mwc 2019
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Tune in to our Microsoft MWC liveblog Sunday at 12PM ET!
MWC doesn't officially begin until Monday, but a few companies are revealing the goods this weekend ahead of the show. Microsoft is one of those, and we'll be there on Sunday (February 24th) to bring you all the news as it's announced in liveblog form. Tune into our live coverage right here at 12PM ET/6PM CET as we find out what CEO Satya Nadella and HoloLens creator and Microsoft technical fellow Alex Kipman have to discuss here in Barcelona. We could see the official introduction of HoloLens 2, or perhaps some Windows Mixed Reality news. But no matter what's on tap, we'll have the details from Spain as they're unveiled on stage. If you want to watch live, head over to Microsoft's event page for the livestream when the time comes.
Billy Steele02.22.2019
What to expect at MWC 2019
There's always plenty of news from MWC, and it's either entirely expected or word gets out early. This year is shaping up to be slightly different, though, as companies are preparing their version of the future of smartphones. From foldable designs to 5G and more, this year's Mobile World Congress won't only be jam-packed with news, but it should also be exciting once again.
Billy Steele02.21.2019
LG's first 5G phone will likely be the V50 ThinQ for Sprint
LG and Sprint haven't been shy about their plans to launch a 5G smartphone in 2019. Now, though, you might be looking at the device in question. Well-known scoop provider Evan Blass has obtained an image of the V50 ThinQ, a Sprint-bound flagship with some very conspicuous 5G branding. The picture doesn't include many details outside of a notched display and an abundance of cameras, but it hints at a February 24th reveal date that lines up with LG's South Korean announcement promising a 5G phone introduction that day, just ahead of Mobile World Congress.
Jon Fingas02.16.2019
Samsung will open three real stores in the US February 20th
On the same day we meet the Galaxy S10, Samsung is going to "celebrate 10 years of Galaxy" with three new retail locations in the US. While it has previously opened stores around the world, in the US Samsung has preferred to spread its Experience shops as store-within-a-store pop-up shops that mostly exist inside Best Buy. So now in the US, customers can go to a Samsung store and actually purchase something. The Americana at Brand– 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210 Roosevelt Field on Long Island– 630 Old Country Rd, Garden City, NY 11530 The Galleria in Houston– 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056 There are also hands-on demos and walk-in repairs available. The three locations opening February 20th are in California, Texas and New York, and Samsung claims these locations "are just the beginning." Even if you're not interested in picking up a Galaxy slate or getting the battery in your Note replaced, they'll also have 8K TVs, a 4K gaming lounge and 4D VR. If Samsung expands these stores to more cities, it could put some interesting pressure on other tech companies-turned-retailers like Apple and Microsoft.
Richard Lawler02.14.2019
LG's G8 uses its OLED screen for audio too
Even though we've likely seen all of the outside of LG's next flagship phone, there's still a lot to learn about the G8 ThinQ and the company is sticking to its custom by slowly releasing info as we near its MWC 2019 launch. Tonight LG has revealed more about its audio setup, which includes a "Crystal Sound OLED." Similar to LG-developed OLED technology we've seen come to market in Sony's TVs, it vibrates the screen to produce sound, with an effect that the company claims increases volume, with musical notes more discernible and voices clearer. Vivo's all-glass phone appears to be using tech that's either similar or the same. This doesn't mean the phone's screen will be shaking all the time, however, as LG explains that in speakerphone mode it will deliver audio through the bottom speaker, and step up to two channels with the top part of the screen. Other audio features we'll need to experience in Barcelona include support for emulated 7.1 surround using DTS:X with or without headphones, and its "Boombox Speaker" design that uses space within the phone as a resonance chamber to fill out its sound. It even supports the Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) encoded audio that Tidal uses and has a Hi-Fi Quad DAC.
Richard Lawler02.14.2019
LG G8 ThinQ leak shows the flagship phone from every angle
We might see LG's G7 ThinQ successor in a little over a week -- so naturally, leaks have already started pouring out of the company and onto the internet. One of those leaks is a group of images showing the upcoming G8 ThinQ from every angle, and based on those photos, the flagship phone will bear a strong resemblance to its older sibling. It's also an all-screen device with a notch for the front camera, though it looks like its rear ones have been rearranged into a horizontal format.
Mariella Moon02.12.2019