Thursday, August 31, 2017

IFA 2017: LG V30 announcement event. Video replay. Specifications.









LG introduced todal at IFA 2017 in Berlin , its latest high end smartphone, the LG V30 and LG V30+

Specifications: (credits gsmarena):

Versions: LG V30+ with 128 GB storage; H930 (Europe)
NETWORK Technology
GSM / HSPA / LTE
LAUNCH Announced August, 2017
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2017, September
BODY Dimensions 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.4 mm (5.97 x 2.97 x 0.29 in)
Weight 158 g (5.57 oz)
SIM Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
  - MIL-STD-810G compliant
- IP68 certified - dust/water proof over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
DISPLAY Type P-OLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 6.0 inches (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1440 x 2880 pixels (~537 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch Yes
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  - Dolby Vision/HDR10 compliant
- Always-on display
- LG UX 6.0+
PLATFORM OS Android 7.1.2 (Nougat)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835
CPU Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
GPU Adreno 540
MEMORY Card slot microSD, up to 256 GB (dedicated slot)
Internal 64 GB, 4 GB RAM
128 GB, 4 GB RAM - V30+
CAMERA Primary Dual 16 MP (f/1.6, OIS, 3-axis, laser & phase detection autofocus) + 13 MP (f/1.9, no AF), LED flash
Features 1.0 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, 24-bit/192kHz stereo sound rec., HDR video
Secondary 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5" sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
SOUND Alert types Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
  - 32-bit/192kHz audio
- B&O Play certified
- 24-bit/48kHz audio recording
- Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
COMMS WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS
NFC Yes
Radio No
USB 3.1, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector
FEATURES Sensors Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Messaging SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM
Browser HTML5
Java No
  - Fast battery charging: 50% in 36 min (Quick Charge 3.0)
- Wireless charging
- MP4/DviX/XviD/H.265/WMV player
- MP3/WAV/FLAC/eAAC+/WMA player
- Photo/video editor
- Document editor
BATTERY Non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery
MISC Colors Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue
Price About 900 EUR

New SanDisk iXpand Base Saves Photos and Videos While Charging your iPhone or iPad.



Western Digital gives consumers a unique, hassle-free solution for daily iPhone backup.

Western Digital Corporation , a global data storage technology and solutions leader, today expanded its award-winning line of iPhone mobile storage solutions with the SanDisk® iXpandTM Base. The new offering is perfect for consumers looking for a convenient way to back up their iPhone photos, videos and contacts. With iXpand Base, there’s no need to change any daily habits, users simply plug their iPhone into the iXpand Base and automatically back up their content while the phone is charging. 

According to a recent survey by the company1, more than 85 percent of respondents state iPhone is their primary device for capturing photos and videos. With so much content generated on iPhone, consumers are looking for additional ways to manage data. To encourage more routine external backup, Western Digital combined charging with back up, giving users a seamless and simple solution for backing up their iPhone or iPad.

“iPhone users care deeply about their content and understand the importance of protecting it. Our top priority is to offer convenient solutions like the iXpand Base that fit with people’s everyday habits so they don’t have to change their routine, and never have to worry about losing memories,” said Jim Welsh, senior vice president, Client Solutions, Western Digital.

With up to 256GB2 of local storage, the SanDisk iXpand Base gives consumers plenty of room to automatically save files in their original quality, with no need to pay monthly fees for cloud-based storage3. The iXpand Base is designed with a compact form factor, allowing it to conveniently sit on a nightstand or desk, has a soft rubber top to place a phone and a wrap-around groove to keep a Lighting cable tidy and organized. It is engineered to quickly charge an iPhone with 15W of power while backing up all of its data via the companion iXpand Base app. Restoring backed up content to an iPhone is also fast and easy. Whether restoring to a current phone or a new one, consumers simply plug in, open the iXpand Base app and tap restore to transfer files back to the iPhone.

Pricing and Availability
The SanDisk iXpand Base is available now at SanDisk.com, Amazon, BestBuy.com, B&H Photo Video.com and other major retailers, with U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs) of 32GB/$49.99, 64GB/$99.99, 128GB/$129.99 and 256GB/$199.99. 



IFA 2017: SanDisk 400GB* Ultra® microSDXC™ UHS-I world`s mobile highest-capacity microSD card, announced.




Western Digital Corporation , a global data storage technology and solutions leader, today announced its 400GB* SanDisk Ultra® microSDXC™ UHS-I card, the world’s highest-capacity microSD card for use in mobile devices. Two years after introducing its record-breaking 200GB* SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card, Western Digital has doubled the capacity within the same tiny form factor. Keeping up with the demands of today’s mobile-centric lifestyle, the new SanDisk microSD card provides consumers with the freedom to capture, save and share photos, videos and apps, and enjoy offline content - all without worrying about storage limitations.

“Mobile devices have become the epicenter of our lives, and consumers are now accustomed to using their smartphones for anything from entertainment to business. We are collecting and sharing massive amounts of data on smartphones, drones, tablets, PCs, laptops and more. We anticipate that storage needs will only continue to grow as people continue to expect more sophisticated features on their devices and desire higher quality content,” Jeff Janukowicz, research vice president, IDC. “We estimate mobile device users worldwide will install over 150 billion applications alone this year, which require a ton of memory on all of our favorite devices.”

Western Digital achieved this capacity breakthrough by leveraging its proprietary memory technology and design and production processes that allow for more bits per die.

“We continue to push technology boundaries and transform the way consumers use their mobile devices,” said Sven Rathjen, vice president, product marketing, Western Digital. “By focusing on achieving new technology milestones, we enable consumers to keep up with their mobile-centric lifestyles with storage solutions they trust.”

Ideal for Android™ smartphone and tablet users, the world’s highest-capacity card can hold up to 40 hours of Full HD video and features superfast transfer speeds of up to 100MB/s** to deliver premium performance. At this transfer speed, consumers can expect to move up to 1,200 photos per minute1. Additionally, the 400GB* SanDisk Ultra microSD card meets the A1 App Performance Class specification, which means that the card can load apps faster.

Through the updated SanDisk Memory Zone app, users will have even greater control over their mobile device's memory storage. The app, available for free download from the Google Play™ store, is compatible with most Android-powered devices and allows users to easily locate, organize, transfer and back up data, including tagged content from Facebook and Instagram.

Pricing and Availability
The ground-breaking 400GB* SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card features a ten-year limited warranty4 and will be available at SanDisk.com and other major retailers at a U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $249.99.


­­­­­­­­­­About Western Digital
Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC) is an industry-leading provider of storage technologies and solutions that enable people to create, leverage, experience and preserve data. The company addresses ever-changing market needs by providing a full portfolio of compelling, high-quality storage solutions with customer-focused innovation, high efficiency, flexibility and speed. Our products are marketed under the HGST, SanDisk and WD brands to OEMs, distributors, resellers, cloud infrastructure providers and consumers. For more information, please visit www.hgst.com, www.wd.com, and www.sandisk.com.

About SanDisk
SanDisk, a Western Digital Corporation brand, provides trusted and innovative flash storage products that have transformed the electronics industry. SanDisk’s quality, state-of-the-art solutions are at the heart of many of the world's largest data centers, and embedded in advanced smartphones, tablets and PCs. SanDisk’s consumer products are available at hundreds of thousands of retail stores worldwide.


It`s Official: Apple invites to the September 12 first event at the Steve Jobs theater.



Apple announced today on its website an special event to take place for the first time ever at the Steve Jobs Theater for September 12 at 10 a.m PDT as was rumored before.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 7S and the iPhone 7S Plus alongside the 10th anniversary iPhone that might be called iPhone Pro or iPhone 8.

Of these 3 iPhones just the iPhone 8 will have an almost bezel less OLED display with the home button now integrated to the display as part of  the software. Wireless charging might be included.

iOS version 11 will be plenty announced to be available for download for all Apple`s mobiles.

A new version of Apple Watch Series 3 is on the list of upgrades and probably an LTE version would be presented. Not clear if it can make calls but if it is LTE should go that way.

An update for Apple TV supporting 4K and HDR Videos.





Wednesday, August 30, 2017

IFA 2017: Acer announces new ChromeBook 15 with Aluminun Design and long battery life.



New Acer Chromebook 15 with Aluminum Design Makes Entertainment More Enjoyable with Large Display and Long Battery Life

15.6-inch full HD IPS display lets media enthusiasts, families with school-age children, and anyone who wants immersive entertainment see and do much more; wide viewing angles make it great for sharing.

Extra-long battery life of up to 12 hours delivers day-till-night power for apps, entertainment, media streaming, social media, school work and more.

Aluminum top cover and palm rest provide a premium touch and feel

Fanless design provides for quiet operation

Upward-facing speakers surrounding the keyboard deliver premium sound to complement the spacious display for a great multimedia experience

Acer, the world’s leading Chromebook brand3, announced a new model in its award winning Chromebook 15 line – the only Chromebook in the industry with a 15.6-inch display – with a new stylish aluminum design and long battery life of up to 12 hours2.

In addition to having a large Full HD IPS1 display available in touch-screen and non-touch configurations, the new Acer Chromebook 15 (CB515-1H/1HT) delivers solid performance and up to 12 hours2 of battery life for all-day media consumption, game play, and app enjoyment.

“The new Acer Chromebook 15’s huge display is a visual feast,” said James Lin, General Manager, Commercial & Detachable Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Movies, apps, games and websites are immersive and the stunning display pairs beautifully with an aluminum design, quiet performance and up to 12 hours of battery life. The Chromebook 15 continues Acer’s legacy of delivering the most innovative Chromebooks in the industry and in the widest range of sizes.”

The Chromebook 15 will support Android apps via the Google Play™ Store when it is launched, so customers will have access to more than two million Android apps to let them have more fun, be entertained, stay connected and remain connected.

Large, Vibrant Display Boosted by Speakers, HD Web Cam

The vibrant 15.6-inch display lets users enjoy websites, video and games, and also increases productivity by providing more room for multiple tabs and apps. The Full HD display has a 1920 x 1080 resolution that ensures sharp visuals.

To complement the large display, the Acer Chromebook 15 has two full-sized upward-facing speakers that support high-definition audio and deliver enhanced volume and audio range. The full-sized keyboard and large touchpad are comfortable to use and give customers greater freedom when navigating.

The HD webcam has a wide 88-degree field of view to accommodate more participants in video chats at home and work. Also, audio and video are clear and crisp thanks to high dynamic range imaging and the built-in microphone.

Industry-Leading Battery Life; Quiet, Fanless Design

The new Acer Chromebook 15 delivers industry-leading battery life of up to 12 hours2, so it can be used for a full day of work or school plus streaming and fun. The fanless design allows it to run quietly, making it great for shared spaces such as in a family room, library or coffee shop.

The latest dual-core Intel® Celeron® and quad-core Intel® Pentium® processors deliver great performance for apps and the web. Models in the line will be available with 32 GB or 64 GB of eMMC storage as well as 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM.

Aesthetic, Thinner Aluminum Design

The Chromebook 15’s new design features an aluminum top cover and palm rest, giving it a stylish and modern design that is comfortable to touch and type on, and is also thinner and lighter than previous generations. It features a backlit keyboard allowing greater usability and weighs 1.72 kg (3.79 pounds) while measuring 378 W x 256 D x 18.9 H mm (14.88 W x 10.08 D x 0.74 H inches).

Staying Connected with Wi-Fi, USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port

The Acer Chromebook 15 keeps customers connected with fast Intel® Wireless-AC (802.11ac) wireless featuring 2x2 MIMO technology. Customers have the fastest way to transfer data, stream video and connect to an external display with the system’s two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C ports. The USB Type-C adapter can also charge the unit. Also, customers can connect peripherals to the Chromebook 15 via Bluetooth 4.2, two USB 3.0, an HDMI port and a combo headphone/speaker jack. The SD card reader supports up to 128 GB SDXC for transferring and saving files.

Easy to Share, Manage

The Acer Chromebook 15 supports multiple user sign-on to keep data safe. Family members can share the system and log onto their unique accounts to ensure their projects, Gmail accounts and information are kept way from prying eyes, even if the Chromebook is damaged or stolen. Storage on Google Drive4 protects files, documents, and photos safely in the cloud, and ensures that the most current version is always available.

Price and Availability

The Acer Chromebook 15 will be available with either a touch screen display (CB515-1HT) or non-touch display (CB515-1H). It will be available in EMEA in October starting at €499. It will also be available in North America in October starting at $399, including the United States, where it will be offered at Best Buy and the Acer Store.  

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.

The Acer Chromebook 15 was unveiled today at the next@acer press event at IFA in Germany, where the company announced a range of new devices and solutions. For more information, visit acer.com/nextatacer.

Offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra. 

1. All brands and product names mentioned herein include trademarks of their respective companies and are used solely to describe or identify the products

2. Market Share: Final PCs, Ultramobiles and Mobile Phones, All Countries, 2Q17 Update, 17 August 2017. Acer Group was ranked #1 for shipment of UMT device group with Chrome OS in the 2016 global market.

3. More information on Google Drive on Chrome devices: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/2703646?p=driveoffer&rd=1

4. More information on Google Drive on Chrome devices: https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/2703646?p=driveoffer&rd=1

Palm smartphones coming back to life in 2018, but without WebOS.




TCL the manufacturer of ALCATEL , BLACKBERRY branded devices are going to bring back the Palm Brand  with new smartphones for early 2018. These smartphones will not arrive with WebOS software since LG is the owner of the OS that only uses for Smart TVs.

Instead is more likely the Palm devices will come with Android OS.

There are a lot of Palm mobiles users that still keep their PDAs, Palm Smartphones with Palm OS and Palm WebOS and the TouchPad tablet that probably would like to see a Palm device with the latest technology

Back in the day, Palm pioneered the concept of personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, largely considered the predecessor to smartphones. They’ve entered this market back in 1996 and achieved success with devices like the Palm TX and the Palm Pilot. With the Palm Pre, in 2009, they attempted to take on the rising Android and iOS platforms with their webOS alternative. And while webOS was a compelling platform (which even took rising designer Matias Duarte as their UX head), it failed to actually gain traction in the market. Fast-forward to 2010, and the company was bought by Hewlett-Packard for $1.2 billion, only to be sold again to TCL a mere 5 years later in 2015 (with webOS rights being sold to LG in 2013).

xdadevelopers

PS. I still have my Palm Treo 680 with me, but use a Samsung  Galaxy S4 at this time.

Samsung unveiled the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2Pro smartwatches and the Gear IconX cord-free earbuds. Specs/Video.





Samsung Electronics today introduced three new devices to its industry-leading wearable portfolio: Gear Sport, a sleek and versatile fitness-focused smartwatch that is water resistant; Gear Fit2 Pro, an upgraded GPS sports band with smart features; and Gear IconX, a second generation of the company’s groundbreaking cord-free earbuds. Samsung’s new Gear devices were designed to help consumers get the most out of their day, and help them live a healthy and well-balanced life.

The new Gear devices assist with a range of activities – from robust fitness tracking to nutrition and sleep monitoring, as well as motivational coaching as a lifestyle companion. By introducing new smart capabilities and easy-to-use features, and by partnering with leading names in tech and fitness, Samsung is helping consumers go beyond fitness and accomplish big things.

“At Samsung, we celebrate the everyday athlete – whether you’re going for a light jog, or training for your next triathlon. We have a long history of embracing choice and innovation, and our wearables are designed to help consumers of varying fitness levels meet their goals and aspirations. We want to help remove the stigma that fit can only mean one thing and that fitness trackers are complex and for only the most intense of workouts,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our new Samsung Gear wearables help consumers ‘go beyond fitness’ and enjoy an active, balanced and fulfilled life in a smart and seamless way.”

As part of this updated line-up, Samsung created new capabilities for Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro:

Industry-Leading Water Resistance and Swim Tracking: An ideal companion for any swim – from laps to playing in the pool – these devices are 5 ATM1 certified for water resistance. Now with Speedo’s latest swimming training app, Speedo On, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro also allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.
Top-of-the-line Heart Rate Monitoring: With improved accuracy, the devices offer advanced real-time heart rate monitoring. They help you continuously monitor your heart activity – whether it’s enjoying a stress-free nap or an invigorating cycling class.

Premium Partnerships: Daily activity can be supplemented with updated Under Armour and Spotify partnerships. Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Armour Record™, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo™2 for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness. Spotify’s Offline mode lets you listen to your favorite music online, offline or even without your smartphone so you can enjoy your favorite tunes regardless of location.

Auto Activity Detection: Automatic activity detection built into the devices are in tune with your body and can recognize the following categories of activities: Walking, Running, Cycling and performing Dynamic Activities that could include dancing to basketball.

Personalized Motivation: You can customize your own wellness plan with tailored goals and alerts.

Gear Sport: A New Versatile Smartwatch to Support an Active and Balanced Lifestyle.



Gear Sport is stylish, yet practical with a minimalistic, circular bezel, Super AMOLED 1.2-inch display and improved user interface that makes it easy to view information, even when on-the-go. With Gear Sport, users can work to achieve health and wellness goals, and receive nutrition management alerts and activity recommendations even when they are offline.

Designed with military-level durability, it can handle a wide-range of environments.3  With its sleek, ergonomic form that can be worn in a variety of colorful and easily changeable standard 20mm straps, it is perfect for any occasion so you can effortlessly transition from the gym to a night out with friends. Gear Sport will be available in Blue and Black and also includes Gear foundational functions:

Control of Samsung IoT-enabled devices through Samsung Connect.

Act as a remote control, whether for a PowerPoint presentation or Samsung Gear VR headset.

Pay for goods with a flick of the wrist via Samsung Pay (NFC Only)4

Gear Fit2 Pro: An Advanced GPS Fitness Band.



In addition to the new swim and heart rate monitoring capabilities, the new Gear Fit2 Pro features advanced built-in GPS tracking to capture your run or ride with accurate activity tracking. Gear Fit2 Pro’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display and a high-resolution color touchscreen make real-time updates and notifications easier to read. The all-new secure, ergonomic band is light weight and comfortable to use for all activities. Available in Black and Red, its versatile design also makes it a stylish accessory.

Gear IconX: Comfortable Fit, Cord-Free Earbuds



IconX cord-free earbuds let you effortlessly listen to your favorite music – making your daily commute more enjoyable and helping you get more from your workout. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone5 or PC, or accessing your favorite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity. The earbuds are also your newest connection to Bixby.6 With a simple tap and hold of the earbud you can use your voice to control your music or your phone – without even having it in your hand.

The updated design comes in Black, Gray and Pink and is even more ergonomic and lightweight so they are effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use. For the fitness enthusiast, the Gear IconX automatically tracks your running routines, and also features the standalone Running Coach function which can be activated by simply tapping the earbud to provide in-ear audio7 exercise status updates – in real-time and without your phone. 

With a fast-charging and improved battery life of up to five hours of music streaming or seven hours of standalone music playback, and up to 4GB of internal storage, you can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience.

Samsung Gear Sport Specifications
Color Black, Blue
Display 1.2” Circular Super AMOLED
360 x 360, 302ppi
Full Color Always On Display
Corning ® Gorilla ® Glass 3
AP Dual Core 1.0 GHz
OS Tizen
Size 42.9 (W) x 44.6 (H) x 11.6 (D) mm
50g (without band)
Strap 20mm
Memory 4GB Internal memory, 768MB RAM
Connectivity Bluetooth® v4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou
Sensor Accelerometer, Gyro, Barometer, HRM, Ambient light
Battery 300mAh
Charge Wireless charging
Durability 5 ATM water resistance
MIL-STD-810G
Compatibility Samsung Galaxy: Android 4.3 or later
Other Android: Android 4.4 or later
iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S, 6s Plus, SE, 5 *iOS 9.0 or later


Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro Specifications
Color Black, Red
Display 1.5” Curved Super AMOLED
216 x 432, 310 ppi
Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
AP Dual Core 1.0 GHz
OS Tizen
Size 25.0 (W) x 51.3 (H) mm
34g (Large), 33g (Small)
Strap Small (Size of the wrist: 125~165mm)
Large (Size of the wrist: 158~205mm)
Memory 4GB Internal memory, 512MB RAM
Connectivity Bluetooth® v4.2, Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS/GLONASS/Beidou
Sensor Accelerometer, Gyro, Barometer, HRM
Battery 200mAh
Charge Pogo type
Durability 5 ATM water resistance
MIL STD 810G
Compatibility Samsung Galaxy: Android 4.3 or later
Other Android: Android 4.4 or later
iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S, 6s Plus, SE, 5 *iOS 9.0 or later


Samsung Gear IconX (2018) Specifications 
Color Black, Gray, Pink
Size Earbud: 18.9 (W) x 21.8 (D) x 22.8 (H) mm
Case: 73.4 (W) x 44.5 (D) x 31.4 (H) mm
Weight Earbud: 8.0g per earbud / Case: 54.5g
Memory 4GB (per earbud)
Connectivity Bluetooth® v 4.2
Sensor Accelerometer, IR, Capacitive Touch
Battery Earbud: 82mAh / Charging Case: 340mAh
Play time: up to 7 hours (Standalone Mode) / up to 5 hours (Bluetooth Mode)
Talk time: up to 4 hours
※ The charging case provides 1 extra charge on the go
USB 2.0 & Type-C
Speaker 5.8pi Dynamic Driver
Compatibility Android 4.4 or later
RAM 1.5 GB or above
Audio Audio Formats: MP3, M4A, AAC, WAV, WMA (WMA v9)
Audio Codec: Samsung Scalable Codec, SBC
Voice Guide
Language English (U.S.), Chinese (China), German (Germany), French (France), Spanish (U.S.), Korean (South Korea), Italian (Italy), Russian (Russia), Japanese (Japan) 

1Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have ISO 22810:2010 certification for 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under specific conditions. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

2Under Armour’s MapMyRun, Endomondo and Under Armour Record for Gear devices are not supported in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Under Armour’s MyFitness Pal for Gear devices is not supported in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

3 Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro are MIL-STD-810G certified.

4NFC support only. Service availability may vary by country.

5The Gear IconX is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 and above.

6Limited to Samsung devices with Bixby voice capabilities including Galaxy Note8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

7The Gear IconX voice guide supports nine languages including U.S. English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Korean, Italian, Russian and Japanese.





Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Galaxy Note 8 Sets New Record in Display Performance Evaluation, Says DisplayMate.



In the results of its comprehensive evaluation of the Galaxy Note8’s Infinity Display, DisplayMate Technologies, the leading evaluator of video screens, stated that Samsung’s latest flagship device is “the most innovative and high performance smartphone display that we have ever lab tested.”

Acquiring an all-time high grade of “Excellent A+,” the Galaxy Note8 exceeded the display performance of the Galaxy S8 and previous Galaxy Note device in the main assessment categories including brightness, outdoor visibility and color gamut, once again raising the standard for smartphone displays.

“The display on the Galaxy Note8 has not only major improvements in the OLED display hardware, but also many new and enhanced display features and display functions,” DisplayMate reported. Read on to learn about which were most praised by the industry’s leading screen authority. 

Brighter and Less Reflective
The Infinity Display of the Galaxy Note8 boasts a record high peak brightness of 1,240 nits* – a 22 percent increase from the Galaxy S8 – and a screen reflectance level of 4.6 percent, one of the lowest that DisplayMate has ever measured for a smartphone. Combined high brightness and low screen reflectance levels equate to a display that is easily readable, even under relatively high ambient lighting, such as bright sunlight. 

Higher Resolution
As a result of its larger display size and larger aspect ratio of 18.5:9, the Galaxy Note8 is the first Note smartphone to realize 3K QHD+ (2960×1440 pixels) resolution. The display has Diamond Pixels and sub-pixel rendering with 521 pixels per inch (ppi), providing significantly higher image sharpness than can be resolved with normal 20/20 vision at the typical viewing distance of 10 inches or more, so the display appears perfectly sharp. 

Enhanced Entertainment Capabilities
The Galaxy Note8 is certified by the UHD Alliance for MOBILE HDR PREMIUM™, which allows it to play the same 4K High Dynamic Range content produced for 4K UHD Premium TVs.

To do so, the Galaxy Note8 has the required Digital Cinema DCI-P3 wide color gamut, perfect blacks and an infinite contrast ratio, as well as a peak brightness level of more than 1,000 nits which is needed for High Dynamic Range. Furthermore, its built-in video processor allows it to provide an expanded dynamic range for standard video content that produces an HDR-like effect.

The native color gamut of the Galaxy Note8, meanwhile, is even larger than that of the Galaxy S8 – 112 percent of DCI-P3 and 141 percent of sRGB. In other words, users can enjoy movies and games in the colors that the content producers intended. 

Design Innovation
The DisplayMate evaluation had many positive points to add about the design of the bezel-less Infinity Display of the Galaxy Note8, which fills almost the entire front face of the phone from edge-to-edge.

The report noted that its 6.3-inch display is 20 percent larger in screen area than the Galaxy S8 and 14 percent larger than previous Galaxy Note displays, despite the fact that the size of the phone itself did not increase.

The dual-curved screen OLED display is manufactured on a flexible plastic substrate so that it can bend around corners on both sides of the phone to not only minimize bezels, but also provide two curved Edge screen displays that can be viewed and controlled from both the front or the sides.

The display’s expanded screen space, along with its new 18.5:9 aspect ratio, explained DisplayMate, enhances the utility of the device, making it easier for users to multitask, watch video content and check notifications. Furthermore, the adoption of a new Night Mode with a blue light filter allows users to adjust and reduce the amount of blue light from the display for better night viewing and improved sleep.

The Galaxy Note8 will be available in stores beginning September 15, but you can pre-order it today:

Monday, August 28, 2017

IFA 2017: Dell Unveils New Laptops, 2-in-1s and Mixed Reality Headset.




New Premium Support Plus, the most comprehensive support service, available now on Dell Consumer and Gaming PCs.
New Inspiron 2-and-1s and laptops offer stunning visual experience and performance in sleek, affordable packages.
Award-winning XPS 13 now up to 44% more powerful with new 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors.
New Dell Visor, sleek and comfortable Windows Mixed Reality headset, coming soon.

    
Dell is revealing a suite of holiday wish-list worthy devices and services that provide the most immersive and comprehensive computing experience available. The new offerings include Inspiron 7000 2-in-1s and laptops with new 8th Generation Intel Core processors; performance enhancements to the critically acclaimed XPS 13; Dell Visor Windows Mixed Reality Headset; and Premium Support Plus service. 

These new innovations demonstrate Dell's commitment to providing the best audio and visual computing, virtual reality (VR) and gaming experiences for consumers.  

"We're in Berlin this week to demonstrate Dell's global leadership in innovation across personal computing, gaming and virtual reality," said Ray Wah, senior vice president and general manager, Dell Consumer and Small Business Product Group. "From our new mixed reality headset to beautiful new laptops and 2-in-1s, our holiday lineup introduced at the show includes some of the best designs with incredible visual experiences, exceptional performance and support to match."  

New Dell Premium Support Plus with First and Only Predictive Issue Detection

Dell's new top-tier Premium Support Plus ups the ante to deliver the most comprehensive support service available for consumer and gaming PCs1. Premium Support Plus builds on the great features customers have come to enjoy with Dell's Premium Support, such as 24/7 phone support, onsite service after remote diagnosis and hardware and software support. Powered by Dell's exclusive SupportAssist2 technology, it is the first and only consumer service to proactively find issues, predict problems before they start, automatically remove viruses and optimize performance for consumer PCs3.

This service also comes with many advanced support features like repairs for accidental damage. The automated, proactive and predictive capabilities have been tested and proven in the commercial market and now Dell is bringing them to consumers.

"Consumers today are demanding more when selecting new PCs – in design, performance and support and Dell is a big innovator in PC products and services," said Patrick Moorhead, president and principal analyst, Moor Insights & Strategy. "With the introduction of Premium Support Plus, Dell is raising the bar on what consumers can and should expect in a support plan and are demonstrating their leadership in PC support. Having a more automated, predictive and intuitive support experience means they're free to focus on enjoying their technology."

Customers can tailor the experience to their lifestyle – a hands-off, call-free experience with automated integrated support or one-on-one personalized support with an agent or a combination of both. Customers experience up to 88% less time to issue resolution and up to 77% fewer steps in the support process when compared to other premium service offers4. Available Aug. 29 in 69 countries for Dell Inspiron, XPS and Alienware systems.

New Inspiron Laptops and 2-in-1s - Stunning Visual Experiences & Performance in Sleek, Affordable Packages

Designed for the mobile multi-tasker or multi-user household, the new Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 line, available in 13 and 15 inches in Era Gray brushed aluminum, brings stunning visuals and powerful performance in a small footprint. Enjoy a beautiful visual experience with a narrow border and FHD IPS touch display supporting active pen for digital drawing, writing and note taking. On the 15 inch model an optional 4K UHD IPS touch display covers 100% AdobeRGB and an optional NVIDIA GeForce 940MX enhances the experience.  

With the Inspiron 7000 2-in-1s, watch movies or video chat uninterrupted thanks to SmartByte streaming technology co-engineered by Dell that prioritizes streaming and conferencing above other network activities. Experience exceptional performance and immersive experiences with new 8th Generation Intel Core processors, DDR4 memory; and flexible connectivity options with USB Type-C with support for DisplayPort and Power Delivery. 

The Inspiron 7000 2-in-1s also offer longer battery life and quieter performance with standard SSDs or optional PCIe NVMe SSDs on the 13 inch version with additional HDD, Hybrid and Dual Drive options on the 15 inch model. Available in the U.S. Oct. 3 starting at $879.99 (13") and $849.99 (15") on Dell.com; available at select Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com in October.

For those who prefer a traditional laptop, the new Inspiron 7000 laptops are the perfect travel companion with the slim, light and thin-bezel design in Platinum Silver or Pink Champagne5. Available in 13 and 15 inches, the Inspiron 7000 offers a brilliant FHD IPS display for a crisp, detailed picture, with a UHD option6 that covers 100% AdobeRGB available on the 15 inch model. 

The laptops take advantage of the outstanding performance, responsiveness and hardware enabled security built into the 8th  Generation Intel Core processor, as well as strengthened security with password-free biometrics login with Windows Hello and infrared camera or fingerprint reader (on 13" only.) Finally, it offers a range of storage options including PCIe NVMe SSD. Available in the U.S. Oct. 3 starting at $799.99.

Dell has also updated the Inspiron 13 and 15 5000 2-in-1s, which offer supercharged performance in a super thin design, and the Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1, the complete package in a flexible form factor. These new systems now offer new 8th Generation Intel Core processors and DDR4 memory for exceptional performance when multi-tasking. The Inspiron 13 and 15 5000 2-in-1 are available in the U.S. Oct. 3 starting at $799 (active pen capable) and $749.99 (not active pen capable) and Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 is available in the U.S. Oct. 3 starting at $999.99 on Dell.com. Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 will also be available at select Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com in October.

Beloved XPS 13 Now Up to 44% More Powerful 

Carrying the tradition of delivering the best computing experience, the XPS 13 now offers up to 44% more performance with the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processors and Dynamic Power Mode7. With the new 8th Gen processors, with four cores versus two, experiencing exceptional performance while multi-tasking and running multiple applications is possible. The XPS 13, the smallest 13.3 inch laptop8 on the planet, also boasts a stunning viewing experience with optional Quad HD+ InfinityEdge (optional touch) display, with sharp visuals and vivid and accurate color. It's no wonder it's Dell's most award-winning laptop ever. XPS 13 with 7th Gen Intel Core i3 is available in the U.S. now and starts at $799. XPS 13 with 8th Gen Intel Core i7 will be available in the U.S. starting Sept. 12 for $1399.99, with additional configurations available in October.

Dell Visor Looks to the Future

As a driving force in the virtual reality space, Dell has developed one of the broadest portfolios of VR-ready devices – notebooks, desktops, mini-PCs and AIOs – and end-to-end VR solutions, from creation to consumption to storage. In partnership with Microsoft, Dell blazes into the mixed reality future with the sleek and comfortable Dell Visor - its first-ever headset for Windows Mixed Reality platform. Engineered with a flip-up visor for convenient transitions, it features well-cushioned head and face padding, thumbwheel band adjustment for personalized comfort, and smart weight balancing that takes pressure off the nose and cheeks. The white finish is easy to clean and durable, and the thoughtful design extends to cable management that routes cords to the back of the headset for better freedom of movement.

Dell Visor takes advantage of the same technology used in the Microsoft HoloLens, including inside-out tracking cameras, with a 360 degree panoramic view. The headset itself is able to scan surroundings instead of satellite emitters positioned inside the room. Its future-proof tech extends to platform-agnostic communication, with the possibility of users interacting with owners of different MR headset brands down the road. Dell Visor Controllers offer complete flexibility with 6 degrees of freedom of movement in a three-dimensional space. The Controllers allow users total control with haptic feedback, thumb stick and buttons fully tracked by sensors in the headset. Available in the U.S. in the coming months for $349.99 (headset) and $99.99 (controllers) or $449.99 (headset and controllers kit) on Dell.com. The Dell Visor will also be available at Microsoft and select Best Buy stores and BestBuy.com in the coming months. Tune in to the Microsoft keynote at IFA on Friday, Sept. 1 to hear additional launch details on the Dell Visor.

Dell at IFA

Visit the Dell booth at IFA (Stand 101, Hall 16) in Berlin Aug. 30-31 (press) and Sept. 1-6 (general public) to check out these new products and services, as well as interactive and immersive gaming, virtual reality and other technology experiences.

[Invitation] Galaxy Unpacked 2024, Jan 17: Opening a New Era of Mobile AI.

A revolutionary mobile experience is coming. Get ready to discover a new era full of possibilities with the latest Galaxy innovations, desig...

Popular Posts