The best electric razor

By Dan Koeppel

This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best homewares. When readers choose to buy The Sweethome’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

For eight months, a dozen electric razor testers buzzed, whirred, and clipped a path toward what we hoped would be silken-jawed nirvana. Our conclusion was that the Braun Series 7 (model 760cc) is the best electric razor for most people, just as it was when we first looked at the category two years ago. If it’s not available, the 790cc offers the same quality shave with a few minor extra features.

Why go electric

We prefer foil shavers. Here, from left, Braun’s Series 9, Braun’s Series 7, and the Remington F5-5800. Photo: Dan Koeppel

The traditional sales pitch for electric shavers has always been that they offer a valuable convenience and safety proposition. But modern, multi-blade–shaving manual systems have made wet shaving much faster, safer, and more convenient.

Those who find manual shaving too rough on their skin might also try electric shaving. Black men can be particularly predisposed to ingrown hairs and razor bumps, due to their typically coiled hair, so the less-close shave of electric can help, and people of any race who have coarse or curly whiskers can benefit. (Some medical studies, like this one from 2010, show that electric shaver users may be less likely to experience these conditions.)

People who travel frequently may also prefer an electric shaver, because you don’t run into TSA restrictions on blades, aerosols, and toiletries. All the shavers we tested last at least two weeks on a single charge; units that came with clean/charge stations also can be charged directly from the standard included power adapter.

The foil heads found on most electric units are fragile, and if you dent or bend one, you’ll need to replace it. Most shavers come with some kind of case or shaving head protector. We recommend using it.

How we picked and tested

All our picks, from left: the Braun Series 7, the Philips S9311, the Braun Series 9, and the Remington F5-5800. Photo: Dan Koeppel

We decided our criteria for the winning shaver would be based exclusively on closeness of shave, though we did evaluate cleaning and charging systems.

We wanted to test high- and low-end models from all the major razor companies. We wanted to come up with picks for a range of budgets, and we wanted a wide enough variety of testers to determine just how fancy a shaver a particular type of user might need.

Through our research, we learned that shavers are the same across different models in a series. Different accessories and add-ons don’t change the closeness of a shave, but can shift the price of a shaver by as much as $100. Read our full guide for a feature-by-feature breakdown of cost effectiveness.

After gathering 15 models, we asked each tester to keep the razors long enough to test against whatever their standard “I need a shave” interval was. We then asked for a double growth test—skipping a shave—and a triple shave’s growth. We asked testers to be mindful of closeness, speed, and irritation. For more on our testing procedures, see our full guide.

Our pick

Photo: Dan Koeppel

In the end, the Braun Series 7 was the clear winner. It was the only shaver all our testers agreed worked well, shaving closely and without irritation. Though it is no longer Braun’s top-of-the-line offering, the Series 7 still offers a just-right combination of upgrades over lower-end models and compared with the new Series 9.

The Series 5 and Series 7 were close enough that we wondered what the difference between them was. As it turns out, the Series 7 uses “Pulsonic” technology; the product’s faster vibrations are designed to lift hair faster and more completely. In practice, we found it actually worked.

A more visible difference is the way the heads of the two razors move. Though both heads pivot, the Series 7 features floating foils that adjust individually in multiple directions; there’s less independent movement in the Series 5’s foils. It’s important to note that when comparing shavers, there’s no direct way to compare motor strength. When Braun’s Pulsonic system claims “10,000 vibrations” compared with Panasonic’s “13,000 cycle linear drive,” you’re dealing mostly with marketing terminology—though the higher-end occupants of any one manufacturer’s product line did seem to run stronger than their cheaper stablemates.

Runner-up

Photo: Dan Koeppel

Our pick is the Braun Series 7 model 760cc. If that’s not available, the 790cc offers the same quality shave with a few extra-but-not-important features. The fanciest among these is that the 790cc includes extra electronic indicators to let you know when foil replacement is needed and whether or not the shaver is dirty. Because foil replacement is subjective—you’ll want to do so every 18 months or so, and you’ll know when your shave quality declines—and the cleanliness indicator is rendered moot if you store the shaver in the charging/cleaning cradle, we don’t consider these features to be worth the extra dollars. But both Series 7 models are now reduced in price, so if you can’t find the 760cc, go with the 790cc.

Upgrade pick

Photo: Dan Koeppel

Rumors began spreading about a top-of-the-line addition to Braun’s shavers in early 2015. Knowing that we had to test the product, we sent a colleague out to Tokyo’s Akihabara electronics shopping district to pick up a model 9095cc.

On first glance, the biggest difference between the Series 9 and the Series 7 is size. Though the razors weigh the same—each about 7.6 ounces—the Series 9 is longer, has more girth, and has a more top-heavy balance thanks to its quadruple-headed shaving mechanism. That four-way head sticks to the company’s traditional two-foil design but adds a pair of additional cutting mechanisms, a new “direct & cut” trimmer and a “hyper-lift & cut” trimmer, that the company claims better snag wiry, unruly whiskers.

All this means—and most of our testers agreed—that the Series 9 is an amazing shaver. For those who loved it, it shaved faster and smoother than anything we tried. For everyone else, the Series 7 will get your face smooth quickly enough and at enough of a savings to buy several years’ worth of replacement cutting blocks, foils, and cleaning solution.

Budget pick

Photo: Dan Koeppel

In searching for models under $50, we found that the Remington F5-5800 holds the fort against the lower-end Brauns and Panasonics. It uses a NiMH battery, instead of lithium-ion as the Brauns do, but Amazon reviewers report that they get more than an hour of shaving per charge time even after several years of usage. Remington’s replacement foils are half the price of Braun’s and Panasonic’s as well (and you may have to replace them more, not because they’re any less durable, but because the Remington comes only with a cheap plastic head protector that’s easily lost). Nevertheless, the Remington offers generally good performance, though you’ll likely find the shave experience itself to be buzzier and potentially more irritating if you don’t maintain a very light touch.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

We’re live at Samsung’s MWC 2017 press conference

We’re here in Barcelona, fingers lightly resting against our keyboards in anticipation. We know we’re not seeing a flagship phone, but what could that mean? Maybe new tablets, which has always been a strong suit for the company. But nothing’s ever guaranteed. Fortunately we’re just about to find out, so keep checking back here for our liveblog kickoff at 1pm ET.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3 is basically just another Note tablet

For the time in what seems like ages, Samsung hasn’t brought a flagship smartphone to Mobile World Congress. It seems like we’ll have to wait until well after the show for our first look at the Galaxy S8, but at least we’ve got a new Android tablet to fiddle with in the meantime. Surprising absolutely no one, it’s called the Galaxy Tab S3, and despite the name it actually feels more like a plus-sized Galaxy Note.

More accurately, it feels like one of those older Galaxy Note tablets got kicked into 2017. Samsung’s whole goal with this tablet was to use some of the knowledge it gained from building phones and integrate it into a device segment that could use some help. But, first, the basics. The Tab S3 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM and a more-than-respectable 13-megapixel rear camera. It’s not quite Galaxy Note class, but really — who goes around incessantly snapping photos with a tablet? (The real answer: far, far too many people.)

There’s also a 6,000mAh battery inside to keep things running for a few days, which seems perfectly fine. Less than fine, however, is the core software we’re working with here. Rather than embrace Nougat like nearly every other device we’ve seen in the past few days, the Tab S3 ships with TouchWiz’d build of Android 6.0. Granted, the tablet is a pretty smooth performer regardless — I spent about an hour futzing around with apps and making GIFs of everything with no sign of jerkiness.

Performance might be up to snuff, but I’m definitely a little let down by the Tab S3’s design. If you were fond of the Tab S2 you’ll feel right at home here. To me, though, the whole aesthetic comes off a little dull. One could argue that the machine’s value is less about looks and more about creating things, but I don’t think it’s ever worth skimping out on design. At least the Tab S3’s build quality is first-rate — this is the first time Samsung has crafted a tablet with a glass back and a metal frame like a phone, and it feels sturdy despite how light it is.

I don’t have any complaints about the Tab S3 as a media machine, either — it packs a quartet of speakers tuned by AKG and in our brief time with the device, it seemed more and adequately loud, even when surrounded by curious journalists. That 9.7-inch AMOLED screen is easy on the eyes too, with great viewing angles and support for HDR content — those amplified colors really pop thanks to Samsung’s historically great screen tech. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a lot of HDR content we could test the Tab S3 with (just a few clips from 1,000 Ways to Die in the West, for some reason), but the difference was immediately clear. If you’re already stockpiling your HDR content in hopes of finding the right portable screen for it all, you’ll want to keep an eye on this thing.

And then there’s the S Pen. It’s packed in with the tablet and just about all of the neat Note 7 tricks you might not have had time to get used to are back. I’m talking about Air command, quick translations and creating GIFs, not to mention more standard fare like the ability to mark up a screenshot. You can’t stick the pen inside the tablet like you could with the old Notes, but its bigger size means its twice as sensitive as those phablet versions. Seeing as how Samsung wanted to build a device for creatives, it’s no surprise you can get a slick keyboard case to go with your Tab S. I do wish it were a little less cramped, though — typing isn’t too bad, and the keys have nice travel, but the placement of certain keys, like backspace, seemed almost deliberately bad.

All told, Samsung’s Tab S3 comes off as a sleek, full-featured tablet that’ll probably disappoint the audience here in Barcelona. After all, they were probably hoping to see Samsung’s first post-Note 7 smartphone today. We’ll reserve final judgment on the Tab S3 until final, consumer-ready models surface, but it could be the right blend of performance and style for a lot of people.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

Samsung’s Galaxy Book crams desktop power in portable body

Samsung may not be ready to unveil the Galaxy S8 smartphone just yet, but it still has fancy new hardware for us here at MWC. In addition to the Tab S3, the company is showing off two new hybrids that it’s calling the Galaxy Book. They’re ten- and twelve-inch Windows 10 tablets that support new S Pen features, come with keyboards and are light enough to carry around. They’re well-designed and performed quickly during a brief hands-on, and apart from the S Pen support there are a few small features that differentiate the Galaxy Books from rival Windows 10 convertibles.

The larger Book is the more full-featured and more compelling option of the two new slates. Despite its relatively svelte 7.4mm profile, the 12-incher sports Intel’s latest Kaby Lake Core i5 processor, an LTE radio, 4 or 8 GB of RAM and a 128GB or 256GB SSD. That’s pretty promising, performance-wise, for a tablet convertible that’s this portable, although it’s important to note that the 10-inch unit comes with a Core M processor instead. When bundled with its included keyboard, though, the 12-inch Book still felt somewhat hefty when I picked it up, but not noticeably heavier or lighter than a similarly sized laptop.

Like the just-announced Tab S3, both Galaxy Books will support the new S Pen, which can detect up to 4096 levels of pressure with its fine 0.7mm nib. S Pen fans will find some familiar features here, such as Screen Off Memo and the Air Command shortcut menu for outlining screenshots and annotating PDFs. A new function that Samsung believes will excite artists and designers is the pen’s ability to understand the angle at which you are tilting it. So say you have the stylus at about 60 degrees away from the screen. Compatible programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, can integrate that slant into your brushstrokes. During my testing this wasn’t working very well: Photoshop thought I was holding the brush upright, even though I was holding it horizontally.

Another feature that Samsung has brought over from its phones to these Windows tablets is its Flow software that lets you get smartphone notifications on your laptop’s screen. Flow also lets you easily share files across Samsung devices, or remote control each other.

With a 2,160 x 1,440 AMOLED display, the twelve-inch model should also provide enjoyable multimedia playback and gaming. And Samsung has brought the HDR support its TVs offer to the larger Book’s screen, giving it a wider color gamut that makes videos and images more vibrant. Of course, the content itself will have to be in HDR, which means you’ll have to hunt for videos and photos with that effect to truly see the difference. It was definitely noticeable during our demo, where an HDR video looked richer and had higher contrast that the same clip without. Unfortunately, that’s just on the 12-inch Book. The 10-inch version uses a full HD LCD display that doesn’t support HDR.

Because they were designed to be portable, the Galaxy Books also sport generous 30- and 39-watt hour batteries on the 10- and 12-inch flavors respectively. Samsung says these will last approximately 10 hours, and thanks to quick charge support, you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get back to 100 percent.

Of the two new tablets, the 12-inch is clearly the more compelling option. It has the superior screen, desktop-level processor and slimmer profile. But it’ll surely come at a higher price than its smaller brother. Too bad we don’t know how much either will cost just yet, although it’s likely they will cost about the same as the latest Surface Book. Until then, the new S Pen features make Samsung’s Windows convertibles slightly more useful than before, but we’ll have to spend more time with the devices to know if they’re truly worth considering.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

The next wave of Moto Mods turn your phone into gamepad

Motorola is teaming up with Amazon’s Alexa for a smartphone mod, but that’s just one of a bunch of new hardware add-ons set to come to compatible Moto phones. The company’s next wave includes a Moto-made battery extender (rather than the third-party options that are already on sale), a new charging adapter that connects to mods, allowing charge them separately from the phone, and there’s also a wireless charging back for even more juice options. Finally, there’s a gamepad that packs in four speakers, lights, and is already preloaded with games. The series of concepts that followed those were even more intriguing, however.

Motorola also teased a mod that takes up to four different SIM cards, and a very Lenovo-looking tablet add-on, a charger for all your Moto Mods a mini-printer

Samsung’s Gear VR returns with a motion controller

While there was no shortage of new Samsung hardware, the company’s MWC showcase also had a new Gear VR headset to show off, with a new controller. Adding motion input (as well as a few more buttons) lets you navigate and interact with VR content without having to paw at the headset’s buttons like we had to do previous iterations. Alongside a clickable touchpad, there’s a trigger, home, back and volume keys. The controller also has an accelerometer, gyrometer and magnetic sensors built-in, and the new hardware will work with Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, the Note 5, as well as the Galaxy S6 series.

The controller, which looks nothing like Oculus’ own Touch peripherals, also comes with a wrist strap, offering a Wii-esque form of safety against flying controllers. The new Gear VR headset packs in 42mm lenses with a 101-degree field of view and improved distortion correction tech to further reduce motion sickness, and if you don’t need the controller, there’s a strap built into the headset to house it. The controller itself doesn’t need charging — you just need to replace a AAA battery inside.

We’ll be looking to strap the new version on as soon as we can, and seeing how it compares to Google’s Daydream View, which also packed a controller.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

LG G6 hands-on: A return to form

As has been the case in previous years, many of the biggest and most exciting announcements at MWC happen even before the show officially kicks off. And unsurprisingly, LG has beat everyone else to the punch (except Blackberry) and unveiled the latest addition to its flagship G series of smartphones. While a recent barrage of leaks has left little to the imagination, we’re going hands-on with the LG G6!

Design

It’s difficult to gauge which direction LG has gone with their latest flagship

It’s difficult to gauge which direction LG has gone with their latest flagship. In some aspects it feels like the company has taken a safer route, while in other ways LG’s penchant for risk taking is easily seen. This is more or less evident when it comes to the design of the phone. One one hand, LG has opted for what is pretty much the current standard in terms of build quality, while also adding design elements and features that are a first for the series, and smartphones in general.

See also:

LG G5 review

April 8, 2016

Given that the G5 amounted to nothing more than a failed experiment, it’s not surprising that LG decided to do away with modularity with its successor. The LG G6 features a metal frame that is sandwiched between to Corning Gorilla glass panels, which is a build that we are all too familiar with at this point. It does retain some signature elements though, such as the rear-mounted power button, and for those of you that were wondering, the G6 does come with a headphone jack.

While the battery isn’t removable, it does feature a big 3,300mAh battery

There are a couple of changes with the new design that are huge when compared to previous LG flagships. First, the unibody construction means that the battery is no longer removable. LG was the final holdout in this regard, but the company has attempted to make up for it by putting a 3,300mAh battery in the device – the largest the company has ever put in one of their phones.

The second, and more significant result of the new design is that the LG G6 comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which means that the phone can be submerged for long periods of time, at a depth over one meter, and under pressure. This is a feature that is becoming increasingly important to even the average consumer, and the lack of a removable battery will be completely worth it for many.

Display

Where LG is really pushing boundaries is on the front. The bezels of this phone are impressively thin, not only along the sides of the display, but in regards to the top section and bottom chin, as well. The G6 comes with a 5.7-inch display, but the handling experience is akin to a smartphone that is much smaller than what that screen size would suggest.

The G6 is surprisingly easy to use with one hand

The G6 is surprisingly easy to use with one hand, but apart from the design, some of the credit has to be given to the display’s new aspect ratio. The LCD screen features a Quad HD resolution with an 18:9 aspect ratio, or 2:1 if you simplify it, that results in the screen being taller and narrower than other smartphones, and allows you to more easily wrap your hands around it.

The new aspect ratio also means that if you split the screen in half, you will get two perfectly symmetrical squares, and LG has tweaked their user interface to take advantage of this. You’ll see that many stock LG apps have been updated to follow the proportions created by the 2:1 aspect ratio, and even elements like the lockscreen and wallpapers were designed with it in mind.

The screen has built-in HDR support to provide brighter, sharper, and more brilliant colors, and both Dolby Vision and HDR 10 are supported here, so you’ll be able to enjoy movies and TV shows from streaming services that offer HDR content, like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The rounded corners on the LG G6 aren’t just for aesthetics

You may have noticed that the corners of the display are rounded, and match the rounded corners of the phone itself. The rounded corners have been included not only because of the pleasing aesthetics, but because they do serve a practical purpose. When you usually drop a phone, it tends to land on a corner the majority of the time, and having the corners of the display rounded off allows for the stress of the impact to be better dispersed, which adds to the durability and reduces the odds of getting a shattered screen.

Cameras

The G6 retains the dual rear camera system from its predecessors, with one standard angle lens being coupled with a wide angle lens. Unlike the G5 and V20 however, where the cameras were of two different resolutions, both the rear cameras of the G6 are of the same resolution. What you get here is two 13MP cameras, which means that you won’t be losing any resolution when switching between the two. LG has also improved the transition between the two cameras, and made it noticeably smoother.

See also: LG V20 review

Of course, 13MP seems to be a step down from the 16MP standard lens found with the V20 and G5, but LG says that the move to a lower resolution was made to eliminate a camera bump on the back. The sacrifice in resolution didn’t result in bigger pixels, and the aperture still remains the same at f/1.8, so although it is too early to make a call on the performance of the camera in low-light situations, it is slightly concerning at the moment.

The camera app has also been refreshed and is another one of LG’s apps that have been updated to take advantage of the 2:1 aspect ratio. LG has used the extra horizontal space available to offer previews of multiple shots that you’ve taken, instead of the single latest one that is available with most other camera apps. One of the biggest additions to the feature set of the camera is a manual video mode, which means that you no longer have to wait for the V-series to enjoy manual video controls.

Related reading:

Best Android smartphone cameras

3 weeks ago

Under-the-hood specs

Under the hood, the LG G6 comes with typical flagship specifications, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, Adreno 530 GPU and 4GB of RAM. 32GB of internal storage is going to be the standard, but a 64GB model will also be released in select Asian markets. If storage is a concern, the good news is that expandable storage via microSD card is available, for up to an additional 2TB of memory.

Some people may be disappointed that the device isn’t packing the new Snapdragon 835 processing package, but LG made it pretty clear that they are no longer interested in winning the spec race anymore, and instead, would rather focus on offering an optimized and smooth user experience, which they feel is more important to consumers.

The G6 also features wireless charging and a Hi-Fi audio DAC… in some regions

The device also features wireless charging and a Hi-Fi audio DAC, but unfortunately, these features are going to be region specific. So, while wireless charging will be available only in the US, the audio DAC will be limited to select markets in Asia. LG says that this is an informed decision based on consumer wants and needs in each particular region. For example, the demand for wireless charging is quite high in the US, while it isn’t as important in other regions, such as South Korea.

For a closer look at the G6’s specs, check out the table below:

Software

The LG G6 is running Android 7.0 Nougat, with the latest version of the G UI on top. The updated user interface features a refreshing new look with natural and vivid colors which can be seen throughout many of the apps and the included set of wallpapers.

Don’t miss: Android 7.0 Nougat review

LG has also updated all the icons to make them the same size and more uniform, with all of them now being squares with rounded corners, to complement the design of the screen and the phone. The rounded corners can also be seen in the background of folders and pop up menus. The LG G6 also comes with Google Assistant on board, which is really good news, and makes the LG flagship the first non-Pixel smartphone to be running the useful Assistant.

Wrapping up

So, there you have it for this quick look at the LG G6! We have some idea of what is to come in the smartphone world this year, and LG is certainly facing some stiff competition. We can only wait to see of the G6 is what LG needs to gain some much needed traction in this ultra-competitive space.

Stay tuned with Android Authority to know more about the LG G6, and for more great coverage from MWC 2017.

• LG G6 specs, price, release date, and everything else you should know
• LG G6 pricing and availability: what we know so far
• The curved corners on the LG G6 aren’t just cosmetic
• PSA: Not all LG G6s are created equal

Tired of waiting for a new Surface Pro? Check out HP’s tough new 2-in-1

Why it matters to you

Professionals looking for a secure, mobile solution may benefit from the many features of HP’s new 2-in-1 device and associated docks.

During the Mobile World Congress 2017 show in Barcelona, HP showcased a new 2-in-1 device and a family of new accessories. Called the HP Pro x2 612 G2, the new mobile gadget targets professionals wanting a secure, enterprise-class solution that can be used in the office or on the road. It arrives with an optional detachable “collaboration” keyboard and HP’s Active Wacom Pen for taking notes directly on the screen.

For starters, here are the hardware components that will be used across various pre-built configurations:

Operating system (64-bit):
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home Single Language
Screen size:
12 inches with Touch
Screen resolution:
1,920 x 1,280
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7Y75
Intel Core i5-7Y54
Intel Core i5-7Y57
Intel Core m3-7Y30
Intel Pentium 4410Y
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615 (integrated)
System memory:
8GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz (fixed)
Storage:
128GB M.2 SATA SSD
256GB M.2 SATA SSD
256GB to 512GB M.2 PCIe NvMe SED SSD
256GB to 512GB M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD
256GB M.2 SATA FIPS 140-2 SSD
512 GB M.2 SATA FIPS 140-2 SSD
Connectivity:
Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE
NFC
Cameras:
5MP 1080p (front)
8MP 1080p (back)
Ports:
1x Micro SD card reader
1x Smart Card reader
1x USB 3.1 Type-C
1x USB 3.0
1x SIM card slot
1x Microphone/headphone combo
Sensors:
Accelerometer
Magnetometer
Gyro
Proximity
Ambient light
Battery:
41 Watt hour
Keyboard:
Backlighting is optionaL
Size:
11.81 x 8.42 x 0.36 inches (tablet only)
11.81 x 8.65 x 0.57 inches (with keyboard)
Weight:
1.87 pounds (tablet only)
2.65 pounds (with keyboard)
Availability:
Now
Starting price:
$979

For added protection, HP’s new 2-in-1 includes HP Sure Start Gen3 protecting the smart card reader and the system BIOS. It’s also designed to pass MIL-STD 810G tests, meaning it’s highly durable and can take a beating when out on the road. Naturally HP suggests Windows 10 Pro for the Pro x2 612 G2 given the platform’s focus on security and corporate-facing features.

More: The HP Pavilion 21.5-inch LED monitor is a budget-friendly full HD display ($100)

“Explore your creative potential with the extended 165-degree kickstand opening and the optional HP Active Pen with App Launch for a natural inking experience,” the company states. “Share your creations with the touch of a button using the optional HP Pro x2 Collaboration Keyboard.”

HP Pro x2 612 G2 Collaboration Keyboard

According to the company, its new HP Pro x2 612 G2 Collaboration Keyboard is a full-sized, aluminum-accented peripheral sporting backlit keys and a touchpad. It includes dedicated keys for handling video and audio calling functions including volume control, hanging up, placing a call, and more. The keys feature a special coating so that the peripheral can serve as a cover when the HP Pro x2 612 G2 is “closed.”

Here are the specs:

Model number:
1FV38AA
Dimensions:
11.83 x 9.05 x 0.20 inches
Weight:
0.78 pounds
Operating humidity:
10 percent to 90 percent
Operating temperature:
-15 degrees to 55 degrees Celsius
Outer material:
Black PU
Inner material:
Black PU and Plastic
Option kit contents:
Keyboard
Documentation
Compatibility:
HP Pro x2 612 G2

HP Active Pen with App Launch

The HP Active Pen with App Launch peripheral is compatible with the new 2-in-1 device, and it enables users to launch a specific app with just the touch of a button. The pen includes Bluetooth connectivity so that users can assign their favorite app to the built-in button. It also comes packed with three replacement tips, a replacement tip tool, and an AAAA battery.

“Once in range, your tablet detects the pen and cues you where to place it onscreen,” the company says. “Erase, highlight, and click on your content with the two convenient side buttons. Integrated pressure sensors help you control the width of your drawn lines.”

Tired of waiting for a new Surface Pro? Check out HP’s tough new 2-in-1

Why it matters to you

Professionals looking for a secure, mobile solution may benefit from the many features of HP’s new 2-in-1 device and associated docks.

During the Mobile World Congress 2017 show in Barcelona, HP showcased a new 2-in-1 device and a family of new accessories. Called the HP Pro x2 612 G2, the new mobile gadget targets professionals wanting a secure, enterprise-class solution that can be used in the office or on the road. It arrives with an optional detachable “collaboration” keyboard and HP’s Active Wacom Pen for taking notes directly on the screen.

For starters, here are the hardware components that will be used across various pre-built configurations:

Operating system (64-bit):
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home Single Language
Screen size:
12 inches with Touch
Screen resolution:
1,920 x 1,280
Processor:
Intel Core i7-7Y75
Intel Core i5-7Y54
Intel Core i5-7Y57
Intel Core m3-7Y30
Intel Pentium 4410Y
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615 (integrated)
System memory:
8GB LPDDR3 @ 1,866MHz (fixed)
Storage:
128GB M.2 SATA SSD
256GB M.2 SATA SSD
256GB to 512GB M.2 PCIe NvMe SED SSD
256GB to 512GB M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 SSD
256GB M.2 SATA FIPS 140-2 SSD
512 GB M.2 SATA FIPS 140-2 SSD
Connectivity:
Wireless AC (2×2)
Bluetooth 4.2
4G LTE
NFC
Cameras:
5MP 1080p (front)
8MP 1080p (back)
Ports:
1x Micro SD card reader
1x Smart Card reader
1x USB 3.1 Type-C
1x USB 3.0
1x SIM card slot
1x Microphone/headphone combo
Sensors:
Accelerometer
Magnetometer
Gyro
Proximity
Ambient light
Battery:
41 Watt hour
Keyboard:
Backlighting is optionaL
Size:
11.81 x 8.42 x 0.36 inches (tablet only)
11.81 x 8.65 x 0.57 inches (with keyboard)
Weight:
1.87 pounds (tablet only)
2.65 pounds (with keyboard)
Availability:
Now
Starting price:
$979

For added protection, HP’s new 2-in-1 includes HP Sure Start Gen3 protecting the smart card reader and the system BIOS. It’s also designed to pass MIL-STD 810G tests, meaning it’s highly durable and can take a beating when out on the road. Naturally HP suggests Windows 10 Pro for the Pro x2 612 G2 given the platform’s focus on security and corporate-facing features.

More: The HP Pavilion 21.5-inch LED monitor is a budget-friendly full HD display ($100)

“Explore your creative potential with the extended 165-degree kickstand opening and the optional HP Active Pen with App Launch for a natural inking experience,” the company states. “Share your creations with the touch of a button using the optional HP Pro x2 Collaboration Keyboard.”

HP Pro x2 612 G2 Collaboration Keyboard

According to the company, its new HP Pro x2 612 G2 Collaboration Keyboard is a full-sized, aluminum-accented peripheral sporting backlit keys and a touchpad. It includes dedicated keys for handling video and audio calling functions including volume control, hanging up, placing a call, and more. The keys feature a special coating so that the peripheral can serve as a cover when the HP Pro x2 612 G2 is “closed.”

Here are the specs:

Model number:
1FV38AA
Dimensions:
11.83 x 9.05 x 0.20 inches
Weight:
0.78 pounds
Operating humidity:
10 percent to 90 percent
Operating temperature:
-15 degrees to 55 degrees Celsius
Outer material:
Black PU
Inner material:
Black PU and Plastic
Option kit contents:
Keyboard
Documentation
Compatibility:
HP Pro x2 612 G2

HP Active Pen with App Launch

The HP Active Pen with App Launch peripheral is compatible with the new 2-in-1 device, and it enables users to launch a specific app with just the touch of a button. The pen includes Bluetooth connectivity so that users can assign their favorite app to the built-in button. It also comes packed with three replacement tips, a replacement tip tool, and an AAAA battery.

“Once in range, your tablet detects the pen and cues you where to place it onscreen,” the company says. “Erase, highlight, and click on your content with the two convenient side buttons. Integrated pressure sensors help you control the width of your drawn lines.”

A step-by-step guide on how to delete, and recover, text messages on Android

Deleting text messages is usually a straightforward affair, but some people may be confused about, or unaware, of the different ways you can select, and delete, text messages. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at how to delete text messages in Android individually, or by thread. We’ll cover the standard Messages app that you’ll find on the vast majority of Android phones, but since you can also set Hangouts to handle all your SMS messages, we’ll cover that as well.

More: Enlist in the Android Army: A beginner’s guide to Android

Sometimes you’ll delete the wrong message, however, or realize you want to recover a text that’s gone. Such being the case, we’re also going to run through some basic options on how to recover deleted text messages on your Android device.

Deleting text messages

How to delete an individual text message

Open the Messages app.
Go into a message thread, and then tap and hold the specific message you want to delete.
Select Delete from the options.

How to delete a text message thread

Open the Messages app.

Tap and hold on the thread itself, and not on the contact picture.
Select the trash icon (or Delete on a Samsung Galaxy phone) on the upper right hand corner.
Tap Ok to confirm deletion.

How to delete all message threads at once

In your Messages app, tap the More menu  on the upper right hand corner.
Select Delete all threads from the options.
Tap Ok to confirm deletion.

How to delete an SMS thread in Hangouts

If you use Hangouts, you may have it as your default SMS app in Android. It will not let you delete all threads at once, but you can select them in the same way you select them in the messages app. Let’s take a look.

Open the Hangouts app.

Tap and hold on the thread itself, and not on the contact picture.
You are now in selection mode, so you can keep selecting the threads that you want to delete.
Select the trash icon on the upper right hand corner.
Tap Delete to confirm deletion.