Month: April 2018

  • GoPro Wants Your Old Digital Camera

    GoPro Wants Your Old Digital Camera

    If you’ve been thinking about buying a GoPro, now may be the time. The company—in an attempt to bolster less-than-robust sales over the 2017 holiday season—has extended last year’s trade-in program indefinitely and expanded it to include any digital camera. In exchange for your old camera, GoPro is offering deep discounts on their latest models.

    Seriously, Any Camera

    The TradeUp program promises to accept any digital camera, regardless of whether it works—or even whether it’s still in one piece. Theoretically, you could send them a totally wrecked piece of gear and still receive the discount. The company will be recycling the trade-ins, so don’t worry about your camera taking up space in a landfill.

    How It Works

    First, you need to decide whether you want the Hero6 Black or the Fusion camera. The Hero6 Black usually runs $400, but with a trade-in, the price drops to $350. The 360-degree Fusion retails for $700; the trade-in brings the price tag down to $600.

    Once you’ve chosen your camera, you’ll add it to your cart and check out on the company’s website. During the purchasing process, you’ll receive a free shipping label for your old camera. Once GoPro receives the trade-in, they’ll finish processing your order at the discounted price.

    Should You Do It?

    As with many questions in life, the answer is that it depends. If you have an outdated point-and-shoot or an earlier-generation GoPro that you’re no longer using, then the discount could be very tempting. However, you’ll want to make sure that the resale value of your camera is less than the maximum discount of $100 on the Fusion. In other words, don’t send in your top-of-the-line Canon or Nikon.

    If you’re a fan of instant gratification or need a camera in a hurry, then you may be frustrated while you wait for the company to receive your trade-in. Ultimately, if you were already thinking about buying a new GoPro, the TradeUp program is a good bargain, but be prepared to jump through a few hoops to get it.

  • Update to the iPhone SE line Could Be Coming

    Update to the iPhone SE line Could Be Coming

    A new hint has surfaced to support the rumor that Apple will release an iPhone SE 2 in the near future, but it’s a roundabout one, so bear with us. I promise, this will all make sense. Apple recently registered several unreleased iPhone model numbers with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), a Russian-language regulatory organization.

    The filing by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), which authorizes devices for a number of countries including Russia and Armenia, shows it has given the all-clear for a number of iPhones to go on sale. The information in the filing does not specify model names, but rumors and the timing of the filing strongly point to another iPhone SE launch.

    Found by Consomac, the devices are identified with the model numbers A1920, A1921, A1984, A2097, A2098, A2099, A2101, A2103, A2014, A2015, and A2016. None of the iPhones Apple has previously launched use these model numbers, indicating them to be brand new devices.

    Few other bits of useful information are offered in the filing, but it is noted the listed iPhones will ship running iOS 11. It is likely this is shorthand to refer to iOS’ main generational release, and the iPhones themselves will ship with a more recent version, such as iOS 11.3.

    But before you start celebrating the thought of 11 new iPhones, keep in mind that Apple sometimes uses different model numbers for the same type of iPhone.  However, there is a chance that at least a few of those model numbers could belong to the rumored iPhone SE 2, which is overdue for a refresh. As iPhones become larger and quite possibly more expensive, the smaller, scaled-back iPhone SE is Apple’s one phone that can compete with an army of cheaper Androids.

     

    Apple released the original iPhone SE in March 2016, then released it again with more storage a year later. But besides that, there haven’t been any major upgrades to the iPhone SE line. The iPhone SE is unlike other iPhones because of its small 4-inch size and its lower price tag. Rumors about an “iPhone SE 2” started cranking up in November, with allegations that it would ship in the first half of 2018 and be manufactured by Wistron in India. More recently, reports suggested that the device would have a glass back, to facilitate Qi charging, like the iPhone 8 family and iPhone X.

     

    The Fin

    al Thought

    Why be surprised, why even bother looking forward to a SE release. Its definitely time to update the se, which is essentially an iPhone 5. The update will in all likenesses be a cheap version of the 6. Its cheap but at least its an iPhone is what my father would say..

  • Tech Throwback: The HTC 8125

    Tech Throwback: The HTC 8125

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. Im going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today I’m powering up the HTC 8125 first commercial pocket PC and phone

     

    The HTC 8125  is an Internet-enabled Windows Mobile Pocket PC PDA designed and marketed by High Tech Computer Corporation of Taiwan. It has a touchscreen with a left-side slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The 8125’s functions include those of a camera phone and a portable media player in addition to text messaging and multimedia messaging. It also offers Internet services including e-mail (including Microsoft’s DirectPush push e-mail solution, as well as BlackBerry services with applications provided by BlackBerry-partnered carriers), instant messaging, web browsing, and local Wi-Fi connectivity. It is a quad-band GSM phone with GPRS, and EDGE, and a single/dual band UMTS phone with HSDPA. It is a part of the first line of PDAs directly marketed and sold by HTC.

     

    Reintroducing

    Cingular’s 8125 has the right idea when it comes to hardware and software specs. But this hybrid PDA/cell phone’s design and usability disappoint.

    The thing that blew my mind 13 years ago is the 8125 is its built-in Wi-Fi. The device’s side panel includes a shortcut button that launches an on-screen Communication Manager menu. From here, you can enable or disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, PC Sync, and even the phone. I also liked how easy it was to set up the 8125 to access IMAP, POP3, and Microsoft Exchange e-mail accounts.

    When the keyboard is stowed away, the 8125 is chunky–and its thickness made it awkward to use for phone calls. In my hands-on trials, I could easily adjust call volume, thanks in large part to the tactile volume control on the side panel, but at times I couldn’t hear the person on the other end. Several people I called told me that I sounded far away

     

    The Final Thought

    This was the first Smartphone on the market, It was the first smartphone I owned. It was slow and unresponsive, but I had internet at a dial up speed anywhere I went. The sight and thought of its potential blew people mind and opened conversations. Once this phone was release mankind was off to the races. Thank you HTC for picking up where the newton fell and setting up the future.

  • Best Ways to Check Credit Score

    Best Ways to Check Credit Score

    If you’re looking to make a big purchase, like a car or a house, odds are you’re going to need a loan. The way lenders check to see if you’re eligible for that loan, of course, is your credit score. If you often pay bills on time and are financially secure, your score should be high but you should regularly check your score.

    Grab hold of your financial potential with free information about your credit score. Knowing your credit score is important because it helps you decide what your buying power is and what areas to focus on to improve this important score.

    There are many factors that go into determining a credit score, including employment status, credit history, and financial consistency. There are also several different types of credit scores rather than a standard way to measure creditworthiness. Although banks and lenders may have their own method to determine a credit score, there are ways that general consumers can monitor their credit activity and keep on top of the score as it changes over the years.

    If you’re looking to check your credit score you’ll want to do it for free. That’s where these free credit check sites come in!

    Best Free Credit Reports

    Credit.com

    Credit.com allows you to see your Experian and VantageScore results for free. VantageScore is a newer model of credit scoring that is usually more up-to-date than the traditional FICO score. You have to sign up for an account with Credit.com, but it’s a free process. The site is known for its credit report card, a quick glance at which things go into your credit. This way, you can see what factors you may need to address to get your score higher!

    Credit Karma

    Credit Karma has become the most popular of the free credit monitoring sites for many reasons. You’ve likely heard of this one. Credit Karma offers scores from TransUnion and Equifax, and both are shown as VantageScore. Credit Karma is a free site as well, and they don’t share customer information. If you’re looking for a no-frills credit check, you’re looking for Credit Karma. They offer a great mobile app, too.

    Quizzle

    Since 2008, Quizzle has been helping its customers understand their credit history and providing free access to their full credit report and credit score. Quizzle offers free Equifax and VantageScore reports. Once every three months you can see a free report of your score. Quizzle technically has a premium account too, though you’re better off just using the free functions. The free functionality doesn’t require a credit card, too.

    WalletHub

    WalletHub offers personal financial tools to users online. Their main product is offering a free daily credit score and report associated with it. WalletHub requires you to take a pre-screening questionnaire before you get your free score. Once you answer a few basic questions, such as your income and the last four digits of your Social, you get a TransUnion credit score. The report is similar to Credit.com’s credit report card, showing you what factors influence your score the most.


  • What is this Motorola, a G6?

    What is this Motorola, a G6?

    Motorola has offered its biggest tease of the incoming Moto G6 yet. Rumored to launch soon on April 19, the clip shows off several angles of the budget-friendly phone that is looking more high-end than ever.

    Throughout the teaser, shared from the Motorola Twitter account, we’re taken on a tour around the G6’s curves and design highlights. From its glossy trim, to its notched power button and metal ear speaker grille, the video appears to confirm many of the leaks that we’ve reported on. Its front-facing fingerprint sensor makes an appearance, too, as does the dual rear-facing camera system that we saw on the Moto X4.

    Not indicated but expected, the Moto G6 Plus will have a 5.93-inch Full HD+ 18:9 screen, probably no notch, on its front and dual cameras on its back. It will be joined by the Moto G6 and the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Play when Motorola announces its 2018 roster this week.

     

    Quick Spec Look

     

    Specifications    Moto G6                                                  Moto G6 Plus                                                    Moto G6 Play

     

    • Processor            Qualcomm Snapdragon 625         Qualcomm Snapdragon 660         Qualcomm Snapdragon 430
    • Display  5.7in Full-HD+ (2160×1080) 18:9 5.93in      Full-HD+ (2160×1080) 18:9            5.7in Full-HD+ (2160×1080) 18:9
    • Memory              3GB/4GB                                                        3GB/4GB/6GB                                         3GB/4GB
    • Storage                  32GB/64GB
    • Primary Camer         Dual-lens 12Mp + 5Mp,                          Dual-lens 12Mp + 5Mp                  Single-lens camera, dual-LED flash
    • Selfie Camera               16Mp, LED flash
    • Ports                       3.5mm headphone jack
    • Fingerprint scanner         Yes, front                                                           Y es, front                                         Yes, rear
    • Battery Capacity               3000mAh                                                         3200mAh                                              4000mAh
    • Colour Options                  Black, Silver, Rose Gold Black, Silver, Teal                                             Charcoal, Gold, Deep Blue

    The Final Thought

    It’s hard to shake the feeling that we’re not looking at Moto’s next flagship. As other companies like Nokia and Asus have shown, low-end is the new high-end. Flagship features like the 18:9 aspect ratio display and dual cameras are trickling down and are now more accessible to more people.

    So while the Moto G6 and its Moto G6 Plus and Moto G6 Play may not be top-end in terms of spec, this will likely be Moto’s biggest release of the year. Since the rumored launch date is upon us, stay tuned for the latest news and hands-on reviews of Moto’s new swath of phones. The base 32GB G6 model was listed by the site at $249.99 unlocked and G6 Play priced at $199.99

  • Comparing Music Streaming Services in 2018

    Comparing Music Streaming Services in 2018

    It’s not news anymore that music streaming is available on practically every device, and many people already subscribe. But tech is always moving forward and there are new streamers and new features coming out constantly.

    Are you looking to sign up for a new service or check out the competition for a potential switch? If so, here is our summary of the most popular services for 2018.

    Streaming Services & Cost

    You’ll see the following streaming services mentioned in this article:

    Amazon Prime Music – Free with Prime

    Amazon Music Unlimited –  $9.99

    Apple Music – $9.99

    Deezer – Free or $9.99

    Google Music – $9.99

    Spotify – Free or $9.99

    Tidal – $9.99

    Music Library

    Pretty much all of these services offer over 25 million songs, which should cover just about anything you want to listen to. But there are some niches and exceptions to consider.

    Firstly, Amazon Prime Music only has a library of 2 million songs. That’s paltry compared to their Music Unlimited service, which offers a library similarly sized to Spotify, Apple Music and Google.

    Secondly, if you are a big fan of Jay-Z and his circle of friends (Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, Alicia Keyes, Usher and more), then you may want to consider Tidal for its exclusive content.

    If you are a big Taylor Swift fan, then Apple Music is the only streaming service offering her bestselling 1989 album.

    Device Compatibility

    This isn’t really an issue in 2018. Android, iOS and any modern web browser will be able to access and stream any of these services.

    It may be worth noting that Amazon’s Echo and Echo Dot speakers will allow you to play and control Amazon Music Unlimited. And if you are okay with only using that service from a single Echo speaker, you can subscribe for a reduced rate of $3.99 per month. That’s a steal if you’re willing to sacrifice the multi-room feature.

    Music Discovery

    What’s the point of having access to 30 million songs if the app doesn’t help you find new music that fits your tastes?

    Overall, we think Spotify is the most helpful to find new music. However, Deezer has a very cool “Hear This” feature that works better than Spotify’s “Discover.” Apple Music takes a while to learn what you like, but their “For You” section can grow to be quite decent.

    Amazon Prime relies on your purchase history and reviews on Amazon, so you’d have to be pretty deep in that world to get any good recommendations. Amazon Unlimited does a slightly better job with recommendations.

    Tidal takes a different route and showcases a curated list of unknown and upcoming artists from around the world.

    Radio

    All of these services offer a streaming radio service. The free versions of any of these services offer only a limited number of skips when listening to the radio.

    Overall, Spotify and Deezer are very similar, offering channels based on artists you like as well as genre stations. Apple Music offers custom radio as well as an actual radio station: Beats 1.

    Amazon offers streaming radio with a thumbs up/thumbs down feature to help train it. Tidal and Google Play also offer stations based on artists you like.

    Overall, the radio features of these services are quite similar. Apple Music’s Beat 1 is pretty much the only standout feature.

    Offline Listening

    Sometimes you can’t stream because of data caps or location. Pretty much all of these services have you covered: you can download a number of songs and listen offline. Obviously, the free versions of Deezer and Spotify are the exception here.

    Spotify is a bit more restricting than the rest, allowing 3,333 tracks for 30 days of offline listening. Tidal doesn’t offer offline mode for Mac and PC. But otherwise, the services pretty much let you download to your heart’s content (or your device’s storage capacity).

    Other Features

    There are a few other features worth mentioning that each service offers over one another, with some overlap.

    Facebook integration in Spotify and Deezer allow you to see what your friends are listening to. Tidal has a simpler integration that allows you to share with your friends directly on Facebook.

    Apple offers Connect, which is a space for artists to share exclusive videos, photos and more.

    If you are an audiophile, note that Tidal offers high-fidelity lossless tracks. Note for the layman: you’ll need a good sound system to tell the difference. If you are a Sonos user, Deezer offers a lossless version called Deezer Elite. Apple offers a max of 256k AAC.

  • Intel Aims to Improve Performance by Moving Virus Scanning to GPU

    Intel Aims to Improve Performance by Moving Virus Scanning to GPU

    Intel is going to open the doors for virus scanners to use integrated graphics chipsets for scanning instead of relying solely on the CPU. This could mean better performance and battery life.

    Accelerated Memory Scanning

    “With Accelerated Memory Scanning, the scanning is handled by Intel’s integrated graphics processor, enabling more scanning, while reducing the impact on performance and power consumption,” said Intel’s platform security division vice president Rick Echevarria. “Early benchmarking on Intel test systems show CPU utilization dropped from 20 percent to as little as 2 percent.”

    Since typical machines do not fully utilize their onboard graphics chips, Intel is making a smart move to offload threat protection.

    Supported Processors

    The supported processors go back to the 6thgeneration of Intel, meaning that three generations of processors will allow the offloading of virus scanning. This should cover a very wide variety of computers that are already in the field.

    Skylake, the earliest supported Intel processor, was launched in 2015. If you purchased your computer before then (or if your computer uses AMD instead of Intel), then you will not be able to use the new offloaded virus scanning feature.

    Supported Virus Scanners

    Microsoft’s Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) will be the first to offer this new feature… as soon as later this month. Intel has also been working with other antivirus developers to help facilitate the change. Keep an eye open for news from your preferred vendor.

    Spectre Protection

    Last month, Intel said that they are redesigning their processors to prevent another Spectre-like attack. Changes that Intel had to make to protect applications after Spectre cause a performance hit but updating the silicon itself will restore performance and provide better protection.

  • Laptop Lookout: Huawei Matebook X Pro

    Laptop Lookout: Huawei Matebook X Pro

    HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is a ultra-slim notebook with FullView display of 91% screen-to-body ratio. The 3K touchscreen, powerful Intel processor and discrete graphics ensure this is a perfect companion for entertainment and work. With a 3K LTPS display comes with a remarkable 3000 x 2000 resolution, 260 PPI, 100% sRGB color gamut, 450 nits maximum brightness and 1500:1 contrast ratio. Immerse yourself in vivid details when viewing high definition pictures or watching 4K videos.

    The Great

    • Fast performance
    • Exquisite screen
    • Comfortable keyboard
    • Long battery life
    • Both USB Type-C and Type-A ports

    The Not

    • Very limited availability
    • High price
    • No SD card slot
    • Clever webcam is still flawed
    • Mystic Silver is Core i7 only

     

    The Conclusion

    The Huawei MateBook X Pro is a speedy, long-lasting premium notebook that’s hard to get.

     

    Chinese tech giant Huawei is not known for making laptops, but its 14-inch MateBook X Pro (tested at $2,350; starting at around $1,855) could change all that. Not only does it pack a gorgeous, high-res display and speedy performance, its battery lasts all day. And while its name and design beg for comparisons to Apple’s MacBook Pro, the MateBook X Pro’s keyboard is far more comfortable. The only things standing between you and its glory are its high price and severely limited availability.

     

    The Design

    The aluminum Huawei MateBook X Pro reminds me a lot of Apple’s MacBooks, and that’s a good thing. Not only is it a slim, silver wedge (also made in Space Gray), it’s easy to open its lid with a single hand, a hallmark of Apple’s notebooks. It also sports a shiny beveled edge around its keyboard deck, which the MacBooks do not.

    I still prefer the Apple’s designs in two slight ways: the Huawei logo — which looks like you chopped an Apple into a bunch of wedges — isn’t as elegant. Also, the MateBook X Pro’s lid and edges are flatter, lacking the tapered curves of the MacBook Air.

    The 14-inch MateBook X Pro weighs 2.9 pounds and measures 0.6 inches thick, making it similar in size and heft to the 3-pound, 0.6-inch thick Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, Touch Bar). The Dell XPS 13 (2.65 pounds, 0.5 inches) is lighter, while the HP Spectre 13 (2.4 pounds, 0.4 inches) is both thinner and lighter.

     

    The Display

    The MateBook X Pro’s screen produces 124 percent of the sRGB spectrum, which exceeds the 113 percent premium laptop average. The MacBook Pro earned a similar 123 percent and the Spectre 13 measured a lower 111 percent, while the XPS 13’s 1080p screen (117 percent) and its 4K screen (130 percent) straddled the MateBook X Pro’s rates.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • CPU: 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-8550U (quad-core, 8MB cache, up to 4.0GHz)
    • Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620, Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics (2GB GDDR5)
    • RAM: 16GB LPDDR3 (2,133 MHz)
    • Screen: 13.9-inch 3K (3,000 x 2,000) LED with touch panel (3:2 aspect; 450 nits; 1,500:1 contrast; 100% sRGB)
    • Storage: 512GB SSD (NVMe PCIe)
    • Ports: 1 x Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 1 x USB-C 3.1, 1 x USB 3.0, 3.5mm audio jack
    • Connectivity: 802.11ac (2 x 2 MIMO) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
    • Camera: 720p webcam with far field microphones
    • Weight: 2.93 pounds (1.33kg)
    • Size: 11.97 x 8.54 x 0.57 inches (304 x 217 x 14.6mm; W x H x D)

     

    The Final Thought

    This may just be the Tech device that adds Huawei to the major players of Apple, Dell and Samsung to the minds of the american consumer. Welcome to the big leauges boys, we wear caps and sleeves at this level. Frankly, we’re stunned by Huawei’s sophomore effort in the laptop category. In one fell swoop, the MateBook X Pro presents an overwhelming alternative to my favorite laptop, the Dell XPS 13, and the MacBook Pro.

  • Samsung Has Released an Internet-Free Smartphone

    Samsung Has Released an Internet-Free Smartphone

    Samsung has released the Galaxy J2 Pro, which appears to be a standard budget smartphone, but there’s one major feature (or lack thereof) – it cannot connect to the internet.

    The Galaxy J2 Pro

    Connecting to the Internet is an impossibility on the Galaxy J2 Pro. There is no Wi-Fi, no LTE, no 3G… nothing.

    Why would Samsung release a phone with no Internet capabilities? They’ve decided to cater to students or senior citizens who want to make calls and use some apps without the distraction or confusion of internet connectivity. It may also be a solid choice for parents who want to give their youngsters a way to keep in contact. Smartphone addicts looking to break free from the always-connected culture may also be intrigued by the J2 Pro.

    Features

    So, what can a smartphone that doesn’t connect to the internet do? In a nutshell, it can make phone calls, send text messages and take photos.

    • 5-inch display (qHD AMOLED)
    • 4GHz quad-core processor
    • 5GB of RAM
    • 8-megapixel rear-facing camera
    • 5-megapixel front-facing camera
    • MicroSD card slot
    • 2,600mAh removable battery

    Budget Friendly

    The Galaxy J2 Pro is nothing like Samsung’s most popular Galaxy phones like the Galaxy Note 8 or Galaxy S9. It aims to cover a different segment of the market. And unlike their big name phones, the price of the Galaxy J2 Pro is much, much cheaper.

    Right now, the J2 Pro is only available in Korea and Samsung has made no announcements on whether it will release in other countries. The price of the phone converts to around $185.

  • AMD Releases New Ryzen Processors

    AMD Releases New Ryzen Processors

    Last year, AMD made a successful re-entry into the high-performance world of desktop computing with their Ryzen processors. Now, they have announced the second generation of their fiercest competition to Intel in years.

    Ryzen Generation 2

    At the upper end of the new Ryzen chips is the Ryzen 7 2700X. The 2700X replaces both the 1700X and 1800X chips from the first-generation Ryzen processor lineup – those two older chips were extremely similar.

    The base clock of the 2700X is 3.7GHz with a boost up to 4.3GHz, which makes it up to 300Mhz faster than the 1800X. The price has also come down, with the 2700X selling at $329 compared to the 1800X’s $499 price point. This puts the price close to Intel’s six-core i7-8700K.

    Their budget offering is the Ryzen 5 2600, a six-core chip with will sell for $199. The base clock on the 2600 is 3.4GHz with a boost up to 3.9GHz. The most similar Intel chip is the Core i5-8500.

    The Lineup

    Ryzen 7 2700X – 8 cores, 16 threads, 3.7 to 4.3GHz, $329

    Ryzen 7 2700 – 8 cores, 16 threads, 3.2 to 4.1GHz, $299

    Ryzen 5 2600X – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.6 to 4.2 Ghz, $229

    Ryzen 5 2600 – 6 cores, 12 threads, 3.4 to 3.9GHz, $199

    Up Next?

    AMD will debut their new platform, Zen 2, next year. So far, they have been mum on details but there are a few knowns. The new Zen chips will run on their new 470 AM4 chipset and they’ll support its StoreMI technology which links SSDs, platter hard drives and RAM together, increasing performance.