gizmosure

Author: Alice Jane

  • New Microsoft Surface Go variant spotted on Geekbench

    New Microsoft Surface Go variant spotted on Geekbench

    Microsoft has scheduled an event on October 2 where the company is expected to introduce several new Surface models. Along with Surface Pro 7, we might also see the introduction of an overhauled Surface Go model. A recent Geekbench listing suggests that the Surface Go might receive a refresh with a new processor to boost overall performance.

    According to the Geekbench listing, the new Surface Go gets powered by the Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, unlike the Pentium Gold 4415Y chipset found on older models.

    The upgrade to a new processor shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Microsoft itself planned to use an m3 chip on the original Surface Go model. However, the company eventually decided to stick with the Pentium Gold version to keep the costs down.

    The Geekbench listing indeed suggests a new Surface Go model might be incoming. That said, it’s unclear whether Microsoft will announce the device at its October event. For now, we can only speculate that it might be the case.

    Microsoft has already confirmed that its next hardware event is scheduled to take place on October 2 in New York City. The software giant is expected to take the wraps off several Surface models at the event. One of the models said to get a refresh is the Surface Pro, likely to be called Surface Pro 7.

    Besides, Microsoft is rumoured to be working on a foldable Surface device for a couple of years now. This dual-screen Surface model is said to come with two separate screens, and might also be unveiled at the October 2 event.

    Microsoft’s hardware event on October 2 is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Besides, more information about new Surface models is likely to show up before their official release. We’ll update you as soon as we hear anything new. Until then, keep checking back for more.

  • Google Play Pass service may cost $4.99 a month on debut

    Google Play Pass service may cost $4.99 a month on debut

    Google has been working on its Play Pass service for quite sometime now. The company recently confirmed that they are currently testing the service, though did not reveal any specifics about its release.

    In case you didn’t know, Google’s Play Pass is a new subscription based service that will give members access to a plethora of popular apps and games that usually require recurring or upfront payment. As Play pass mebers won’t have to make any sort of payments with apps or towards in-app purchases.

    According to sources, Google is currently testing the service with a monthly subscription plan of $4.99 a month. That said, the pricing could change by the time the service officially launches. Besides, a host of apps will be a part of Play Pass, which includes premium apps as well as several popular gaming titles.

    Google’s Play Pass can be deemed as a direct rival for Apple Arcade, which is a similar service offering access to multiple apps for monthly subscribers. However, Apple Arcade subscribers can access the service across multiple platforms such as iPhone, iPad, as well as the Apple TV. As of now, it remains unclear if Google has similar plans. For instance, whether Play Pass apps can also be accessed via Android TV and so on.

    However, industry experts are still skeptical whether Google’s plans to launch Play Pass would be a success. Now, this has much to do with the fact that unlike iOS users, Android users aren’t interested to pay for apps they want to use. In comparison, iOS users are more inclined pay for apps they use, hence an Apple Arcade sort of a plan can be a success on iOS.

  • Galaxy Fold launch date might clash with 2019 iPhone range

    Galaxy Fold launch date might clash with 2019 iPhone range

    The Galaxy Fold, the world’s first ever foldable smartphone was originally slated for a release in April. However, the handset’s launch was pushed back after early reviewers faced issues with the device’s screen. However, Samsung recently stated in a press release how it has fixed such issues and the device is now ready for a release.

    That said, the Korean giant did not reveal an exact release date of the handset. Now, a new report via Korean publication The Investor suggests that Samsung could launch the device in the third week of September, between September 18 and 20.

    If this happens, the Galaxy Fold’s release might clash with Apple’s 2019 iPhone lineup. Reports indicate that the 2019 iPhone range will include the iPhone XI, iPhone XI Max, and iPhone XIR.

    Now, this could turn out to be a bad move for the Korean giant as the Galaxy Fold would be a hard sell given its exorbitant price tag of $2000. Besides, we also have to consider the fact that early reviews of the device weren’t really positive. Nonetheless, it’ll be rather interesting to see Samsung launching the Galaxy Fold at the same as Apple’s next iPhone.

    Samsung has big plans for the month of August. Apart from the niche Galaxy Fold, the Korean brand will also unveil the upcoming Galaxy Note 10 range. Numerous reports indicate that Samsung will launch two variants of the phablet. The standard model with a 6.3-inch AMOLED FHD display will be dubbed as the Galaxy Note 10, while its top-end model with 6.8-inch FHD display will known as the Galaxy Note 10+.

  • Samsung confirms Galaxy Fold release date

    Samsung confirms Galaxy Fold release date

    After much delay, Samsung has finally confirmed the launch date of the Galaxy Fold. The Korean giant has announced that the handset will go on sale in September, just a few weeks after it launches the Galaxy Note 10. Samsung also confirmed that only select markets will get it first, though other specifics haven’t been provided.

    To recall, the Galaxy Fold was originally slated for a release in April. However, the launch was pushed back due to screen issues found by reviewers. Samsung is now beleived to have resolved such issues that delayed the handset’s launch by four months.

    “Earlier this year, we announced Galaxy Fold—Samsung’s first foldable device, and the beginning of an entirely new mobile category. Since then, we’ve made improvements to Galaxy Fold to ensure consumers have the best possible experience,” Samsung says in a press release.

    Samsung further explained that it has made several changes to the Galaxy Fold in order to resolve issues with the screen discovered by early reviewers.

    To begin with, the top protective layer of the Infinity Flex display now covers the bezels as well. Hence, everything looks proper now as early reviewers assumed it was screen protector and tried to peel it off, thereby damaging the screen.

    Next, Samsung has added more metal layers under the screen in order to make it more durable. Also, the space between the body and the hinge has been reduced. Elsewhere, Samsung also claims there are additional reinforcements now to protect the screen from external debris. Finally, the company has strengthened top and bottom of the hinge with more protective particles.

    “Samsung is conducting final product tests to make Galaxy Fold available to consumers starting from September in select markets. Availability details will be shared as we get closer to launch,” the company added in the press release.

    Hopefully, all these changes should allow Samsung to launch the Galaxy Fold in September without any issues that were discovered in early review units of the handset

  • Nearly half of Americans haven’t the faintest idea about their phone

    Nearly half of Americans haven’t the faintest idea about their phone

    If you can spot the difference among two smartphones, you might be considered as an expert in the United States. Well, only if we are to look at a survey conducted by decluttr. The survey has apparently revealed rather startling facts about phone owners in the US.

    The survey, which included 2000 Americans of all ages, points to the fact that nearly half of the respondents couldn’t identify their smartphone model by looking at the image, compared to other devices from the same manufacturer.

    According to the study, Samsung Galaxy S9+ users were the only ones who could easily identify their device among others. As 71 percent of them could correctly tell apart their device from Samsung’s portfolio.

    On the contrary, the hardest ones to tell apart were the iPhone 7 and the flagship iPhone XR, as only 44 percent of owners could identify what model they use.

    And there’s more.

    The study has revealed several other startling facts about phone owners as well. One of them being that most Americans think their smartphones support 5G.

    “Around a third of Americans state that they own a 5G-capable device, despite the select choice of devices, the limited availability and the huge cost.The majority of those who stated they owned a 5G-capable device (62%) claim to have noticed improvements to their mobile service while using the 5G network, which is not widely available.” the study reveals.

    Elsewhere, the study suggests that a significant number of Americans have no ide about their phone’s capabilities. As around 60 percent of Galaxy S7, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S9 owners did not know their phone supports wireless charging.

    Things went up a notch for Apple owners in the survey. As no less than 86 percent of iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS owners are not aware that their devices support NFC.

  • Nokia 5 gets updated to Android 9 Pie

    Nokia 5 gets updated to Android 9 Pie

    HMD Global starts rolling out the latest Android 9 Pie update for its mid-range Nokia 5 handset. The news was confirmed via a Twitter post by HMD’s Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas.

    Being an OTA update, Android 9 Pie update for the Nokia 5 will be rolled out in phases. Some users would have started receiving the new update , while a broader rollout is expected to begin shortly. In the meantime, you can manually check for the update by heading over to Settings> System> System Updates.

    The update brings new features such as the navigation gestures, app switcher, adaptive battery and brightness, UI changes, as well as updated notifications. It also brings a new feature called digital wellbeing. The feature allows users to monitor how much time they spend with their phones. It also allows them to set App Timers to set limits on app usage.

    Elsewhere, Android 9 Pie also brings several new features such as standardized biometric authentication prompt, revamped settings drawer, adaptive battery and display, extend battery life, and more. Besides, Android 9 Pie also brings features that offer private wen browsing and enables encryption of Android backups for greater security.

    HMD Global has been impressive when it comes to delivering timely roll-out of Android updates. The company has also announced the roadmap of Android Pie update for other devices as well. In the coming weeks, the company promises that the Nokia 6, Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1, as well as Nokia 2.1 will get updated to Android 9 Pie.

  • Facebook tracks Android users who don’t even use the app: Report

    Facebook tracks Android users who don’t even use the app: Report

    Lately, Facebook has received a lot of criticism over user privacy and trust. Come 2019, and the social networking giant has been found to routinely track Android users even if they don’t use the app. According to a study by UK-based charity Privacy International, Facebook tracks users, non-users, and even logged out users. The study further found that after Google, the social network giant is the second most prevalent thrid-party tracking app.

    “Data from different apps can paint a fine-grained and intimate picture of people’s activities, interests, behaviors and routines, some of which can reveal special category data, including information about people’s health or religion,” the report said.

    Privacy International has unearthed a total of 34 Android apps with 10 to 500 million installs. These include apps such as TripAdvisor and Duolingo. The research suggests that app developers share data with the network via Facebook Software Development Kit (SDK). As many as 61 percent of the apps that Privacy International tested automatically transfer data to Facebook as soon as a user opens the app.

    “At least 61 percent of the tested apps automatically transfer data to Facebook the moment a user opens the app. This happens whether people have a Facebook account or not, or whether they are logged into Facebook or not,” explained the study.

    Facebook says it’s OK to share user data

    In response, the network told Privacy Interntaional that sharing data is a common partice for most companies, as it turns out to be useful for both users as well as comapnies.

    “This information is important for helping developers understand how to improve their apps and for helping people receive relevant advertising in a privacy-protective way. We do this in a transparent manner by explaining the practice through our Data Policy and Cookies Policy, and by using Google’s advertising identifier, which can be controlled centrally by people using their device settings,” the social networking giant told Independent.

    As already mentioned, Facebook has been embroiled in several controversies off late. Last year, it was critcised for harvesting personal data which resulted in election interference. A survey conducted by also Uber found that users trusted Facebook the least with their personal information, followed by Twitter and Amazon.

  • iPhone XS Max allegedly catches fire in the US

    iPhone XS Max allegedly catches fire in the US

    A man from the United States claims his iPhone XS Max caught fire while kept in the back of his pocket. Josh Hillard from Ohio says the smartphone felt hot and then started emitting smoke. At the time of the incident, he was with his colleague in the break room when the phone caught fire out if the blue. He then quickly ran out to take his pants off, and another colleauge had to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flame.

    “Left no other option, I had to exit the room since there was a female in the break room with me and remove my pants. I ran to the boardroom where I got my shoes and pants off as fast as possible. A VP of our company put the fire out with a fire extinguisher because he heard me yelling,” said Hillard.

    Following the alleged incident, he went to the Apple Store to narrate the whole debacle and find out what kind of compensation would he receive. However, the victim was only offered a new phone, despite him asking further compensation for his burnt clothes and slight skin burns. Not satisfied by the response, Josh then tried to get in touch with Apple Care over the phone, but to no avail.

    Victim says replacement iPhone XS Max isn’t enough

    Hillard further added that he always showed faith in Apple as a brand, but now he seems to have lost his trust in the company as he isn’t satisfied by Apple Care’s. He is now seeking legal action in order to get more compensation.

     

    Smartphones on fire remind us of incidents such as the Galaxy Note 7 debacle. That said, these types of incidents happen rarely as most handsets go though rigorous testing and safety measures. However, we do come across such news once in a while, so readers are advised to make use of authorized accesories and batteries with their smartphones to negate the possibilty of these incidents happening.