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Shadow VR is the latest rival to the Oculus Quest
This new Vive Wave-based 6DoF headset comes with the company's self-developed 6DoF controllers.
Sprint will give free data to Snapdragon PCs
It's official. Sprint is definitely giving away free unlimited LTE data through 2018 to those who use laptops packing Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor. We first learned of this last month, and the announcement today clarifies which devices qualify. If you own or buy the HP Envy X2, ASUS NovaGo or Lenovo Miix 630, you'll be able to get free unlimited data if you sign up for AutoPay with the carrier. This won't cover devices using the new Snapdragon 850 chipset, although that's not available in an actual computer yet, and we'll possibly hear more later this year.
Sprint offers free LTE data to anyone who buys a Snapdragon PC
The best thing about Qualcomm and Microsoft's "Always Connected PC" platform is the promise of being online anywhere, anytime. But that can also come at a cost -- data isn't free. That is, until now. Sprint is offering free unlimited 4G LTE to anyone who has a Snapdragon-powered PC, namely the ASUS NovaGo, the HP Envy x2 and the Lenovo Miix 630. The free data dries up on Dec. 31, 2018, after which you can cancel your subscription or pay $15 a month ($10 if you enable AutoPay). Note that you'll still have to pay "taxes, fees and surcharges," and be subject to "speed maximums."
ASUS NovaGo review: ‘Always online’ comes with limitations
As the first Snapdragon-powered PC available, the ASUS NovaGo has a lot riding on it. When Qualcomm and Microsoft teamed up to make connected PCs, they promised devices that would remain always on, always online and provide access to the apps you need to work on the go. So far, parts of that puzzle are missing -- like eSIM support from carriers. But that hasn't stopped the first wave of laptops, starting with the $599 NovaGo, from trying to leave their mark. It's meant to deliver the benefits of smartphone-like connectivity and battery life in a laptop, but unfortunately also highlights the limits of an unproven platform.
Lenovo Miix 630 hands-on: A solid keyboard and Snapdragon power
Last month, we saw the first Snapdragon-powered PCs from ASUS and HP -- laptops and convertibles that promised 20-hour battery lives, constant connectivity and a full Windows 10 experience. Here at CES 2018, Lenovo unveiled the 12.3-inch Miix 630 detachable, which is its first offering for Microsoft and Qualcomm's platform. At first glance, it's not significantly different from HP's convertible, but closer inspection reveals some key differences.
I can finally do cartwheels in VR with HTC's Vive Focus
After fully unveiling the Vive Focus, HTC finally allowed lucky folks like myself to properly test out the six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) standalone VR headset. For the first time, I can actually walk around in VR without being tethered to a PC nor confined to a fixed space. It's a truly mobile VR solution -- more so than smartphone-based VR headsets, which only let you look around on the spot (3DoF). Naturally, I used this opportunity to test this 6DoF tracking to its limits, even if it meant doing cartwheels while wearing the Vive Focus.
HTC's standalone Vive Focus launches in China for $600
While we've already taken a good look at the Vive Focus standalone VR headset with 6DoF "world-scale" tracking, HTC had yet to reveal its detailed specs nor price, but almost a month later, we finally have some answers. First of all, as of December 12th, the device will be available for pre-ordering in China starting from 3,999 yuan or about $600, with shipment commencing in January next year. The base price isn't far off from the original PC-tethered Vive which is priced at $599 before tax in the US (in China it costs 5,488 yuan which is about $830). Better yet, that price applies to a new white version which, in my opinion, is much better looking than the original "electric blue" -- that's now a limited edition priced at 4,299 yuan (about $650).
HP Envy x2 hands-on: A Snapdragon-powered, always-on PC
For its first "Always Connected" PC, HP made a pragmatic choice: It stuffed a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor into its latest Surface clone, the Envy x2. The result is compelling: A thin and light laptop with 20 hours of battery life, and built-in LTE connectivity. It's precisely the sort of machine that Microsoft envisioned when it revealed its vision of always connected devices at Computex.
Samsung's W2018 flip phone has a variable aperture camera
Smartphone makers are always pushing for the fastest-possible camera aperture, and until today, the record was held by LG V30 with its f/1.6 lens. But it didn't take long before Samsung hit back with an even lower f-stop. Earlier today, the Korean giant announced the W2018 which is its tenth extravagant dual-screen flip phone -- likely priced at above $1,500 -- made exclusively for China Telecom's "Heart Of The World" charity series. To our surprise, rather than simply repackaging existing flagship components into this form factor, Samsung actually threw in some new tech this time: not only does its 12-megapixel main camera come with an even lower f/1.5 aperture, but it can also switch to f/2.4 for a deeper depth of field when lighting is ideal.
HTC Vive Focus hands-on: a promising start for next-gen mobile VR
We've already heard the news about HTC's Vive Focus, so it was only natural to get my hands dirty with this standalone 6DoF (six-degree-of-freedom) VR headset. As it turned out, HTC delivered pre-production units to several developers two weeks ago, in order to prep the demo area today. Soon after the opening keynote, I rushed over to the other room and managed to go through seven demos. Given the limited preparation time, the results were unsurprisingly mixed, but the best ones seem to prove that there's a lot of potential in this piece of kit.
HTC Vive Focus is a standalone VR headset with ‘world-scale’ tracking
After a couple of teases earlier this year, HTC has finally unveiled its upcoming standalone VR headset at today's Vive Developer Conference in Beijing. Dubbed the Vive Focus, this all-in-one device features inside-out 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) "world-scale" tracking, meaning it doesn't require external base stations nor sensors, so you can get positional tracking anywhere at any time -- even on a train or plane, should you wish to. While at least a couple of Chinese manufacturers have announced standalone 6DoF VR headsets before, HTC claims that the Focus will be the first of such kind to actually hit the market.
ASUS goes dual-camera crazy for its ZenFone 4 series
ASUS' smartphone division was unusually quiet back at Computex a couple of months ago, but now we know why. Today, the Taiwanese company unveiled its ZenFone 4 smartphone line with not one, but five Android Nougat devices in one go: ZenFone 4 Pro, ZenFone 4, ZenFone 4 Selfie Pro, ZenFone 4 Selfie and ZenFone 4 Max Pro (and these will all get updated to Android O). Going along with the event's "We Love Photo" slogan, all five models share one thing in common: they all have a dual camera setup, though one model is using it for 2x optical zoom, while the rest use it for super wide-angle shots on either side.
Engadget giveaway: Win a OnePlus 5 smartphone and backpack!
OnePlus has been making its mark on the mobile scene for a while now and its latest phone doesn't disappoint. The OnePlus 5 is a combination of features, style and price that hits the sweet spot, with the top-of-the-line version packing 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage for just $539. There's a dual camera here, along with software providing bokeh control and the ability to fine-tune settings like ISO, shutter speed and more. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor runs the show and battery life is improved over the previous 3T model, even offering quick charging so you can have "a day's power in half an hour." This week, the company has provided us with two of its OnePlus 5 Midnight Black 128GB models, along with some swag for two lucky readers. All you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these highly rated handsets. Good luck! Winners: Congratulations to Sheng T. of Tallahassee FL and David Z. of Fairfax, VA.
HTC's first standalone Vive headset is only available in China
At long last, HTC has released a PC-free version of the Vive... only you probably won't get to use it. The company has introduced a Vive Standalone headset that's intended strictly for the Chinese market. China's mobile space is red hot, HTC says, so it makes sense that to take advantage of this "momentum" with accessible VR hardware. It's not clear just how well the self-contained Vive will compare to its PC-bound counterpart in some respects (such as display resolution and comfort), but HTC is clearly focused on portability and cost over raw power.
OnePlus shows off the OnePlus 5 amid image leaks
It's only been two days since OnePlus announced the June 20th launch date for its upcoming OnePlus 5 flagship phone, but it didn't take long before a couple of image leaks popped up, courtesy of Android Police and Slashleaks. With that dual camera, LED flash, antenna bands and shade of gray, commenters were quick to point out the unfortunate resemblance between this device and the iPhone 7 Plus, which is presumably why OnePlus decided to post the above image to make a point. Indeed, from this angle, the OnePlus 5 appears to feature a more unique outline running from the side to the top, but the rest is still practically identical to the iPhone 7 Plus.
Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4+ is both faster and cooler
We all want more power with less charging on our mobile phones. Qualcomm, the maker of the Snapdragon 835 processor, has long been working to provide lower power usage and faster battery charging. The current Quick Charge 4 technology, announced in November of last year, promises five hours of charge in five minutes, a 20 percent improvement in charging speed and 30 percent improvement in efficiency than the previous Quick Charge system. The company announced even more improved specs today: the Quick Charge 4+ system, which the company promises is up to three degrees cooler, up to 15 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than Quick Charge 4. The first smartphone to use this new charging technology will be the Nubia Z17 from Chinese phone maker ZTE.
Windows on Snapdragon is key to making PCs more connected
Looks like Microsoft isn't done with its world tour. After a series of events in New York, Seattle and Shanghai, the company has yet another big announcement to make in Taiwan here at Computex 2017. And in keeping with the theme of bringing Windows everywhere, Microsoft is working with Qualcomm and Intel to deliver "Always Connected PCs" that are constantly online, have long-lasting batteries and portable designs.
ARM-powered Windows 10 laptops will arrive this holiday
Remember Windows RT, the stripped back version of Windows 8 meant for ARM-based hardware? It was a complete failure for Microsoft, recreating the desktop environment but little else for the Surface and Lumia 2520. Undeterred, Microsoft is working with Qualcomm to get Windows 10 running on Snapdragon processors. Announced last December, we should see the fruits of that partnership in new hardware later this year. Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf revealed during an investor call: "Our Snapdragon 835 is expanding into mobile PC designs running Windows 10, which are scheduled to launch in the fourth calendar quarter this year."
Xiaomi Mi 6 mimics the iPhone's camera tricks without the bump
After the swanky limited edition Mi MIX, you'd think it'd be pretty hard for Xiaomi to top that with its next flagship phone, but the new Mi 6 unveiled today still had some tricks up its sleeve. First off, the company has revived the Mi 5's awesome curved glass back design along with a special ceramic edition, and this time it's complemented by a piece of 2.5D front glass panel plus two new color options: metallic blue and glossy silver. To my surprise, Xiaomi has also gone back to the more expensive stainless steel (as used on the Mi 4) instead of aluminum for the mid-frame: not only is it tougher, but it's also more luxurious with that high-gloss finish -- a much welcomed feature on the blue version's gold-colored frame.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 chip is big on photography and VR
Qualcomm hinted that its Snapdragon 835 processor would be something special, and it's ready to show all its cards now that it's at CES, according to a leaked blog post. Battery life is one of the chip's strongest selling points, as you may know (we'll recap that later), but Qualcomm has also revealed that the 835 also carries a ton of upgrades that reflect a rapidly changing mobile landscape. Take virtual reality, for example. On top of 25 percent faster Adreno 540 graphics, it improves positional audio and reduces the lag between motion tracking and what you see on-screen. You won't be as likely to feel seasick or turn the wrong way, in other words.
