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Google's Pixel 4 could track hand gestures
Project Soli is one of Google's many hardware experiments, one in which a tiny radar is used to track hand gestures. The rumor mill is churning, suggesting that Soli may find itself a home inside the search giant's next phone.
$5 billion Facebook, FTC deal could add more privacy oversight
While previous rumors about a possible settlement between Facebook and the FTC over its privacy failings focused on dollar figures and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Politico reports that it could also create new executive positions. That could mean "appointing a federally approved privacy official" in addition an oversight committee that could include Facebook board members. The New York Times also reported on the negotiations, and both outlets followed up previous reports that suggest Zuckerberg could add the title of "head compliance officer" in a move to make him personally liable for any potential failings in the future. This week at Facebook's F8 event Zuckerberg pushed a "The future is private" mantra, but it fell flat to many ears. Facebook and its CEO have told the world, and the FTC, that they will do better when it comes to privacy and we've seen how that turns out -- even after a potential $5 billion fine and some C-suite restructuring it still sounds like the same promises all over again.
Pixel 3a leak shows Google's mid-range phone in full
Google is likely set to reveal mid-range Pixel 3a and 3a XL devices on May 7th, and now we know what they'll probably look like. A leak from Evan Blass, aka @evleaks, shows a notch-free device with a fairly basic design, single rear camera and a rear fingerprint reader. That's a bit out of step with other mid-level devices we've seen recently like Samsung's Galaxy A70, with rear multi-camera setups and nearly bezel free displays.
OnePlus 7 rumors, leaks include Pro and 5G editions
If you're eagerly awaiting word of the next OnePlus handset, a few leakers who have been reliable in the past have information for you. Between @OnLeaks/Pricebaba and Ishan Agarwal, they've claiming we can expect a global launch event on May 14th, with up to three variants of the device on display: the OnePlus 7, the OnePlus 7 Pro and a OnePlus 7 Pro 5G model. While renderings should be taken with a grain of salt, the designs shown include a 6.4-inch OnePlus 7 with a teardrop camera up front and dual 48 MP rear camera that looks similar to the current 6T. That includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and up to 10GB of RAM like the 6T McLaren Edition, along with a Snapdragon 855 CPU and 4,150 mAh battery inside. The OnePlus 7 Pro specs, similar to earlier leaks, list it as larger, at 6.64-inches with a notchless curved glass design, a pop-up camera, plus a triple rear 48 MP camera setup that uses its additional lenses for telephoto and ultrawide pictures. Finally, according to @OnLeaks, there will also be a 5G-ready variant of the Pro.
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.
Beats' spin on the new AirPods could debut in April
Apple at long last has updated its AirPods, and subsidiary Beats may be set to expand its own product lineup with its first true wireless earbuds. CNET reports Beats will announce a fully wireless version of its Powerbeats next month.
Huawei unveiled the P30 Pro smartphone a touch early
Huawei might know how to build photo-centric smartphones, but the concept of web pages is apparently beyond its grasp. As spotted by Evan Blass, it unveiled an event page for the phone that reveals pretty much everything you'd want to know ahead of its March 26th Paris Event. As expected, it'll have a quad camera array -- with the main packing a 40-megapixel sensor -- and 10X hybrid zoom, doubling the P20 Pro's 5X zoom.
Marvel is reportedly making a 'What If' animated series for Disney+
What if Captain America was elected President? What if Spider Man had joined the Fantastic Four? What if those and other What If plots came to TV? According to Slashfilm, Marvel Studios wants to adapt the popular What If comic books into an animated series to stream on Disney+.
Apple's rumored AR headset might require an iPhone
More than a year after rumors circulated that Apple would produce an AR headset by 2020, the company seems to be on track to meet that goal. Full production could start as soon as the fourth quarter of 2019, well-sourced Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said this week. But as we get closer, it looks like Apple is scrapping plans for a standalone device and will rely, instead, on the iPhone.
Microsoft's 'All-Digital' Xbox One could launch in May
Those rumors of Microsoft releasing a disc-free Xbox One in 2019 are gathering steam. Windows Central sources claim the system will be named the "Xbox One S All-Digital Edition" (a very Microsoft-like name if we've ever heard one) and would ship worldwide in early May, with pre-orders starting in mid-April. The tipsters didn't mention pricing or design changes, but Thurrott previously heard that axing the Blu-ray drive could slash the price by up to $100.
Apple may unveil a 16-inch MacBook Pro and 31-inch 6K monitor this year
If you're in the market for a new MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad or virtually any other Apple product, gather 'round for Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's freshest rumors. To start, he told 9to5Mac that Apple will release a 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2019 that would be the largest-screen MacBook since 2012. That makes some sense, as we know that LG or another manufacturer is building such displays for Origin and others. Kuo adds that a 13-inch MacBook Pro might appear with up to 32GB of RAM, an amount that can only be found on 15-inch models right now.
'Resident Evil' TV show rumors point to Netflix
So what's next for Netflix? The service seems to have a little bit of everything in the works, and the latest rumor from Deadline says that it's planning a Resident Evil TV series. This news arrives with a remake of Resident Evil 2 ready to drop tomorrow on PS4, Xbox One and PC, with a suggestion the series could "expand the Resident Evil universe and deepen the existing mythology." It's apparently in development from German production company Constantin Film, which also produced all six movies in the film franchise. As one would expect from anything bearing the Resident Evil name, series plans include looks inside the shadowy Umbrella Corporation behind the outbreak, as well as the new world order rising up in the wake of the T-Virus. We wouldn't expect to see Milla Jovovich and W.S. Anderson involved this time around, but they've moved on to another video game series -- Monster Hunter.
Galaxy S10 leak suggests a lineup with three variants
Prolific phone leaker Evan Blass has already posted an image that appears to show the front of Samsung's Galaxy S10, and now he's tweeted a family photograph showing off three variants wrapped in cases. Left to right, you're apparently looking at the S10E, S10 and S10+, and while it's unclear what E could stand for, (Edge? Economy? Equilibrium?), the S10 is said to measure at about 5.8-inches with the Plus stepping up to 6.4-inches. The Plus seems to have a double-hole punch up front, while the rear cameras have a different multiple-lens alignment and count than the quad-camera Galaxy A9 that Samsung released last year. Of course none of these appear to be fold-up models featuring Samsung's Infinity Flex display, but the S10 will be its standard bearer that we're expecting to meet at an event just ahead of Mobile World Congress 2019 in February. Other than the front pic that flashed a hole punch-style camera, other leaks have pointed to a new Bright Night mode for its camera that could rival Google's Night Sight on Pixel devices. All should be revealed February 20th, one way or another.
LG smartphone rumor suggests a 'second screen' add-on
Samsung has already teased its future of "Infinity Flex" foldable devices that blur the line between phone and tablet, and while we'd heard LG would show off something similar at CES last week, it didn't. Now CNET cites anonymous sources indicating that we'll see a new mobile device from LG at Mobile World Congress 2019 that supports an optional "second screen" attachment, described as a sort of case with a screen. That could give it extra display area rivaling devices like Samsung and Royole, and as Google has already committed to supporting Android devices with changing screen sizes, we'd expect to see more companies give it a try. The odd configuration could also explain some of the recent trademarks that surfaced from LG including Foldi and Duplex. CNET isn't clear on whether or not this adjustable device will be the mainstream G8 device, or perhaps a separate device like LG's previous G Flex series, but it will be something to keep an eye on as MWC's opening approaches on February 25th. We're expecting to hear more about Samsung's flexible plans and the Galaxy S10 on February 20th, and we wouldn't be surprised if LG also makes a pre-show splash with new mobile hardware.
Report: Apple plans three new iPhones, one may have three rear cameras
Apple will introduce a triple-camera iPhone this year and another lower-priced LCD model, according to the Wall Street Journal. Despite supposedly sluggish sales of its current iPhone XR LCD model, the news means the company still wants a diverse mid-to-high range lineup. Like most other manufacturers, Apple is experiencing a slowdown in the smartphone market as consumers upgrade less often.
Microsoft's first webcams in years might include Xbox One support
Microsoft hasn't been in the webcam game for a long time, but it might come roaring back -- and with some thoroughly modern hardware, to boot. Sources talking to Paul Thurrott (well-known for his Microsoft connections) claim Microsoft wants to return to webcams in 2019 with two 4K models, "at least one" of which would support Xbox One consoles in addition to Windows 10. This wouldn't necessarily replace the Kinect (you'd need depth sensing for that), but it could offer multi-user automatic sign-ins, Skype video chats and other features that either went away or require a third-party camera.
Samsung Galaxy S10 rumor hints at a corner notch
Samsung's prototype 5G phone might be more indicative of the Galaxy S10's design than first thought. An image posted by a Vietnamese Facebook user purports to show an S10 Plus prototype (indicated by the "Beyond 2" codename) with a heavily disguised corner notch. Unlike the 5G showcase, though, it would include two front cameras like some leaks have suggested -- possibly for standard and wide-angle shots. While we'd take a leak like this with a huge grain of salt, it does line up with a recent Weibo post showing screen protectors with an eerily similar-looking camera arrangement.
Google's rumored Pixel 3 'Lite' XL might ditch the notch
There's been talk (and apparent leaks) of a mid-range Pixel 3 variant, but what about an equivalent to the larger Pixel 3 XL? That might be coming too. OnLeaks and 91mobiles claim to have details of a Pixel 3 'Lite' XL (just a placeholder name for now), and have produced renders to match. The larger handset would move up to a 6-inch, 2,220 x 1,080 screen (versus the 6.3-inch, 2,960 x 1,440 panel on the Pixel 3 XL) but would otherwise resemble its smaller counterpart, including the plastic chassis. And notably, that would mean dropping the regular Pixel 3 XL's notch -- you'd 'only' have one front camera, but you also wouldn't have a conspicuous protrusion into your screen.
Logitech may be close to buying Plantronics (updated)
Logitech isn't done trying to rule the personal audio world just because it has Astro, Jaybird and Ultimate Ears under its belt. Reuters sources have claimed that the peripheral maker is in talks to buy Plantronics, best known for its Bluetooth audio and gaming headsets. It's not clear how close Logitech might be to closing a deal, but the offer was reportedly over $2.2 billion -- well above the $50 million Logitech paid for Jaybird. If successful, a deal could be made public as soon as next week.
iOS 12 developer beta points to bezel-less iPad with Face ID
Last year, early iOS leaks gave us a preview of the eventual iPhone X and some details on Apple's HomePod speaker. Now, 9to5Mac points out an icon in the iOS 12 developer beta that seems to show an iPad design with tiny bezels all around and missing the home button. Separately, code for accessibility features shows evidence of Face ID support in an upcoming iPad Pro likely scheduled for release this fall. The image doesn't show an iPhone X-like notch, so presumably new iPads would manage to squeeze a TrueDepth camera into the remaining bezel. With iPad sales remaining flat compared to last year, it seems likely that we'll see new devices soon, and now we have some idea at least of what they'll look like.
