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  • Seismic Shifts: Netflix Now Worth More than Comcast

    Seismic Shifts: Netflix Now Worth More than Comcast

    Cord cutters: it’s working. Comcast, everyone’s least favorite telecom company, is now worth less than streaming giant Netflix. This is a monumental moment, signaling the pendulum shift from traditional cable to streaming services. For many users, this is hardly a bad thing.  

    Netflix Ruling the Roost? 

    Netflix is a giant in the streaming field. Between their streaming of syndicated shows and big-budget movies and their original programming, Netflix has established itself as a major force in entertainment. Comcast, on the other hand, is a very different beast. Comcast operates a broadband network and owns Dreamworks Studios. They even own NBC! But that hasn’t stopped Netflix from overtaking them in total worth.  

    What’s Changed? 

    How did a website that once mailed DVDs to people end up overtaking a telecom titan? Comcast has been losing subscribers pretty steadily for the last few years, as Netflix has offered an attractive alternative to traditional cable. Cable packages are comprised of a lot of filler channels (and still bombard the viewer with ads), are terribly expensive, and are typically tied to their provider’s broadband internet. Netflix, on the other hand, is significantly less expensive and doesn’t run ads in the middle of its shows.  

    It’s not hard to see why users grew fed up with Comcast, and similar telecom companies like Charter Spectrum and Comporium. Additionally, pressure from companies like AT&T and Verizon has whittled away at Comcast’s broadband subscriber base. 

    What’s Next? 

    What does this mean for the future? Nothing is set in stone, yet, of course. But it does seem like traditional cable is working on limited time now. Without major initiatives to win back wary consumers, it seems likely the precipitous drop in subscribers will continue its freefall. Inversely, Netflix just keeps adding more subscribers and producing ever more quality content.  

    While Comcast is in no danger of going out of business, their current business model is in mortal peril. They’ve begun investing in Netflix competitor Hulu, and this seems like a much more long-term investment than their cable service. In the meantime, it seems quite possible that today will be remembered as the beginning of the end for traditional cable services. 

  • Top Ten Things We Want to See at E3 2018

    Top Ten Things We Want to See at E3 2018

    It’s almost that time again. E3, the biggest conference for gaming news, starts on June 12th, and runs through the 14th. What kinds of news can we expect from the big three console makers? And what news will break from third party developers? Buckle up and get ready for a one-way ride to hype town, because we’re counting down our biggest E3 wishes! 

    Rocksteady Superman 

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine 

    Rocksteady, the developers behind the phenomenal Batman: Arkham series, have been rumored to be working on a Superman game. Such a project may well represent a chance for the big blue Boy Scout to finally star in a good open-world video game.  

    After seeing what Rocksteady could do for the Caped Crusader, it’s exciting to think about how they could handle Superman. Free-flying through Metropolis, beating up bad guys and saving the innocent? Sounds like a recipe for an awesome adventure! Here’s hoping it doesn’t play anything like Superman 64… 

    Fable 4 

    Photo Credit: Game Skinny 

    There are rumors circulating that a reboot of the storied Fable franchise might be on the way. An announcement at E3 would be met with trepidation by some, and joy by others. Lionhead Studios, the team responsible for the series, was shuttered back in 2015. This came after a series of downright awful Fable titles that experimented with the series’ direction. Namely the disastrous “Fable: The Journey,” an on rails (!) shooting game (!!) that was played with Kinect (!!!). 

    However, Microsoft would be handling Fable 4’s development in-house. If they stick to the RPG roots the franchise was founded on, it could be something truly exciting for the struggling Xbox brand. Fingers crossed that Microsoft learns from past mistakes made with the franchise and just makes a freaking RPG. If this one even mentions the word Kinect, I’ll be disappointed. 

    Borderlands 3 

    Photo Credit: DSO Gaming 

    It’s been rough for Gearbox lately. Their foray into the hero shooter genre, Battleborn, was absolutely trounced by Blizzard’s Overwatch. While Battleborn was quirky and cool in its own ways, it was unfavorably matched up against Blizzzard’s smash-hit. That’s in the past now, though, and Gearbox can push forward with their flagship franchise: Borderlands. The famous frenetic shooter was a smash-hit for Gearbox back in 2009, and its sequels were fantastic.  

    Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, the last entry in the looter-shooter franchise, came out in 2014. In the meantime, the gaming world has changed pretty tremendously. Here’s hoping Gearbox sticks to their guns (ha) on this one and makes a solid Diablo-like shooting RPG. If they try to go toe-to-toe with Fortnite and make this one a battle royale I might scream. Gearbox, come on, guys: do what you’re best at! 

    Elder Scrolls VI 

    Photo Credit: GamingScan 

    With the exception of Elder Scrolls Online, we haven’t seen an Elder Scrolls game since 2011’s Skyrim. Many single-player RPG fans have been clamoring for another entry in the open-world series. While Bethesda has been experimenting with spin-off card game titles and their MMO, they’re clearly still dedicated to their core games.  

    Odds are pretty good we’ll see at least a trailer or some gameplay footage from a hypothetical new Elder Scrolls. However, some of Bethesda’s other franchises like Prey or Doom might be receiving the next full-game treatment. If so, we’ll be sure to see them at E3. With luck, we might just see one of those in addition to a new single-player Elder Scrolls!  

    Next Gen Systems from Sony and Microsoft 

    Photo Credit: NDTV Gadgets 

    The Xbox One and PS4 are five years old now. There’s definitely some speculation that Sony and Microsoft might be showing off some new hardware at this year’s E3. If so, pricing, graphical capabilities and exclusive games will certainly be the topic of conversation.  

    However, it is worth noting that the Xbox One X and the PS4 Pro were recently released. This might give a bit of extra life to the aging systems. However, with the Nintendo Switch only recently being released, it might be wise of the other two console makers to fast-track their follow ups.  

    Star Fox 

    Photo Credit: DeviantArt 

    Star Fox is one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, but it’s had a bit of a rough patch lately. The unusual and pervadingly awkward Star Fox Zero has somewhat sullied the franchise. However, rumor has it that a racing game like F-Zero is in the works with the Star Fox cast. This would be more than a little odd, but it would be interesting.  

    Nintendo hasn’t released an F-Zero title in America since 2003. Seeing it live on, even in spirit, would be great. I would definitely rather see a new F-Zero than see Star Fox become a racing game, I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand. Hopefully, though, the rumor is empty, and we’ll see a real follow-up to 2006’s fantastic Star Fox: Command. Either way, expect to see something from Star Fox at E3! 

    Fire Emblem 

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons 

    Fire Emblem, once circling the drain and ready for cancellation, is now one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. Buoyed tremendously by its characters appearing in Super Smash Bros, Fire Emblem is an example of the latter franchise’s propensity for playing king-maker.  

    Announced at last year’s E3, the Switch version of Fire Emblem is likely to be part of Nintendo’s June 12th presentation. The Switch is a perfect fit for the franchise: console releases like Path of Radiance have delivered huge, gorgeous maps. Handheld releases like Awakenings have delivered deliciously-difficult strategy on the go. Marrying these two aspects of the franchise is a match made in heaven. If Nintendo releases this game in the same window as Pokemon and Smash Bros, it’s going to be a very good year for gamers. 

    Gears of War 5 (Or Really Any Xbox Exclusives) 

    Photo Credit: Game Rant 

    The Xbox One isn’t doing too well when compared to the PS4 and the Switch. A lot of momentum Microsoft carried into this console generation was wrecked by their awful DRM policies when the system was announced. Following the abysmal reaction to the announcement, early games on the system were plagued by network issues and bugs. Notably, the Master Chief Collection, a game that should have been an easy home run for the company, was bungled out of the gate and nearly unplayable.  

    Needless to say, Microsoft needs some wins. While they’re in no danger of going out of business or anything (hello, Windows), they do run the risk of becoming irrelevant. Sony does everything Xbox does, but with better graphics and better exclusives. At least, for now. Maybe Microsoft has some heavy hitters up their sleeve for E3. Maybe something like… Gears of War 5? Alright, I guess Gears games are cool. Maybe try somehting new, guys? Oh well, time will tell. 

    Pokemon 

    Photo Credit: Den of Geek 

    It’s absolutely astonishing that it took this long for a core Pokemon game to make it to home consoles. It’s almost funny: Nintendo had to make a hybrid console to finally maneuver Game Freak into making a Pokemon for one of their home consoles. In any event, the internet is collectively abuzz with hype for this release. This one is guaranteed money for Nintendo if they just put in a few much-demanded features.  

    A “pro” mode where they don’t teach you how to throw a damn Pokeball would be cool. Let my Pokemon follow me around in the overworld. Give me a 3D, over-the-shoulder camera. Little things, man. You guys should knock this one out of the park. Hell, Game Freak already made 1080p 3D renders of the entire Pokedex for X and Y. (Don’t believe me? Emulators can extract those models, and they’re gorgeous.) Fingers crossed that we see a lot of this one at E3. 

    Most Hyped Game of E3: Super Smash Bros 

    Photo Credit: Screen Rant 

    Nintendo set the Internet ablaze when they announced Smash Bros for Switch at the end of their March Nintendo Direct. This series has achieved legendary status among Nintendo fans. Smash Bros singe-handedly ignited interest in the Fire Emblem series in the US. Characters included in this fighting game’s roster become instant icons. The promise of Smash on the go on a big, gorgeous Switch screen is a huge one. Two-player fighting in table top mode with split Joy Cons! Huge LAN-style parties with linked Switch systems! The Switch was seriously made for Smash. 

    Nintendo likely plans to launch their paid online service alongside Smash, so we’re likely to see it in September. I don’t think there’s another game that deserves as much attention at E3 as Smash. Seriously, any information Nintendo gives during their E3 Direct will be dissected, obsessed over and talked to death in the months before the game finally drops. Hopefully we can all keep our hype contained in the meantime. 

  • Steam Link iOS App Blocked from Release

    Steam Link iOS App Blocked from Release

    Steam Link, Valve’s game streaming app, has been blocked from release by Apple, Valve claimed in a statement to Ars Technica. The app, which can stream PC games to a separate device on the same Wi-Fi network, was blocked due to “conflicting with app guidelines,” according to Apple. 

    Why Was it Blocked? 

    The answer to that question is somewhat unclear. Perhaps Steam Link’s ability to stream games purchased through Valve’s Steam store didn’t comply with Apple’s guidelines. Apple requires a thirty percent share of every in-app purchase. This may have conflicted with the way Valve presents the Steam Link service. 

    Valve claimed in their statement that “the Steam Link app simply functions as a LAN-based remote desktop similar to numerous remote desktop applications already available on the App Store.” The decision was appealed, but the appeal was dismissed by Apple.  

    So No Steam Link on iOS? 

    Valve expressed their hopes for Apple to reconsider their decision in the future. As such, it’s not impossible that there may be a Steam Link on iOS someday. However, for the time being, the app remains blocked from release. Perhaps the two companies can work out a deal in order to greenlight the app. 

    While the app definitely competes directly with one of the App Store’s biggest revenue streams: games. Allowing users to stream games from their PC from a free app may have been a step too far for Apple. It seems the phone giant would rather be the big fish in a small pond in this fight. Allowing Valve to offer a free app for game streaming could have been seen as too big a threat to their games sales. 

    What if I Want to Stream to My Phone? 

    While the app was blocked from iOS, it is available on Android devices. While this is no help for iPhone users, it might convince those on the fence to switch to Android. Other alternatives include Steam’s Big Picture Mode, which allows users to play their Steam Library on a TV screen. In any event, it doesn’t seem Valve will be too badly hurt by Apple’s snub. Steam made $730 million dollars in 2014 alone, according to PC Gamer. 

  • Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    Nintendo Begins Selling Switch Without Docks… In Japan

    In a move to outfit even more households Switch owners, Nintendo has started selling dock-less Switches in Japan. The “second Switch” version of the console is markedly cheaper than the standard retail version, going for ¥24,980. That’s about $220 in USD. How does this version stack up? 

    What’s in the Box? 

    By spending a little less, you get just the Switch, Joy Cons and Joy Con Grips. You don’t get the Comfort Grip, also affectionately known as the Dog Bone, which is something of a bummer. As we said, this version also doesn’t have a dock, which means it doesn’t have an HDMI cable either.  

    Oddly, this version also doesn’t include a charging cable. If you want to charge it, you’ll have to either use someone else’s dock or a standard USB-C cable. Be wary when using non-Nintendo cables, though, as the Switch is infuritatingly not USB-C compliant. We’d hate to see someone brick their switch just trying to charge it! 

    Who is This For? 

    Nintendo seems to be primarily marketing this device at people who already live with a Switch owner. Since it doesn’t even come with a charger, this version is clearly aimed at those who could use someone else’s dock.  

    The hybrid console has some users (about 20 percent) who elect to use it primarily as a handheld gaming device, forgoing the dock altogether. Those users would benefit from the cheaper price and lack of included dock as well. 

    Dockless Switch Coming to the US? 

    While this definitely seems better suited to the Japanese market than the American one, Nintendo may be able to benefit from releasing it here. For one, users who already have a Switch (and thus, a dock) would be able to get it for loved ones. Birthday presents for kids, gifts for spouses, etc., would be more palatable for some at a cheaper price.  

    Secondly, users who are uninterested in using the Switch as anything other than a handheld aren’t unheard of. If said users already have a USB-C cable and are wary of the Switch’s specifications, this could be an ideal budget entry to the system for them. Not to mention, users could later pick up a dock by itself from Nintendo.  

    Maybe we’ll hear more about a potential American release around E3. Until then, if you want a cheaper console with no dock, you’ll have to hit the secondhand market.  

  • Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day Sales: Which Items to Watch Out For!

    Memorial Day is more than just the start of summer: it’s a great time to find some awesome deals on technology! Which items are going to be on the best sales? Which ones should you be on the lookout for? Let’s get into it! 

    TV Deals 

    A more traditional Memorial Day item, TVs are more affordable than ever before, and even more so when on sale. LG and Samsung TVs will certainly be found for great prices during the holiday weekend. Look for 4K Smart TVs to be dropped in price to nearly two-thirds their MSRP. Awesome to consider for Father’s Day, or just for hosting the Memorial Day cookout! Look for deals from Amazon, or retailers like Best Buy and Target. 

    Best Laptop Deals 

    Keep your eyes peeled for great deals on laptops. While this one might not seem like a normal Memorial Day deal, there are certainly great buys to find. HP and Dell laptops are often found at great discounts during this time of year, and models like the HP ProBook 440 GS can even be found for less than half price! Great for graduation presents or just for upgrading if you’ve been looking for a new laptop! As with TVs, stay on the lookout for deals from Target and Wal-Mart. Don’t forget Amazon or Best Buy, too! 

    Biggest Memorial Day Sales: Appliances 

    The biggest savings to be had are almost always on appliances during Memorial Day. Refrigerators will be nearly half off at places like Home Depot. Sears will be having some pretty great deals on dishwashers and stoves. While this is hardly exciting, if you’ve been meaning to do some home improvement, Memorial Day weekend is a great time to do it! 

  • No More Buttons? HTC U12 Plus to Use Haptic Feedback Instead

    No More Buttons? HTC U12 Plus to Use Haptic Feedback Instead

    In a move reminiscent of the iPhone 7’s home “button,” the HTC U12 is going to have pressure-sensitive areas shaped like buttons. The “buttons” will give a little burst of haptic feedback when “pressed,” simulating the action of a mechanical button. This is an interesting choice: reducing the number of moving parts certainly reduces the number of things that could become broken or damaged.  

    U12 Sporting 4 Cameras 

    Yeah, no joke! This sucker will have two cameras on the back and two on the front. This allows for a style of photography called “Bokeh,”a super artsy style of portraiture. It’s best described as a clear image in the foreground with a hazy, hipster-looking fade in the background. It’s the look all those Instagram-famous models have in their selfies.  

    The cameras also sport a 2x optical zoom, which is handy for snapping photos at a distance. Digital zoom is known for diluting the image, whereas optical zoom retains image quality over distance. 

    Main Squeeze 

    Much like the Google Pixel 2, the HTC U12 will recognize when it is squeezed as an input. The U12 will also be able to differentiate between short and long squeezes, as well as holds. These inputs can then be bound to different actions, such as opening the camera or turning on the flashlight. This functionality comes as no surprise, as HTC manufactures the Google Pixel. 

    The same technology that recognizes the squeeze input allows the phone to determine which hand it is being held in. It even has touch inputs on the sides to switch to single-hand mode, allowing for greater accessibility. 

    Modern, but Unique 

    The U12 will also sport a Gorilla Glass back, like many of its contemporaries, but without wireless charging. This makes its glass back primarily aesthetic, which is something of a bummer, considering how much more fragile it is. Again, most people will opt for a phone case, but it’s still not ideal to elect to make a fragile piece of technology even more breakable.  

    HTC interestingly eschewed the notch design so common to premium smartphones these days. Instead they opted for a tall screen with very thin bezels at the top and bottom. This look sets it apart from phones like the iPhone X. The phone will be releasing sometime in mid-June. The 64GB version will retail for $800, and the 128GB version will be $850.  

  • Looking to Upgrade your Car Stereo? Check Out Some of Our Picks

    Looking to Upgrade your Car Stereo? Check Out Some of Our Picks

    No one likes to ride in a silent car! If you’re looking to upgrade your car from its factory stereo to one with awesome new features, look no further! We’ve got a quick list of some of the best stereos out there. Now you can ride in style with a cool car stereo! 

    Sony MEX-GS600BT 

    If you want to connect your phone to your car stereo via Bluetooth, this stereo is great. Complete with an app remote that lets you change inputs quickly, this Sony stereo is pretty handy. The MEX allows for a lot of cool functionality, like hands-free Bluetooth calling and wireless music streaming.  

    If you’re in an older car and want to significantly upgrade the amount of tech at play, consider this stereo. Complete with USB and auxiliary inputs, the Sony MEX offers a lot of flexibility for users. It even sports a CD player, so if you’re still hanging on to some old discs, you can listen to them on the go! The best part about this stereo is the price, retailing for around $200. 

    Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS 

    A solid car stereo, this entry in the Pioneer DEH line is great for those who love HD Radio. It has HD decoding enabled right away, so you don’t need to do anything fancy to enable that functionality! Additionally, it functions with Sirius XM radio and even Pandora internet radio.  

    This Pioneer also features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream your music wirelessly from your phone. You can, of course, use all the normal radio frequencies and CDs for tunes as well. This is a really solid pick for anyone looking for a nice, user-friendly stereo. This one is a little more expensive than the Sony, though, retailing for $300. 

    Our Favorite Car Stereo: Pioneer AVIC-Z130BTT 

    The Pioneer AVIC is a really impressive stereo. Featuring a big, gorgeous screen and tons of functionality, this is definitely a premium stereo. GPS navigation is awesome on the big screen, and hands-free calling works great with voice activation. Additionally, when you have an iPhone connected, you can use voice controls to call up music. This functionality is reminiscent of digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, and it works great here. 

    If you’re looking for a premium car stereo to synch with your phone and make navigating easy, this entry in the AVIC line is for you! It is somewhat expensive, though, retailing for around $1,500. This one is definitely a luxury buy, but if you’re looking to upgrade your car with the best, this is it. 

  • Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Features Unique Intel and AMD Partnership

    Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 Features Unique Intel and AMD Partnership

    Intel, maker of processors, and AMD, maker of graphics cards, have partnered to create an interesting feature. The Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 houses a part called the Kaby Lake-G. This part is a fusion of an Intel CPU and an AMD graphics chip. This has some significant ramifications for the computer it’s housed in. 

    Discrete vs Integrated Graphics 

    Most people who use a laptop for “normal” stuff, like writing and watching YouTube, aren’t concerned with their graphics card. Only high-end games and some professional applications require tremendous graphical computing power. However, those that want to play high-end games or use AutoCAD on their laptop tend to opt for discrete graphics cards.  

    Discrete cards are separate from the motherboard, allowing them more space to perform their advanced processes. They also put off tremendous heat, take up space and use more power. Integrated graphics, on the other hand, are processed in the same place as the motherboard. Integrated graphics are less expensive, less noisy and generate less heat. But they are also notably ill-equipped for gaming, as they are underpowered. 

    The Solution? A Compromise 

    Enter the Kaby Lake-G. While still technically a discrete graphics card, this processor is an interesting hybrid. The Kaby Lake-G is comprised of an Intel Core i7 (in high-end builds) and a Radeon RX Vega M GL GPU. In short, it’s a hybrid of two critical processors, linked to save space and energy and produce less heat. This kind of hybrid is perfect for small laptops and tablets to be able to put out graphics comparable to traditional gaming rigs.  

    XPS 15 2-in-1 Performance 

    Dell promises this new chip will perform at (or above) the level of current mid-tier graphics cards. This is a bold claim, considering how small the hybrid chip is. But given the nature of the cooperation between Intel and AMD, this might be true. If it is, this type of hybrid chip could be the future of gaming laptops. This technology would allow the computers to remain small and portable without sacrificing in computing power.  

    The XPS 15 2-in-1 itself is rather impressive, if a little noisy. While not exactly a gaming laptop, it can run games reasonably well. Considering how thin it is and how weird its graphics card is, it’s pretty impressive. Clocking about 45 frames per second at 1080p with little issue, this little 2-in-1 packs a lot of punch. 

  • Ten Features We Want to See Most in iOS 12!

    Ten Features We Want to See Most in iOS 12!

    On June 4th, at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is set to unveil their new iOS 12. Before then, though, we can only guess what kinds of new functionality are on their way. In the meantime, though, we certainly know the features we want to see! Read on to find out which new features we’re hoping make it to iOS 12. 

    Dark Mode 

    Photo Credit: iHelpBR 

    iPhone users have been asking for a system-wide dark mode for quite some time. While Android has been sporting this feature for quite some time, it has yet to be implemented on iOS. Many users prefer the aesthetic of darker menus with white text, but only certain apps support dark modes on iOS. With luck, it will be a feature unveiled at WWDC! 

    Group Facetime 

    Photo Credit: Apple Support 

    Another much-requested feature, many are hoping for the ability to Facetime more than one person at a time. Many similar video chat apps have this functionality, such as third-party apps like Skype and WhatsApp. It would only make sense for apple to follow suit with iOS 12. 

    Split Screen Functionality 

    Photo Credit: Mi Community 

    An option to run two apps side-by-side simultaneously would be awesome! Android has had this for a while, and it’s great for multitasking. Looking at a restaurant menu while navigating to it! Looking up recipes while running a cooking timer! The combinations are endless. Apple’s phones are certainly powerful enough to handle this functionality, it’s just a matter of coding the infrastructure. It would be nice to see Apple catch up with the competition in this aspect. 

    That Volume Icon 

    Photo Credit: Lotus Bud 

    The only notably ugly thing about the iOS interface is that big, hideous, intrusive volume button. It would be really nice if Apple redesigned the volume indicator to be less noticeable and sleeker. This one is simple, but it might not be high on their list of changes to focus on. Here’s hoping the designers hate this ugly icon as much as I do! 

    Tighter Camera Controls 

    Photo Credit: Gear Patrol 

    The iPhone camera has precious few manual controls over things like shutter speed and exposure. These functions are in plain sight and easy to use on Android. It would be excellent to see better camera functionality on iOS 12 without resorting to third party apps like Camera+. 

    App Wish List Return 

    Photo Credit: iDownload Blog 

    With the release of iOS 11, the App Store was completely reworked. With this rework came the removal of app wish lists. The wish lists were sorely missed by users who like having their short list of apps they wanted. Hopefully Apple hears the requests of wish list fans and brings it back with iOS 12! 

    Always-on Screen for iPhone X 

    Photo Credit: Switch 

    The iPhone X features a battery-saving OLED, much like common Android phones that sport always-on displays. This would be cool functionality to add to the newest iPhone, for display of the time or notifications. It does somewhat go against Apple’s aesthetic, but then again, so did the iPhone X! 

    Siri Improvements 

    Photo Credit: Macworld 

    Siri was one of the first mass-market personal assistant AIs, but her age is starting to show. It would be great to see some updates to her that make her more responsive and smarter, like Alexa. Heck, even Google Assistant (!) is smarter than Siri these days. Also, how hard would it be to enable some Spotify functionality with Siri? Ball’s in your court, Apple! 

    Messages Improvements 

    Photo Credit: iSource 

    Improved functionality for things like archiving and searching messages would be awesome. Apple’s current messaging infrastructure is great for just shooting messages but trying to find messages more than a few days old is difficult. An option for searching and sorting messages would be greatly appreciated! 

    Our Biggest Hope for iOS 12: Smart Orientation 

    Photo Credit: Apple Support Communities 

    Please. Apple, please. Stop making me open my control panel to lock and unlock portrait orientation every time I want to watch a video. YouTube sort of lets you bypass this by pressing the enlarge button. I just want to see functionality like this across all apps. Put an option in for “portrait lock except videos” or something. Just do this one thing and I’ll be happy, seriously. 

  • Xiaomi Mi 8: Coming to America Soon?

    Xiaomi Mi 8: Coming to America Soon?

    You’ve certainly only heard of the Xiaomi Mi line of phones if you’re an avid follower of Chinese smartphone makers. Well, if you’re not in that (incredibly small) camp, you’re about to be: The Mi line of phones is one of the best budget smartphone lines out there. It’s comparable in a lot of ways to the phenomenal OnePlus line. What should expect in the Mi 8? And when should you expect it? 

    Xioami Who? 

    Xioami is a Chinese smartphone maker that specializes in affordable Android handsets. They have been incredibly successful in the Far East, rapidly becoming the largest Chinese smartphone maker. Backed by several generations of iterated smartphone technology, the company is now releasing the Xiaomi Mi 8 to coincide with their 8th anniversary. 

    Mi 8 To Come to America? 

    The Chinese phone maker has promised that this phone will be their first mass-market release in America. According to Xiaomi, who already sells fitness trackers and smart home speakers in the US, their smartphones will be coming State-side as early as late 2018, or as late as early 2019. This is exciting news for Android enthusiasts looking for affordable premium smartphones. 

    In the Meantime,… 

    The Mi 8 is set for a May 31st launch in China and is sure to make waves there. With their impressive track record and the phone’s impressive specs, it’s sure to impress. The phone sports a ton of advanced features, like an in-screen thumbprint scanner, wireless charging, a huge six-inch screen and 3D face scanning. All that, and it still costs about $450. Here’s hoping this little wonder comes to the States here soon!