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  • HP Chromebook X2 Detachabley Terrific

    HP Chromebook X2 Detachabley Terrific

    So we have made it to a place in time where Chromebooks can run Android applications as natively as a Google Pixel 2, it is only natural that we’re starting to see detachable, hybrid Chromebooks that double as tablets.

    Now HP is leading the charge in the 2-in-1 detachable Chromebook space with its Chromebook x2. Like the HP Spectre x2 before it, the HP Chromebook x2 is a thin and lightweight tablet that can be magnetically hinged to and unhinged from its included keyboard at will. That’s where the similarities end between the HP Chromebook x2 and its Windows-based predicessors.

    HP is making Chrome OS devices that can do away with the keyboard. It just unveiled the Chromebook x2, a 12.3-inch laptop that’s really a detachable tablet — unlike the earlier Chromebook x360, you can leave the keyboard behind instead of merely flipping it behind the screen (though you can do that too). There’s an included pen for note-taking and sketching, and you’ll find a 13-megapixel rear camera on top of a more conventional 5-megapixel front shooter.

     

    Hows it Running?

    The Chromebook x2 has a Core m3 processor from Intel’s prior generation of Kaby Lake chips, 4GB of RAM (it can be configured with 8GB, too), 32GB of storage, a 2400 x 1600 resolution, stereo speakers, a 5-megapixel front camera, a 13-megapixel rear camera, two USB-C ports, a microSD card slot, a headphone jack, and an estimated 10.5 hours of battery life. It weighs a little bit more than an iPad Pro, and it’s a little bit thicker than an iPad Pro, but not by much.

    HP also emphasized that the keyboard was designed to hold firmly enough to the tablet that it should feel like a clamshell laptop when the two are connected. I haven’t seen the Chromebook x2 in person, but HP’s images make it look relatively nice. While the Chromebook x2 looks like a bargain compared to the iPad, it’s expensive for a Chromebook, which people often buy for around $300.

     

    The Final Thought

    So if you’re looking for a more premium Chromebook, and you don’t want to shell out $1,000 for Google’s Pixelbook, the Chromebook x2 seems like a potentially interesting middle-ground. But we won’t know for sure until it comes out later this summer on June 10th.

  • Smartphone Spotlight: Razor Phone

    Smartphone Spotlight: Razor Phone

    No no the the Motorola Razr phone you are thinking of, The Razor Phone.  Razor phone set the standard in mobile gaming with the Razer Phone: the world’s first 120Hz screen on a mobile phone. Powered by UltraMotion™ technologyand accurate touch response, you get zero lag or stutter—just fluid, buttery smooth motion for all your games.

    The Great

    • Dolby Atmos Surround Sound
    • Unique, handsome design
    • Display and Ultramotion are gorgeous
    • Top-notch performance
    • 24-bit DAC built into USB Type-C adapter
    • Loudspeaker is LOUD
    • 120 Hz Refresh Rate

    The Not

    • Terrible photography experience
    • Display could be brighter
    • Too big for one-handed use
    • No headphone jack
    • Battery life only average

    The Conclusion

    The question is, does it do anything another high-powered smartphone can’t? I’ve found the camera to be lackluster, but this is a phone that certainly has some standout features.

     

    This Is a big for with minimalist in mind. Lets start with the the LCD 5.7-inch screen size and resolution aren’t what make the Razer Phone’s screen special. Rather, it’s the first phone with a screen that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. This means it’s able to show you more frames on the screen per second. It’s especially helpful when gaming, as it makes playing games smoother and more visually impressive.

    This is a gamers phone, built with gamers in mind. It shows with the 120 hz rate. Now the differences in day-to-day use between 60Hz — the standard in smartphones — and 120Hz is like spotting the differences between 1080p and 1440p. They’re there, but only visible in some situations to the eagle-eyed. You can choose your preference of refresh rate (between 60, 90, or 120Hz) in the Razer Phone’s settings, and scrolling through your Twitter feed in 60Hz and 120Hz reveals only a small change in smoother scrolling.

    It’s the same when scrolling around the Android operating system. You’ve got to want to see differences to spot them, and we couldn’t find many differences between the experience on it and a Samsung s9

    Biggest Weakness is the Camera

    Speaking of being less than stellar, the camera isn’t great. Put lightly, it’s a bit of a mess. We already had our caution hats on after the hands-on over a month ago, when we saw that the dual camera set up was lacking features, or even a slider to show which lens you’re using. Despite all the time that’s passed since then, it’s a shame to see Razer hasn’t added much optimization, speed, or features. Dual 12 MP cameras provide either normal or telephoto zoom levels. The regular focal length lens pumps in light at f/1.8 aperture compared to the other’s f/2.6. And without OIS, the camera is already a bit behind its competition.

    Responsive Android Software

    This is due in part to the screen and the third-party Nova launcher software, but the Razer Phone has a really smooth and responsive user experience. Everything loads quickly thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip and a limited amount of bloatware.

    Switching between apps or even using two at the same time in side-by-side mode is never a sluggish experience. Even my recent Samsung Galaxy S8+ started getting bogged down quickly after I got it, and that’s not something I’ve had to deal with on the Razer Phone.

     

    The Final Thought

    After using the Razer Phone for the last  month, I’m comfortable calling it an amazing smart device. It is available now for $700, and it easily competes with other high-end phones in that price range with one glaring exception. Do you want to trade your camera for a better refresh rate? Kinda, I like Netflix.

  • Xiaomi Rumors and Gossip

    Xiaomi Rumors and Gossip

    Xiaomi is getting ready to launch a gaming-oriented phone, similar to what we’ve seen with the Razer phone. The phone is slated for an official unveil next Friday, April 13, and a new teaser out  gives us a glimpse at the design language. So far not alot of details have been released, we all know what it will probably look like.

    Unlike previous Xiaomi phones, the upcoming device will feature the Black Shark branding and not the Mi label, suggesting this could be the first phone in a new gaming-focused sub-brand.

    While we don’t know much, my inside sources tell me it will host the Snapdragon 845, with 8gb of ram and a 256 gb hd.  The hd size gives good indication this will be aimed at the gaming market. The Razor supported a 120 Hz refresh rate, Its safe to expect the same.

    As can be seen in the image, the Black Shark Phone looks set to take on the shape of an X with the top and bottom sides of the device being much more angular than traditional smartphones. In fact, a total of eight sides are featured on the device’s frame. Because of this, the company chose to include the antenna bands on both the top and bottom corners, meaning four antenna bands will be included – the Chinese OEM’s device is the first to feature this antenna layout. Beginning clockwise, the top-left corner will be dedicated to the GPS and Wi-Fi antennas, while the right side will be reserved for LTE. Moving on to the bottom, the right-sided antenna will be for Wi-Fi MIMO, and the left module will once again be dedicated to LTE. Now, although this is only a sketch, Black Shark itself later confirmed the accuracy of it, stating that the layout should help improve signal reception even when a user is gripping the device.

     

    The launch is set for next Friday the 13th, we should know all about Xiaomi’s upcoming Black Shark phone then. Until then we can fantasize about holographic screen projections and full VR experiences. See you next friday

     

  • SmartPhone Spotlight: OnePlus 5T

    SmartPhone Spotlight: OnePlus 5T

    OnePlus’s deal has always been offering flagship-level internals coupled with minimalist software, all for significantly less than similarly-specced devices. The OnePlus 5T has all the right stuff you’d expect for late 2017: a Qualcom Snapdragon 835 processor, SoC, a 6-inch, 18:9 screen, and a dual-camera. Is the the smartphone you deserve?

    The Great

    • Beautiful Screen
    • Blistering performance
    • Great battery life
    • Flagship-caliber cameras
    • Very fast charging:
    • Amazing value

    The Not

    • No wireless charging or microSD slot
    • Lacks optical zoom
    • Not water resistant

    The Conclusion

    If you’re willing to put up with a few small compromises then you could argue the OnePlus 5T could be even further up this list. One thing is for sure though: in terms of value for money it won’t disappoint.

     

     

     

    If it’s an affordable flagship you’re after, well, see what theThe OnePlus 5T has to offer. It’s bringing facial recognition, a 6-inch 18:9 display, dual rear cameras, a premium metal body and the latest power under the hood, all for a price that comfortably undercuts Apple, Samsung and friends.

     

    Screen:

    The 6-inch AMOLED display on the OnePlus 5T is fantastic, especially given the low price tag. It’s the best screen ever seen in a OnePlus handset and features the same 18:9 aspect ratio seen on the other Android flagship phones.

     

    Battery life:

    Solid all-day battery life is what you’ll get out of this phone. So it fits nicely in with the competition then – not as good as the LG V30 but comfortably as good as the Galaxy S9 and the rest.

     

    Camera:

    The camera, again, is decent without being standout. You won’t have any problems with it and you’ll be able to take some amazing photos with it. It’s not as good as the Pixel 2 but the far cheaper price tag will explain why.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    • Release date: November 2017
    • Weight: 162g
    •  Dimensions: 156.1 x 75 x 7.3mm
    •  OS: Android 7.1
    • Screen size: 6-inch
    • Resolution: 1080 x 2160
    •  CPU: Snapdragon 835
    •  RAM: 6/8GB
    • Storage: 64GB/128GB
    • Battery: 3,300mAh
    •  Rear camera: 20MP + 16MP
    • Front camera: 16MP

     

    The Final Thought

    If you are seriously looking at this phone, you shouldn’t be. This is the phone you get when your parents got a buy one get one free deal at their local cell phone shop. IF you are looking for a quality android, this has the specks but there are better options, go grab the LG V30.

  • SmartPhone Spotlight: Sony Xperia XZ

    SmartPhone Spotlight: Sony Xperia XZ

    The Xperia XZ Premium features the new Motion Eye a camera so advanced it captures motion that the human eye can’t see. And with its unified design, astonishing 4K HDR display, and intelligent features, it’s Sony’s most groundbreaking smartphone to date.

     

    The Great

    • Nice HDR Screen
    • Good Power

     

    The Not

    • No 4k Content
    • Lot of Bezels
    • Poor design

     

     

     

    The Conclusion

    The square corners won’t appeal to everyone but if you want to watch 4K video and review your photos in as much detail as possible, this is a great phone.

     

     

     

    Sony’s 4K-screened phone sounds like a gimmick, but the display is packed with so much technology that it impresses despite that. The color reproduction and pixel quality is superb, and the camera really rewards those that make an effort to get the best out of it.

     

    Battery life

    The XZ Premium does pretty well given how many pixels it’s driving on that 4K screen. It’ll last you a full day with a little more to spare on moderate use, thanks to some dynamic screen technology that actively alters how much is being used.

     

    Camera

    Sony’s got this new camera gimmick called the Motion Eye. The Motion Eye™ camera with Super slow motion records video at 960 frames per second, for playback four times slower than any other smartphone. Predictive Capture stays one step ahead of the action, as it starts buffering images even before you press the button. I will say the pictures are impressive

     

    Screen

    This is the only phone out there with a full-blown 4K screen, and it also comes with HDR tech. The amount of HDR content for mobiles is increasing all the time, but even without that this screen makes even the most mundane image look brighter and more colorful, and the rest of the phone is impressively powerful.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Quick Spec Look

    •  Weight: 195g |
    • Dimensions: 156 x 77 x 7.9mm
    • OS: Android 7
    • Screen size: 5.5-inch
    • Resolution: 3840 x 2160
    •  CPU: Snapdragon 835
    • RAM: 4GB
    • Storage: 64GB
    •  Battery: 3,230mAh
    • Rear camera: 19MP
    • Front camera: 13MP

     

     

     

    The Final Thought

    This is one of the top 20 smartphones on the market for 2018. It has its moments of wow, it also falls short in every category next to an iPhone or even top tier android. If a deal and a steal comes your way, Sony’s new phone won’t disappoint and will take you through the next year and half but upgrading will always be on your mind.

  • RED the Smartphone

    RED the Smartphone

    In 2017, the cinema camera making company RED announced it was working a smarthphone with a holographic screen Consumers were unsure what this meant until September 2017. Essentially, the phone would provide a 3D viewing experience on screen, projecting things like buildings and landscapes in an interactive map. A user could essentially take a virtual tour via the phone screen, looking around, above, behind, or in-between various objects.

    The RED smart phone is currently available for pre-order, for the fairly hefty price tag of $1,195. No official release date has been announced, but the company says its Hydrogen One smartphone will ship this summer.  Jim Jannard, RED’s CEO and founder, gave the update in January.  RED says that the Hydrogen One phone is still months away from being released. But it does at least have a timeline: the phone is supposed to enter mass production and then ship sometime this summer.

    What Is It?

    There have been a few basic details about the phone around since last July, and Jannard has now revealed a few more: it’ll run a Snapdragon 835 processor (Jannard writes that it’s an “835x,” which doesn’t currently exist, so it’s unclear if that’s a typo or some upcoming variant), have a dual SIM slot, and include a 4,500mAh battery, which is relatively huge. (The Note 8, for comparison, has a 3,300mAh battery.) The downside to this phone being released a full year after it was announced is that, while the 835 is a top-of-the-line chip, it’ll be succeeded by the Snapdragon 845 by the time the Hydrogen One actually makes it to market. That’s not necessarily a huge deal, but for a phone this expensive, it’s not great, either.

     

     

    This 4V — or ‘four view’ — tech is what makes the Hydrogen One exciting on paper. With it, the phone can handle normal 2D media, stereo 3D, augmented reality, virtual reality and augmented reality, without additional glasses or headsets. The company hasn’t been forthcoming in explaining how this will work, although it did offer a slightly bemusing description in its update: “The 4V files match the pixel resolution of a traditional 2D file, which is great for downloading. The resolution perception is just different. The horizontal resolution of 2D is now split into depth layers. It gives a completely different feeling. All the pixels are there… but instead of ‘looking at’ a pic, you are immersed in the image. It is quite spectacular.” RED is best known for its high-spec camera,  so if it pulls this off, it certainly will be quite spectacular. At least both skeptics and supporters will only have to wait a few months to find out.

     

    The Final Thought

    Alot of anticipation, hesitation, and skepticism are surrounding the. good be peaches, could be lunch meat we wont know till this summer. Ill with hold any true judgement until then, stay tuned.

  • iPhone X vs Galaxy S9 Plus

    It seems like smartphones are always improving and new versions are constantly coming out.

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    There are so many options out there and it can be hard to decide on which one is really the best. Below is a comparison of the two most popular smartphone brand’s latest and greatest, Apple iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

    Apple iPhone X: $999+

    iPhone is always a top pick when it comes to smartphones. The latest version is a creation to celebrate iPhone’s tenth anniversary. It is almost a whole new phone, not to mention the most expensive phone  ever on the market to date. The major difference everyone is intrigued about in this exclusive new phone, is that Apple has taken away the home button and switched to a face identification feature. Rather than a touch identification to unlock your iPhone, this phone will use a 3D face map to identify you and unlock your phone.

    A few more things to note about this phone:

    • The front and back are glass- so you will definitely want to invest in a protective case.
    • This iPhone supports wireless charging.
    • Like all previous iPhones, the iPhone X also comes with a single nano-SIM card slot.
    • The camera placement is vertical rather than horizontal. Both camera sensors get optical image stabilization.
    • There is not a headphone jack, so wireless headphones or an adaptor would be needed.
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    Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: $839.99+

    Another popular choice when it comes to choosing a smartphone, the Galaxy S9 Plus has some great updates. It is pretty similar to last year’s S8 Plus…but the main improvements are the cameras and the large screen. The camera take quality photos thanks to the low-light and noise-defeating powers that take this smartphone to the next level. Not only is the new screen bigger, the curved display now takes up 90% of the front of the phone.

    A few more things to note about this phone:

    • The fingerprint sensor has been better-placed and now is aligned in the center on the back of the phone.
    • Wireless charging is an option with this glass phone.
    • This phone features face unlock and iris scanning.
    • Lack of a headphone jack is not an issue with this phone, plug them in!
    • The stereo speakers on this phone are outstanding and loud.
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    The Bottom Line

    It all boils down to pricing and preference seeing as both phones have very similar new features. Both phones have a facial identification feature, wireless charging is an option, outstanding cameras and loud, quality speakers. The main differences are the iPhone no longer has a touch identification and you are not able to plug in your headphones directly to the phone. Whichever phone you choose, you’ll be sure to love your new smartphone!

  • Huwaie P20 Rumors and Speculations

    Huwaie P20 Rumors and Speculations

    Huawei is releasing the new P20 at the end of this month. This is turning out to be a tumultuous year for Huwaie who was poised to make a big splash and become a major player. The Huawei P20 may be the follow-up to the 2017 Huawei P10 and become the flagship of the Huawei line.

     

    Here are press renders of the Huawei P20, P20 Lite and P20 Pro smartphones that will be announced officially later this month.  This also shows camera specifications of the phones and display notch for all where the earpiece, sensors and the front camera are present. The fingerprint sensor is present on the front for the P20 and the P20 Pro, but it is located on the back on the P20 Lite.

    3 Camera Pro

    he Huawei P20 Pro is their top of the line model which comes with a total of 3 cameras. Im not sure why or what that means but ill check it out. WE know it will be able to take portrait like photos, but i cant fathom a need for a 3rd depth camera.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The P-Series is usually regarded as Huawei’s “fashion-forward” smartphone, with an emphasis on design.  We have some big assumptions and guesses as to what we are going to see. Huawei may adopt a controversial “notch” at the top of the display,image files found in the software that help obscure particular areas around the top of the screen. The firmware stated the unnamed device has a 6.01-inch screen with a 2,244 x 1,080-pixel resolution, longer than a traditional 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen.

    Maybe Animojies

    While I cant confirm that Huawei face detect and depth camera will be ready for the P20, but if they have have pushed this tech into the P@0 we will most certainly see an Apple like animojies.

     

    Quick Spec Look

    Huawei P20 Lite rumored specifications

    • 5.84-inch (1080 x 2280 pixels) Full HD+ 2.5D curved glass display
    • Octa-Core Kirin 659 processor (4 xA53 at 2.36GHz + 4 x A53 at 1.7GHz) with MaliT830-MP2 GPU
    • 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD
    • Android 8.0 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.0
    • 16MP rear camera with LED flash, Hybrid zoom, secondary 2MP camera
    • 16MP / 24MP front-facing camera
    • Fingerprint sensor
    • Dimensions: 148.6×71.2×7.4mm; Weight: 145g
    • 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS / GLONASS
    • 3000mAh (typical) / 2900mAh (minimum) battery

    The Huawei P20 Lite is expected to come in Blue, Black, Rose Gold and Gold colors. The new Huawei P20 series will be announced an event in Paris on March 27.

     

    The Final Thought

    Its all speculation and hype so far. While I love the irradecent color and the blue I could never see my self carrying  one and Im curious to test the Kirin 659 processor against the Snapdragon 845, that is about where the excitement ends on this. Here is to hoping for something cool we don’t even know about.

     

  • The Best Preorder Deals for the S9

    The Best Preorder Deals for the S9

    Finally, the wait to preorder the new Samsung Galaxy S9 is over! Starting this week, customers can preorder the innovative Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ through Samsung and other leading cellular retailers. I have personally scoured the web and contacted all my insiders at every vendor I know to find the best preorder Deals for the Samsung S9.

    1. Samsung Direct

    With a direct order from Samsung, you can take advantage of direct pricing of $719 for the galaxy s9. With a $300 trade-in offer for my Galaxy s7, and samsungs no interest financing option I can purchase the phone for just $18 a month. They are also offering a 12 month upgrade option. Basically, after 12 months, you’ll be eligible to upgrade your phone. Just return the phone in good condition, and they apply a credit to your account for up to 50% of the initial financed amount.

    In Short for a little more then the cost of a Netflix subscription I can get the newest Galaxy, every year, on release day for $18 a months.

    Net Cost $216 per year

    2. Verizon

    The big red machine is offering the same $300 off for my galaxy S7, dropping the price from $33 a month to $21 a month. By switching to Verizon they will give me an additional $150 prepaid visa card. The down side to this deal is that Im stuck on Verizon service for 24 months.

    Total Net cost : $149 a year for 2 years

    3. Xfinity Mobile

    This came as a bit of a surprise but The Samsung Galaxy S9 can be purchased for $719 from Xfinity Mobile, and the S9+ can be bought for $839. Two-year monthly installment plans with $30 payments are available. Xfinity Mobile is also offering up to $350 savings on Samsung’s new phones when trading in eligible smartphones, but only $300 for my S7. There is also a promotion to give you a $200 prepaid card for purchasing a Samsung device.

    Total Net Cost: $110 a year for 2 years.  

     

     

  • 5 Things We Found Out About the Galaxy S9

    5 Things We Found Out About the Galaxy S9

    Think you know everything about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Samsung Galaxy S9+?  We have been posting, researching, speculating on the next big thing in the android world for a year now. Finally it has be unveiled, and we were mostly correct but here are 5 unsuspected things we were surprised to learn about the S9

    1.The bezels are thinner then the S8, but the phone is more durable

    The top bezel lands at 8.21mm with a 0.39mm reduction, while the bottom bezel measures in at 6.99mm. Impressively, that’s a reduction of 1.01mm. In both cases, the reduction in bezels actually brings the size of the device down by 1.2mm and 1.4mm on the S9 and S9+ respectively. Samsung has made the S9 more durable compared to its predecessor. In short, this comes as the result of using a different type of aluminum.

    2. The camera is quieter and does much better in low light

    I was blown away by how well the S9+ performed in dim conditions, because the variable aperture on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ goes as wide as f/1.5. Samsung says that its new flagships let in 28 percent more light. With the support of a  wider aperture, f/1.7,  that kicks in when the ambient light is 100 Lux or below.  100 Lux is the light you’ll see on overcast day or in most office settings.  At the same time, Samsung added dedicated memory to its camera in order to reduce noise.

    3. Dedicated Fingerprint

    This is a new feature for this year’s flagship phones and is for the Secure Folder element. This folder is a compartment for files and apps that you want to keep separate from the rest of the phone. It uses your Samsung account and you can access it using the same security protocol, fingerprint, passcode, iris recognition etc as you do to unlock your phone. Once you’ve moved files to the Secure Folder, nobody can see them without your passcode, fingerprint or whatever.

    4. We Get to Keep the Headphone Jack

    The S9 and S9 Plus have retained their headphone jacks, unlike other phones in the class, including the iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus, Pixel 2 XL, or the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. That’s a blessing for audiophiles who just aren’t satisfied with the current state of wireless audio and for people who even have a designated pouch for their dongles but still lose them. Admit it dongles are tiny and easy to misplace.

    5. That Sound Really Bumps

    Dual stereo speakers to the device for the first time . The S9 finally  have Dolby’s surround-sound Atmos technology built-in.  Samsung created a device that offers premium sound experiences with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. Whether users are watching their favorite movie or streaming their favorite artist’s latest album, sounds are clear, crisp and rich in quality.