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Dell's new Latitude 9000 laptops feature an automatic webcam shutter
The Latitude 9420 and 9520 laptops come with a feature called SafeShutter. Dell says it’s the industry’s first automatic webcam shutter, which can open or close on its own by syncing with video conferencing applications. In addition, the new 9000 series laptops have secure mic and mute keys.
ASUS' ROG Phone 3 has a hidden 160 Hz screen mode
The latest ASUS ROG Phone 3 gaming phone is best known for its best-in-class 144 Hz screen, but that’s apparently not even the best it can do. XDA Developers (via Android Police) found a hidden 160Hz refresh option meant for internal testing that can be unlocked with a so-called ADB shell command.
Waze lets drivers display their moods in the app
Waze is rolling out a brand refresh and app update that lets users share their mood.
'Warcraft III: Reforged' arrives on January 28th
Blizzard announced Warcraft III: Reforged just over a year ago, promising a top-to-bottom refresh of the landmark real-time strategy title and its Frozen Throne add-on. Now, we know when it's going to land. The game, which features seven single-player campaigns spanning more than 60 missions, plus a total graphics and audio overhaul, releases on January 28th in the US, and on the 29th in the UK.
Musk: Tesla is not working on a Model S or Model X refresh
Tesla fans got excited last month after rumors of a Model S refresh started doing the rounds -- a driver near Tesla's Hawthorne design studio claimed to have spotted a mysterious test car, and of course the internet was abuzz with theories. Alas, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that there's no refreshed Model S -- or X for that matter -- on the horizon.
Apple is testing a new web interface for Podcasts
It seems that the Apple Podcasts web interface is getting a makeover. The previous design, which mirrored the iTunes web interface binned in 2017, was a simple list of episodes, titles and descriptions -- no show notes or episode details. The new refresh is cleaner, with full descriptions and dedicated pages for each podcast episode.
Nintendo could launch two new Switch consoles this year
Nintendo might launch two new Switches as early as this summer, reports the WSJ. As previously rumored, one would likely be a smaller and cheaper model with a focus on portability. However, Nintendo might also release a higher-end model Switch aimed at more serious gamers, in competition with Sony's PS4 and Microsoft's Xbox One. It wouldn't have quite as much power as those consoles, however, according to the report.
Four people are allowing strangers to control their smart homes
For the next seven weeks, anyone who's inclined can go to 205 Hudson Street in New York City and take over someone else's apartment. Smart devices like the kettles, lighting and speakers of four homes connect directly to laptops in the corner of an art gallery. Cameras are trained on bathrooms, kitchens and living areas. Visitors can sit down and become a human Alexa, playing music, eavesdropping on conversations through microphones and communicating with the inhabitants via text-to-speech.
Microsoft gives Outlook for iOS a full UI makeover
Microsoft has gradually been unveiling changes to Office's interface since the summer, when it announced plans for a major makeover. Since then, we've seen updated icons and a revised web experience, and now Outlook iOS is getting the treatment.
Dell’s new gaming monitors focus on high refresh rates
Gamers that want a top-level monitor but don't have Alienware money lying around should take a look at Dell's forthcoming monitor line-up. The 24inch FHD and 27inch QHD models boast pretty high refresh rates -- 144Hz and 155Hz respectively -- and low 1ms response times, which means smooth gameplay and minimal input lag.
Dell's new XPS 15 has faster chips in the same bezel-less body
Dell has just revealed its new spring lineup, and among the all-in-ones and gaming PCs taking centre stage is the revamped Dell XPS 15 -- and it's the most powerful version yet. While it looks largely the same as its 2017 predecessor, with an identical chassis, what lies beneath packs a serious punch.
Everyone will soon have to use the Google Calendar redesign
If you've been avoiding the visual refresh Google recently gave to the web version of Calendar, your time is almost at an end. Starting January 8th, users of G Suite and Google Domains will be automatically switched to the new design. Anyone who opted out manually won't be forced to use the new Calendar until February 5th, but all users will get the upgrade on February 28th.
Razer's Blade Stealth and 'Core' add up to the gaming laptop I always wanted
For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of a computer that didn't exist: something that could get me through the work day but also transform into a gaming powerhouse at home. It's taken decades, but that old fantasy is finally starting to coalesce into reality. Laptops from Alienware and MSI can be bought with an external graphics dock that lends them the power of a desktop-class GPU. Earlier this year, Razer even made a bid for my dream laptop -- but its Blade Stealth stumbled with middling battery life and by launching before its companion GPU dock hit the market. Recently the company updated the ultraportable with more storage and memory, a faster processor, a higher-capacity battery and the graphics extender that makes it so special: the Razer Core. Now that we finally have the complete package, it's time to revisit the Stealth and see if it makes good on its promise.
Razer's new Blade Pro laptop houses a mechanical keyboard
Razer has definitely made a name for itself in the world of gaming notebooks, but for the past few years, the Blade family of laptops has had a black sheep: The Razer Blade Pro. This 17-inch machine was the company's original thin gaming notebook, but it lingered in obsolescence after Razer introduced the more popular 14-inch variant and, later, the Razer Blade Stealth. For years, the smaller machines were given modest CPU, RAM and graphics updates while the ironically named "Pro" lagged behind with a 4th generation Intel processor. Those days are over. Today, Razer announced that the 17-inch Razer Blade Pro is back -- and it's finally going to live up to its moniker.
Fairphone's easy-to-fix handset relaunched with a slim cover
Most smartphones are doomed to the scrap heap several years after they're new, because glued and soldered parts make them too pricey to repair. With the modular Fairphone 2 handset, on the other hand, you can replace the screen in a minute without tools, and other modules can be swapped with a screwdriver. In fact, iFixit gave the device a perfect 10 for repairability. The company behind it has refreshed the device, and released its first replaceable component: the cover
Apple may ditch traditional USB ports on the MacBook Pro
Apple reportedly plans to eliminate the USB 3.0 and Magsafe ports on its next-gen MacBook, and kill the 11-inch MacBook Air altogether. That's according to Macotakara, the Japanese rumor site that was among the first to predict the company would kill the traditional headphone jack on the iPhone 7. It also claims that Apple will unveil a 15.4- and 13.3-inch MacBook Pro at an event sometime this month.
New Razer Blade Stealth upgrades all the original's faults
For a gaming company's first attempt at an ultraportable workhorse, the Razer Blade Stealth was pretty great. It had a stunning chassis, a strong CPU, a gorgeous display and the unique ability to link up to a desktop GPU. Unfortunately, it was held back a bit by limited storage options and a disappointing battery life. Not anymore: Today at PAX, Razer announced a Razer Blade Stealth refresh that packs in more RAM, more options for storage and a bigger battery.
Apple upgrades its MacBook series and adds a rose gold option
It's been just over a year since Apple launched its slimmer Macbook series. Today, the company is upgrading them with new processors (from Intel's sixth-generation Core M series), as well as refreshing the built-in Intel HD GFX, promising around a 25 percent faster graphical performance. On top of new processing muscle, there's faster flash storage and improved battery life. Apple claims you'll get up to 10 hours of web browsing, and up to 11 hours of movie playback with the new machines. However, if you were looking for more ports, you're still going to have to look elsewhere -- or splurge on a hub.
Valve makes finding your next Steam game easier
When Valve debuted game-recommendation tags not long ago, it was apparently a precursor to something much bigger. Today the PC game-sales juggernaut has revealed a new look for its store that aims to put games in front of you that you didn't even know you wanted. By utilizing the tags, your gaming history and a few other aspects, Valve has redesigned the homepage so that it'll apparently make finding games you're interested in a lot easier. The Discovery Queue gives you a chance to browse through suggested releases, wishlist them or skip updates on titles completely. Valve says that the list will refresh daily, giving you a chance to possibly find the next killer indie before anyone else.
Refresh for iOS briefs you on people you meet
Refresh (free) is a fascinating app designed to tell you more about people in your contacts or people you are about to have a meeting with. We first looked at the app in June, but are some significant changes and new useful features. Once you set up Refresh with logins for social sites like Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and others, it will note who is on your upcoming calendar events and notify you with background on the people you are going to meet. You can also search for people by name, whether you have a meeting with them or not. It's a clever idea to aggregate these public sources of information, although I can't get over the fact that it feels a bit creepy to do this. The app never shares your data. A smart notifications feature reminds you to check the app just before a meeting. New features are a complete and easier to use re-design, searching of news articles about a person, increased sourcing, including Yelp, Quora, Dribble and others, and a new approach to ordering and presenting the data. Setting up Refresh is easy, especially if you remember your various logins at social sites. When you search for someone it will tell you about them, any common contacts you have with them, where they live and have lived, and their interests. Of course all this information depends upon what that person posts on various social sites. I found the app worked well, and I can see where someone in business would appreciate having a single place to get this information. Still, it reminds me of how much information about ourselves and others is up on the web for people to see, which still feels a bit disquieting. Refresh requires iOS 7 or later. It's not a universal app, and it does support the longer screen of the iPhone 5. The company has just released web access so you can see your information on any computer client.
