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iphone-flip-foldable-smartphone

iPhone Flip foldable smartphone

Apple is developing an inwardly folding smartphone with a clamshell design. Read all about the expected iPhone Flip and its possible design here.

Since Samsung released the Galaxy Fold foldable smartphone in 2019, many are wondering when Apple will introduce its first folding phone. But we still have to be patient. Various sources have indicated that the first foldable iPhone will arrive at the earliest in 2022. Nevertheless, it seems that more and more details about this device are becoming known.

The form factor appears to have been determined by now. It will be a flip phone, or a clamshell device, comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Motorola Razr. Based on all the rumors, graphic designer Technizo Concept has made a series of 3D renders of the expected iPhone Flip in collaboration with LetsGoDigital.

It is not the first time that LetsGoDigital shows 3D renders of an iPhone with a clamshell design. In 2019, we showed a foldable iPhone, based on a patent awarded by the American manufacturer. In the meantime, information about Apple’s plans has emerged from various sources in the supply chain.

The first foldable iPhone will probably use a flexible display panel from Samsung. It seems to be an OLED screen, although mini LED could be a possibility too. For the product renders, we have assumed that Apple will maintain the notch, but reduce it, just as with the iPhone 12s / iPhone 13 models expected later this year.

For the design of the camera system we have chosen for a similar triple camera set-up as that of the iPhone 12 Pro (Max). By the time the Flip comes out, this is of course no longer the newest or most advanced camera system from Apple. Nevertheless, the focus of the iPhone Flip will not be so much on the camera system – after all, this was not the case with the RAZR and Z Flip either.

It is in line with expectations that Apple will also integrate a cover display. No information is yet known about the size of this screen. To design the renders, we opted for a relatively small display, with the same dimensions as the camera system. In terms of size, this screen is slightly larger than that of the Samsung Z Flip and slightly smaller than that of the Motorola RAZR.

The user will be automatically informed of incoming calls and notifications via the cover display. By placing the camera and the screen on one side of the folding line, it is in theory also possible to take selfies with this camera system.

Apart from the renders, Technizo Concept also made the following video in which the Apple iPhone Flip is shown from all sides in four sparkling colors: red, white, gray and gold.

When is the iPhone Flip expected?

Some time ago, the Taiwanese news medium Economic Daily News reported that Apple had several tests with the iPhone Flip successfully carried out by the Taiwanese chip manufacturer Foxconn. As part of the test, the device was opened and closed 100,000 times.

100,000x may sound like a lot, but the Samsung Z Flip’s Ultra Thin Glass has been tested to last at least 200,000x. Nevertheless, Apple seems to pay a lot of attention to the durability of the device. As a display supplier, Samsung has also been involved in the test process.

In addition, Apple wants to apply special glass technology for the foldable iPhone, which should ensure that the screen remains intact even after frequent folding. Previously, stories had been circulating that Apple wants to use special ceramic protective glass, which cannot be broken so easily. It should also reduce the crease. Ceramic Shield technology was first applied for the iPhone 12 series.

For the display test, two prototypes were used, in addition to a clamshell model, Apple also has a dual screen variant in development, comparable to the Microsoft Surface Duo. This device does not have a flexible display, but two displays with a bezel in between.

Due to this news, many assumed that an iPhone 13 Flip might be introduced in 2021. However, it did not take long before the Taiwanese website Digitimes reported that the foldable iPhone is not expected until 2022.

That may even be too early, as tech analyst Jon Prosser reported on YouTube last month that the foldable iPhone will not arrive before 2023. Furthermore, Prosser confirms that the iPhone will have an inward folding screen with a flip design. In other words, a clamshell design, comparable to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Motorola Razr.

In addition, it is mentioned in the video that the clamshell iPhone will be released in various cheerful colors. This is striking news, as it also says something about the target group of this device. Usually, Apple chooses to provide its basic models with cheerful, bright colors. While the advanced Pro models are available in predominantly dark, business tones.

Perhaps Apple will eventually also release a foldable model that unfolds into a tablet format, as a counterpart to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Huawei Mate X2. Thus, the iPhone Flip will then become the cheaper version. However, this seems to be a distant future, first the focus will be on the clamshell model.

Expected clamshell smartphones in 2021

According to Prosser, the foldable iPhone will have a suggested retail price of approx. $ 1,500 USD – comparable to the price of the Samsung Z Flip and Motorola Razr. However, it still seems very early to determine a price now, after all, it is expected that it will take at least another 1.5 years before this device is officially introduced. In the meantime, a number of folding phone models will undoubtedly be introduced. In that respect, everything can change in terms of price.

One of the models that is expected this year is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. This folding phone is said to have a larger cover display than its predecessor. Samsung also intends to replace the dual camera with a triple camera.

Later this year, Xiaomi appears to be entering the foldable smartphone market as a newcomer, with no fewer than three different models. One of them will be a flip phone, a compact phone to carry with you. However, details about this device are still scarce.

Another Chinese smartphone manufacturer that wants to release a clamshell model this year is Oppo. Oppo’s foldable phone reportedly features a 1.5” to 2” cover display and a 7.7-inch flexible display. All in all, there are still plenty of new developments to be expected in the field of foldable phone models.

Note to editors : The product images shown in this publication are created by Technizo Concept in collaboration with LetsGoDigital. The presented 3D renders are for illustrative purposes only. This product is not for sale. The images are copyright protected. Feel free to use these renders on your own website, please be so respectful to include a source link into your publication.

arlo-pro-3-floodlight-camera-review:-illuminating-home-security

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera review: Illuminating home security

(Pocket-lint) – Arlo has been refining and expanding its offering over the past few years, with the Arlo Pro cameras moving to their third version and evolving into the Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, a hybrid of two areas that Arlo operates in – cameras and lighting.

While most Arlo cameras now offer some sort of LED illumination, the Floodlight goes a lot further, crossing over into space that was previously dominated by dedicated security lights. So is this fusion a best of both worlds?

Design and installation

  • Dimensions: 218.5 x 77.9 x 190.5mm / Weight: 650g
  • Wire-free installation
  • Waterproof

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera essentially looks like an Arlo Pro 3 camera sitting in the middle of an LED bar. The design maintains a familiar look to the body of the camera, the big difference being that spread of lights to the front. But this camera is longer in the body than the regular Pro 3 too and has a more substantial wall-mount to accommodate the additional weight.

As before, there are two main components to the light: the wall mount and the casing; and the camera, light and battery assembly. The latter combination slides into the casing and clicks into place. 

Pocket-lint

That means there are no seams or joints on the body, the only place where there’s a joint is around the end of the casing where it meets the back of the light – and well sealed to keep water out. It’s survived some heavy rain and having used Arlo cameras over a number of years, we’ve found them to be waterproof, so no concerns here.

There’s also no way to lock the camera into the housing, you just have to press a button to release it. That’s not a problem for cameras mounted high, but if it’s within reach, it could potentially be removed easily – and not necessarily by yourself.

Installation is simple, because there’s no need for a wired connection, it’s a battery-operated device. That means you can position the light wherever you please, but you will have to drill into the wall to secure the mounting plate. All the screws and wall plugs are supplied in the box, and it’s a quick job to get it up there.

Once the mounting plate is in place, you can attach the remainder of the casing, secured with another screw so it can’t be easily removed. Then the camera assembly slides into the housing and locks into place. The angle can be adjusted, with a ring around the base of the mount to tighten it all up and keep the camera pointing in the right direction.

Pocket-lint

Arlo has an healthy range of accessories and if you’d rather have this as a wired device, you can buy a charger that magnetically fixes to the bottom, while there’s also a solar charger option too.

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Setup and the Arlo system

  • 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or SmartHub or Base Station connection
  • Arlo app control

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight will either act as a standalone camera – connected to your Wi-Fi network – or it can connect to an Arlo SmartHub or older Arlo Base Station. In some previous devices the SmartHub was obligatory, but the Pro 3 Floodlight gives you a little more freedom, meaning it’s a more affordable route to getting a single Arlo device up and running.

Using the SmartHub means you get 2K local streaming and 2K local recording on a microSD card, as well as auto zoom and tracking features, so it delivers a wider array of features than the standalone route.

Pocket-lint

Setup is all managed by the Arlo app on your smartphone and that’s the place to start. Given the size of the camera, it’s worth charging and connecting before you put it in place on your wall, just to make sure everything is working correctly – something that’s easier to do when you don’t have to worry about climbing up and down a ladder repeatedly.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight will happily work within an existing Arlo system, the main advantage here being much more substantial illumination.

Once connected and installed, you’ll have to decide how your camera behaves. Unlike some systems, Arlo doesn’t just start recording everything automatically, you have to decide what you want the camera to do. This is important because they are battery operated and capturing every movement will soon drain the battery.

As this is both a light and a camera, you also have to decide if you want to separate these functions. You can choose, for example, to have the light come on when movement or sound is detected, or you can have video captured, or both. Depending on how and where you install the camera, you do at least get the chance to choose and via the app you can create operation modes to cover all your needs.

Pocket-lint

Talking about battery life, Arlo says that the battery will last 6 months, although we suspect that’s in an environment where it’s not triggered. We suspect the typical battery life would be around 3 months, but it’s going to depend on things like the temperature and how much you capture – dependent on the volume of usage. We’re on track for about 2 months of usage, but we have the device illuminating on motion detection and capturing the cats coming and going on the garden whenever it’s triggered.

Recharging takes 5-6 hours for this extended battery pack and you have to remove the entire camera array to plug it in via Micro-USB to get it recharging. For those who don’t want to worry about battery life, we’d recommend the solar panel to keep it running instead. 

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera performance

  • 2K HDR video capture (2560 x 1440 resolution)
  • 2-3000 lumen floodlight
  • 160-degree wide angle
  • Built-in siren
  • 2-way audio

The camera on the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight is basically the same as the Arlo Pro 3. That gives you a great wide-angle lens covering 160-degrees, with the option to reduce that angle of capture if you want something narrower.



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There’s a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, although you can opt for lower resolution if you want. To view those 2K videos you’ll need a device that supports HEVC (iOS 9 or later, Android 5 or later), but that covers most smartphones from beyond the past few years. The advantage that a higher resolution offers is that you can zoom in to see a little more detail on captured video if you need.

It’s a good resolution, able to capture plenty of detail and thanks to that huge floodlight on the front, when triggered in low light, you’ll get high quality video at night too. It’s better than the non-Floodlight version because there’s a lot more light available for night-time capture, although for some it might be too bright and be irritating to neighbours – but you can also change the brightness.

You can capture night video without the floodlight, with IR illumination able to provide some coverage, although not to the same extent as the full floodlight experience and that’s rather more basic – but still useful.

With all that light available, the Pro 3 Floodlight also works great as a welcome home light, even if you only have video capture when you’re away from home. Via the app you can also manually turn on the light, which is useful if you want to do something outside when it’s dark.

Motion detection can be defined in zones (if you’re an Arlo Smart subscriber), which means you can choose not to have it triggered by passing cars, only motion on the driveway, for example. You can also set the sensitivity for motion or audio triggers. As we said above, these triggers can be ascribed to both the camera, the light or both together.

Able to capture audio, you can also talk through the Arlo’s built-in speaker, meaning you can converse with someone you catch doing something you’re not happy with – while there’s also a siren that you can manually trigger, or have automatically trigger, which you probably don’t want outdoors, but could be useful if you’re using it to monitor your garage or storage shed.

As with other recent Arlo devices, you’ll need an Arlo Smart subscription to get the most from the Pro 3 Floodlight Camera – priced at $2.99/£2.99 a month. That unlocks smart features like like the detection zones, auto pan and zoom, and 2K video cloud storage for 30 days.

It’s all about the Arlo app

  • Voice assistant compatibility
  • Remote monitoring
  • Customisation

While the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera can act as a standalone device, it works best as part of a system. That’s because you’ll need to use the Arlo app to control it – and it’s better to have one app, rather than a collection of apps to control a range of cameras from different manufacturers.

Unlike something like a lightbulb, the range of options that Arlo presents means there’s a lot more to get to grips with, but there’s some integration with other systems, like Apple Homekit, Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT and SmartThings. You can, for example, view your Arlo cameras through a device such as the Amazon Echo Show, but we still maintain it’s better to use the Arlo app directly, as you can then view your history and have full control of your devices.

Pocket-lint

You can also have voice-controlled activation of your Smart Hub. This will allow you to arm your Arlo system via voice through a virtual assistant like Amazon Alexa – with the option to have PIN protection for voice disarming too.

The Arlo app, on the whole, is good. It takes some time to learn your way around it and explore the wealth of features, but it’s generally stable. There will be the occasional time when you open the app to have it reported that you have no connection and can’t see any cameras, but generally restarting the app (and checking you actually have a connection of course) resolves that.

Alerts can be customised and with an Arlo Smart subscription, you can choose the type of alert you want too – such as vehicle, animal or person. You then receive a rich notification on your smartphone, getting a thumbnail of the person detected, for example.

Verdict

Arlo is one of the most popular home camera brands and it’s easy to see why, thanks to the versatility that the system offers. The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera offers all the advantages of the Arlo camera system, but with that powerful lighting giving you more options – and the flexibility to choose how it is used.

It’s a bit of a big beast, but given that you could remove your regular floodlight once you have the Arlo in place probably offsets that worry.

Overall the great performance, good quality video night and day, along with a wire-free setup and the option for hub-free operation means it’s great on its own or as part of a wider system of cameras.

Alternatives to consider

Pocket-lint

Ring Floodlight Cam

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Less pretty than the Arlo, this camera offers greater flexibility with directional spotlights. It’s around the same sort of price, but uses the Ring system instead, with a 1080p camera, although it is a wired camera.

  • Read the Ring Floodlight Cam review
Pocket-lint

Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera

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The Netatmo camera is wired – designed to replace an existing outside light – so it’s not quite as simple as the Arlo, but it does come with no ongoing costs. That’s because it saves the footage to internal storage which you can then access via the smartphone app. It’s a 1080p camera.

  • Read the full Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera review

Writing by Chris Hall. Editing by Mike Lowe.

Alienware’s Latest Laptops Debut Cherry MX Ultra-Low Profile Mechanical Switches

(Image credit: Cherry)

Alienware and Cherry have partnered to bring new Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile switches to the Alienware m15 R4 and m17 R4, the companies announced today. If it works well, it could be a crucial step in making the experience of gaming on those notebooks more like gaming on a desktop.

The MX Ultra Low Profile switches fit in a 3.5mm design with 1.8mm of key travel. It features stainless steel components that look sort of like wings. Alienware and Cherry claim the switches are rated for 15 million keystrokes per key and feature “two-piece” keycaps with a “gold-based cross-point contact system” to keep the keys sturdy with every press.

(Image credit: Cherry)

(Image credit: Cherry)

For the acoustically inclined, Alienware tweeted out a teaser yesterday that it has confirmed is the sound of the keys being typed on:

Super 🍒 sweet 🍒 news is dropping tomorrow. Until then 🤫@cherrymx pic.twitter.com/YKkdMhpG7aMarch 17, 2021

See more

Other specs include anti-ghosting,

n-key rollover

and per-key RGB backingthing with AlienFX.

Alienware introduced the

m15 R4

and

m17 R4

at CES 2021 and released them shortly after with 10th Gen Intel Core processors and new Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series graphics in order to compete with the

best gaming laptops

. The keyboards will be on new configurations of the device that will add $150 to each laptop.

These aren’t the first gaming notebooks with mechanical keyboards, or even with Cherry switches. MSI’s GT Titan line, for instance, had full-sized Cherry MX Brown and MX Silver switches implemented by SteelSeries for a bit in the mid 2010s, and we just reviewed a

Gigabyte Aorus 17G

using mechanical switches, albeit not Cherry-branded. And a version of the Razer Blade 15 introduced optical mechanical switches to laptops.

But Alienware’s laptops offer a new approach and a new kind of switch. It’s unclear how long (or if) the MX Ultra Low Profile switches will be exclusive to these devices.