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Android is (unofficially) coming to the Nintendo Switch https://ift.tt/2T9GiFK Ever since the Nintendo Switch launched, there's been a lingering question: can it run Android? It's a reasonably powerful ARM-based tablet, after all. Two years later, the answer is finally "yes..." sort of. Developers Billy Laws and Max Keller have managed to get an early version of Android Q running on the Switch. Bluetooth, WiFi and even the Joy-Cons are working -- theoretically, this could be one of the better Android gaming devices available. There are gotchas. GPU support is a work in progress -- you wouldn't want to play PUBG Mobile on the Switch right now, assuming it would even run. It's also unclear how well the SD card slot, USB-C docking and other features work. This is a start, though, and those willing to throw caution (and warranties) to the wind could soon repurpose the Switch for everything from playing mobile games to everyday tasks like checking email.
Via: Wololo.net Source: Max Keller (Twitter 1), (2) Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 24, 2019 at 06:33PM
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Apple COO Jeff Williams 'Very Aware Of' Concerns Over Apple Product Cost https://ift.tt/2XlxZ96 Apple COO Jeff Williams spoke at Elon University on Friday, Feb. 22 and spoke of his history in joining Apple in 1998. The Times News covers his talk in detail. Williams also took questions from students in the audience. One student asked Williams if Apple had any plans to reduce prices considering the seemingly large margins on Apple products based on analyst reports. Williams dismissed those reports, suggesting the actual cost of development isn't considered: “The stories that come out about the cost of our products [have been] the bane of my existence from the beginning of time, including our early days,” Williams said. “Analysts don’t really understand the cost of what we do and how much care we put into making our products.”He goes on to explain that to build the Apple Watch's activity tracker, Apple built a physiology lab with 40 nurses and 10,000 participants. Still, Williams conceded it's an area that they are paying attention to: “It’s something we’re very aware of,” he said. “We do not want to be an elitist company. That’s not — we want to be an egalitarian company, and we’ve got a lot of work going on in developing markets.”The Times News article goes on to cover Williams' talk about his reasons for joining Apple back in 1998, as well as how it feels to be part of a company that has been so successful. Pricing on Apple's flagship phones has been cited as a factor in iPhone sales underperformance in the last quarter. Apple's flagship iPhone has increased in price over the years with the most recent iPhone XS Max starting at $1099.
Related Roundup: iPhone XS
Tag: Jeff Williams
Buyer's Guide: iPhone XS (Neutral)
This article, "Apple COO Jeff Williams 'Very Aware Of' Concerns Over Apple Product Cost" first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums Gadget News via MacRumors https://ift.tt/1ZNziIk February 24, 2019 at 06:08PM
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Lenovo Tab V7 hands-on: Big, loud and practical https://ift.tt/2E7agRg Bigger isn't always better, but sometimes it's exactly what you're looking for. That seems to be the line of reasoning behind Lenovo's new Tab V7, a device that — despite its name — is definitely more a smartphone. The V7 isn't the most powerful machine in the world, nor does it have the most impressive cameras or the most eye-catching design. For people in developing markets who face long bus or rail commutes, though, a phone with a screen big enough to lost in while watching videos just might fit the bill perfectly. The Tab V7 packs a whopper of a 6.9-inch display running at 2160x1080, and I know what some of you are thinking — this thing must be a serious handful. Well, you'd be right: it's an 18:9 screen so it's a little more manageable than you might assume, but the Tab V7 is definitely better suited for people with big hands (or those who plan to just rest the phone in their laps most of the time.) Still, it's more than pretty enough for plowing through some locally stored videos, and the two Dolby Audio-tuned speakers can get almost surprisingly loud when you really need to bring the noise. It does run surprisingly well, though, because of the octa-core Snapdragon 450 ticking away inside. Depending on the model you go for, you'll wind up with either 3 or 4GB of RAM and either 32 or 64GB of internal storage. Regardless of your decision, though, you'll still be able to whip through a few rounds of Brawl Stars without any complaints. (That's how I spent the thirty or so minutes after I shot the video you see above.) And beyond all that, the Tab V7 runs a surprisingly clean build of Android 9.0 Pie -- Lenovo has used some pretty overbearing interfaces in the past, so this is a pleasant change of pace. The rest of the particulars here aren't all that thrilling -- the 13-megapixel camera takes decent enough photos but the few I took were ultimately nothing to write home about. The 5-megapixel camera up front was somehow even less exciting. If anything, the real all-star here is the phone's massive battery: it's a 5,180mAh cell that puts to shame most of the others we've seen in smartphones this year. (Seriously: it's even more capacious than the dual battery system in Samsung's Galaxy Fold.) It's hard not to imagine this thing getting at least two days of life off a single charge, especially considering the power-sipping chipset, but it's not hard to imagine a person with a crippling Fortnite addiction just running this thing into the ground. All told, what the Lenovo Tab V7 lacks in sheer thrill, it makes it for with sheer, spacious practicality. My only real gripe? That, despite it's world tour through Latin America, Asia Pacific and parts of the Middle East, it's unlikely we'll ever get to use this thing in the United States. Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 24, 2019 at 05:15PM
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Lenovo has created ThinkPad and Yoga headphones https://ift.tt/2GGpMqR Lenovo is creating its own headphones for ThinkPad and Yoga laptop owners. The PC maker has created two versions with active and electronic noise cancellation that will be targeted at consumers and businesses. Lenovo’s Yoga ANC headphones have a white design, while the X1 ANC headphones come in the typical ThinkPad silver and black style. Both headphones share the same features and overall collapsible design, and support Windows PCs and iOS / Android devices through Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C connectivity. Lenovo is using aluminum finished ear cups, alongside a soft cushion for comfort. There’s no word on battery life for either set, but both can be charged in under two hours via USB-C. They’re designed primarily for conference calls, and are optimized for Skype calling and tuned by Dolby. Lenovo is also including quick access controls for volume, alongside some limited voice control thanks to the built-in microphone. Lenovo missed a trick and didn’t add a red TrackPoint-like nub as a volume control on the ThinkPad-styled pair. Lenovo’s headphone push follows Microsoft’s own Surface-branded headphones. It could be a sign we’re about to see more headphones from a range of PC makers as these companies continue to look beyond laptops and attempt to use their PC brands to create complimentary products. Lenovo is pricing these headphones differently between consumers and commercial customers. The Yoga headphones will be available in July for $169.99, while the ThinkPad style will be priced at $149.99. It’s not clear when the ThinkPad version will be available in the US, but it’s arriving in Europe in June. Gadget News via The Verge https://ift.tt/1jLudMg February 24, 2019 at 05:09PM
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Lenovo’s new 14-inch USB-C monitor is thin, light, and portable https://ift.tt/2NrtiWH Lenovo has created a portable USB-C monitor that could be a practical way of adding an extra screen to your laptop. We’ve seen a variety of portable monitors over the years, but most have been bulky and cumbersome. The big promise of USB-C for monitors appears to be finally arriving, and Lenovo’s ThinkVision M14 looks like a solid attempt. It’s a 14-inch IPS display (1920 x 1080) that weighs 1.3 pounds and attaches to a laptop via USB-C. Unlike Asus’ ZenScreens, Lenovo’s portable USB-C monitor doesn’t include a battery which means your laptop, tablet, or even phone is tasked with powering the display. Lenovo isn’t providing estimates on the power draw, but it shouldn’t be significant for this type of display. Lenovo is also offering an adapter to support power pass through so you can charge and power the monitor at the same time. I got a chance to try the ThinkVision M14 briefly at Mobile World Congress this week and I was surprised at its weight and thinness. Lenovo has managed to make sure this isn’t bulky, and there’s even a cover to protect the display if you’re slipping it into a bag. There are two USB-C ports on either side, making it a little easier to position the cable whether you want to use this to the left or right side of your laptop. Lenovo has built most of the components into the base, which felt sturdy during my time with it. There’s even an additional stand at the base to raise the height of the monitor to better bring it in line with your laptop, which is a nice extra option to have. The only slightly disappointing aspect is the display chin. I’m hoping that Lenovo, HP, and other PC makers move away from these display chins in favor of bezeless displays. It’s a trend that’s growing, though. Still, these portable monitors are finally becoming a light way of adding an extra laptop screen when you’re mobile. That’s useful if you need the extra space for work like editing photos or videos. Lenovo is now planning to make the ThinkVision M14 available this summer priced at $249. Gadget News via The Verge https://ift.tt/1jLudMg February 24, 2019 at 05:09PM
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Lenovo’s smallest and best-selling ThinkPad laptops get refreshed for 2019 https://ift.tt/2GHjeZc Lenovo is making some largely incremental updates to its more affordable IdeaPad laptops and its ThinkPad X and T series today. While $1,000 and above laptops might be the more exciting and premium devices, it’s the models under $1,000 that most consumers opt for. Lenovo is now trying to bring some its more premium features to these lower price points. Lenovo’s updated IdeaPad S540 now includes Intel’s 8th Gen Core i7 processors or AMD’s Ryzen 7 3700U processors and an option for Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050 discrete graphics card. Lenovo has also trimmed its bezels by more than 25 percent, and added a privacy guard for the webcam — both are trends that started at the premium end of laptops. The IdeaPad S540 will be available in both 14- and 15-inch (1920 x 1080) versions, with up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of SSD storage. Lenovo is launching three versions in April and June, with the 14-inch Intel model starting at $879.99, the 15-inch Intel version at $849.99, and a 14-inch AMD variant starting at $729.99. This year’s IdeaPad S340 is also getting some similar upgrades, with a choice between Intel’s 8th Gen Core i7 processors or AMD’s Ryzen 7 3700U processor. Both models will include up to 12GB of RAM, and 14- or 15-inch display options. Lenovo is also trimming the bezels here and adding a webcam privacy feature, alongside using carbon fiber and an aluminum finish. Both models will be available in March and April, with the 14-inch Intel variant priced from $369.99, the 15-inch at $449.99, and the 15-inch AMD model priced from $429.99. Over on the ThinkPad side, the smallest ThinkPad is getting a bigger 13-inch display this year. That doesn’t mean it’s getting bigger overall, though. Lenovo has squeezed this 13.3-inch display (1920 x 1080) into the ThinkPad X390, with 50 percent thinner bezels. Inside there’s the 8th Gen Intel Core vPro i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage. Lenovo says this tiny ThinkPad will run for nearly 18 hours on battery power, and it has a Thunderbolt 3 port, USB-C, two regular USB ports, and even a HDMI port and microSD support. Lenovo has also built a clever PrivacyGuard feature into the ThinkPad X390 that uses the IR camera to detect if someone is behind you to enable privacy alerts or even the ability to darken the display and make it only viewable if you’re sitting directly in front of the laptop. ThinkPads are aimed at businesses big and small, so it’s a smart feature to stop people peering over your shoulder if you’re working on a confidential document in a coffee shop or on a plane. There’s also a ThinkShutter webcam cover for extra privacy. Lenovo’s ThinkPad X390 will be available in June starting at $1,099, and the company is also releasing a ThinkPad X390 Yoga variant with its typical 2-in-1 features priced from $1,359. Lenovo is also updating its best selling T series of ThinkPads for 2019. Much like the IdeaPads, it’s mainly refinements for the ThinkPad T490 this year, with the PrivacyGuard feature, ThinkShutter webcam cover, dual far-field microphones, and a new HDR IPS display option. The slimmer T490s is also getting a HDR display option or a low power 1080 panel, the PrivacyGuard feature, a new aluminum top cover, and overall it’s 13 percent thinner than last year’s model. Both the ThinkPad T490 and T490s will be available in June, with the T490 priced from $999 and the T490s priced from $1,279. Gadget News via The Verge https://ift.tt/1jLudMg February 24, 2019 at 05:09PM
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Lenovo's Yoga headphones are built for music, chat and voice control https://ift.tt/2U5lgFx Microsoft debuted its take on active noise-cancelling headphones last year with a Surface-branded model. At MWC 2019, Lenovo is introducing an audio device of its own with headphones that carry its Yoga label. The on-ear Yoga headphones employ hybrid active and electronic noise-cancelling microphones to help block out the world around you. On-board controls offer easy access to voice control, as well as basic functions like volume adjustments. Lenovo is promising better audio for your conference calls or Skype chats with a Smart Voice Pickup feature. Basically, the company says you'll be able to use these for chatting just as much as you will for listening to tunes. Or as Lenovo puts it, "immersive entertainment or focused productivity." In terms of overall sound quality, the Yoga headphones pack Dolby-tuned drivers and "high-fidelity sound." I'm getting my hands on a pair later this week, so hopefully I'll be able to judge those merits soon enough with some detailed audio impressions. Lenovo isn't chatting battery life just yet, but again, that should be information I'll get over the next few days. The company as opted for Bluetooth 5 and USB-C -- the latter of which is increasingly becoming the standard on wireless headphones. Lastly, a folding design means the Yoga headphones will be easier to pack in your bag and premium materials like aluminum finished earcups enhance the overall look. The Yoga ANC headphones will go on sale in Europe in June and will arrive in the US in July. When they do, expect to pay €158 and $170, respectively, in order to grab a pair. Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 24, 2019 at 05:09PM
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Lenovo improves its midrange laptops with HDR screens and privacy upgrades https://ift.tt/2BQJzjf Lenovo may make a lot of connected home products, but don't forget -- its core business is still PCs. At MWC 2019, the company unveiled a slew of new laptops across its Thinkpad X and T series, as well as the Ideapad family. There are also two new budget notebooks for enterprise and a new travel-friendly ThinkVision USB-C monitor. Most of these are midrange devices, but Lenovo is adding features like a privacy screen and shutter from its higher-end line. For example, the new ThinkPad X390, X390 Yoga, T490s, T490 and T590 now offer HDR and low power display options, as well as WiFi 6, in addition to the ThinkShutter webcam shield and PrivacyGuard screen-protecting tech. What PrivacyGuard does is use the camera above the screen to detect your eyes. When it recognizes you're looking at the laptop, it'll be on the lookout for people snooping over your shoulder. I tried this out on one of the ThinkPads, and when a Lenovo rep walked into the 67-degree field of vision behind me, the laptop displayed a symbol with a scary person's face on the screen where he was. The thing is, by the time the indicator appeared, I already knew there was someone walking behind me, so I don't know how helpful this will be. I'm more interested in the new ThinkVision mobile monitor, which is a USB-C 14-inch screen that you can carry around on work trips. Not only is the whole device light and thin, the ThinkVision M14 also offers pass-through power via USB-C so you can charge your laptop through a wall socket with the monitor in between. There are sockets on either side, too, so you can place the second screen on either side of your laptop without having to loop cables around. The unit we saw had a somewhat dim, matte screen, so don't expect to do intense graphics editing on the ThinkVision -- I'd recommend using it for your chat windows, Twitter and emails. Lenovo also updated its IdeaPad line of midrange laptops and all-in-ones with the new C340, S340 and S540. All three models are available in 14-inch and 15-inch versions, and the C340 is a convertible, so it comes with a touch screen and Active Pen support. The S340 and S540 are clamshells with thinner designs and narrower bezels than before, and now come in striking "pink sand" and "bisque blue" color options. You can configure them with Intel or AMD chipsets, and they'll start at $370 for the S340, $730 for the S540 and $440 for the C340. Business users will appreciate the addition of the Lenovo 14e Chromebook Enterprise and 14w Enterprise, which cost $279 and $299 respectively. Gadget News via Engadget http://www.engadget.com February 24, 2019 at 05:09PM
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The Vatican’s Swiss Guards are now using 3D printed helmets https://ift.tt/2IzhUt2 For hundreds of years, the Swiss Guard have worn a distinctive, brightly-colored dress uniform while protecting the Pope and Vatican City, with only a couple of minor changes over the years. This year, they’re making a big change: the traditional, metal helmet — called a morion — is being replaced with ones that are 3D printed. The uniforms and equipment of the Swiss Guard are imbued with tradition. The modern uniform was introduced in 1914, inspired by Renaissance-era artwork featuring the soldiers. Over the years, the Vatican has retained the traditional elements of the uniform, employing blacksmiths to provide replacement parts for their armor. Last year, the Swiss Guard announced that it would replace the iconic helmet with one made out of PVC, which were lighter and cheaper than their metal predecessors. This isn’t a trivial thing — as the soldiers spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun, the helmets would become uncomfortably hot, to the point where they would get burned. The first batch of 98 of the new helmets (120 were ordered in all) were delivered to the Vatican on January 22nd, on the 513th anniversary of the founding of the Guard. Those new helmets were designed using scans of helmets from the 16th century, and are printed in just 14 hours using an HP 3D printer, as opposed to the older metal ones, which took nearly 130 hours to manufacture. The new morions also considerably lighter (weighting in at 570 grams; the ones they are replacing weighed 2 kilograms), are UV resistant, and incorporate ventilation slots to keep the soldiers’ heads cooler. There’s also no tradeoff on security for the soldiers, according to Swiss Guard spokesman Sergeant Urs Breitenmoser, because they’re used for ceremonial purposes such as papal masses and state visits. 3D printing has come a long way in the last decade, and this is an interesting example of where it can be useful in everyday life. Certainly, 3D printing has been used in everything from constructing houses to parts for rocket engines to prototype submarines to building Star Wars costumes (as well as others). This instance isn’t quite as dramatic, but it’s a good example where the technology can improve on an existing item, while also retaining its traditional design and style. Gadget News via The Verge https://ift.tt/1jLudMg February 24, 2019 at 04:33PM
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Apple drops new 'Alejandro' ad highlighting Depth Control feature https://ift.tt/2tyUppA Apple has just released a new ad spot on its official YouTube channel highlighting once more the Depth Control feature on its latest iPhones. Gadget News via AppleInsider - Frontpage News http://appleinsider.com February 24, 2019 at 04:08PM |
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