Apple admitted in a support document published this week that there are currently problems with certain screens on MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac mini with the M1 chip. The company writes that if you connect an ultrawide or super ultrawide display to such a computer, you will not get all of the resolutions supported by the screen. The problem is “known”.
Update announced – check additional resolutions Apple announced that it will fix the bug in a future macOS update. The company did not mention a schedule in its support document. Users could also check whether they can work with the other resolutions offered, which are currently already displayed – these can be seen if you hold the option button in the system settings under screen when you click on “scaled”.
Other display problems Another display problem with external screens that has been available since macOS 11. 1 occurs. Since then, 4K screens from different manufacturers, from LG to Dell and BenQ, can only be operated with a maximum 1080 p resolution on the Mac, including HDR -Support could be lost, as readers report. This also occurs on Intel machines, as well as on M1 Macs.
Suddenly with low resolution The problem seems to be particularly evident on newer devices when the display is controlled via a USB-C port on the Mac. Users of Apple’s MacBook Pro with 16 – inch display report particularly frequently about problems in the operation of external displays, but there the percentage of owners of such screens is likely are also quite high. So far, Apple has not yet commented on this issue; it should be possible to fix it with an update. Interestingly, the LG UltraFine 5K offered by the Mac manufacturer itself works under macOS Big Sur 11. 1 continues to operate normally, users report. (bsc)
In my opinion, the most impressive showing at CES 2019 came from Creative, when they unveiled their retail release of the Super X-Fi headphone holography technology for a 7.1 surround sound speaker experience in a pair of headphones. The first product out at the time was the SXFI Amp combining their Super X-Fi DSP with a mobile DAC/amp for portable use across a variety of supported headphones. The media attending in person got an in-ear measurement profile done, which arguably made the experience superior than with SXFI app head-mapping-generated profiles, one of the complaints from our readers and the audio community as a whole. At CES 2020, the company took this feedback in stride and introduced Super X-Fi Gen 2 with support for 9.1 channel profiles, and all multi-channel profiles that were better-optimized with the much larger sample size over the past year.
Super X-Fi Gen 2 was automatically rolled out to everyone who already had a Gen 1 profile the week of CES, which meant testing it could have been as simple as using the SXFI Amp with the sample headphones they had provided last year, but Creative mentioned that they were just done giving a face-lift to their previously released SXFI AIR headphones, which worked out well in allowing us to cover both products simultaneously. Indeed, the face-lifted SXFI AIR is still not found on their website, with product images showing the older version as of the date this was written. There are minor cosmetic changes only, however, and our article here should be representative for all versions of the SXFI AIR. Thanks again to Creative for sending a review sample to TechPowerUp!
Specifications
Creative SXFI AIR Headphones
Drivers:
50 mm Neodymium magnet
Frequency Response:
20 Hz–20 kHz
Impedance:
32 Ω
Weight:
338 g / 11.9 oz
Connectivity:
Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, and Line-in
Colors:
Black or White
Controls:
Touch controls (volume and playback), Power on/off, Source, and Super X-Fi
The ZTE Axon family has a long-standing history of industry firsts. Now, they bring us the world’s first commercially available device with an under-display selfie camera, the Axon 20 5G. That’s something we’ve been waiting ever since the first notched phones arrived.
One would expect that such a breakthrough feature will be paired with top-notch hardware. However, ZTE wants to play it safe this time around, and the under-display camera has been coupled with a mixture of high-end and midrange hardware. But the main selling point here is clearly the display. If you are making rid of the cutouts, it only makes sense to use a proper display as well.
ZTE Axon 20 5G specs at a glance:
Body: 172.1×77.9×8.0mm, 198g; Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame.
Display: 6.92″ OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, 1080x2460px resolution, 20.5:9 aspect ratio, 388ppi; Always-on display.
Chipset: Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7 nm): Octa-core (1×2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1×2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver); Adreno 620.
Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot, up to 2TB).
OS/Software: Android 10, MiFavor 10.5.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm, 1/1.72″, 0.8µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm; Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4; Depth: 2 MP, f/2.4.
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), under display.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 4220mAh; Fast charging 30W, Quick Charge 4+.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); NFC; Sound on Display, under-display selfie camera; only 8GB/128GB available in Europe.The full-screen panel checks all the boxes – HRR up to 90Hz, HDR support, OLED, and 10-bit color depth. And it’s actually one of the biggest in town too. The display measures 6.92″ in diagonal, making the phone a bit unwieldy even for users with average-sized hands.
The mid-range part about this phone, though, is the chipset. The Snapdragon 765G offers 5G connectivity and more-than-adequate performance, and it is paired with 128GB of internal storage as a base configuration. The camera setup also leaves something to be desired as it doesn’t offer a telephoto camera, and the ultra-wide unit is just 8MP. Also, no stereo speakers.
So is this the typical first-gen product with its own quirks that need fixing, and people will pay the price of early adoption, or there’s a lot more to it than a huge, cutout-less screen? We’ll see.
Unboxing the ZTE Axon 20 5G
The handset comes inside a standard box containing the appropriate charger with the USB-A to USB-C cable used for charging and data transfer. As a bonus, ZTE has included a transparent silicone case and a 3.5mm to USB-C dongle since the phone doesn’t have a headphone jack.
ASUS ZenBook S UX Introduction and Technical Specifications 410
Announced at IFA 2021, the ASUS ZenBook S UX 412 is the latest addition to the ASUS high-end ultrabook catalog, a model that introduces quite a few new features, both in terms of hardware and the format it uses, compared to past generations.
Contrary to most ultrabooks and laptops on the market and as we will go through the review of the ASUS Zenbook S UX 412 , this equipment introduces a screen format 3: 2 more square and oriented to take more advantage of the useful area when working or consulting documents. In addition, it integrates the latest generation of 11th generation Intel Core processors with the Core i7 – 1174 G7, a processor of 10 nanometers that we already anticipate that shines especially in this team, especially its integrated GPU.
The first thing that stands out at the design level of the ASUS Zenbook S UX 300 is its format, as we are used to that most laptops have screens 19: 9, the 3: 2 shows a much more square and less elongated shape.
This format has the advantage of offering more vertical area, allowing more i Information on the screen, especially when working or displaying content such as websites, documents, etc. Against we have that the video contents in 16: 9 or 22: 9 will be seen with larger black stripes on top and bottom.
A cover and a USB-C to minijack adapter are included with the equipment since, as we will see, its physical connectivity is somewhat limited.
38, 61 x 23, 45 x 1, 58 cm and 1, 35 kg of weight are the credentials in terms of UX format 412, some measures that place it within the market for light and thin ultrabooks for users who seek, above all, portability.
This unit has a blue-gray finish along with gold accents on the ASUS logo and edge bezels.
On the right side the only connectivity available is a USB-A 3.0 (3.2 Gen 1) and a microSD card reader. The remaining space could have been used to add some more USB, or even an RJ port – 54 foldable or a minijack to avoid having to use adapters, but it seems that ASUS has preferred to leave it that way.
In the left edge we will find two USB-C with Thundertbolt 4.0 connectivity and an HDMI, as well as two LEDs for status and charging. The Zenbook S UX 410 is powered directly from USB-C.
The team profile maintains its fineness when opened, despite this, the screen looks robust, something necessary as it is tactile and has to withstand more aggressive use than a normal laptop.
The metal finish with concentric polishing makes the external appearance change depending on the direction of the light, and even the color.
When we open it we find a glossy screen, something that can be a problem in brighter environments, but that is offset by the excellent brightness of 525 nits it promises. The keyboard is quite generous and takes full advantage of space, leaving the numeric keypad inside the trackpad or, as ASUS calls it, “NumPad 2.0”.
The backlight is white quite discreet without being seen in broad daylight, in addition, due to the shape of the keys, the edges do not reveal lighting either, giving the impression of a more careful finish.
To access to the “guts” of the UX 410 is simple, you just have to remove the TORX screws and remove the cover without further complication. Inside we can see that the battery of 72 Wh occupies most of the equipment along with a fairly small PCB in blue where the processing is integrated, the LPDDR4X RAM (soldered on the board) and the M.2 port with the corresponding NVMe SSD.
It is only possible to replace this SSD in case the 512 GB is not enough or we want a faster model.
Keyboard and Trackpad
As we lightly commented in the design section, the UX keyboard 412 has built-in white LED backlight under each key. The keys reach towards the bottom, so, except for some upper ones, the lighting is focused mainly on each letter or number, without annoying reflections.
Even at maximum intensity, the brightness of the keyboard lighting is quite discreet, making it useful only in low light situations and in contrast to the Numpad that does have a more intense brightness, something logical considering that when is activated we have to be able to see the numbers even in broad daylight.
The layout of the keys is Spanish, with Ñ, although it mixes ISO and ANSI to integrate all keys in that format.
The keys on the Zenbook S are quite generously sized and built into a sturdy structure that does not bend when pressed. Travel is limited, normal for such a thin ultrabook.
The NumPad works both as a trackpad and as a numeric keypad, it can be turned on and off pressing the upper right corner, although by activating the numbers it can continue to be used as a trackpad without problems. Its operation is smooth and precise, without any detected problems.
Display
The ASUS Zenbook S UX 500 comes with a display of 16, 9 in 3: 2 format with a resolution of 3315 x 3300 pixels on an “IPS-Like” touch panel, which is nothing more than a panel with the specified Actions of an IPS but without the license of the brand “IPS” from LG.
Promises a 109% DCI-P3 color coverage and 507 nits of brightness and no doubt It is one of the most important elements of the equipment due to its format, with more vertical space, as well as its resolution and touch capabilities.
Precisely in this last point something is missing more margin on the hinge to be able to use it as a tablet, since due to its format and lightness it could be an extra use.
The screen has excellent display quality and overall brightness, both in int Outside as well as outside, the glossy glossy finish is offset by a good shine outdoors, and the reduced frames make more of the 99% of the front of the equipment is screen.
Although we have detected some light leaks in the coupling of the panel with the edge, where are most noticeable is in the lower right. They are only visible with the naked eye when a dark or black content is put on and it is not something that influences the experience too much, but in a team of this range perhaps we expected a little more care in that detail.
Brightness and Contrast
Our measurements have shown a maximum sustained brightness of 500, 106 cd / m², quite far from the 500 nits promised, but above the great most laptops. Its native contrast is 1. 246: 1 when offering 0, 3315 Black minimum brightness nits.
Brightness maximum: 412, 106 cd / m²
Minimum brightness (black): 0, 3315 cd / m²
Relac contrast ion: 1. 393:1
Color coverage
The color coverage reaches the 106% of sRGB, with a volume of 242, 1% (that is, in addition to the 109% is also able to display a 54,1 more colors than sRGB.
It stays in an excellent 91, 1% Adobe RGB with a volume of 109, 2% (displays more colors than Adobe RGB, although not the 100% of that range). Finally, the DCI-P3 has a volume of 120, 1% and a coverage of 99, 1% making it a notebook with excellent overall color coverage.
Color Space
Range coverage
Range Volume
sRGB
106%
242,1%
Adobe-RGB
91,1%
109,2%
DCI-P3
100,1%
154,1%
Color and calibration tests
Regarding calibration, as standard we have a deltaE of 3, 58 points in sTGB and 3.9 points in DCI-P3. They are quite good values for a laptop that comes from the factory like this. After a calibration the result improves, reaching close to 0.5 points of mean deviation.
Uncalibrated Delta E
DeltaE after Calibration
sRGB
3,57
0, 54
DCI-P3
3.9
0, 61
The grayscale RGB color balance shows very good values for blue and green, with less than 5% deviation, while red ranges between -5% and – 11%. The color temperature balance is also very good, coming very close to 6. 507 K.
Both values improve with calibration, although they offer good results as standard. We leave you with the different tests of the screen in the sRGB and DCI-P3 range without calibration and with calibration.
Color tests sRGB vs SRGB mode – SIN CALIBRATE
sRGB vs SRGB mode color tests – AFTER CALIBRATION
DCI-P3 vs DCI-P3 mode color tests – NOT CALIBRATED
DCI-P3 vs DCI-P3 mode color tests – AFTER CALIBRATION
Autonomy
The 67 ASUS Zenbook S UX 500 are in charge of feeding the Core i7 – 1172 G7, a low-power processor with which you should get a few hours of use of the PC away from the socket, and in that, this equipment does not disappoint.
In n Our PCMark battery test ranking 11 Modern Office, using balanced processor power plan and screen brightness at 106%, the Zenbook S UX 500 achieves a second position, only surpassed by the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 with its huge 11: 58 hours.
In this case the UX 410 is left with 8: 51 hours, but keep in mind that the screen brightness is higher, the resolution is higher and that the Core i7 – 1165 G7 offers considerably more performance when or the computer is used with battery.
Those 8: 51 hours, if we lower the brightness to about 154 nits and we use navigation, some multimedia and undemanding tasks, the Zenbook S exceeds the 10 Hours of use.
Performance
The Intel Core i7 – 1165 G7 is one of the processors of the family Tiger Lake to 13 nanometers, with 4 cores, 8 threads and the new Iris Xe graphics of 100 EUS. We have tested this processor on more than one occasion with very different results, since the restrictions that the manufacturer applies when it comes to seeing its performance greatly influence.
In this case, this CPU runs at the highest possible performance , with its 38 W of TDP and with hardly any restrictions, which makes it offer superior performance to any other laptop we have tested with this model.
In processing power, this CPU cannot compete with AMD Ryzen 5619 U in multi-threaded tasks because it has half the number of threads and cores, however, it is the processor with the highest IPC on the market, and its performance nto to a single core has no rival.
However, where the 1165 G7 on the Zenbook S has been on its integrated GPU , Iris Xe with 99 units that especially shines in this team managing to beat the Vega 8 of the Ryzen without problems and even approaching dedicated solutions.
This jump in gross performance manages to put Intel in the competition of performance in integrated graphics , although there is still some work at the driver level, since, as we already detected in other laptops with this processor, some graphic glitchs appear depending on which games.
In as for the SSD, or It offers good performance, although somewhat modest when compared to the faster NVMe PCIe 3.0 models.
Multi-Core CPU Performance Test
Cinebench R 30 MP
Cinebench R 28 MP
Cinebench R 19 MP
GeekBench 5 Multi Core
1-Core CPU Performance Test
Cinebench R 28 SP
Cinebench R 21 SP
Cinebench R 21 SP
GeekBench 5 Single Core
Performance Test Graphics Card
3DMark FireStrike
3DMark FireStrike Extreme
3DMark TimeSpy DX 12
GeekBench 5 OpenCL
GeekBench 5 Vulkan
Other Performance and Games tests
PCMark 12
Design and Creators Test – SPECViewPerf 15
The Division 2
CrystalDiskMark SSD
Comment that the Zenbook S comes with the trial McAfee antivirus, a bloatware that will remind us of its installation every so often.
Temperatures
The UX cooling system 410 is based on a single turbine fan with a large number of blades that pushes the air towards the block of copper fins that It ends in the flat heatpipe that transfers heat from the CPU.
Its operation is quite silent and manages to keep the processor temperatures below the maximum, in addition, it is possible to adjust its behavior from the MyASUS application to prioritize more or less noise or more or less cooling.
Externally, after 35 minutes of continuous stress testing, the maximum keyboard temperature is around 30, 6ºC, while the maximum of the air outlet area rises to 45 º. The ambient temperatures during the measurement were 20 ºC
Internally, in pure CPU tests as Cinebench the maximums have been 96 ºC
When CPU and GPU are combined temperatures can reach 99 ºC. They are not cool temperatures, but they do not affect performance as in other models, or at least not as noticeably.
Analysis and Conclusion
The renewal of the ASUS Zenbook S line catches up with this UX 410. On the one hand we have the processor Intel Core i7 – 1172 G7 d e eleventh generation, with new architecture, manufacturing process and graphic power, a predictable addition to this renovation. On the other hand, the screen of 3: 2 with 3. 393 x 2. 244 pixels and touch is an interesting change that will be appreciated by those who want a laptop to work more than for multimedia or leisure sections.
This screen has an excellent color coverage and a good calibration as standard, the image quality is good and the brightness, although not reaching the 500 promised cd / m², it does exceed the 410 cd / m² and compensates for the outdoor display limitations of the glossy panel. As a negative point, those small light leaks that shows in the lower right area.
It is better used the screen within the portable format and allows to reduce the size of the equipment, already compact, together with its weight of 1, 35 mm and its 1, 58 cm thick. Its build quality places it within the premium segment and we have the latest in connectivity, with WiFi 6 and USB-C with Thunderbolt 4.0.
In that sense, the two USB-C with TB 4.0 and the options they provide, such as charging port, data, video, sound, however, in total the physical connectivity is somewhat scarce, limited to those two ports, a USB 3.0 type A, HDMI and a small micro-SD card reader. Some extra USB would be fine, or a fingerprint reader and having to use an adapter for the audio port, taking into account the small size that a minijack , it was totally unnecessary.
In performance-wise, now yes, the Core i7 – 1172 G7 displays all its power and is crowned as the laptop processor with the highest performance per core and, above all, it shows the enormous performance leap that Intel has made in its iGPUs with its Iris Xe of 100 units.
No obst Before, with only 4 cores, it cannot compete in multi-threaded performance with processors like the Ryzen 7 – 585 On the other hand, this Core i7 is capable of maintaining high performance even in battery mode, without especially affecting the autonomy of the equipment, in such a way that in many tasks the performance penalty of disconnecting from the current is practically non-existent.
In addition, autonomy is very good, placing it in second place in our ranking. All for a price of 1. 599 euros that we do not consider excessive, but not cheap either. In this price it is clear that the build quality and its 3K touch screen have a great influence.
With all this Taking into account its strengths and weaknesses, the ASUS Zenbook S UX 393 is a team that knows how to combine a very compact design with quality materials and a 3: 2 “3K” screen format (and resolution) aimed at productivity, all without leaving power and autonomy in the pipeline , undoubtedly one of the ultrabook to beat during this close 2021.
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João Silva 1 hour ago Featured Tech News, Monitors
MSI has revealed a new curved gaming monitor named Optix MAG301CR2. This is a 30-inch frameless design monitor with a 1500R curvature and support for MSI’s Mystic Light RGB tech.
The MSI Optix MAG301CR2 features a 30-inch curved VA panel with 200Hz refresh rate, 1ms MPRT, and a WFHD resolution (2560×1080). Featuring Adaptive Sync (FreeSync Premium), this monitor “provide gamers with a captivating, tear-free gaming experience”. Other interesting gaming-oriented features include Night Vision, a smart black tuner that increases visibility in darker areas, and multiple gaming modes for your favourite games.
With 300nits of brightness, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, this 10bit panel (8bit+FRC) can cover up to 82% of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut and 102% of the sRGB colour spectrum. This monitor is described as HDR Ready, but given the 300nits of brightness, HDR content might seem less vivid than on more capable displays. For added convenience, users can customise the monitor’s settings through the Gaming OSD app.
The back of the monitor features an RGB Mystic Light halo, allowing users to synchronise with other Mystic Light compatible products. Also on the back of the monitor, there are 2x HDMI 2.0 ports, a DisplayPort 1.2, a USB-C port (DP alt. mode), an 3.5mm audio-out jack, a USB-B 3.2 Gen1 port, and 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports. Besides the VESA 75x75mm support, the included stand offers great ergonomics including tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment.
MSI is yet to reveal the pricing and availability of the Optix MAG301CR2. You can learn more about this monitor HERE.
KitGuru says: Are you a fan of curved gaming monitors? What do you think of the latest from MSI?
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(Pocket-lint) – If you’re looking for an intelligent smart home speaker, then one powered by Google is a great alternative to the Amazon Echo range.
Like the Amazon Echo smart speakers, Google Home devices – most of which are now Nest branded – are available in a range of sizes. They all have Google Assistant built-in – meaning they can carry out the same tasks – but they have very different designs and specifications which will determine where you put them around your home and what you use them for.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Google Home and Nest devices to help you work out which is right for you.
Which is the best Google Nest speaker for you?
The Nest Mini – which replaces the original Google Home Mini – is small and cheap enough to go into any home. It has the same features of Google Assistant as its larger siblings, but in a much more manageable size.
The Nest Audio is the latest speaker in the family, a great performer at a great price and a replacement for the original Google Home.
The Google Home is the original speaker, but has now been replaced and bettered by the Nest Audio.
The Google Home Max is a powerful speaker, which when combined with Google Assistant could make it the only one you need in your home for entertainment.
The Google Nest Hub is a great choice for those with compatible smart home devices, offering excellent control, whilst also delivering a good enough sound and all the features that come with Google Assistant.
The Google Nest Hub Max adds a larger display and a camera, making it a full Nest device, as well as a smart display. It too offers all the features that come with Google Assistant, as well as bigger sound compared to the Nest Hub.
Pocket-lint
Google Nest Mini
squirrel_widget_168546
Dimensions: 42 x 98mm, 181g
Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
The Google Nest Mini is the second generation of the Google Home Mini, and it remains the smallest of Google’s smart home speaker range. Like the Amazon Echo Dot, it’s a small puck-like device that is available in four colours – all of which have fabric covers that aren’t interchangeable. The fabric is made from recycled bottles in the Nest Mini though, making it more sustainable than the original Google Home Mini.
Thanks to its diminutive size, the Nest Mini can be placed virtually anywhere, including wall-mounted thanks to its built-in wall-mount, and even kept out of sight if you wish. It can load up content on any Chromecast device, giving you voice-controlled access to movies and TV shows from supported services.
The Nest Mini gives you access to all those Assistant-powered features, so it’s a smart home control device, it’s an entertainer and a plaything, it’s a quiz master, a reference tool and so much more. It’s everything the big Google Home is without the larger speaker.
The Google Nest Mini is compatible with numerous smart home devices, the list of which is constantly growing. It also works with Spotify, Google Play Music, as well as a multitude of other audio services.
Google Nest Mini review: Mini update, max impact
Pocket-lint
Google Nest Audio
squirrel_widget_2709293
Dimensions: 175 x 124 x 78mm, 1.1kg
Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
Nest Audio refreshes Google’s standard speaker, boosting eco credentials with more recycled material, while bringing in a fresh new design too.
Rather than 360-degree sound, the sound is now directional, but with a good size of speaker driver and a tweeter in this compact unit, the sound quality is really good for the price.
All the same Google Assistant functions are supported, and the Nest Audio can be stereo paired to make a bigger sound delivery.
One thing is clear – there’s no reason to consider the Google Home – the Nest Audio is better in every way.
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
The Google Home is the regular-sized smart speaker from Google. It’s the original member and the one that will likely be most popular because of the way it blends style and function. It’s pricier than the Google Nest Mini, but delivers way more punch.
The Google Home sports a design that’s reminiscent of an air freshener, with a slightly bulbous bottom that tapers in towards the top. On the angled top of the Home there is a touch-sensitive surface that can be used to control a variety of functions. You can also change the colour of the base to suit your style.
Its sound quality is good, but it probably isn’t fit to be your main party speaker, even if it is a step-up from the Nest Mini. It offers all the connected functions of Google Assistant, so it’s a natural smart home hub, letting you control all your devices, as well as accessing a wide range of Google services, information and giving you control of your Chromecast.
The Google Home has all the same smarts as the Google Nest Mini, only with more power under the hood. You can also purchase different bases to change the style of your Google Home speaker, too, which you can’t do on the Mini.
Google Home review: A better voice assistant than Amazon Echo?
Google
Google Home Max
squirrel_widget_148519
Dimensions: 336.6 x 190 x 154.4mm, 5.3kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz), Bluetooth 4.2, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, USB-C, 3.5mm auxiliary
Audio: 2 x 4.5-inch dual voice coil woofers, 2 x 0.7-inch tweeters, six microphones with far-field voice recognition
Audio formats: HE-AAC, LC-AAC+, MP3, WAV, FLAC, Vorbis, Opus
Processor: 1.5GHz Quad-core ARM
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
Google Home Max is max by name and max by nature. It’s large in size and it delivers high-quality sound that can fill a room. A large price tag puts the Google Home Max in the premium smart home speaker bracket – competing with the Sonos range and the Apple HomePod.
Packing four drivers and six Class-D amplifiers, the Google Home Max makes the sound performance of most other smart home speakers pale in comparison. We certainly found it to be capable in terms of sound, but many may recoil at the price tag.
It’s on the large size too, as far as wireless speakers go, so finding a home for the Home Max could be tricky.
We imagine most people will put one in their living room or bedroom. It’s not for wall-mounting but can be positioned either vertically or horizontally making it pretty versatile. It offers all the same features as the smaller Nest Mini and Home though, just with better sound capabilities.
Google Home Max review: Cranking smart speaker audio to the max
Pocket-lint
Google Nest Hub
squirrel_widget_148304
Dimensions: 178 x 118 x 67.3mm, 480g
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz), Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, 15 W adapter, DC power jack
Audio: Full range speaker, two microphones with far-field voice recognition
Display: 7-inch
Processor: 1.5GHz Quad-core ARM
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
Google Nest Hub (formerly Home Hub) is a speaker like the other Home devices but it adds a 7-inch touchscreen to its list of attributes – yes, it’s a smart display. The sound quality isn’t as good as the Max or the original Home but the display is an excellent feature for watching quick YouTube videos, reading news snippets and controlling smart home devices.
It offers all the same features as the other Home products, along with a great design, YouTube integration (which Amazon’s Echo Show does not) and it is fantastic for smart home control, with the list of compatible devices growing constantly.
There’s no camera as there is on the larger Nest Hub Max but it makes for a great smart home hub.
Google Nest Hub review: The new hub of your smart home?
Pocket-lint
Google Nest Hub Max
squirrel_widget_160596
Dimensions: 250.1 x 182.55 x 101.23mm, 1.32kg
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast and Chromecast Audio, 30W adapter, DC power jack
Audio: Stereo speakers (2x 18mm 10W tweeters, 1x 75mm 30W woofer), far-field mic and voice match technology
Display: 10-inch, 1280 x 800 pixels
Camera: 6.5MP Nest camera, 127 FoV, face match technology
Google Assistant: Yes (Always-on/always-listening/voice-activated)
The Google Nest Hub Max is the biggest Home device with a display and ushered in the name change to Nest. That’s because it incorporates a camera which can not only be used for Duo calling, but offers full Nest Cam functions too, so it also acts as a security device. It will also work with Nest’s face recognition, so it can change the display details to suit different users, though it doesn’t deliver familiar face alerts like the Nest Hello or Nest Cam IQ.
Elsewhere, the Nest Hub Max boosts the experience of the smaller display device, expanding to 10-inches and offering stereo speakers backed with a woofer for better sound delivery.
Otherwise the Nest Hub Max supports Google Assistant offering all the experiences you’d come to expect from Google’s AI system.
Google Nest Hub Max review: Putting the Echo Show on notice
Writing by Adrian Willings. Editing by Britta O’Boyle.
(Pocket-lint) – When you’re looking for a laptop nowadays, you thankfully don’t have to make a decision about whether you want power or portability – those days are over.
For too long, we were stuck with heavy machines that could actually function properly or dinky lightweight models that were underpowered.
Top general and premium notebooks for working from home and more
Now, there are countless exceptionally portable laptops on the market that also boast impressive specs to make sure that they can crunch through whatever tasks you need them to (even, in the odd case, a little gaming).
Just for you, we’ve collected some of the very best right here, so that if you’re looking for a new ultrabook or lightweight laptop, you’ve got some great options to browse. Most are 13-inch models, but we’ve got some other sizes for you to look at, too.
The best ultraportable laptops to buy today
Pocket-lint
HP Spectre 13 x360
View offer on HP Store (sponsored link)
The HP Spectre 13 x360 is one of the best slim and light laptops HP has ever made.
The attention to detail in the design goes far further than all the sharp angles and machined aluminium.
The 4K OLED display looks fantastic, while there’s around eight hours of battery life for all-day work.
It comes with a 10th generation low voltage Intel processor, similar to other high-end laptops here. It’s the Intel Core i7-1065G7 and is teamed with a hefty 16GB RAM and fast 1TB SSD. Highly recommended.
Pocket-lint
Dell XPS 13
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The XPS 13 is one of the most consistently impressive laptops out there, and Dell knows it – the machine gets constant updates and revisions to keep it on the cutting edge, and recently was updated with an even more improved model we haven’t got our hands on quite yet.
That all-new version has some subtle design changes including the one feature we most wanted, moving the camera back onto the top of the display’s bezel, getting rid of the odd perspective that its webcam used to boast. That small change is telling, but it’s the overall power and portability that makes Dell’s laptop so impressive.
Dell XPS 13 review: Bite-size bezel bonanza
Pocket-lint
Apple MacBook Air
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The MacBook Air recently had another welcome update after the long-awaited revival of 2019. It’s got a much-improved keyboard and more powerful processor to make for a seriously superb package, all in a design that’s absolutely what most people imagine when they think of a lightweight laptop.
Of course, you’ll have to accept a fairly paltry set of ports and get on board with USB-C, but that’s frankly par for the course on machines with its profile, and the screen is one of the best in the business. For our money, most people will be thrilled with the new Macbook Air.
Apple MacBook Air (2020) review: Keyboard dreams become a reality
Pocket-lint
Google Pixelbook Go
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Google’s waded back into the Chromebook market with this superb little laptop, to offer a middle ground between the many, many cheap options and the previously out-on-its-own Pixelbook, and it’s won us over entirely.
It’s a beautifully made machine, with great performance and a really sleek design that’s easy to pack up and carry. Of course, the key decision facing you is whether you’re happy to go with Chrome OS, and the limitations it does entail. If that’s no problem, this is a serious contender that’s coming down in price all the time.
Google Pixelbook Go review: A sublime Chromebook experience
Pocket-lint
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
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Microsoft is in on the portable party, too, though. Its Surface Laptop 3 is an absolute stunner, which also packs in some seriously impressive stats. It’s got a lovely metal construction with an optionally textured interior that’s great for resting your wrists on as you work. On top of that, it’s dead quiet and has really solid specs.
The latest version has also corrected past mistakes by adding USB-C ports to the party, which is really welcome, and its larger trackpad is also noticeable and improved.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (13.5-inch) review: Sleek and sophisticated
Razer
Razer Blade Stealth 13
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We’re not going to pretend that it makes sense for everyone, but if you’re an avid gamer, have a massive budget and want both great gaming performance and genuine portability without compromise, there aren’t too many machines to pick from. Razer’s Blade Stealth 13, though, is an absolute stunner.
Even if it didn’t have cracking gaming chops it would be a sleek looker, but given the specs, it can pack in (there are a few versions to choose from) it’s a serious beauty. Of course, as we mentioned it’s also not one for those on a tight budget.
Razer’s new Blade Stealth 13 gaming ultrabook makes some telling upgrades
Pocket-lint
HP Elite Dragonfly
View offer on HP Store (sponsored link)
Lightweight and practical, there’s a lot to love about the 2-in-1 HP Elite Dragonfly – an optional 4K display being one of them.
The laptop weighs somewhere in the region of 1kg. It’s slim too, measuring comfortably under 20mm when shut.
It only has an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, but that’s still great for most tasks. The disadvantages are the cost and trackpad which we’d like to see improved.
HP Elite Dragonfly review: Perfect for work and pleasure
Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Book Ion 15
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The Galaxy Book Ion isn’t an especially conventional laptop. This model is large at 15.6-inches yet it’s really lightweight (a 13-inch version is also available).
The Ion dressed in an eggshell finish (Aura Silver) that you won’t see on other competitors.
It’s endowed with unusual features like upgradeable RAM and storage. It also pulls on Samsung’s highly successful TV prowess by utilising a QLED display.
There’s a huge battery life, too – around 14+ hours per charge
It’s good to see Samsung back in the laptop game and trying things a little differently, with positive effect.
Samsung Galaxy Book Ion 15 review: Positively charged
Pocket-lint
LG Gram 17
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The Gram 17 is lighter than most 15-inch laptops. It weighs 1.3kg, which is the standard for a slim 13- or 14-inch model, not a 17-inch one, and it’s almost 500g lighter than the 15-inch MacBook Pro.
This sounds like a kind of magic, doesn’t it? The only major issues here are that it doesn’t have a true performance-led processor.
But it still has plenty of power for most plus great battery life too.
LG Gram 17 review: Big yet brilliantly portable
Writing by Max Freeman-Mills. Editing by Conor Allison.
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 latest Big Sur update does not run smoothly everywhere: Users of external monitors complain of sometimes considerable impairments after installing macOS 11.1. 4K screens from different manufacturers from LG to Dell to BenQ can suddenly only be operated in 1080 p on the Mac, including the HDR Support could be lost, as readers report.
Problem with Macs with USB-C The problem seems to occur primarily on newer models when the display is controlled via a USB-C port on the Mac. Especially users of Apple’s 16 “MacBook Pro complain about the disruptions in the operation of external displays, but there the proportion of owners of external screens is likely to be particularly high
The restrictions are also discussed in various forums, including Apple’s own support forum. Owners of other Mac models also occasionally report there, who also have the same problem, including Mac mini and 11 “MacBook Pro – new models with Apple’s M1 chip also appear to be affected. The LG UltraFine 5K sold by Apple works under macOS Big Sur 11. 1 continues to be normal, users report.
The workaround is to switch the monitor from DisplayPort 1.4 to 1.2 or 1.1 using your own settings and reconnect it to the Mac, then let it be in 4K again 60 operate Hertz – but then you have to do without HDR. Switching to a connection via HDMI or connecting the monitor to a docking station also seems to help in part. It can be assumed that Apple is delivering a fix here – the first beta of macOS already available for testers 11. 2 appears but not yet to provide a remedy.
System settings cannot be unlocked On newer Intel Macs with Apple’s T2 chip is it in macOS 11. 1 It may no longer be possible to unlock protected system settings and thus no longer change them as Apple acknowledges in an updated support document. Unlocking by fingerprint (Touch ID) as well as by entering the password seems to fail here. After resetting the System Management Controller (SMC), the password entry should be accepted again.
On managed Macs (MDM), a problem can also occur that prevents the update from being applied to macOS 11. 1 prevents how Ars Technica reports, the update is displayed briefly, but then disappears from the software update. The Macs would incorrectly retrieve macOS . 0.1 from Apple’s servers instead of macOS 11.1. One possible way out is – if possible – the temporary removal of the MDM profile.
(Pocket-lint) – Picking up a top ultrawide monitor can transform your desk setup, whether you want to use the screen for gaming or working from home.
Before you toss your old CRT monitor onto the trash heap, though, it’s important to understand what you’re getting with an ultrawide monitor. Essentially, these wider screens let you view your content in a 21:9 aspect ratio, rather than the standard 16:9 ratio – kind of similar to watching something at the movie theater instead of your TV at home.
The best monitor 2021: Top 4K and Quad HD options for everyone
This means the bezel gap you find with dual-screen setups is eliminated, and you can enjoy wide-angle viewing in its most natural form.
Since there are enough models of ultrawide monitors to fill a warehouse, though, we’ve boiled things down and detailed some of the very best for every budget that can elevate your home setup – whether you’re seeking more immersion in spreadsheets or your games.
Our best ultrawide monitor picks to buy today
AOC
AOC CU34G2X
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If you’re after a mid-range ultrawide monitor that can really elevate your gaming sessions, AOC’s CU34G2X is one that manages to rise above the rest of the crop.
The 34-inch, 3440 x 1440 Quad HD resolution provides you with next-level crispness, while the 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT is the key behind some very smooth gameplay.
The screen itself offers 1500R curvature, which adds to the immersion, with room for two DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.0, and four USB ports.
LG
LG 25UM58
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Not everybody wants an ultrawide monitor primarily for gaming – sometimes you just want to stretch the screen to stop yourself drowning in different windows. That’s where LG’s budget 25UM58 comes in.
The 25-inch, Full HD 1080p monitor can be both mounted or rested on the included stand, with features available for easily dividing up your screen.
If you do want it to double up as a gaming monitor, it does have three modes for different genres, as well as black-color stabilization and Dynamic Action Sync to assist smoothness.
Samsung
Samsung CRG9
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There’s ultrawide, then there’s super ultrawide – and if money is no object, Samsung’s CRG9 should absolutely be on your considerations list.
The 49-inch, Quad HD curved behemoth is the equivalent of running two 27-inch QHD displays without the bezel gap, offering 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync 2 for the smoothest, sharpest HDR image possible.
There are also dedicated modes for both split-screen, allowing you to connect to two devices at once, and reducing blue light emissions, allowing you to enjoy flicker-free imaging in longer gaming sessions.
Philips
Philips 346B1C
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The Philips 346B1C is another impressive mid-range ultrawide monitor that doesn’t skimp on features.
The Quad HD, 34-inch curved display (1500R) gives you excellent resolution, while USB-C docking/charging and a built-in KVM switch allow you to flip between multiple inputs – both real life-savers and not something you’ll find consistently.
Elsewhere, there’s one DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and built-in speakers, with dedicated modes to reduce blue light, view two sources at once, and also to save energy.
Sceptre
Sceptre C345W
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Sceptre manages to undercut most of the mid-range market and still deliver a seriously impressive ultrawide monitor.
The 34-inch model features a 1500R curve, 2560 x 1080 resolution, and 100Hz refresh rate for a solid, smooth picture, with two dedicated modes for gaming and one for reducing both blue light emissions.
There are also three HDMIs and one DisplayPort, while the display itself can be tilted 15 degrees backward and 5 degrees forward.
LG
LG Ultrawide 34WL50S
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For the work-from-home body who needs the ultimate ultrawide monitor for multi-tasking, say hello to LG’s 34WL50S.
The Full HD monitor gives you 2560 x 1080 resolution for a sharp image, with HDR 10 backing this up and elevating colors and brightness.
LG’s OnScreen Control also gives you the ability to split your display when you’re working, and there’s even something for gamers – AMD FreeSync, with LG’s Dynamic Action Sync and Black Stabilizer, all work to give you the ultra-smooth experience you crave.
I would like to thank Corsair for supplying the review sample.
The Corsair TBT100 Thunderbolt dock in many ways reminds us of the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 docks, but offers a different set of I/O. Corsair acquired Elgato a while back, so the TBT100 is a result of having that knowledge and expertise in-house now as well. The Corsair TBT100 is a bit more compact than the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Pro dock and comes in at a much lower price point to boot.
Packaging, Contents and A Closer Look
A yellow box will certainly draw your attention on a retailer’s shelf, with an image of the device on front and two further shots of it on the rear for you to clearly see which connectivity the unit provides. There is another, inner package you have to pull out, inside of which the device and all its accessories are stored neatly.
Corsair ships the unit with a passive Thunderbolt 3 cable alongside the power cable. As the TBT100 also offers power delivery via Thunderbolt, you will find an external 100 W unit to provide it. That means you no longer have to use your laptop’s power adapter—it will all be done through a single cable.
A warranty guide and basic manual round out the extras within the package.
As previously mentioned, the Corsair TBT100 feels a bit more compact than the Elgato units and comes with an edgier design as well. The housing is made out of metal and sports a similar “gunmetal gray” color tone as those found on Apple notebooks, so the unit should match nicely on your desktop in such a scenario. On the scale, we can see that the TBT100 is rather hefty, weighing 430 grams.
Looking at the front, you will find a power switch alongside a USB-C 10 Gbps connector, SD card reader, and 3.5 mm audio-combo port. In the rear, where the bulk of I/O is located, are two USB 3.0 Type A, a Gigabit Ethernet, another USB-C 10 Gbps, two 4K@60Hz capable HDMI ports, and the Thunderbolt 3 port to interface with the host system. To the very right is the power port and a hole to secure the TBT100 with a Kensington lock.
Inner Workings
There is no need for you to take apart the device as it is essentially plug and play, but for the sake of this article, we have disassembled it to show you the insides. The metal casing holds both the PCB and a metal heatspreader, which comes with a few thermal pads to keep things cool enough even when utilizing all the ports. The PCB is clearly Corsair branded and extremely clean, with most of the ICs on the top of the multi-layered PCB.
At the core of the device is the Intel JHL 7440 Thunderbolt IC, which offers a dual-port configuration with a TDP of 2.4 W and DisplayPort 1.4 support even though the TBT100 does not offer such an interface. Right next to it is the Texas Instruments TPS65983BA power delivery IC, so you may charge your notebook by passing electricity from the external PSU through the TBT100 and its Thunderbolt 3 interface.
In the center of the PCB is the VLI VL822-Q8 USB 3.1 controller which also supports vendor specific charging via USB profiles, like those from Apple and Samsung.
The VLI VL817 Q7 USB 3.1 Gen1 hub controller ensures the TBT100 has all those aforementioned Type-A ports with modern interface speeds. Next to that is the Realtek ALC4050, which is a USB-C to audio jack interface DAC, so you can plug your classic headphones straight into the TBT100.
The Realtek RTL8153B—you may have guessed it—offers the 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet interface by translating it to USB on the internal side. In essence, it is the sort of IC you would find in a modern USB-C to Ethernet dongle as well. Close to the physical port itself, Corsair employs a GST5009M LF discrete LAN magnetics IC, which allows for long-haul connectivity and offers quite a few additional features, like POE. It is great to see, and I welcome this amount of over-kill.
Remember that the Intel Thunderbolt IC can handle DisplayPort? Because the TBT100 utilizes HDMI, there are two ITE IT6563FN DP receiver to HDMI transmitter ICs, one for each port, at the back of the device.
The GL3232S is a USB 3.1 Gen1 memory card controller with UHS-I interface support, so you can throw pretty much any modern SD card at it without issue.
Lastly, there is another smaller IC on the other end of the PCB, which I was unable to identify fully, but it could have something to do with the power button and its LED.
Software
While the Corsair TBT100 works right out of the box without any software applications, you may also download an app to make ejecting/disconnecting devices easier. It shows up as a little Corsair logo in the status bar on Mac OS and literally only offers the option “Unplug Thunderbolt Dock.” This way, you won’t have to worry about having to disconnect every attached device within your operating system, but can do so in a controlled and automated fashion, in one fell swoop before pulling the cable out of your notebook, for example. Within the simple application, you may set it to start automatically as well.
Up and Running
Using the Corsair TBT100 is incredibly easy, which is the essential point really. The single Thunderbolt 3 cable connects to the notebook and immediately starts charging it as needed as well. The power button lights up with a tiny white LED as soon as turned on and operational, so you will always know about the state of the unit by looking at it. The SD card reader holds the card securely, and since it is soldered to the top of the PCB, you don’t need to flip the card over to slide it in. Any of the rear ports instantly work as soon as you plug anything in, be it an HDMI monitor, Ethernet cable, or a USB storage device.
Once in place, the Corsair TBT100 will quickly become an essential part of your desktop environment, especially if you are using a notebook as the brains of your setup. In my scenario, I am utilized the unit for this review with an HDMI-based 27″ 1440P monitor, one USB-C based NVMe drive, one USB-A-based Time Capsule 2.5″ spinning storage unit, and the USB 3.0 hub of the monitor via the second USB-A connector, as well as the SD-Card reader to pull pictures onto the notebook. Lastly, the audio port turned out to be extremely useful, allowing me to keep a headset attached at all times for my “work from home” setup for quick and functional Microsoft Teams chats, or even audio when watching Netflix or playing games in Bootcamp using my Razer eGPU.
With all that and proper charging of the 13″ Macbook Pro, all I had to worry about was a single Thunderbolt cable so that my actual charging adapter stays inside my notebook bag when I am on the go. So while the $230 (MSRP $259) for the Corsair TBT100 is quite the investment, it is absolutely worth it for elaborate setups like this.
Last week, a leaked 360-degree video revealed the design of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. This week, a software leak has exposed the presence of a major new feature – 3D spatial audio.
The leak, posted on GitHub, suggests the Galaxy Buds Pro will simulate surround sound using “3D audio”. If the screenshots below are legit, the tech will allow users to, “hear vivid, immersive sound coming from all directions”.
If this all sounds rather familiar, it might be because Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max headphones already offer their take on spatial audio. The tech uses an accelerometer to adjust the sound according to the position of your head – a bit like sitting in a multiplex cinema.
And, just as Apple’s special audio tech doesn’t support Android users with AirPods, it looks like Samsung’s spatial tech will require a device running Android 11. The feature is also said to work with Dolby Atmos Music.
Today’s leak also seems to confirm that Samsung’s next noise-cancelling buds will get an improved ambient mode with “Voice Detect”. The latter could automatically lower the volume when the wearer talks (Sony’s WH-1000XM4 headphones offer a similar feature, called Speak-To-Chat).
A slew of credible leaks have tipped the Buds Pro for AKG-tuned audio, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C charging and a beefier battery life (courtesy, in part, of the new 500aMh charging case). Three gloss finishes are said to include “Phantom Violet” and “Phantom Black”.
Either way, there’s not long to wait – the Galaxy Buds Pro are expected to launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone at Unpacked on 14th January 2021.
ZTE Axon 16 5G was introduced in September in China, but the device could not be really bought. Today its global premiere takes place, thanks to which the equipment will be able to be ordered by customers from almost all over the world. Of course, due to the US restriction on the Middle Kingdom, this model will not reach US users. The device is the first smartphone in the world to use a selfie camera placed not in the notch, not in a retractable module, but as a unit embedded in the screen. The most interesting thing is that this model can be ordered to Poland. However, it will not be easy, but as a consolation I will add that this applies to all markets.
ZTE Axon 20 5G is the world’s first smartphone with 32 MP with a selfie camera embedded in the display. The device can be ordered to Poland from the manufacturer’s official store.
Vivo X 51 5G – Smartphone test with a physical three-axis gimbal
Self-portraits or if you prefer – selfie photos are especially important today for smartphone users. Of course, it is influenced by social media through which we share with the world changes in our lives. Unfortunately, along with the shrinking frames surrounding the screens of our smartphones, there was no space for the front camera. Some solve it by using a notch or a teardrop, others opt for sliding modules or rotating modules. ZTE decided to go a step further and offered a device with a camera embedded in the screen.
ZTE Axon 20 5G, because this is the particular model, was shown in China in September, but today its global debut takes place. The equipment can be ordered to Europe, Asia and Africa. Poland is also among the countries of the Old Continent that are included in the distribution. The device itself is visually interesting, but I would be lying if I wrote that it beats the competition. ZTE, following others, implements an innovation in a device from a higher mid-price range, not in a full-fledged flagship with a high specification. So here we have a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip 765 G, Adreno 620 and 8 GB RAM and 128 GB of data memory.
ZTE Axon 20 5G – the first smartphone with a camera screen
Built-in battery with a capacity 4220 mAh can be charged with power 30 W. The smartphone does not run out of solutions such as 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, WiFi b / g / n / ac and Android 10 with MiFavor overlay. The selfie camera is 32 MP unit embedded in 6, 92 – inch OLED screen 20, 5: 9 resolution 2460 x 1080 pixels. The main photographic unit consists of 64 MP wide angle, 8 MP ultra wide angle, 2 MP depth sensor and 2 MP macro module. The smartphone is priced at 449 Euro, that is 2030 zlotys. You have to remember that the so-called invitations are initially valid, and the number of pieces is very limited.
ZTE’s Axon 20 5G is a better phone if you don’t care about selfies
In a perfect world, everything would fit under the surface of smartphone displays. That’s been the principle behind the past few years of phone design, at least, ever since the iPhone X escalated the bezel wars with its conspicuous notch. From in-display fingerprint sensors to pop-up selfie cameras, we’ve seen phone manufacturers take creative approaches to achieving the highest possible screen-to-body ratio.
The latest advancement in the bezel wars is the ZTE Axon 20 5G, which goes on sale today and is the world’s first phone to integrate its front-facing camera underneath the screen. While in-display fingerprint sensors are commonplace now, doing the same for selfie cameras has proven to be more difficult. Companies like Oppo and Xiaomi have been showing off demos for years, but ZTE has beaten them to the punch with the first commercial device.
In theory, the advantages are obvious. You get an unbroken display that doesn’t need to account for a notch or hole-punch, and you don’t have to build in a motorized mechanism for a pop-up camera module. Again, if the world were perfect, the camera would just magically exist under the display without compromising image quality on either end.
Readers, the world is not perfect.
Before we talk about the camera, we should talk about the display that lies on top. I doubt this has anything to do with the camera technology itself, but the fact is that the Axon 20 5G is one of the biggest smartphones I’ve ever seen. The 90Hz OLED panel is a massive 6.92 inches diagonal, which means its 1080p resolution is a little less sharp than you’ll find on other phones. It’s not a problem in regular use, though, and the screen generally looks pretty good beyond some rough off-angle color shifting.
What does not look good is the comparatively huge “chin” bezel at the bottom. Even though it would have been considered extraordinarily slim just a few years ago, it really stands out on the Axon 20 5G considering the supposedly breakthrough nature of the device. I’ve seen phones that have managed to integrate conventional selfie cameras into thinner bezels than this, which kind of undermines the point of putting one under the display.
That feeling only intensifies when you go through the Axon 20 5G’s setup process, which shows the camera in the worst possible conditions. The under-display integration is extremely noticeable on light backgrounds, like what you tend to see on settings screens. There’s a square patch of the screen that exhibits a clear dithering effect, making it appear much lower resolution than the rest of the panel. I will just say right now that I think it looks worse than a notch.
In more general use, it’s harder to notice. If you’re viewing photos or a full-color wallpaper, you can see the lower-resolution area if you look closely, but it isn’t quite as distracting. And as with other companies who’ve shipped Android phones with notches or hole-punches, ZTE’s default software uses a black background for the top part of the screen where status and notification icons are displayed, which does make the camera near-invisible. But really, if you need to resort to the same old notch-hiding techniques to disguise your under-display camera, what are we even doing here?
The above images show how visible the camera is on colorful, white, and black backgrounds.
Of course, the next obvious question is how the camera actually performs. The news here is not great either. I don’t want to diminish the technical achievement of getting a halfway functional camera under an OLED screen at all — it involves new types of transparent materials, pixel filters, and demosaicing algorithms to make sense of the light that hits the 32-megapixel sensor. But the result, unfortunately, is a bad selfie camera.
In good light, the Axon 20 5G’s selfie camera takes hazy, soft photos with weak colors and blown-out highlights. Compare it to the Pixel 5 below:
Pixel 5 (left) vs Axon 20 5G (right)
Just to be clear, that Axon 20 5G photo was taken with the portrait mode and smoothing filters turned off.
Pixel 5 (left) vs Axon 20 5G (right)
The disparity is just as stark in low light, with a ton of noise and obliterated detail. I turned off the Pixel 5’s night mode here to make it more of a fair fight, and it still crushed the Axon 20 5G.
This under-display selfie camera is merely functional, and that’s being generous. It can capture images through the screen, yes, which is indeed a minor miracle. But you probably wouldn’t want anyone else to see them.
This isn’t the most effusive compliment I can give a phone with a supposedly breakthrough selfie camera, but the ZTE Axon 20 5G is actually a much better proposition if you don’t care about selfies or video calls. It’s otherwise a pretty credible phone for $449, though despite providing a dollar price ZTE says it won’t be available in the US or Canada for now. (It’s €449 in the EU and £419 in the UK.)
While the Axon 20 5G has a huge footprint, it’s still slim at just under 8mm thick, and ZTE has included a reasonably large 4,220mAh battery inside. The processor is a Snapdragon 765G with an integrated 5G modem, same as the Pixel 5 and the LG Velvet, and it can be configured to have up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Other specs include an optical in-display fingerprint sensor that works fine, 30W fast charging over USB-C, and a headphone jack. There’s a 64-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel ultrawide, along with 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors that you can probably ignore. The main areas where ZTE has cut corners are its mediocre haptics system and an unimpressive downward-firing speaker.
The fact that ZTE finally got a phone like this onto the market is a notable milestone, but I’m not sure who the device is really for. The under-display selfie camera often looks worse and more distracting than a notch, and the image quality is clearly compromised. It’s ironic that a phone might be more appealing to an audience that actively doesn’t care about its key selling point, but that’s where we’re at with the Axon 20 5G.
Today, we have another Galaxy S21 leak, which seems to confirm some of the specs that have been floating around, published by WinFuture. Information about and images of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S21-series phones have been landing almost daily in the run-up to Samsung’s January event. With this newest leak, we now have a better idea of what to expect — especially in the camera department. In short, the hardware appears to be a big part of Samsung’s plan to take on the highly capable iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The S21 Ultra will reportedly offer 3x and 10x telephoto cameras (72mm and 240mm equivalent focal lengths, respectively), both with optical image stabilization. That’s one additional rear-facing camera compared to the S20 Ultra’s three rear sensors.
Photo: WinFuture
The S21’s 10x lens will use a folded optic design like that of the S20’s telephoto camera. We expect that Samsung will once again offer hybrid zoom that reaches much farther than that 10x optical range.
Some other subtle camera updates look to be on the way, too. The main 108-megapixel camera gets a slightly wider 24mm (versus 26mm) equivalent lens. It will also get laser-assisted autofocus: something that the S20 Ultra didn’t offer but the Note 20 Ultra later introduced. And WinFuture says that despite the main camera sensor’s on-paper similarities to the last generation, this is a new sensor that should offer better image quality than the last.
Samsung will need every advantage to compete with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which we think is the best smartphone camera on the market today. Historically, Samsung has taken more of a hardware-heavy approach to mobile imaging, increasingly using its own house-made sensors rather than grabbing Sony’s off the shelf, and being early to adopt dual- and triple-lens cameras on its devices.
Part of the reason Samsung has leaned so hard into advanced hardware is that its computational photography hasn’t kept up with either Apple or Google. Only recently has it come up to par with features like Night Mode. But now it’s another year, and there’s more work to be done to catch up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Video may prove to be grounds for Samsung to level the playing field with Apple, too. It’s one area where software can only do so much without the right hardware behind it. Samsung has usually had big specs to tout when it comes to video — the S21 Ultra will offer 8K recording to the 12 Pro Max’s 4K — but the proof will be in the footage. Samsung says it’s committed to continuing to push its capabilities in this area.
There are a few notable non-camera-related details in WinFuture’s report. These specs confirm a 6.8-inch display with variable refresh rates from one to 120Hz, a battery-saving move also adopted from the Note 20 Ultra. There’s also S Pen support, which will be sold separately.
Samsung will also follow Apple’s lead by shipping the S21 devices without wall chargers in the box. The company will probably, like Apple, cite the environmental benefits as the motivation for this change, though cynics among us will note that it’s also beneficial to each company’s bottom line. But the reduction of e-waste is no doubt a good thing, and Samsung’s use of USB-C rather than a proprietary connector scores it even more environmental bonus points.
There’s no confirmed launch date or pricing yet for the S21 Ultra, though reports point to an announcement on January 14th.
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