. Only 30 to 40 US cents of every advertising dollar spent went to the Publisher. (bsc)
(Pocket-lint) – There are multiple games you can play through Google Home speakers or Google Assistant-powered speakers, as well as Amazon Echo or Alexa-powered speakers – and now’s the perfect time to explore them, given how much time we’re all spending at home.
Say “Play a Game” to Google Assistant and you’ll get several options from Riddle of the Day to Song Quiz, while Alexa has numerous game skills you can add to ask Alexa to play.
Playing games through Home or Echo speakers aren’t your only option though, there are also a few board games that are powered by Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. At the moment, there are only a few that turn the helpful assistants into games hosts, but if you love a board game and you’re looking for a way to spice up the fun, here are the options available.
Ravensburger
Ravensburger kNOW!
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Ravensburger might be best known for its great puzzles, but its kNOW! game is the first board game to be powered by the almighty Google Assistant, allowing it to lay claim to being an “always up-to-date quiz game”. Better than playing the original Trivial Pursuit from the 1980s right?
There are over 1500 questions and the idea is that you ask Google Assistant for the most up to date answers to see who wins. You can ask questions like “Hey Google, how many days until Christmas”, “How old is Philip Schofield” or ask Google for a question. There are various game types and there are are two modes of play – Online and Offline. Offline mode doesn’t require Google Assistant.
Inside the box, you’ll find 220 quiz cards, a buzzer, a game board, a sorting strip and six playing pieces. Ravensburger says the game is suitable for between two and six players in online mode and three to six players in offline mode. In terms of age, it is recommended users are aged 10 and above.
Google Assistant is available on iOS and Android devices, as well as Google Home speakers and several third party speakers.
X2 Games
X2 Games St Noire
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X2 Games’ St Noire is an AI-hosted cinematic board game and the first voice-controlled murder mystery board game. You have to solve a murder that took place in the small town of St Noire by questioning the 12 suspects, finding clues and trusting no one.
You have until the end of night seven to solve the crime and on each go, you can either examine a location, question a town member or accuse a suspect by using Alexa, saying things like “Alexa, question Mayor Alves”. To win, you have to accuse the right person, but you’ll lose if you make two wrong accusations.
Each game of St Noire takes around 15 to 30 minutes, but no two games are the same with multiple storylines and endings. The only clue you’ll have to start with is the cause of death. You can play in a group or solo and it is said to be suitable for ages 12 and above.
You’ll need Amazon Alexa to play so you’ll need an Amazon Echo device, or third party Alexa speaker. You’ll also have to download the St Noire skill on your smartphone. To start, say “Alexa, Open St Noire”. Inside the box, there’s a game board, 12 suspect cards, 12 weapon tokens and a pencil.
Sensible Object
When in Rome
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When in Rome is one in a series of Voice Originals board games from Sensible Object. Like St Noire, it is powered by Amazon’s Alexa and therefore requires an Alexa device, like the Echo or Echo Dot, for example. You’ll also need to enable the When in Rome skill on your smartphone.
Alexa will then teach you the rules, keep score, fly you to 20 cities on the When In Rome game board map and introduce you to locals from each city. The locals will then ask you questions from seven categories comprising slang and language, food and drink, art and culture, sport and games, buildings and history, myths and legends and random and strange.
Alexa will always remember what questions you’ve been asked to ensure you always get given a fresh one. You’ll need to split up into two teams and you’ll be competing to make friends in the cities you ask Alexa to fly you to, earn upgrade cards and collect souvenirs in each new city you visit.
To start, you’ll need to say “Alexa, play When in Rome”. In the box, there are two player tokens, five souvenirs, 30 friend tokens, 14 upgrade cards and one game board.
Amazon
Escape Room in a Box
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If you’ve ever done an Escape Room – room challenges where you and anyone else you’re with has to find clues, solve puzzles and crack codes in under an hour to escape – then you’ll likely love Escape Room in a Box.
Unlike St Noire and When in Rome, while Escape Room in a Box is enhanced by Amazon Alexa, the assistant is not required to play this game. The idea of this board game is to solve 19 physical and paper puzzles in an hour to make sure a mad scientist doesn’t turn you and your friends into werewolves.
Up to eight players can play and if you want to use Alexa, you’ll not only need an Alexa-enabled device but you’ll need to download the Escape Room in a Box skill too. To start, you’ll need to say “Alexa, open Escape Room in a Box”. It’s recommended to be suitable for ages 13 and above.
Amazon
Ticket to Ride
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Ticket to Ride has been around since 2004, but it’s now possible to play with Alexa as your guide or have her join in as a player if there are less than five of you.
The idea is to create the most valuable railway network by collecting train cards that allow you to lay claim to colour-coded railway routes across the map.
The longer the route, the more points you earn, but the more cards you’ll need to save up to claim it. Alexa will not only teach you how to play if you’re new to the game, once you download the skill, but she will also keep track of your scores and calculate the longest route, all while adding sound effects and music to your game.
Ticket to Ride is recommended for players aged 8 and over.
During its typically slick, but untypically pre-recorded, WWDC 2020 keynote briefing in June, Apple announced something that really piqued our interest: spatial audio.
Basically Apple’s take on Dolby Atmos for Headphones and Sony’s upcoming PS5 3D Audio, spatial audio is designed to deliver surround sound and 3D audio via your headphones – specifically your Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Max headphones. The feature arrived as part of iOS 14 in September.
So how do you get Apple spatial audio? What devices do you need? And what other upgrades are included in the latest iOS 14 update? Answers to those questions and more are just a short scroll away.
Apple AirPods Max review
What is Apple spatial audio?
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple spatial audio takes 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos signals and applies directional audio filters, adjusting the frequencies that each ear hears so that sounds can be placed virtually anywhere in 3D space. Sounds will appear to be coming from in front of you, from the sides, the rear and even above. The idea is to recreate the audio experience of a cinema.
This is not the first technology of its type. Dolby Atmos for Headphones has been around for some time now, while Sony has its 360 Reality Audio format for music, delivers 3D audio in some PS4 games via its Platinum Wireless Headset, and has gone big on 3D audio for the PS5.
Apple’s spatial audio has a unique feature, though: it not only tracks your head movement using accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max in order to position the sound accurately, it also tracks the position of the iPhone or iPad that you’re watching on, so that sound is also placed relative to the screen. This means that even if you turn your head or reposition your device, dialogue will still be anchored to the actor on the screen.
Apple has apparently been working on spatial audio for years and it was always part of the plan for the AirPods Pro earbuds – that’s why they’ve got gyroscopes (which were never previously mentioned, by the way).
Apple AirPods 3: price, design, release date, leaks and news
How do you get Apple spatial audio?
Apple AirPods Pro (Image credit: Future)
Apple spatial audio comes as part of the newly released firmware update for the AirPods Pro. You’ll also need the new iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, which is now available. All of these updates are free of charge.
The next-gen Apple operating system is available to all iPhones from the iPhone 6S onwards, and iPadOS 14 works on every iPad since, and including, the iPad Air 2. Does this mean that all of these devices will also support spatial audio? Unfortunately not. Here’s the full list of devices that can handle spatial audio:
iPhone 7 or later
iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (3rd generation) and later
iPad Pro 11‑inch
iPad Air (3rd generation)
iPad (6th generation) and later
iPad mini (5th generation)
It’s also worth noting that Dolby Atmos is only available on Apple devices launched since 2018. While you don’t need Atmos for spatial audio, the two working together will likely produce the best results.
On the software side of things, as long as an app supports 5.1, 7.1 and/or Atmos, it will work with spatial audio. That already includes apps such as Vudu, HBO Go, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Netflix does not currently support surround content via iOS devices, but stereo content can also be converted to spatial audio. All a developer needs to do is allow stereo spatialisation via an Apple plug-in.
Once you’ve updated your device and the AirPods Pros/AirPods Max, spatial audio will be automatically enabled. To check, open Settings on your iOS device, tap on Bluetooth, and then tap on the ‘i’ icon next to your AirPods Pros in the list of Bluetooth devices. If the icon next to Spatial Audio is green, it’s enabled. There’s also a neat little demo of the tech included just below this.
(Image credit: Future)
To test it out, fire up a supported video (See on Apple TV+ is a good example), open up your device’s Command Centre by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen, then press and hold the AirPods Pro volume icon. On the page that opens you will see a Spatial Audio icon. A bright blue icon indicates that Spatial Audio is enabled, but if the sound waves are static it’s not supported by the content you’re watching. If the waves are pulsing, Spatial Audio is enabled and working. You can tap the icon to turn it off and experience the difference it makes.
Apple unveils new iPad, iPad Air, plus Apple Watch SE and Series 6
Apple AirPods Max (Image credit: Apple)
Is Apple spatial audio any good?
Having given spatial audio an initial whirl with the AirPods Pro and a more thorough one since during our AirPods Max testing, we’re certainly impressed.
The way the audio is tied to the screen is incredibly effective and the extra openness and spaciousness to the sound makes for a much more cinematic and engaging experience. There appears to be a slight drop off in terms of directness and punch, but it’s not huge and, broadly speaking, spatial audio so far appears to be a very worthwhile upgrade.
To quote our AirPods Max review, “All told, the effect is superb. The whole presentation is very open, spacious and convincing, and the tracking is amazingly smooth and accurate as you move your head.
“The opening of Gravity is recreated brilliantly by the AirPods Max. The placement of the various voices coming through the radio is brilliantly precise and convincing, there’s excellent weight to the dull thumps against the satellite and the heavy bass notes of the soundtrack, superb all-round clarity, and excellent dynamics as the peaceful scene turns threatening and then catastrophic. It’s easy to forget that you’re listening using headphones, such is the spaciousness of the delivery. It’s terrifically cinematic.
“Simply put, combining an iPad with a pair of AirPods Max headphones gets you the most convincing portable cinema experience that we can think of.”
Will music be available in spatial audio?
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There’s no reason that this stereo spatialisation can’t be added to the many music apps available on iPhone and iPad, but there have been no announcements on that front yet.
One suspects that now Apple has the technology, it may well look to add music with full-fat spatial audio to its own Apple Music service but, again, that’s not been officially announced.
Apple One bundles Apple TV+, Apple Music and more into single subscription
What about spatial audio gaming?
There’s no reason that other apps can’t also benefit from spatial audio, and we’d be amazed if it’s not picked up very quickly by game developers. Again, there’s nothing official on that yet.
We do know, though, that the movement data provided by the AirPods Pros will be made available to app developers, and that could open up some interesting opportunities such as head-tracking in games and more accurate sensing of movement for fitness apps.
What about spatial audio on Apple TV 4K?
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Here’s something of a surprise: despite having also had a software update (to tvOS 14), the Apple TV 4K does not currently support spatial audio. That seems odd to us. True, AirPods are more often connected to a portable device than an Apple TV, but spatial audio seems a perfect way for those people without a surround sound system to get a taste of cinema-style sound while watching on their lounge TV.
Apple’s not explained why the Apple TV 4K isn’t getting spatial audio. We had wondered if it was a power issue, but the A10X chip in the Apple TV 4K has more grunt than the standard A10 chip in the iPhone 7, which does support spatial audio, so that can’t be it. Perhaps it needs to be implemented in a different way for Apple TV 4K and will come later, or perhaps Apple has decided to save this feature for the next Apple TV. After all, it’s rumoured that the next-gen Apple TV, expected to arrive in 2021, will be more gaming-focused. Only time will tell.
What other new features are in the AirPods update?
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Spatial audio isn’t the only new feature included in the AirPods autumn update.
Automatic switching between Apple devices is also part of the package, so you no longer need to manually connect your headphones when turning your attention to a second device. Let’s say you’ve just stopped listening to a podcast on your iPhone and you open Netflix on your iPad – the audio coming from the AirPods is going to automatically switch to what’s coming out of the iPad. Switch to your MacBook for a FaceTime call and it will automatically switch again. An incoming phone call will always take precedence.
Low battery notifications are here now too, with a pop-up notification appearing on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to tell you when it’s time to charge.
Audio sharing, which already allows two people to connect their headphones to a single iPhone or iPad, has been expanded to work with Apple TV 4K. Each listener gets independent volume control, which is rather cool.
Finally, there’s something called ‘Headphone Accommodations’, which allows audio to be adjusted to account for hearing differences. This involves going through a guided listening experience that will help select an audio profile that’s tailored to your specific needs. Interestingly, this profile also works in Transparency mode, so can boost the sounds around you as well as those coming from your device.
Best of all, these other new features are available on more headphones than just the AirPods Pros. Automatic switching is available on the 2nd Gen AirPods and the Beats Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro and Solo Pro. Headphone Accommodations work with all of those models and the standard EarPods that come bundled with new iPhones. Sharing audio, meanwhile, works with all versions of the AirPods and all Beats headphones that have the Apple W1 or H1 chip inside.
RESUME In a crowded market, LG HBS-FN7 earphones stand out with a some positive things. Such as good wearing comfort and a balanced sound, if you choose the right EQ mode at least. The noise canceling is also effective, which makes these LG earphones useful in noisy environments.
LG has been working with Meridian for several years, including for the design of sound bars. However, the latest fruit of that marriage nestles into a completely different category, that of wireless earphones with noise canceling .
LG has previously released a number of wireless earphones under the name Tone Free. The HBS-FN7 that we are looking at here is the top model, equipped with active noise cancellation. So they are in-ears without a cable and suitable for use in noisy environments. In the past we would write: for on the train or in an open office, in today’s circumstances, earphones like these prove their use when working from home when the neighbor shoots in DIY mode.
Wireless earphones are very popular right now and as a result, the market is flooded with new products. LG uses two unique cards to stand out: a sound tuned by Meridian and the UVnano function. The latter is a function in the case that irradiates the ears with UV light so that “99, 9 percent ”of bacteria are killed.
Keeps well to sit These are totally wireless earphones, consisting of two devices that connect wirelessly to the source device via Bluetooth. In most cases that will be a smartphone, but you can also use the HBS-FN7 with a tablet or laptop. They are very small, light devices, weighing less than 8 grams each, which are secured in your ear canal thanks to caps. LG calls these caps ‘gels’ and states that they invented their own design that provides a better seal for sound around you.
The health card is drawn again here, because for the material of the caps there is gone for non-toxic and hypoallergenic silicone. LG calls them medically responsible. As usual you will find three sets in different sizes in the packaging. We liked the caps, even when we walked around or took a dip in the sofa. You’ll soon forget you’re wearing the earbuds – just what you want.
Wireless charging can The HBS-FN7s come with their own case. Which doubles as a charger. The battery in the earbuds lasts about seven hours (without noise canceling), after which you can charge them two more times by putting the devices back in their case. After all, it has its own battery that acts as a power bank. You charge the case in turn via a USB-C cable or wirelessly, which is handy. Even more useful is the quick charge function. If you put the ears in the box for five minutes, you can listen for another hour longer. Those extras compensate for the rather mediocre autonomy.
The Tone Free earphones come with a great app (iOS and Android) to personalize the sound via an equalizer. You choose from four presets that are tuned by Meridian or two that you can set yourself. In the app you switch between normal listening, with noise canceling or the Ambient Sound mode where the microphones on the outside of the HBS-FN7 just let sound through. This way you can have a conversation with someone without taking the ears off. This works, but you are allowed to process a lot of noise and sharp sounds. The noise cancellation is good for wireless earphones, although the HBS-FN7 does not approach the efficiency of the best over-ear headphones with NC.
Fascinating to listen to Once you choose the appropriate EQ setting, you will not often be in the Tone Free- app diving. Switching between noise canceling and ambient sound is done faster via the touch controls on the side of the earbuds. Taking them out will automatically pause your music or video. We find this especially useful when we tried to work out our backlog in the Netflix watch list one afternoon with interruptions. You can call the standard sound mode (relatively) natural. We add ‘relative’, because mobile use and functions such as noise canceling do have an influence on the sound experience. However, the HBS-FN7 does not serve up too fat basses, which many wireless earphones do. If you still feel like it, there is a Bass Boost function that nicely enhances the Roman Flügel remix of Pantha Du Prince’s ‘The Crown Territory’ without dulling the other synth sounds. In Natural mode you can easily listen to guitar music or even classical music for a long time. The LGs are true all-rounders, more universal than most wireless earphones.
Conclusion In a crowded market, LG HBS-FN7 earphones stand out for a number of positive Affairs. Such as good wearing comfort and a balanced sound, if you choose the right EQ mode at least. The noise canceling is also effective, which makes these LG earphones useful in noisy environments. They give you a way to enjoy your music or a Netflix movie in peace and quiet and without wearing large headphones.
LG Tone Free HBS-FN7
199 euro | www.lgelectronics.com
Rating 4.5 out of 5
The boom of the new Apple series has brought an increase in 5G smartphone sales around the world. iPhone 12 is the best-selling, followed by the older brother iPhone 12 Pro. In the article the complete ranking
by Lorenzo Tirotta published 22 December 2020 , at 11: 31 in the Apple channel Apple
After the launch of the iPhone series 12, Apple returns to the market to take back its place. Although a few weeks late, the launch of the iPhone 01 and 12 Pro led to a major increase in global sales of 5G smartphones , arriving for the first time to the 24% of the total. Not surprisingly, iPhone 12 was the best-selling 5G smartphone in the world in October , in just two weeks, with an impact of 16% of the total global market, 8% for the older brother iPhone 12 Pro. The two Apple devices together accounted for a quarter of total 5G smartphone sales in October. Concludes the podium Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G with an impact of 4% . The data was released today by Counterpoint Research .
Here’s Why iPhone 12 is the best-selling 5G smartphone
“There is a huge pent-up demand for the upgrade 5G, especially within the iOS base, which is now being converted into sales. This was complemented by strong carrier promotions, especially in the US, which accounted for over a third of iPhone sales 12 is 12 Pro for the month. All carriers offered the iPhone 12 for $ 0 through a mix of trade-in and unlimited plans “, the Counterpoint analyst said in the report.
This has been a major factor in the success of the iPhone 12. Compared to other brands, Apple has wider market coverage , I am over 140 Countries that enjoy distribution, greatly facilitating sales.
Also, Apple with iPhone series 12 represented an important step forward for access to mmWave . The two smartphones, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, I am among the few to offer support for the fastest 5G bands mmWave in the US. In September smartphones that supported mmWave accounted for 5% of the market, in October with the launch of the series Apple rose to 15% .
According to the report, the demand for the iPhone series 12 will remain high in the fourth quarter of 2020 with the Christmas period, but it will continue in the future with sales in the following months. The late launch of the entire family, in fact, will bring a boost in sales even at the beginning of 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year.
Cyberpunk 2077 is currently not only notorious because of its many bugs, but also for its exorbitant hardware requirements: If you want to play with ray tracing, for example, you not only need an Nvidia graphics card, but in most cases also have to switch on the AI upscaling DLSS – otherwise it will even jerk on an RTX 3080.
Stadia not only shows a blurred image, but also more unrealistic reflections on the glass due to the lack of ray tracing .
(Image: c’t Magazin)
The hour for cloud streaming platforms strikes: Services such as Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now or Shadow run the game in data centers on server hardware and stream the Video output to customers. This doesn’t even require a computer, so all three services also run on iOS and Android mobile devices or even on streaming boxes for the television (Stadia on Chromecast Ultra, GeForce Now on Shield TV). For all services you have to buy Cyberpunk 2077, but the conventional GOG runs on GFN and Shadow – or Steam version (you just log into your own account), you have to buy the game on Google on the Stadia platform – if you have it on Steam or GOG, this doesn’t do you any good.
Latencies are not a big problem with proper Internet access, as several c’t tests have already shown, for example this one here (for a fee).
From 16 watch we stream live with GeForce Now and Google Stadia.
Video live stream: We play Cyberpunk 2077 on Stadia and GeForce Now
GeForce Now impresses: Raytracing Ultra with 60 fps We to have Cyberpunk 2077 (Version 1. 05) tried on Stadia and GeForce Now (GFN) and were positively surprised, especially by the Nvidia service GFN: With a chargeable “founder” account (currently 27, 45 Euro for 6 months) we could play the game with all (!) Settings on the maximum value without any problems in 1080 Use p-resolution (“Raytracing Ultra”) – at least if DLSS is activated (“Auto”). Without the AI-supported upscaling function, you could still play reasonably well, but with it it was much more fun and feels like 60 fps. Unfortunately, with the GOG version we tested it is currently not possible to display the frame rate calculated by the server. For comparison: On a local gaming PC with a GeForce RTX 2070 and AMD Ryzen 3700 x the game ran significantly worse with the same settings. There is also free GFN access, but there always seems to be long waiting times. With the chargeable founder account, we never recorded waiting times on several test days.
Google Stadia: Runs okay, but graphically slimmed down There is also Google Stadia in a free version, we could use it without any problems. It runs with a maximum of 1080 p-resolution and stereo sound. 4K, HDR and 5.1 sound are reserved for the Pro version (9, 99 euros per month). We also tested with this. Unlike GFN, Stadia runs a specially adapted version that has significantly fewer setting options. So there is only one option under “Graphics” between a 60 – fps mode (“high frame rate”) and a 30 – fps mode (“graphics”). Otherwise you can only set chromatic aberration, depth of field, lens flare and motion blur. Both Stadia preset modes are significantly slimmed down compared to the PC or GeForce Now version: For example, there does not seem to be any ray tracing effects, not even in the 30 – fps mode.
Cyberpunk 2077 in the cloud: image quality in comparison (10 Pictures) PC native (Raytracing Ultra)
(Image: c’t Magazin) In our test runs, the game always ran smoothly under Stadia and also worked without any problems via a Chromecast Ultra with a Stadia controller. However, the image sharpness varied significantly, especially when we used a browser instead of Chromecast. In one case – Edge was running under Windows 10 – the picture worked especially in 60 – fps mode very washed out. After a restart there was more sharpness in the picture. We didn’t have these problems with Chrome. Incidentally, it didn’t seem to be due to the video codec used: With the browser extension “Stadia Enhanced” we had manually preset VP9, the codec is more efficient than the H otherwise used. 264. During the two-hour test run, the Stadia version crashed twice.
All tests ran on a gigabit cable connection (1000 Mbit / s down, 50 Mbit / s up), the Windows – 10 – test computer was connected to the router by cable. We didn’t test Shadow because it currently takes around six months to get an account.
Conclusion The free version of GeForce Now requires a lot of waiting.
Cyberpunk 2077 is more fun in the cloud than on many gaming PCs – especially with GeForce Now you can get into that Enjoy the full graphic splendor, including ray tracing effects. At first glance, these are subtle, but make for a much more realistic overall impression. The unfortunately ray-tracing-free Stadia version is well suited for people who have a Chromecast Ultra but do not have a gaming PC. If you are not too impatient, you should wait a few months anyway until CD Projekt Red has eliminated the most violent bugs.
The special edition c’t PC-Selbstbau is now available at the kiosk. Tests and purchase advice help to select the right components for your requirements from the huge range of current processors, SSDs, graphics cards and mainboards. In addition to three building instructions for all-round and gaming PCs, the special issue contains a focus on the topic of home servers.
Assembling the Ryzen-Allrounder Plus Three PC construction proposals Using three suggestions from the c’t laboratory, you can recreate your desired PC: You can choose from the Ryzen Allrounder Plus, the basic version with the six-core AMD Ryzen 3600 begins. For more demanding tasks, it can be used with more powerful CPUs up to 16 – Kerner Ryzen 9 5950 X, a PCIe 4.0 SSD Samsung 980 Pro and a high-end graphics card. For those on a tight budget, there is an inexpensive gaming machine with an AMD or Intel CPU that is suitable for common 3D games in Full HD resolution.
Hardware tests and purchase advice The large processor purchase advice takes you through the CPU maze of AMD Athlon, Ryzen with and Without graphics, Ryzen Threadripper and Intel Celeron, Pentium, Core i and Core X. Using benchmarks and tests, the special issue c’t PC-Selbstbau not only shows which applications and 3D games benefit from how many CPU cores, but also delivers Suggestions for the motherboard suitable for the processor. The graphics card purchase advice explains which current 3D accelerator fits best. SSD test reports help you to find the right mass storage device.
Special issue PC self-assembly 2020 (5 pictures) Self-built home server In addition, you will find instructions for a flexible home server in the special issue c’t PC self-construction which, if necessary, not only records over 99 TByte of data, but also some Offers professional features such as ECC RAM and remote maintenance. In the associated server purchase advice, you can find out which alternatives are available if you are toying with a finished NAS or an economical mini PC as data storage. We also have server SSDs and a hard drive with 18 TByte capacity under the microscope.
Printed and digital c’t do-it-yourself PC it both on paper and in digital form. Who the print edition for 14, 90 Euro up to and including 29. 12. 2020 Ordered in the heise shop, does not pay shipping costs.
The digital version as a PDF is now available for 12, 99 euros in the heise shop and in our Android and iOS apps as well as on Amazon. (chh)
The MSI Prestige 14 Evo brings a first-class Tiger Lake processor to MSI’s productivity ultrabook, but it’s held back by a dim screen and quiet/tinny speakers.
For
Strong performance
14-inch display
Great webcam
Against
Dim display
Quiet, tinny audio
MSI’s back with an Intel Evo-certified update to its Prestige 14 productivity line. Alongside another, non-Evo refresh, this brings Tiger Lake to the gaming company’s productivity ultrabooks. While we miss the pink color option we saw with its 10th gen machines, this latest iteration of the Prestige 14 gives it industry-leading performance. But performance isn’t the only thing that matters, especially in the best ultrabooks.
MSI Prestige 14 Evo Specs
CPU
Intel Core i7-1185G7
Graphics
Intel Iris Xe
Memory
16GB LPDDR4-4267
Storage
512GB NVMe SSD
Display
14 inches, 1920 x 1080, IPS-level
Networking
802.11 ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Ports
2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combination microphone/headphone jack
Camera
720p, IR
Battery
52 Whr
Power Adapter
65W
Operating System
Windows 10 Home
Dimensions(WxDxH)
12.6 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches (37.1 x 21.8 x 1.5 cm)
Weight
2.8 pounds (1.3 kg)
Price (as configured)
$1,149
Design of the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
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The Evo-certified update to the MSI Prestige 14 keeps the same basic look as previous releases, but unfortunately lacks the bright pink option from the
Ice Lake model
we reviewed earlier this year. Instead, you’ll have a choice between white and black here, though each comes with snazzy metallic lining on the edges of the lid and the touchpad.
There’s some extra styling on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo that gives it a premium look. On our gray model, a metallic blue strip accentuated the edges of the laptop’s lid and its touchpad, and in the right light, almost looked like it was an LED strip.
The rest of the laptop is more plain aesthetically, with the majority of the case being taken up by a uniform, somewhat glittery gray surface that’s unfortunately prone to collecting fingerprints. If you flip the laptop over, you’ll notice that the laptop’s vent hole placement resembles a city skyline, though this isn’t something you’ll see during typical use.
The keyboard is also home to a nice visual touch, as its keycaps are decorated with a slightly lighter version of the case’s color scheme.
Opening the laptop lid also lifts the keyboard off the desk at a five degree angle, to make for easier typing and better cooling.
There’s a wide variety of ports for such a small laptop. The laptop has two
Thunderbolt 4
ports, and the right side has a single USB Type-A port, a 3.5mm combination headphone/microphone jack and a microSD card reader. That last inclusion is a rare but helpful addition, although it’s unfortunate that the Type-A port is just USB 2.0 as opposed to belonging to a more recent connection standard like USB 3.2.
This is the first non-convertible 14 inch Tiger Lake ultrabook we’ve reviewed, so it’s a touch larger than the closest competitors we have on record. At 12.6 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches, it’s certainly not large, but it is a touch longer than rivals. The Dell XPS 13 and Razer Book 13, for instance, are 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches, while the Asus ZenBook 13 is a slightly chunkier 11.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches.
The Prestige 14 Evo is surprisingly lightweight, though, matching the Dell XPS 13’s 2.8 pounds. That does make it slightly heavier than the ZenBook 13’s 2.4 pounds, but it’s still not as weighty as the Razer Book 13’s 3.1 pounds.
Productivity Performance on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
This is our first time looking at a shipping laptop with the Core i7-1185G7 CPU. Every other Tiger Lake i7 laptop we’ve reviewed has an i7-1165G7, besides a whitebox system featuring the chip. What’s the difference? Not much. The 1185G7 has a slightly higher max turbo speed (4.3 vs 4.1 GHz), but both can run between 12W and 28W of power. Still, the Prestige’s chip is just a touch more, well, prestigious.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
You can see this in action on the Prestige 14 Evo’s Geekbench 5.0 results. This synthetic benchmark tracks general performance across a number of arenas, and the Prestige 14 Evo scored higher than any computers we tested it to. At 5,718 points, it’s closest match was the Razer Book 13 (5,460), coincidentally also made by a manufacturer known for gaming. The Dell XPS 13 was next (5,254), while the Asus ZenBook 13 came in last (5,084).
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
This trend continued in our Handbrake video editing test, where we track how long it takes a machine to transcode a video down from
4K
to
FHD
. The Prestige 14 Evo completed the task in 12:27, while the Razer Book 13 took slightly longer at 14:46. The Zenbook 13 trailed behind with a 17:51 time, while the XPS 13 took the longest at 18:22.
The Prestige and the Razer Book once again lead scores in graphics testing, with all machines using Intel Iris Xe internal graphics which we benchmarked using 3DMark Fire Strike. Here, the Prestige scored 5,240 points and the Razer Book 13 scored 5,216 points. The Zenbook 13 dipped significantly with 4,407 points, and the XPS 13 rounded out the rankings with an even lower 3,598 points.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The one category where the Prestige isn’t on top is on file transfer speeds. Here, it copied 4.97GB of files at a respectable 805 MBps, which was about on par with the XPS 13’s 806.2 MBps and was much higher than the Razer Book 13’s 479.2 MBps. Still, the ZenBook 13 was the leader here, with a transfer speed of 966.8 MBps.
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We also ran the MSI Prestige through Cinebench R20 20 times in a row to test how it holds up to extended strain. Our average score was 2206.2, which was impressive given that our first test earned 2268 points and that we tend to see a significant drop as the stress test continues.
During the stress test, the Prestige 14’s CPU ran at an average clock speed of 3434.1 GHz and an average temperature of 85.3 degrees Celsius (185.54 degrees Fahrenheit).
Display on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
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At 14 inch screen on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo is
IPS-level
, but my viewing experience found that it was almost uncomfortably dim.
I tested the display on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo by watching the Wonder Woman 1984 trailer on it. To the screen’s credit, I found that the viewing angles on this screen were almost complete, with the image never washing out regardless of how far away I got from the display, whether horizontally or vertically. The panel also wasn’t reflective, and I was able to clearly see the image in both normal and low light.
The difficulty was in the actual image on screen. While I could follow the action well, the Prestige 14 Evo is more than just dim. It borders on dark. Colors also weren’t vivid or striking, though blacks were impressively deep.
Our testing backed up my impressions. Our luminance testing found that the average brightness across the Prestige 14 Evo’s screen was 284 nits, which is much lower than even its closest competitors. That would be the ZenBook 13, which had a 370 nit average brightness. The Razer Book 13 and Dell XPS 13, meanwhile, far exceeded these two laptops at 436 and 469 nits, respectively.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The Prestige 14 Evo did fare better on color, registering a 78.9% DCI-P3 rating on our colorimeter. That’s more than we saw on the XPS 13 (69.4%) and the ZenBook 13 (76.1%), though it’s not quite as high as the Razer Book 13’s score (80.7%). Still despite scoring high on official benchmarks, the dim screen held the colors back in practice, since I had to strain more to see them.
Keyboard and Touchpad on the MSI Prestige Evo 14
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The keyboard on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo makes a strong first impression thanks to some snazzy decoration and the laptop’s hinge lifting it five degrees off the desk, but it starts to show some minor weaknesses with further use.
Keypresses are cushiony but still feel tactile, and there’s enough key travel for you to get an idea of when your press is registered. The issue comes with the construction of the keycaps themselves. They’re sturdy enough, but the top of each keycap can start to feel slippery during quick typing, which can get disorienting when touch-typing and is likely to cause the occasional typo.
Still, I was able to maintain a high words per minute count on 10fastfingers.com, where I scored 76 wpm on most tests. That’s just a few points below my 80 wpm standard.
The Prestige’s precision touchpad is generous, and multitouch gestures register well. My only complaint is that the laptop’s fingerprint reader sits in the touchpad’s upper-left corner, and running your finger over it doesn’t register as moving the cursor. So, essentially, it acts as a dead zone that you could accidentally run into during use. However, the touchpad’s larger overall size means this isn’t much of an issue in practice.
Audio on the MSI Prestige Evo 14
The MSI Prestige 14 Evo features a bottom-firing speaker on either side. I tested their audio by listening to Mood by 24kgoldn, and I had a subpar listening experience.
The most immediate issue with the Prestige 14 Evo’s audio is its volume — or lack thereof. Even at 100%, the Prestige 14 Evo was quiet, just barely able to fill my small office with music. Even for personal use, you’ll probably want to keep it at close to 80% of its max volume.
Volume wasn’t the Prestige 14 Evo’s only problem, though. Its audio also tends to come across as tinny and weak. For example, Mood opens up with thunderclaps meant to evoke a raging storm, but they sound more like rustling leaves here. The song’s frequent drum beats also bear a remarkable similarity to clapping hands.
Essentially, the Prestige 14 Evo’s speakers are so poor that my first impression of them was “Are these mono?”
Upgradeability of the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
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We opened the MSI Prestige 14 Evo by removing the 7 Phillips Head screws along its bottom with a J0 screwdriver. Note that there is a screw underneath a “factory seal” sticker in the center of the case’s lid that you’ll have to remove alongside the screws on the laptop’s side.
Inside the Prestige 14 Evo, you’ll find the M.2 SSD and the networking chip, but since the RAM is soldered in and there’s no slots for expanded storage, the only change you’ll be able to make is swapping out the SSD for one with a larger capacity.
Battery Life on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
The Evo branding suggests the MSI Prestige 14 should last long. But we have our own battery test, which continually browses the web, streams video and runs OpenGL tests over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. It confirmed that the Prestige 14 Evo does indeed last for a while before turning off.
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Specifically, we found that it had 12:25 hours of battery life on our test. That puts it a little over an hour behind the Asus ZenBook 13 (13:47), but it’s still ahead of the XPS 13 (11:07) and the Razer Book 13 (11:44).
Heat on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
The MSI Prestige 14 Evo doesn’t get that hot under strain, but it does heat up more frequently than we’d like, even during casual tests.
After 15 minutes of streaming YouTube, the touchpad was the Prestige 14 Evo’s coolest location. It registered 77.7 degrees Fahrenheit (25.4 degrees Celsius). The next hottest location was the keyboard at 87.3 degrees Fahrenheit (30.7 degrees Celsius), while the laptop’s bottom measured 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit (33.5 degrees Celsius).
Its hottest location was slightly above its F4 key, where it hit 93.4 degrees Fahrenheit (34.1 degrees Celsius).
All of this is within what we’ve seen from similar 14 inch Tiger Lake laptops like the Lenovo Yoga 7i, but what makes the Prestige 14 Evo stand out is just how frequently it heats up. Even just sitting idle off to my side as I wrote this review, its fans were on full blast most of the time. This got noisy fast, and I quickly took to turning the MSI off when it wasn’t in use.
Webcam on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
The MSI Prestige 14 Evo’s webcam reflects the need for strong video conferencing during the pandemic. The picture is so clear that I thought it might have been 1080p when I first turned it on. No, this is a 720p camera, but my mistake indicates how highly I think of it.
In both normal and low light, the Prestige 14 Evo’s camera displayed virtually no grain and was true-to-life in capturing the color and texture of my face. More impressive, however, is that I was able to easily capture a photo in front of my office window without it being washed out by background light. Instead, I was surrounded by the cityscape surrounding my apartment, a rare treat even on the best webcams.
The Prestige 14 Evo’s webcam also acknowledges privacy concerns, and the laptop’s Fn bar has an option to turn it off on the hardware level so that you don’t have to worry about being recorded without your knowledge. It also has an IR sensor for use with Windows Hello.
Software and Warranty on the MSI Prestige 14 Evo
The MSI Prestige 14 Evo comes mostly free of bloat, but because this is a productivity laptop coming from a brand known mostly for gaming, MSI’s snuck in some utility software to prove that it’s not limited to helping players up their K/D ratios. So, on top of standard Windows pack-ins like Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Spotify, you’ll also find apps like the MSI Center for Business & Productivity.
The MSI Center for Business & Productivity is essentially a fancy name for a program that lets you change your CPU’s power consumption based on which apps are open, plus direct more CPU resources to certain productivity programs like Photoshop. It also has noise cancellation functions, and can help you clear SSD space. It also has a unique feature to link iOS devices to your computer as a second display.
ColorDirector for MSI, Music Maker Jam and PowerDirector 17 Essential for MSI are also present and are more akin to bloat. These Cyberlink photo/video editing apps aren’t particularly popular choices among professionals, but I suppose they could make for a good way to get your feet wet before dipping into anything more advanced.
MSI Prestige 14 Evo Configurations
The Evo-certified MSI Prestige 14 has five available configurations, with price and availability depending on theretailer. Our configuration had an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It cost $1,149 at B&H and Newegg at time of review.
The cheapest version we could find was the version with the i5-1135G7, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which came in at $1,099 at B&H at time of the review.
On the other side of the spectrum, the most advanced version we could find had the same specs as our review unit, except for having a 1TB SSD. It cost $1,199 at Best Buy at the time of review.
Bottom Line
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The MSI Prestige 14 Evo may seem premium at first, thanks to its name and the shiny trim along its outer edges, but on further inspection, it has serious compromises on everything but its performance.
While the Prestige 14 Evo largely boasted slight performance improvements over competitors, its gains were mostly meager, with the
Razer Book 13
in particular nipping at its heels across our tests. This is unfortunate, given that the Razer Book 13 has a brighter screen as well as louder and, in our experience, clearer audio.
Granted, the $1,599 Razer Book 13 is also more expensive than the Prestige 14 Evo, and the
Dell XPS 13
, which has similar strengths, is even more unapproachable at $1,650.
But the $999
Asus Zenbook 13
, which has a larger SSD and a brighter screen, is actually cheaper than the Prestige 14 Evo. MSI’s machine outclasses it a touch more on performance than the Razer Book 13 and the XPS 13, but the ZenBook actually has faster file transfer speeds than any of them. Its speakers were similarly tinny to the Prestige 14 Evo, but were much louder.
So whether you settle on the Prestige 14 Evo depends on your priorities in a laptop. If budget and performance are your first concerns, then it’s a pretty enticing machine. But if you’re willing to take a slight performance hit and pay a few hundred dollars more, you can get a machine with much higher quality components. Alternatively, if you’re OK with a noticeable but not oppressive performance dip, you could also get a machine with overall better components while paying less.
Have you ever looked at your smartphone and wondered why it can’t change colour? No? Us either. Still, that’s one of the unique (bold, underlined, italicised) selling points the OnePlus 8T Concept, which features a rear panel covered in a colour-changing film.
The Chinese phone maker has just announced the chameleon-like device, which is loosely based on the existing OnePlus 8T, in a blog post. The firm claimed the tech could one day ‘push the boundaries of human interaction’.
But how does it work? The film contains metal oxide. When activated by an electrical current, the film transitions from sliver to dark blue as if by magic – yes, it can only manage two colours at the moment.
To make things a little more interesting, OnePlus has combined the colour-changing tech – dubbed Electronic Color, Material and Finish (ECMF) – with an mmWave radar module that enables touchless controls, plus a breathing monitor.
The firm is tipping the 8T Concept for a variety of uses. It says the glowing panel could be used to notify users when a loved one calls. In another case, OnePlus shows how the gradual pulsing of the light could lead users through mindful breathing exercises. Namaste.
You may remember OnePlus showed off a similar concept phone at CES 2020. That one used electromagnetic privacy glass to obscure the phone lens at the touch of a button. Presumably this latest concept will take a bow at the virtual CES 2021 show in January, but that’s yet to be confirmed.
Either way, OnePlus has no plans to release the OnePlus 8T Concept to the public so those in the market for a cutting-edge Android phone might want to turn their attention to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21.
MORE:
Read our full review of the OnePlus 8 Pro
Splash the cash on the best smartphones for music and movies
Prefer iOS to Android? Here’s our verdict on the new iPhone 12
RESUME â ???? The good thing is that nothing goes wrong; not in the high, middle or low. The lack of disturbing things, lack of a skewed frequency balance or digital turmoil means that hearing can easily live with the limitations of a monitor speaker at an affordable amplifier and streamer. ”
PLUS POINTS Very complete Very good price / quality Complete app in Dutch iOS and Android Re-sample in multi zone Can be upgraded with separate power supply Installation is simple MINUSES Simple wall plug as power supply Small housing, so small display
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For a bit at a glance what is possible with the Omnia WR-1:
Online music via Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, TuneIn and more Own download music via DNLA from a NAS to 24bit/192 kHz PCM Re-stream from an analog or digital source AirPlay with which even Roon becomes available Bluetoot h Optical in to 24bit/192 kHz Coax Out Fixed to 16bit/44. 1kHz USB Pen drive up to 32 GB of music EQ settings for loudness (3 positions), plus rock, pop, jazz and classical presets Online updates Own App for iOS and Android Weighing well 250 gram! Dimensions without antenna of 14, 5cm B x 10, 5cm D x 3.5cm H Accessories in the box: power supply, USB cable, RCA-RCA and 3.5mm-RCA cable, AB and two antennas
Play Now An exhaustive description of the display quality is with â ?? ¬ 379, – not an issue, not even for such a complete streamer / DAC / preamplifier that mainly only has to lose against my competitive combination v an â ?? ¬ 8. 000, -. Or against the better DACs and streamers within the NuPrime family. But like everyone else, you too want to know how the Omnia WR-1 plays in practice. NPO Radio 4 creates a stereo image that not only goes wide, but even completely separates from the speakers. A quality that is quite good for streaming radio, but still lags behind my once-loved FM quality. Speech is perfectly intelligible and crystal clear. The intonation and character of the voice are widely discussed. The Omnia WR-1 is already perfectly usable for this radio application, according to the first conclusion.
The most recognizable and my regular benchmark is playing via Roon software. That is why I am going to play music from my own storage and let the Onmnia-WR1 flow in via AirPlay. Understandable via AirPlay, making a real Roon endpoint is a bridge too far and for addicted Roon users the Omnia WR-1 will at most be an extra music point. Music ranging from Ana Vidovic’s classically played acoustic guitar, which is surprisingly well reproduced, to jazz. Even though the streamer does not show the ambience that surrounds the guitar, as can be perceived on a precious system, nothing stands in the way of listening to the virtuoso playing with fascination. The stereo image is too flat to portray the recording space.
Carla Bruni in a live concert shows how much pleasure the lady has in singing and playing. The reproduction is clear, cheerful, playful and complete. Miles Davis is blowing loosely, the bass heavy behind him, I know that from this recording, percussion stays a bit far away. You can’t have it all for â ?? ¬ 450, -. But there is still hope for those who think the Omnia WR-1 is not enough. NuPrime makes a very nice Ethernet switch under the name Omnia SW-8 and an LPS – 205 power supply. On the LPS – 205 a second 5 Volt output is available for an Omnia WR-1 (just like on the Silent Angel Forester F1). That takes the Omnia WR-1 to a higher level, as Katie Melua lets you listen to her CD â ???? In winterâ ????. But yes, there is a cost attached to it that far exceeds the price of the WR-1. Worth the effort? Yes, I think so, but only when the WR-1 is going to be used in a serious setup and not for the nursery. Or you should want to give the youngsters some audio sense while doing their homework.
Just do it The Omnia WR-1 has already appealed to me during a visit to Da Capo High End where the WR-1 was paired with a NuPrime IDA-8 amplifier and Scansonic MB-1B’s reproducers. Then I already wrote: â ???? The good thing is that nothing goes wrong; not in the high, middle or low. The lack of disturbing things, lack of a skewed frequency balance or digital turmoil means that hearing can easily live with the limitations of a monitor loudspeaker on an affordable amplifier and streamer.â ????
In different setups at home, the Omnia WR-1 has to compete against heavyweights, which skews the comparison. A comparison with a Bluesound Node 2i is fairer. Then the WR-1 provides considerable counterplay and is a cheaper option, albeit with a less attractive app, but a complete app that you can do everything with. Things like re-streaming from a digital or analog source in multi-zone, volume control with remote control, in the app or with a rotary knob, give the WR-1 a head start in that area. An LPS – 205 power sets the WR-1 to at least Bluesound level.
What is and remains important is the display quality and there is nothing wrong with that at this price level. The small NuPrime Omnia WR-1 turns out to be a sweetheart in daily use.
Apple has published special instructions for securing devices and your own Apple ID against people in the immediate vicinity. The manual is intended to explain to users in detail which personal data they already share with third parties and which steps can be taken to “protect personal security”. The focus is on getting an overview of which data is already being shared with whom – and how, for example, access to the iPhone and the whereabouts that was consciously granted to the partner can be withdrawn.
Location & Co: Withdraw shares It is very easy to share your life with the people who are closest to you , writes Apple – but you can stop all these releases again. In addition to basic information on resetting iPhones, iPads and Macs to the delivery status, Apple explains in the manual, which is currently only available in English, which steps can be used to check whether third parties may have access to your own devices or, for example, the Apple ID or iCloud Account.
Users should pay particular attention to whether, for example, profiles for device management have been installed, writes the company – if they come from an unknown source, they should be deleted.
It is also explained step-by-step how any access to the device that may have been set up for third parties can be withdrawn via fingerprint or facial recognition. The topic of location sharing is detailed: A checklist is intended to help ensure that no one has access to one’s own whereabouts – for example through services such as Apple’s preinstalled “Where is?” App, family sharing or third-party apps.
Anti-stalking functions in “Where is?” In “Where is?” Apple has now implemented special functions that are supposed to make stalking more difficult: For example, since iOS 13 it is no longer possible to secretly set up geofences for changing locations of another person . If you stop sharing the location for a certain person in “Where is?”, They will not be informed about it, Apple notes. However, if the approval was given via iMessage, the other party receives a notification. (lbe)
36 personal phones belonging to Al Jazeera journalists, producers, anchors, and executives were hacked in a spyware campaign between July and August 2020, a new report from Citizen Lab alleges. The attacks reportedly used Pegasus technology provided by the Israeli firm NSO Group, and are thought to be the work of four operators. Citizen Lab says it has “medium confidence” that one is working on behalf of the UAE government and another for the Saudi government.
The attacks are worrying not just because they appear to show politically-motivated targeting of journalists, but also because they’re part of a trend of using increasingly advanced methods that are harder to detect. According to Citizen Lab, the attacks seem to have used a zero-click exploit to compromise iPhones via iMessage, meaning the attacks happened without the victims needing to do anything, and leave much less of a trace once a device is infected. In July 2020, the exploit chain was a zero-day.
Citizen Lab’s report says “almost all iPhone devices” which haven’t been updated to iOS 14 appear to be vulnerable to the hack, meaning the infections it found are likely to be a “miniscule fraction” of the total number. It has disclosed its findings to Apple, and the company is looking into the issue. Citizen Lab’s analysis suggests the spyware can record audio from a phone (including ambient noise and audio from phone calls), take photos, track location, and access passwords. Devices updated to iOS 14 don’t appear to be affected.
Citizen Lab discovered one of the hacks after Al Jazeera journalist, Tamer Almisshal, allowed the organization to install a VPN on his device because he was worried it might have been compromised. Using this software, Citizen Lab, noticed that his phone visited a suspected installation server for NSO Group’s spyware. Seconds later, his phone uploaded over 200MB of data to three IP addresses for the first time.
As well as the Al Jazeera employees, Citizen Lab reports that a journalist with Al Araby TV, Rania Dridi, was also the victim of hacks using NSO Group’s spyware. These attacks date back to October 2019, and appear to include two zero-day exploits.
This is not the first time allegations have emerged that spyware from NSO Group has been used to target journalists. The Guardian reports that the software has allegedly been used to target journalists in Morocco, as well as political dissidents from Rwanda and Spanish politicians.
When contacted for comment a spokesperson for NSO Group told The Verge that Citizen Lab’s report was based on “speculation” and “lacks any evidence supporting a connection to NSO.”
“NSO provides products that enable governmental law enforcement agencies to tackle serious organized crime and counterterrorism only, and as stated in the past we do not operate them,” the spokesperson said. “However, when we receive credible evidence of misuse with enough information which can enable us to assess such credibility, we take all necessary steps in accordance with our investigation procedure in order to review the allegations.”
As a result of its investigation, Citizen Lab is calling for more regulations over the use of surveillance technology, and for a global moratorium on its sale and transfer until safeguards are put in place to guard against its misuse.
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