Skype translations now work with calls to phone lines
Skype’s live translations are no longer limited to fellow internet callers. If you’re part of the Windows Insider Program, you now have access to a Skype Preview release for PCs that will translate calls to conventional phones, whether they’re cellphones or landlines. If you need to contact a hotel where no one speaks your native tongue, you might have a chance of holding a conversation. The recipients get a notice that Skype is recording and translating the call, so they have an opportunity to hang up if they’re particularly concerned about their privacy.
The expanded translation works with nine languages (Arabic, Brazilian Portugese, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish). And since you’re calling phone lines instead of other voice-over-internet users, you’ll need some Skype credit to reach anyone who isn’t using a toll-free number. Still, if you’re willing to live on the edge, it’s an important step.
There are more improvements if you don’t care for these features. You can forward Skype calls to a traditional phone line if you won’t have access to the app. It’s also possible to capture and share video messages, whether or not a contact is online. You can better manage conversations, too — it’s possible to both mark conversations as read and introduce people on Skype by sharing contact info. It may take some time for these updates to launch in a polished release, but that patience may pay off.
Via: The Verge
Source: Skype Blogs
HP Spectre x360 review (2016): Smaller, with more compromises
Here at Engadget, we don’t have the time to review every new laptop, but we wanted to make time for HP’s redesigned Spectre x360 convertible. After all, when the original came out a year and a half ago, we quickly named it one of our favorite Windows machines. So now that it’s finally gotten a full makeover, we need to see if the improvements are enough to help HP keep its spot on our short list.
Like the original, this new model ($1,050-plus) has a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to use it in one of four modes, but whereas the original was designed with extensive input from Microsoft, it’s unclear how much of a say Microsoft had this time around. This time, too, the x360 is thinner and lighter, with a smaller footprint. It also brings a new dual fan setup for improved cooling and an upgraded webcam that supports Windows Hello facial recognition. These improvements are all welcome, and yet somehow this new version doesn’t feel as polished as its predecessor.
Hardware
The original x360’s relative heft was one of the few things I found fault with when I reviewed it. Fortunately, then, the refreshed version really is noticeably lighter. And smaller, too. First off, we’re down to 2.85 pounds — an 11 percent drop from 3.17 on the original. (The first-gen version weighed slightly more if you bought it with a full HD panel.) Meanwhile, HP reduced the thickness by 13 percent — it’s now 13.8mm, or 0.54 inches, as compared with 15.9mm (0.63 inches) on the original. For reference, the upgraded 15-inch x360, which we’re not reviewing today, now measures 15.9mm thin, making it as thin the earlier 13-inch model.
As for that smaller footprint, HP pulled a page from Dell’s playbook and went with a nearly bezel-less display, allowing for a smaller chassis than you’d otherwise expect on a 13.3-inch machine. As a result of using this “Micro Edge” panel, as HP calls it, the design team had to retool the keyboard, extending it from edge to edge so as to take full advantage of the available space. It mostly works out — the backlit keys are well spaced and springy — and having just tested the Touch Bar MacBook Pros, I have a renewed appreciation for laptops with media shortcuts built into the Function row.
That said, being a heavy user of the arrow keys, I never quite got used to the tiny “down” button. Also, because the left Ctrl and Function keys have each been shrunken down to the size of a thumbnail, I frequently hit Fn when I meant to strike Ctrl. Which happens a lot when you’re a fan of keyboard shortcuts.
While I mostly enjoyed the keyboard, though, I was not impressed with the touchpad. Once again, HP went with a Synaptics clickpad — seriously, would it have killed HP to go with one of Microsoft’s own Precision touchpads? As spacious as the trackpad is, it’s also stubborn and unpredictable, with a high-friction surface that makes it harder to drag the cursor around than it should be. Also, it frequently rebels by registering phantom left clicks. This caused me to grab and reorder my pinned browser tabs when really I was trying to move the cursor around the desktop. I’ve noticed the same thing on other Windows laptops I’ve tested (many of which use Synaptics); it’s a telltale sign of a subpar trackpad.
Throughout, the machine is made of solid aluminum, with the hinge made of stainless steel underneath. Though the silver color and unibody construction have carried over from the original, you’d never mistake this year’s for the 2015 edition. For starters, HP swapped in the same new logo it introduced earlier this year on its Spectre 13.3 ultraportable; you’ll see that on both the lid and the lower bezel.
There’s also now a conspicuous Bang & Olufsen speaker grille stretching above the keyboard. In addition to the two speakers in there, there are two more on the bottom of the laptop, which means the total speaker count is double what it was last year. HP says the idea in separating the two speaker pairs the way it did was to ensure decent sound regardless of the usage mode.
The speakers are certainly loud — when listening alone in my apartment, I opted to cap the volume at around 25, but probably could have gone even lower. But like so many other laptop speakers that came before it, these can sound a bit tinny, depending on your musical selections. Frank Zappa’s “Son of Mr. Green Genes” and Motown songs like Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” seemed to be missing some crucial bass and drum notes. Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” sounded better, but then again, it’s a tinnier track to begin with. All told, the audio here is acceptable, but it’s nowhere near as good as on, say, the new MacBook Pro, which I happened to be testing at the same time as the x360.
Also new this time: The addition of USB Type-C ports — two of them, to be exact. These ports also support Thunderbolt 3 accessories, and it’s also through one of these ports that you’ll charge the machine. Don’t worry, though: One of the original three full-size USB connections remains, meaning you won’t need a dongle to charge your phone or plug in any other peripherals you might have lying around.
Unfortunately, however, while the full-size USB port and headphone jack both live to see another day, the rest of last year’s ports have all been sacrificed in the name of a slimmer design. That includes the full-size HDMI socket, the Mini DisplayPort and the full-size SD reader. This isn’t a surprise, especially considering what competing laptops have to offer, but it might still be a shame, depending on your needs.
One thing that hasn’t changed much: the screen. We once again have a 13.3-inch, full HD panel with a 300-nit brightness rating and a color gamut that includes 72 percent of the sRGB space. The only difference this time is what isn’t offered: Whereas last time there was a step-up QHD screen option, this time it’s 1080p throughout, regardless of what the other specs are. An HP spokesperson declined to comment on whether the company might eventually bring back that sharper display option. While that might be a dealbreaker for people who were otherwise prepared to spend $1,500 or so on a high-end machine, the screen nonetheless offers satisfying viewing angles, with good contrast and color fidelity when you dip the screen forward.
Performance and battery life
| HP Spectre x360 (2016, 2.7GHz Core i7-7500U, Intel HD 620) | 5,515 | 4,354 | E2,656 / P1,720 / X444 | 3,743 | 1.76 GB/s / 579 MB/s |
| Lenovo Yoga 910 (2.7GHz Core i7-7500U, 8GB, Intel HD 620) | 5,822 | 4,108 |
E2,927 / P1,651 / X438 |
3,869 | 1.59 GB/s / 313 MB/s |
| Microsoft Surface Book (2016, 2.6GHz Core i7-6600U, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M) | 5,452 | 4,041 | E8,083 / P5,980 / X2,228 | 11,362 | 1.71 GB/s / 1.26 GB/s |
| ASUS ZenBook 3 (2.7GHz Intel Core-i7-7500U, Intel HD 620) | 5,448 | 3,911 | E2,791 / P1,560 | 3,013 | 1.67 GB/s / 1.44 GB/s |
| HP Spectre 13 (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,046 | 3,747 | E2,790 / P1,630 / X375 | 3,810 | 1.61 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Dell XPS 13 (2.3GHz Core i5-6200U, Intel Graphics 520) | 4,954 | 3,499 | E2,610 / P1,531 | 3,335 | 1.6GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Razer Blade Stealth (2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, Intel HD 520) | 5,131 | 3,445 | E2,788 / P1,599 / X426 | 3,442 | 1.5 GB/s / 307 MB/s |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (2.4GHz Core i5-6300U, Intel HD 520) | 5,403 | 3,602 |
E2,697/ P1,556/ X422 |
3,614 | 1.6 GB/s / 529 MB/s |
As I write this, I’m sitting on my couch in shorts, and the Spectre x360 is burning my thighs. I periodically have to shift the machine or even put it on a coffee table to give my legs a rest. The fans are whirring loudly enough for me to hear over my TV, though, so at least I know they’re working. So much for that improved cooling setup, I guess — all I’m doing is typing in Google Docs with a dozen open Chrome tabs. Spotify is open, but not streaming. None of this should be enough to send the machine into a tizzy.
This seemed odd to me, and indeed, I brought in a second x360 for additional testing. That one didn’t get quite as hot, but it was still warm, even when all I was doing was working in a browser and Slack while streaming music. Even so, the intense heat I felt that one time is concerning. After all, that laptop was a production unit, coming off the same factory lines as any laptop you might buy. If it could happen to me, it could happen to you.
The heat and fan noise are a shame, because as loud and hot as it is, it’s otherwise a strong performer. For starters, the x360 is, for now, one of the only laptops available with Intel’s seventh-generation Core processors, code-named “Kaby Lake.” It’s also available with up to 16GB of RAM on more expensive configurations, though PCIe solid-state drives are standard across the board. The model I tested had a 2.7GHz Core i7-7500U CPU, 16 gigs of memory, integrated Intel HD 620 graphics and 512GB of storage.
In everyday use, the machine boots in a brisk seven seconds. Speaking of log-ins, the webcam here now has a 12 percent wider field of view and supports Windows Hello facial recognition. Setting this up was quick and easy, and the camera recognized me every time — so long as I wasn’t wearing glasses, anyway. To be fair, I had this same problem recently with Microsoft’s Surface Book, which also supports Windows Hello. Hopefully, future iterations of the technology will take into account that even regular contacts wearers wear spectacles sometimes.
As for disk speeds, its NVMe-made PCIe solid-state drive achieved average max write speeds of 1.76 gigabytes per second, according to the ATTO benchmark. Its write rates weren’t nearly as fast, but still solid at 579 MB/s.
| HP Spectre x360 (13-inch, 2016) | 13:36 |
| Surface Book with Performance Base (2016) | 16:15 |
| Surface Book (Core i5, integrated graphics) | 13:54 / 3:20 (tablet only) |
| Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (13-inch, no Touch Bar) | 11:42 / 3:02 (tablet only) |
| Surface Book (Core i7, discrete graphics) | 11:31 / 3:02 (tablet only) |
| Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display (13-inch, 2015) | 11:23 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (15-inch) | 11:00 |
| HP Spectre x360 15t | 10:17 |
| Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (13-inch, Touch Bar) | 9:55 |
| ASUS ZenBook 3 | 9:45 |
| Apple MacBook (2016) | 8:45 |
| Samsung Notebook 9 | 8:16 |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 4 | 7:15 |
| HP Spectre 13 | 7:07 |
HP rates the battery life at up to 15 hours and 15 minutes on the 13-inch model — up from 12.5 hours last year. (The 15-inch version we’re not reviewing today promises a max of 13 hours.) The company says that’s thanks to both more power-efficient processors and a larger 57.8Wh battery, up from 56Wh last year.
Though I never hit that 15-hour mark, I did indeed get longer battery life than on last year’s model: 13 hours and 36 minutes in Engadget’s standard rundown test, which involves looping a video at fixed brightness. That’s hours longer than with some laptops this size, like the 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro, and it’s about two hours longer than on last year’s x360.
Obviously, your mileage will vary, but HP says the machine will recharge consistently fast regardless. In particular, the company claims that its “Fast Charge” tech can return the system to a 90 percent charge in 90 minutes.
Configuration options
The new x360 starts at $1,150 and is available on HP’s website and at Best Buy here in the US. For that base price you get a seventh-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. For $1,159 you get similar specs, except a Core i7 CPU instead of an i5. From there, you can step up to a $1,299 model that offers a Core i7 chip and doubles both the RAM and the storage (so: 16GB of memory with a 512GB SSD). The top-end model, which goes for $1,499, maxes out at 1TB of solid-state storage.
Either way, as mentioned earlier, the screen resolution tops out at 1080p. The graphics are the same across the board too: Intel’s integrated HD 620 solution, though the i7 models have a higher Turbo Boost clock speed.
The competition
The Spectre x360 always has plenty of competition, with many of its rivals also being brand-new releases. The most direct comparison might be the Lenovo Yoga 910, another laptop with a 360-degree hinge, a $1,050 starting price, and similar specs (up to a seventh-gen Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD). Superficially, the biggest differences are that this has a larger 13.9-inch display (and therefore a slightly larger footprint) and it has a higher-res 3,840 x 2,160 screen option. (I’ve been testing the 910 alongside the Spectre x360, so you can expect to see a full review of it on Engadget soon.)
There’s also Microsoft’s refreshed Surface Book, which also can be used in various modes. (It has a detachable screen, though, not a 360-degree hinge.) I reviewed it recently and was generally fond of it, my major complaint being that it’s relatively heavy, at 3.68 pounds. In exchange for that heft, at least, you get 16-hour battery life, fast performance and lots of ports. Think: two full-size USB 3.0 connections, a Mini DisplayPort, a headphone jack and a full-size SDXC reader.
If you don’t actually need that convertible design, Dell’s XPS 13 ($800-plus) remains our favorite traditional laptop, even two years after it was released. Though it starts with just a Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM, Dell uses seventh-gen Intel CPUs throughout, with options running as high as i7. You can also go up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, with a 3,200 x 1,800 screen offered on higher-end models instead of a lower-res 1080p panel. Whichever configuration you choose, we’re fans of the nearly bezel-less screen, comfortable keyboard and compact design.
I might normally have you look at Acer and VAIO too, but we weren’t thrilled with ASUS’s ultraportable ZenBook 3, and it seems VAIO hasn’t updated its 13-inch “Z Flip” to the latest Intel processors.
That leaves Apple. Though the new 13-inch MacBook Pro doesn’t have a 360-degree hinge or even a touchscreen, for that matter, it’s similar to the Spectre x360 when it comes to weight, size, specs and starting price ($1,299 without the controversial Touch Bar). At 3.02 pounds, it’s in the same ballpark, but the battery life is shorter. Though both systems have comfortable keyboards, Apple wins as far as the touchpad is concerned. It also has a sharper display and clearer audio. But not so fast: HP keeps the convenient Function buttons, as well as a full-size USB 3.0 port. The refreshed x360 might not be as well rounded as its predecessor, but I suspect it still ticks off more boxes for more people than the MacBook Pro.
Wrap-up
As we’ve just established, then, the updated Spectre x360 is one of several recent laptops that is now thinner and lighter and smaller. It was a similar story with the redesigned MacBook Pro that came out earlier this fall, as well as the new Lenovo Yoga 910. But while HP isn’t the only PC brand to make concessions in the name of portability, that doesn’t mean the company deserves a free pass. In exchange for that more compact design, we’re left with fewer ports and a keyboard that feels more cramped than it used to. (HP also needs to get better at making touchpads, but that’s neither here nor there.)
That’s not to say there are no improvements — Windows Hello is a treat, as are the faster SSD speeds, longer battery life and wide viewing angles. But if our main complaint about last year’s model was that it was slightly heavy compared with the competition, it would seem that HP accepted some compromises in the name of shedding a few ounces.
Samsung to Cap Note7 Battery Charging at 30% in UK as Verizon Pushes Back Against Bricking in the US
Following the announcement that all Galaxy Note7 devices in the United States will essentially be bricked through an upcoming software update, Samsung recently gave details on how it plans to address the exploding Note7 situation for users in the United Kingdom. The company won’t go so far as to completely eliminate the ability to charge the Note7 in the U.K., but instead limit maximum battery charging capacity to 30 percent (via TechCrunch).
The update for users in the U.K. will hit December 15, four days before the update that will come to U.S. Note7 smartphones. Samsung said that it’s “designed to further minimize customer risk and reinforce to customers to replace their device…as soon as possible.” In the U.S., more than 93 percent of recalled Note7 devices have been returned, but worldwide there are still quite a handful of potentially harmful Note7 smartphones out in the wild, which has lead Samsung to take drastic measures with these software updates.
After the announcement of the U.S. software update last Friday, Verizon confirmed that it won’t push the update to its Note7 customers “because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note7 users that do not have another device to switch to.” The carrier believes that while solving one problem, rendering the remaining Note7 smartphones useless could lead to even more emergency situations where the users are left without a way to contact help. Verizon also cited the need to keep in touch with family during the holidays as another reason it won’t issue the update.
Today, Samsung announced an update to the Galaxy Note7 that would stop the smartphone from charging, rendering it useless unless attached to a power charger. Verizon will not be taking part in this update because of the added risk this could pose to Galaxy Note7 users that do not have another device to switch to. We will not push a software upgrade that will eliminate the ability for the Note7 to work as a mobile device in the heart of the holiday travel season. We do not want to make it impossible to contact family, first responders or medical professionals in an emergency situation.
Every other major U.S. carrier will support the December 19 update from Samsung, including Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The carriers will be rolling out the software update at different times, with T-Mobile on December 27, AT&T on January 5, and Sprint on January 8.
Tags: Samsung, Galaxy Note 7
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Engadget UK giveaway: Win a smart heating system courtesy of Tado
You better watch out, you better not cry. We’ll upgrade your heating from low-tech to high. Alright, that was awful, but we really do have an early Christmas present on offer this week, and one that’s sure to keep you toasty on those bitter winter evenings. Thanks to Tado, we’re giving away an entire smart heating system, including the company’s latest connected thermostat (which plays nice with Alexa, and will soon support HomeKit), as well as a pair of smart radiator valves for creating independent heating zones. Better yet, free installation is part of the package, leaving you to focus on decorating the tree. As always, you can enter the competition up to three times via the Rafflecopter widget below. After you’ve scanned the rules, that is.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the UK, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) smart thermostat kit, two (2) smart radiator thermostats and free installation.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Tado and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honour warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until December 16th at 11:59PM GMT. Good luck!
Source: Tado
Uber wants you to give its app a ‘Rogue One’ makeover
Rogue One is almost upon us, so what better way to scoot around town then in the back of an X-Wing? Okay, so Uber hasn’t made a road-worthy starfighter replica. Instead, it’s teamed up with Disney for a — wait for it, and try not to shudder — brand “activation.” In non-advertiser lingo, that means you’ll see a new Star Wars card inside the Uber app. Tap “activate” and the cars on the map will turn into Rebellion spaceships. (The hope being, presumably, that you’ll pretend you’re rolling with Jyn Erso and the gang.) You’ll also get the option to watch “never-before-seen curated video content,” which probably means a slightly re-cut trailer or featurette.
Marketing nonsense? Absolutely. But it’s also a hint at our possible self-driving future. If your hands aren’t on the wheel, automakers and brands have an opportunity to pump adverts and branded content into your eyeballs. Uber is already testing this concept with its ride-hailing app, while human chauffeurs shuttle passengers around the world. It’s also trialling self-driving cars in Pittsburgh and autonomous, Budweiser-laden trucks in Colorado — so a future in which the two are combined might not be too far off. If the idea makes you bristle, don’t worry, you’re not alone. For now, let’s just focus on the fact a new Star Wars movie is coming out…
Source: Uber
Uber iOS App Gains ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ Theme
Uber has announced that users will today begin seeing a new update rolling out for the popular ride-hailing app, which transforms it into a themed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story experience. The visual update comes via a partnership with Disney, and replaces the usual Uber vehicle icons with a few easily recognizable starships from the Star Wars universe, including X-Wings.
In addition to the visual update, users will also be able to watch “exclusive video content” from the film during their Uber rides if they choose to turn on the Star Wars theme. Uber said that riders in “hundreds of cities globally” will gain access to the update, although it didn’t specify which cities might be missing out on the new Star Wars experience.
Today we announced we’re collaborating with Disney on an activation that transforms the Uber rider app into a themed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story experience. The in-app experience, which Uber riders can opt-into, will unlock special Rogue One: A Star Wars Story features as well as access to exclusive video content.
Riders will have to opt-into the new Star Wars update, which they can do by tapping “Activate” on the related Rogue One: A Star Wars Story card that will begin greeting app users today. The theme will run from today, December 12, through December 18. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story opens in theaters December 16.
Last week, Uber faced blowback surrounding its newest version update, which introduced a way for the app to continue tracking each user’s GPS location five minutes after their Uber ride is complete, no matter if the app is open or not. Uber said the move was to improve the overall performance and safety of the app, but many of its users responded negatively online.
Tag: Uber
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Apple Rejects ‘Samsung Pay Mini’ on App Store Ahead of January Launch
Apple has rejected “Samsung Pay Mini” on the App Store for undiclosed reasons, following an earlier report claiming the app would be available on iOS, according to ETNews.
Samsung confirmed Apple’s rejection and said it will not resubmit the app, but rather focus solely on Android ahead of its expected launch at CES 2017 in the first week of January.
“Samsung Pay Mini” is reportedly an app that will extend Samsung Pay to other smartphones beyond Samsung’s own Galaxy-branded devices, thereby competing with Android Pay.
The report claims Samsung has finished testing Samsung Pay Mini with some South Korean credit card companies, but it did not specify if the app will be made available elsewhere. Meanwhile, it said Apple Pay could launch in South Korea in the first half of 2017.
Tags: App Store, Samsung, Samsung Pay
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Microsoft Says ‘Disappointment’ of New MacBook Pro Has More People Switching to Surface Than Ever Before
Microsoft has announced November was its best month ever for consumer Surface sales. In a blog post, the company said more people are switching from Macs to Surface devices than ever before following the “disappointment” of the new MacBook Pro, particularly among professional users.
More people are switching from Macs to Surface than ever before. Our trade-in program for MacBooks was our best ever, and the combination of excitement for the innovation of Surface coupled with the disappointment of the new MacBook Pro – especially among professionals – is leading more and more people to make the switch to Surface, like this. It seems like a new review recommending Surface over MacBook comes out daily. This makes our team so proud, because it means we’re doing good work.
Shortly after the new MacBook Pro launched, Microsoft launched a promotion offering up to $650 trade-in credit towards a new Surface Book or Surface Pro 4. Microsoft also unveiled the Surface Book i7 and Surface Studio in October, and the all-in-one desktop in particular has been met with positive reviews.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Surface
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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What is ARM?
All computers have a processor, and your phone probably uses one designed by ARM.
We got a great question recently that made us remember that not everyone keeps up to date on specs and hardware design. Someone asked what ARM meant.
Firstly, that’s an awesome question. I can imagine it’s difficult to make sense of some of the technical talk that happens if you aren’t sure of even the basics, and the only way to find out is to ask. So, we’re glad you asked!
ARM is a company and ARM is a processor architecture that they develop and sell.
When you see a tech discussion and the word ARM is being used, it’s describing a type of processor. The uber-technical definition of an ARM processor is a CPU built on the RISC-based architecture developed by Acorn Computers in the 1980s and is now developed by Advanced RISC Machines (thus the ARM).
That’s not very helpful when you don’t know what any of it means. So let’s talk about what that means.
ARM, Ltd. is a company in England that develops and designs a processor architecture. The ARM abbreviation for the processor design stands for Acorn RISC Machine, and the ARM abbreviation for the company that designs and sells the license to use that architecture stands for Advanced RISC Machines. Don’t get hung up on which ARM means which thing, as nowadays both are interchangeable. ARM the company designs a method to build ARM processors and companies like Qualcomm, Apple, and Samsung all license it to build their own custom processors on. A lot of other companies license the ARM design, too. Most any device that’s small and battery-powered that needs a brain will be using an ARM processor.
ARM CPUs are designed to do a lot of simple tasks at once without needing much power.
RISC stands for reduced instruction set computing. The Intel or AMD processor you’ll find in your laptop or desktop computer is likely a CISC (complex instruction set computing) processor. The two different types are designed for different needs. An RISC processor is designed to run a smaller amount of instructions (instructions define what orders can be sent to a processor by a program) than a CISC processor. Because they can do fewer things, they can have a higher frequency — the Gigahertz numbers you hear discussed — and perform more MIPS (millions of instructions per second) than a CISC processor.
When you reduce the number of instructions the processor can compute, you can create a simpler circuit inside the chip. An RISC processor uses fewer transistors which in turn use less power. Because the circuits are simple (they’re known as optimized paths in technical language) a smaller die size can be used to build the processor. Die size is the measurement of one chip on the silicon wafer that a processor is built on. When the die size is smaller, more components with less wiring can be placed on the processor surface. This makes ARM processors small, and a lot less power-hungry.
Small, fast and simple processors are perfect for things like phones. A phone isn’t asking the CPU to process things like 3D collision data (unless it’s a Tango phone) or try to run hundreds of threads on its limited number of cores. Mobile software, both the operating system and applications that run on it, are coded and optimized for the reduced instruction set the ARM processor uses. But that doesn’t mean ARM CPUs aren’t powerful in their own right.
The current ARM specification allows for 32-bit and 64-bit design, hardware virtualization, advanced power management that can interface with user software, and a load/store architecture that is mostly single-cycle execution and orthogonal. If you’re curious about what these things are, you can research computer instruction set architectures for more.
All you need to know about it is that it means ARM processors are also really good at things that aren’t phones or media players. Things like super-computers.
ARM’s excellent Architecture Fundamentals video playlist
ARM has a great performance-per-watt ratio. Properly coded software can do more per watt of electricity used on an ARM chip than it can on an x86 (a CISC processor popularized by Intel) CPU. This makes scaling for things like servers and super-computers easier when using ARM processors.
You can get the amount of raw computing power needed from 24 x86 CPU cores, or you can get it from hundreds of small, low-power ARM cores. The x86 cores will use their computing power to perform the calculations needed on just a few CPU cores and threads while the ARM cores will spread the tasks over many low-capacity and less complex cores. The ARM cores are much higher in number but don’t need more power or more room than the 24 x86 cores will. This makes scaling — adding more computing power to a processor design — easier with ARM. Just add more CPU cores and make sure your software is written to work well with ARM’s instruction set.
ARM processors scale very well and run on super-computers and servers as well as your Android or iPad.
In the end, a single instance of an ARM processor will never be as powerful as something like an Intel Core i7 that you would find in a gaming PC. It isn’t very good at running the software written for the x86 Intel processor and a lot of coding changes are necessary, or a virtual machine, to do the same things. But that Intel Core i7 uses about 12 times the power, needs an active cooling system and will never fit into a phone body. The less complex ARM processor does well when software is written to directly support it, and because of its low-power and small design feature set, it’s easy to add a few high clock speed cores to a CPU to run the advanced software we all want to use on our phones.
And if you have a data center in the mountains somewhere, you can keep scaling and add more cores until you create computers that can handle things like NVIDIA’s smart cars or Google’s learning machines.
Everything you need to know about importing a Xiaomi phone into the U.S.
Importing a Xiaomi phone is straightforward, but there are a few things to consider
There are plenty of great options in the U.S. if you’re on the lookout for a budget phone, but they don’t hold up against the likes of what Xiaomi has to offer in this segment. Ever since the Chinese company burst onto the scene a few years ago, it has consistently released entry-level phones that raised the bar in this segment.
The only problem with Xiaomi is that its products aren’t available in Western markets. The manufacturer is focusing its attention on India and other parts of Asia, and while a U.S. launch is on the cards “in the near future”, the brand isn’t ready to venture into the country just yet. Judging by the way its Chinese rival LeEco debuted in the market, it’s likely Xiaomi will want to hold off until it has the infrastructure and marketing in place.
Right now, your best recourse to getting your hands on a Xiaomi phone in the U.S. is through third-party resellers. That said, there are a few limitations with this option as well. Before we get to them, here’s a look at some of the phones that Xiaomi has to offer.
Xiaomi makes a lot of great phones
Xiaomi has outdone itself this year with budget devices like the $150 Redmi 3S Prime and the $200 Redmi Note 4. The Redmi 3S has a 5-inch 720p display, is one of the first phones to run the Snapdragon 430, and comes with 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 13MP camera, 5MP front shooter, and a massive 4100mAh battery. The phone lasts two days on a full charge without breaking a sweat.
The Redmi Note 4 is an incremental update to the stellar Redmi Note 3, offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, MediaTek Helio X20 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 64GB storage, microSD slot, 13MP camera, 5MP front camera, and a 4100mAh battery. All for under $200. The phone runs MIUI 8 atop Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box.
If you’re interested in a large phone, there’s the Mi Max, which is essentially a larger version of the Redmi Note 3. You get a huge 6.44-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 652, 4GB of RAM, 128GB storage, 16MP camera, 5MP shooter, and a 4850mAh battery. The Mi Max is available from reseller sites for $319.
We’ve also seen four high-end devices make their debut over the course of the year: the Mi 5 launched in February, followed by the Mi 5 in August, and more recently the Mi Note 2 and the Mi Mix. The Mi 5 felt unfinished, but the Mi 5s fixes most of its predecessor’s niggles, and the Mi Note 2 is notable for being the first Xiaomi phone to offer global LTE bands.
The Mi Note 2 has a 5.7-inch Full HD dual curved display, Snapdragon 821, 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, 22MP camera, 8MP front camera, and a 4070mAh battery. The global variant of the phone has 37 LTE bands in total, allowing it to access LTE on North American carriers. That’s a big deal.
Then there’s the bezel-less Xiaomi Mi Mix. With an 84% screen-to-body ratio, there really isn’t a handset on the market quite like it. It uses ultrasound instead of a proximity sensor and has a piezoelectric motor for calls. The front camera is tucked into the bottom of the phone, and the result is a 6.4-inch handset that has the same dimensions as the S7 edge. The bezel-less panel will make it difficult to hold the phone and will likely result in a lot of unintentional touches, but once again, there isn’t any other phone available today that’s as drool-worthy as the Mi Mix.
What you get (and don’t) when you import
Even though most of Xiaomi’s products are limited to China, you can easily import its phones via third-party reseller sites like GearBest. These phones come with a global MIUI ROM that includes GMS (Google Mobile Services) — the Play Store, Chrome, Gmail, YouTube, and other Google services.
While Xiaomi’s hardware is certainly exciting, there’s one glaring issue when you’re buying its products for use in North American markets: you don’t get any warranty or after-sales service. The manufacturer has no phone presence in the West, so if something breaks on your handset, there really isn’t a whole lot you can do.
That’s a trade-off worth considering if you want to buy Xiaomi’s entry-level hardware, but when you’re investing over $400 on a handset, after-sales service is a major consideration. To put things into context, Xiaomi has been officially selling phones in India for three years now, and it is yet to figure out how to streamline after-sales support in the country.
If you’re curious about what Xiaomi has to offer, you’re better off investing in its budget phones.
Look through any Twitter or Facebook post by Hugo Barra or Xiaomi’s India head Manu Kumar Jain, and you’ll often see a litany of complaints by frustrated customers. To its credit, Xiaomi has announced that it will launch an in-house after-sales team that will provide much better service to customers in the country.
There’s also the connectivity issue to consider. Xiaomi’s phones are designed to work in Asian markets, and as such lack the requisite LTE bands for North American carriers. The exception is the global Mi Note 2, but if you were looking to buy the phone outside of China, you’ll have to shell out $649. The phone is certainly loaded with features, but for that amount, you’re better off with the S7 edge or the Pixel.
But if you’re looking for an affordable phone with great specs or are interested in a backup phone, then Xiaomi’s budget offerings are an excellent alternative to the likes of the Blu R1 HD or the Moto G4. Just make sure you’re buying from a reliable reseller (HonorBuy or GearBest), and the phone comes with a global ROM with the Play Store installed. The Redmi Note 4 isn’t going to connect to LTE bands in the U.S., but it should work just fine on 3G.
See at GearBest
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