HTC U11 vs. Google Pixel: Can HTC’s latest beat Google’s first phone?

HTC has finally take the wraps off of its long-awaited and highly powerful HTC U11, the company’s flagship smartphone for the year, and arguably its best smartphone to date. It’s not, however, without competition.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises last year was the Google Pixel, Google’s entry into the self-designed smartphone world and a phone that generated a ton of buzz and praise when it was launched back in October. How does the new HTC U11 compare with the Pixel? We put the two head-to-head to find out.

Specs and performance

Google Pixel

HTC U11

Size
143.8 x 69.5 x 7.3mm (5.6 x 2.7 x 0.2-0.3-inches)
153.9 x 75.9 x 7.9mm (6.06 x 2.99 x 0.31 -inches)
Weight
143g (5.0 oz)
169g (5.96 oz)
Screen
5.0-inch AMOLED
5.5-inch LCD
Resolution
1,080 x 1,920 pixels (441 pixels per inch)
1,440 x 2,560 pixels (534 pixels per inch)
OS
Android 7.1 Nougat
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Storage
32/128GB
64GB (U.S.), 64/128GB (International)
MicroSD card slot
No
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM
4GB
4GB (U.S.) 4/6GB (International)
Connectivity
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Camera
12MP rear, 8MP front
12MP rear, 16MP front
Video
4K
4K
Bluetooth
Yes, version 4.2
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, magnetic
Water resistant
No
IP67
Battery
2,770mAh
3,000mAh
Ports
USB-C, headphone jack
USB-C
Marketplace
Google Play
Google Play
Color offerings
Very Silver, Quite Black, Really Blue
Blue, black, white, gray, red
Availability
Google Store, Verizon
Sprint, HTC.com, Amazon
Price
Starts at $650
$650
DT review
4 out of 5 stars
Hands-on

Newer flagship phones are almost always more powerful than older ones, and this is no exception. It’s clear that the HTC U11 is a more powerful device, and that’s largely thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.

That’s not to say the Snapdragon 821 in the Google Pixel is a bad chip — it’s not. It’s just a little outdated. While the Snapdragon 821 scored a very respectable 141,092 on AnTuTu, the Snapdragon 835 went above and beyond, hitting a hefty 183,227. That’s quite an improvement and means that the HTC U11 should both be faster now, and should last longer as it’s more battery efficient.

When it comes to storage and RAM, the U11 wins outright. If you live in the U.S., you’ll only get access to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage for the U11. The international version, however, allows for a choice of 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, or 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage. The Google Pixel offers 4GB of RAM with either 32GB or 128GB of storage.

The HTC U11 may not have as much storage if you live in the U.S., but it does come equipped with a MicroSD card slot so you can expand it if you need.

Winner: HTC U11

Design and display

The two phones offer unique and interesting designs. The Google Pixel has a half-glass back that certainly is unique, though it didn’t have mass appeal. The HTC U11 boasts a shiny glass back design with a gorgeous range of colors. The phone features sleek, rounded corners and edges with HTC’s Edge Sense, which allows you to control the phone by squeezing it. There is something missing from the HTC U11 — a headphone jack, something the Google Pixel offers.

When it comes to the display, there are a few things to consider — type of display, size, and resolution. The Google Pixel offers a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, with a pixel density of 441 pixels-per-inch (ppi). The 5.5-inch HTC U11, on the other hand, offers a resolution of 1,440 x 2,560 pixels, with a pixel density of 534 pixels-per-inch. To be fair, Google does offer the 5.5-inch Pixel XL, which has the same resolution and pixels per inch, though it’s more expensive than the regular Pixel.

There’s another thing to consider and that’s type of display. The HTC U11’s display is LCD, while the Google Pixel sticks with AMOLED technology. Many consider AMOLED to be slightly better because it’s more energy efficient and offers deeper blacks and brighter colors. It also means the U11 is not compatible with Google’s Daydream virtual reality platform.

Still, while design is largely subjective, we’re awarding this one to HTC. The U11 certainly turns heads.

Winner: HTC U11

Battery life and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While the Google Pixel offers a battery capacity of 2,770mAh, the HTC U11 goes a step further with a capacity of 3,000mAh. Capacity isn’t the only thing to consider here — because of the bigger screen with a higher resolution, the Pixel will last a little longer than the U11. That’s direct from Google and HTC — Google lists the Pixel as offering up to 26 hours of talk time, while HTC says the U11 will last 24.5 hours. That alone the Pixel the winner.

When it comes to charging, things are a little different. The HTC U11 offers Quick Charge 3.0, while the Google Pixel offers “Fast Charging.” We don’t yet know exactly how quickly Quick Charge 3.0 will charge the HTC U11, but the Pixel will give you 7 hours of use with 15 minutes of charging.

Because of the longer life on a single charge, the Google Pixel wins this category.

Winner: Google Pixel

Camera

When the Google Pixel first launched, it was hailed as having one of the best cameras out there. Can the HTC U11 dethrone it? The rear-facing camera on both phones is 12-megapixels, however the Pixel’s sensor has an f/2.0 aperture, while the HTC U11’s sensor has an f/1.7 aperture. That means that the U11 should be slightly better in low-light situations. On top of that, the U11 offers optical image stabilization, while the Pixel does not. Both phones offer dual-LED flashes.

Regardless, the Pixel is our favorite smartphone camera. HTC told us it expects the U11 camera to be slightly better than the HTC 10, which currently sits one point below the Pixel on DxOMark. We’ll have to wait and see, but the U11 just might beat the Pixel.

When it comes to the front-facing camera, things are a little less competitive — while the Google Pixel has an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture, the U11’s front-facing camera has a whopping 16-megapixels, which should be very helpful for the selfie-lovers out there.

Winner: HTC U11

Software

Both of these two phones use the latest and greatest Android Nougat, which offers excellent features like improved multi-tasking, useful notification bundling, and more. The HTC U11, however, has some special features built-in as well, making it a little different for those who are interested.

For example, the device offers HTC Sense, the company’s Android overlay. Sense has evolved quite a lot over the years, and it’s now a lot less intrusive than it was a few years ago. The device will come with a few HTC-specific apps, but apart from that, HTC’s phone’s are now pretty similar to stock Android.

As a part of the bundled features, the HTC U11 comes with HTC Sense Companion, which is HTC’s digital assistant. Unlike Google Assistant, Sense Companion is not a voice assistant. Instead, it anticipates your needs using things like your calendar, your location, and your phone use habits. Thankfully, the U11 still offers Google Assistant, and it also offers Amazon Alexa.

On top of that, there’s a new feature that we’re seeing in the U11 — HTC Edge Sense. Edge Sense basically allows users to control aspects of the phone using a touch-sensitive edge on the phone.

There is a serious advantage to getting a Google-built phone with Google-built software: Updates. Google pushes regular security updates to the Pixel, while manufacturers are known for being a little more lax in pushing those updates — potentially leaving your phone open to hacks.

While the HTC U11 does offer some HTC-specific features, many argue that less is more when it comes to Android. Many prefer to stick with one digital assistant, while others argue that manufacturer-specific apps only serve to take up storage space. Because of the fact that it’s really down to personal preference, we’re making this one a tie.

Winner: Tie

Durability

The HTC U11 looks nice and shiny, but that comes at a cost. The entire back of the phone is coated with glass, as is the front because of the screen. Really the only metal part of the phone’s design is the aluminum frame, which is found on the edges of the device. The Google Pixel also features a lot of glass, but a little less so thanks to the half-glass back, with the other half being metal. Because of that, if you drop your Pixel, you’re much less likely to shatter the glass than if you drop a HTC U11.

Still, the HTC U11 is IP67-certified, meaning that it can handle being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for as long as 30 minutes. The Google Pixel would win a drop test, but the HTC U11 can take a dip in the pool. This one’s a tie.

Winner: Tie

Price and availability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Google Pixel starts at $650 for the 32GB version of the phone, however the 128GB will set you back $749. The device has been available for some time now, but Google has stock issues — you might have trouble snagging one with your preferred size and color.

HTC will offer the U11 unlocked on its website and Amazon for $650 — it will be compatible with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks. Sprint is the only carrier to sell it directly, and you can get it for $29 a month for 24 months, or a full price of $696. The U11 is available for pre-order now, and it will start shipping in June.

Considering you get more storage for the same price as the standard Pixel, HTC gets the win here.

Winner: HTC U11

Overall winner: HTC U11

Surprise, everyone! The newer phone is better. While the Google Pixel is an excellent device, and even beats out the HTC U11 in battery life, the U11 is more powerful, is easier on the eyes, and is waterproof. If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line phone and like HTC’s design and included software, then the HTC U11 is a great option.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t consider the Google Pixel. If you’re into stock Android and like the idea of consistent and regular updates, the Pixel may be a better choice.

This prototype computer can hold the entire Library of Congress – five times over

In November 2016, Hewlett Packard Enterprise announced it had a working prototype of The Machine, its long-gestating research project investigating memory-based computing. Today, the company revealed a newer iteration of the potentially game-changing system. The new prototype represents a major step forward in terms of its computing power, and HPE is seeking partners to test its limits.

After years in the lab, The Machine is about to be put through its paces — and while the vast majority of us will never use this technology firsthand, we could feel its effects in everyday life.

What’s New?

HPE’s first working prototype of The Machine, unveiled last year, comprised of just a couple of nodes, with access to eight terabytes of memory in total. The specifications of the new model make clear it’s a massive step forward, as it’s outfitted with a whopping 160TB of memory, spread across 40 nodes.

Put another way, the system can hold the text of every single book in the Library of Congress in memory – approximately 160 million books – five times over. Big data is getting bigger all the time, and The Machine is built to offer a better way of working with huge data sets.

The system can hold the text of every single book in the Library of Congress in memory, five times over.

The initial reveal of the prototype last year prompted speculation regarding the future of the project, as HPE announced its intention to implement technologies developed for The Machine elsewhere in its portfolio of products as early as 2018. Some interpreted this as an acknowledgement that The Machine itself would never become a product on its own. Andrew Wheeler, Vice President and Deputy Director of Hewlett Packard Labs, sought to set to set things straight when he spoke to Digital Trends about the project last week.

“There was probably even a little bit of confusion around some of that last year, because this prototype has always been just that — it’s been a prototype,” explained Wheeler. “We weren’t trying to say that we’re not working toward productization of something called The Machine, it’s just that that’s further out in time.”

HPE hopes to continue progress, confident that The Machine’s architecture can be scaled to an exabyte-scale single-memory system, and from there leap to a 4,096-yottabyte (yes, that’s a thing!) pool of memory. For now, though, the company is working on its relationships with partners, whose usage of the hardware will inform future development.

“It’s a little bit of a messy recipe, if you will,” observed Wheeler. “There’s no clear path to how innovation like this is done. You get a vision, you get working on it, and you see where both the technology, the problem, and the opportunity takes you.”

Machine Learning

The Machine is an ambitious project. At its core, it seeks to reassess today’s computing architecture at the most basic level. Unlike virtually all of today’s computers, The Machine is built around memory at its core, rather than a processor, to make interaction between different components more efficient.

“We can’t rely on the technologies of the past. We need a computer built for the Big Data era,” wrote HPE CEO Meg Whitman in a press release detailing the new prototype. The company is betting big on the advantages The Machine can offer to its partners and their customers. It’s the largest research and development project that it’s ever taken on.

This commitment, though massive, isn’t all surprising. Research from IBM suggests 90 percent of all the data in the world today was created in the last two years. Terabytes upon terabytes of data is recorded every minute of every day. This data can be used in ways not yet dreamed, but today’s computers can’t sort through the data effectively.

To fix that, HPE has spent years researching technology that could create a new kind of computer. The Machine isn’t about one singular breakthrough; it uses several different technologies at the same time. The benefit to HPE is that it might be possible to utilize individual technologies elsewhere, when it seems appropriate.

When The Machine was first announced, much was made of its potentially groundbreaking memristor components. HPE is still hard at work finding a memory solution that will do the project justice, given that it’s central to the differences between this system and a normal computer.

“There’s no clear path to how innovation like this is done.”

“The architecture is a fundamental tenet, so we do want to exploit any memory technology that comes online and is made available from now, five years out, ten years out,” said Wheeler. “Certainly, we do believe one of the emerging non-volatile memories will provide us with the density, and really, the cost, that allows us to build for the problem at hand.

But it’s not just about the memory. Shuttling data around the system is critical, as well, and the company believes photonic interconnects are the likely solution. This technology, which uses silicon to transfer optical signals, provides higher bandwidth and uses far less energy than current solutions.

The project is also making advances in areas that aren’t directly linked to its memory-based architecture. Since The Machine will be working with huge amounts of enterprise data, it’s imperative that it can keep that data safe and secure. According to Wheeler, the team at Hewlett Packard Labs were thinking about security “from day one.”

“That’s another great thing about this program. It’s allowed us to really think about security from the ground up, and build it in from the very primitive levels — from the silicon and the hardware, all the way through the firmware, and the operating system, and the applications,” explained Wheeler. “I think it’s going to pay great dividends for us in the future.”

The Machine and Me

The technology in The Machine could one day show up in a home computer, but it’d be on a much smaller scale, and wouldn’t appear for years – perhaps decades. Still, that doesn’t mean The Machine isn’t important to you. Once it’s rolled out in industry, The Machine could bring meaningful changes to everything from your next doctor’s appointment, to your Facebook feed, to your self-driving car.

The Machine could play a role in helping medical staff provide more personalized healthcare for their patients. Within the system’s memory, software could access the patient’s entire medical history, their family’s medical history, genomic data, environmental influences that they’ve been exposed to, and records of how successful treatments given to other similar patients were.

We often think about computers taking over roles in established professions. However, this kind of implementation demonstrates how a system like The Machine could provide an ancillary service, eliminating extraneous information and delivering only the most relevant data to the medical professional. Working with a broad, internationally sourced data set, The Machine could provide a wealth of contextual information that might allow doctors to offer a more accurate diagnosis to their patient.

Moving onto social media, Wheeler told us the current prototype of The Machine is capable of holding every action that takes place on Facebook worldwide, over the course of a ninety-minute period, in memory. All at once. In doing so, it could solve a problem that’s been blighting the social media giant.

The Machine could handle every action that takes place on Facebook worldwide over a 90-minute window, all at once.

In theory, Facebook Live is a fun way for people to offer friends a window into their lives. In practice, it’s become a platform for highly offensive content, including livestreamed rape and murder. The entire appeal of the feature is that it’s live, which makes it very difficult for Facebook to police what users do with it. The Machine theoretically has enough processing power to keep an eye on everything that’s going on around the world, which could facilitate a solution to detect and block unwanted streams before they go viral.

Finally, there’s the nascent industry of self-driving vehicles. In this case, the advantages that The Machine offers aren’t about a vast body of data, but how quickly data can be accessed. Wheeler raised a concern about an autonomous car communicating with a central server to make decisions. In heavy traffic, when an unexpected situation comes about, quick communication could be the difference between a safe journey and a horrible accident.

“We don’t have time,” he explains. “The speed of light is the speed of light, and latency matters. We need to make the decision within that vehicle, which means that vehicle needs to be able to store and process everything that’s happening, all those central inputs. That decision needs to happen then and there.”

The Next Big Thing?

The Machine is a mammoth undertaking, and that’s why it has such a broad range of potential applications. In truth, even HPE doesn’t know its full capabilities — that’s why the company is working with partners to test it out in all kinds of different situations.

It’s easier for most of us to swoon over the iPhone than enterprise-grade hardware, but the scale of The Machine is far beyond a typical enterprise product. A computer like The Machine could power the next great leap forward in computational capability, and in doing so, it would power innovations are too difficult, or expensive, for traditional computers to handle. The Machine could become a part of everyday life.

As the world has become dependent on computers, their foundational technology has stayed relatively static. However, between projects like The Machine, investigations into quantum computing, and other similar research, it’s clear that there’s a thirst to see what could be achieved if we rethink computer architecture.

What remains to be seen is whether the technology’s applications can live up to the promise of a huge leap forward in computing. With a working, large-scale prototype in its possession, HPE is about to find out whether The Machine offers a benefit to its customers — and, in turn, that will determine whether memory-based computing is a neat idea, or the next big thing.

Expedia integrates Masterpass to get you faster from checkout to your destination

Why it matters to you

Expedia is adding Mastercard’s Masterpass digital payment system to three travel websites, with the aim to make transactions secured and faster.

Traveling is an adventure, but booking the actual tickets required for that adventure is a bit of a chore. On May 16, Mastercard announced a way to shave some time off the online booking process: Its Masterpass digital payment system now accepted by Expedia.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity, and makes going from payment to relaxing on the beach a tad faster.

Launched in 2013, Masterpass allows shoppers to use an app to securely pay for purchases. But unlike most digital payment systems, transactions happen faster since payment and shipping details are integrated into a single account – no need to manually enter details every time you check out, which can be a huge bottleneck when planning travel on a mobile device. The service links to a debit or credit card and acts as a digital wallet for both online and in-store merchants.

The new payment option is designed to speed up ticket purchases from Expedia.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity, three brands owned by Expedia, Inc. With the address and payment information stored in the system, it makes booking flights, hotels, car rentals, and even cruises simpler.

“We are delighted to partner with Expedia on Masterpass to advance their mission of revolutionizing travel through the power of technology,” said Linda Kirkpatrick, executive vice president of Mastercard’s U.S. Market Development team. “With Masterpass as a payment option on Expedia.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity, travelers are a just a few clicks closer to their dream experience.”

“At Expedia, we build products leveraging the latest technologies in order to make travel easier throughout the entire trip experience,” said Expedia’s Arthur Chapin, senior vice president of Global Product and Design. “We have some of the best travel brands with Expedia.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity and adding Masterpass to our family of websites gives travelers another quick and secure payment option, so they can focus on having an amazing holiday.”

Looking for a new laptop? Here’s 10 common mistakes to avoid

Chances are, you can vividly recall JFK’s famous inauguration speech in 1961, whether you were alive or merely watched the broadcast after the fact. The exact opposite sentiments apply when it comes to laptops: Ask not what you can do for your laptop — ask what your laptop can do for you. 

You’ve probably owned a few notebooks, you know what features you like, and you’ve likely experienced the good and the bad that come along with choosing a machine. For instance, the inconvenient hassle of toting around a 17-inch behemoth, or the inevitable letdown that goes along with streaming Netflix movies to an 11-inch screen. Fortunately, there is a bevy of suitable options, for every lifestyle or purpose, so long as you know what you’re doing. And remember, there are exceptions to every rule.

Here’s our list of the most common laptop buying mistakes, so you can leave all potential regrets at the door. If you want to build your own computer, check out our PC parts buying guide.

Mistake #1: Buying the cheapest available model

The cheapest computer may be easy on your wallet, but it probably won’t have all the features you need, and chances are that it lacks the longevity you want.

Let’s say you’re deciding between a dual-core and quad-core processor. You want to run many applications at once, but you choose the dual-core processor because it’s, well, a little less expensive. Now you have a system that’s not as powerful as your needs demand, and that problem will plague you until it’s time to buy again.

Rather than jumping for the lowest price, it’s best to find the laptop that will actually serve your needs. A good way to begin your search is to know exactly what you need. Make a list of must-have features, then cross-check that list with spec sheets.

Mistake #2: Paying too much

Don’t buy more laptop than you can afford. Chances are good that if a laptop strains your budget, it has something that you don’t need. The top-of-the-line Macbook Pro 13 from Apple costs more than $3,000. Realistically, that’s more computer than most people need — and the least expensive Pro is only $1,500. That’s over a thousand dollars that you may be tempted to spend just because something is shiner and has higher numbers, but not because you need it. Don’t let marketing fool you into paying too much!

A good example of this is the 2016 MacBook models with the Touch Bar. The Touch Bar was a new bit of tech, and it got a lot of people excited to see what it offered. However, the Touch Bar ended up being a little bit controversial. Not everyone liked it, and some considered it more trouble than it was worth. People who upgraded to the new MacBook just for the Touch Bar ended up rolling the dice on a feature they didn’t really understand out of sheer excitement.

Mistake #3: Buying a laptop “for today”

It’s an old bit of advice, but it still holds true. Unless you are obsessed with getting the latest tech and newest models (hey, some of us have a good excuse) a new laptop will probably last at least a few years, and likely more if you want to save money on another purchase for as long as possible. That means that, instead of buying a laptop for today, you should buy one for where you will be in a couple years.

The classic example here is the college student who doesn’t have a degree yet, but has decided to buy a new laptop. While it may be tempting to buy a laptop for their current major and interests, that’s usually a mistake. Colleges have lots of technical tools for students to use. When it comes to a personal laptop, it’s a better idea for a student to buy a laptop for the job they would like to have after graduating. That often means focusing more on a business-friendly laptop with the right capabilities for a professional environment.

This tip also goes hand-in-hand with “buying the cheapest model available.” For instance, the new Microsoft Surface Laptop can be purchased for $1,000. However, the base model has only 4GB of RAM and a 128GB hard drive. That’s going to limit its long-term appeal, because it will quickly run out of hard drive space, and may not handle multiple applications well. Going for a step-up model with a bigger hard drive is a good idea.

Mistake #4: Ignoring ports and compatibility

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Not all laptops include the ports you depend on. Need a card reader? How about three USB ports? You might be out of luck. The current ultrabook trend is sending ports into extinction. Do you use Apple products? Then a Thunderbolt 3 port may be a necessity to get things done. Do you have an older external hard drive with USB 2.0 ports? The newer USB 3.0 Type-C ports on laptops may not work for you.

Take stock of the ports you need — including what protocol they use — then double-check your laptop options. If a new laptop lacks the ports you need, then you’ll want to factor in the cost of adapters.

Mistake #5: Opting for the highest available resolution

A device boasting a 4K display is certainly worth more than a cursory glance, but its not always the right choice given may laptops have yet to properly master scaling anything over 200 pixels per inch. High-resolution laptops often display smaller menus because legacy Windows apps render dimensions in pixel size. More pixels on the screen reduces the size of everything, including fonts, icons, and other key aspects of the visual display.

Battery life is also negatively impacted by a high resolution because a brighter backlight is needed to drive all those pixels. Models designed from the ground up for a pixel dense panel, like the MacBook Pro with Retina, can still manage long life, but many 4K notebooks have lackluster endurance. Dropping down to 1080p can provide an extra hour (or two) of life away from a socket.

Mistake #6: Not trying before buying

It should probably go without saying, but always  give the laptop you’re considering a proper test drive if at all possible. Many everyday laptops are available for testing at big, brick-and-mortar stores such as Apple, Best Buy, and the Microsoft Store, allowing you to fiddle with the trackpad, keyboard, software interface, and other components that substantially differ from model to model.

It’s easy to overlook the importance of features absent from the spec sheet, such as the touchpad’s responsiveness or the visibility of a glossy screen in daylight, so trying your desired laptop within its element guarantees you a better idea of what you’re buying. You don’t necessarily have to purchase the laptop in the retail store, but you should at least get some hands-on experience before making a final decision. If that’s not possible, buy from an online store with a strong return policy.

Mistake #7: Thinking size doesn’t matter

Size matters, especially when it comes to a laptop. Whereas a bigger display allows for a more expansive and often better viewing experience, it also cuts into the portability factor. A laptop’s size often determines the size of the keyboard and trackpad, meaning you’ll likely be cramped when opting for a laptop measuring less than 13 inches.

That said, it’s best to consider how you’ve used laptops in the past, whether your own, or one belonging to someone else. A smaller ultrabook may be a viable option for frequent travels, but for those looking for a standard laptop, you’ll probably want to opt for one with a 13.3- or 14-inch screen. If you rarely leave your home with your system, consider a 15.6-inch model for maximum screen real estate.

When in doubt, think about what you tote around now, how it feels on your shoulder, and how much space you need at the coffee shop. Also consider tablet laptop hybrids, which trade storage and power for more comfortable keyboards and seriously low space requirements.

Mistake #8: Becoming obsessed with one specification

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Tunnel vision is bad news when buying a laptop. While it’s fun to pit spec sheets against each other, avoid picking out one particular specification as your favorite and only looking at that factor.

For example, manufacturers love RAM. It can be easily be expressed as a number, and bigger numbers are better. It’s also cheap, so packing in some extra gigabytes is an easy way to make a laptop look faster. Truth be told, however, you rarely need more than 8GB of RAM, unless you are using some serious software for work purposes. If a laptop has more, that’s great, but don’t obsess over it.

Likewise, don’t become obsessed with battery life, or resolution, or processor speed. If you’re on a budget, and most people are, you’ll need to learn to balance a variety of hardware. A jack-of-all-trades notebook is often better than one that’s lackluster in several areas, but excels in just one.

Mistake #9: Choosing an ultrabook when you need something bigger

Ultrabooks have risen to become one of the most popular types of laptops, and it can be very tempting to automatically assume they are the best choice for you. They’re lightweight, small enough to fit easily into a briefcase or pack, and the prices of many models — especially Chromebooks — are some of the lowest around. What’s not to love?

Well, ultrabooks aren’t for everyone. Just because they’re in a lot of headlines and get great reviews doesn’t mean they are always the best type of laptop. A Chromebook may be light and cheap, but they also have very little storage and are useless if you need to keep big projects on your hard drive, or need a large, high-res screen for design projects. A Microsoft Surface Book may be just right for a professional who depends on Office 365, but all those impressive specs won’t look nearly so impressive if you really need a MacOS platform instead. So while you will see a lot of favorable comments on today’s top ultrabooks, keep in mind that your personal situation is a little more complicated.

Mistake #10: Assuming a 2-in-1 is the same as a laptop

Tablets, 2-in-1s, and laptops are distinct categories. They aren’t interchangeable. While you can perform many tasks with a tablet and keyboard that you can with a laptop, the similarities soon end. Tablets remain far more constricting when it comes to multitasking, fast web browsing, using complex apps, or running any kind of demanding software. Just because something has a screen and keyboard doesn’t mean that it can do everything a laptop can. This is the opposite mistake of getting focused too much on one spec — if you ignore all the specs, you’ll start making assumptions about what the machine can do, and that’s dangerous territory.

Bottom Line

Buying a laptop is complex, but you can find the tools you need to be successful. Our reviews here at Digital Trends are a good start. We’ll walk you through every feature of a notebook and how it performed in our hands-on testing, from display quality to performance. We take an in-depth look and evaluate every laptop we receive, including everything from the user interface and the display to performance and overall design. Remember that you have options. You’re not required to buy that 17.3-inch laptop your local retailer is selling for a song. Hunt around the Internet a bit and you’re almost certain to find a similar price on something more suitably sized. The wrong laptop is never a good deal, no matter how appealing the price.

[Photo credits: Laptops: Jurgen Ziewe/Shutterstock; Trackpad: Fabio Alcini/Shutterstock; RAM dodi31/Shutterstock]

This guide is continually updated to reflect the most pervasive, laptop-buying mistakes. Last update: May 8th, 2017. Matt Smith contributed to this article.

Make old photos new again by digitizing film with this smartphone app

Why it matters to you

Scanning film — whether to salvage old memories or for a new hobby — is a time-consuming process, but this app could change that.

Converting film into digital files is a time-consuming process, but a new prototype program is aiming to do the deed with just a smartphone and a light source. FilmLab, currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, is an app that scans and converts negatives into positive digital files.

Once the film is processed with chemicals and is no longer sensitive to light, the film strip is placed on a light source, such as a light table. The app then accesses the smartphone camera and automatically detects the edges to find each frame. Select a single frame from that negative and the camera will snap several photos, convert the inverted colors of the negative into a positive print and save a digital file.

To get around the resolution limitations of a smartphone, the app shoots multiple RAW files of the same frame, stitching them together to get a higher resolution file. Or, for even more resolution, users can shoot photos of the film on a digital camera, then still use the app to convert the negatives.

Under development by Abe Fettig, a 20-year programmer with previous experience working for Google and Listening Room, the app is designed to easily digitize negatives, including automatic cropping and conversion. The software is under development both to digitize old photos and to allow the growing number of modern film photographers to easily convert and share their photographs. Fettig is planning to make the platform compatible with multiple film types, including 35mm, medium format film and slides, all with both color and black and white support.

Since the app uses RAW files, the program is expected to be compatible with cameras equipped with that capability, including iOS devices from the iPhone 6s and later and Androids running Lollipop 5.0 and later. Fettig is asking the Kickstarter community to help finalize the app’s development, including enhancing the resulting image quality through automatic white balance and color adjustment.

Early backers can gain access to the program’s beta version for an $18 pledge. The app, which will sell for $30, will also be available to backers outside of beta for $5. If the campaign and the development are successful, backers will be able to gain access to the beta version as early as July, with the full version expected to launch later in the summer or early fall.

From coders to gamers, these 3 great Raspberry Pi 3 bundle deals have it covered

Updated on May 13, 2017 to remove expired offers and add new bundle deals.

The Raspberry Pi is one of the most versatile and understated computing platforms you can find. Priced at around $36 for the basic board, it can be outfitted and turned into a low-budget media center PC, a classic gaming station, or an Internet of Things (IoT) base station for your smart home.

In terms of hardware, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B packs a 1.2GHz, 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU paired with 1GB of RAM. There’s also onboard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a MicroSD slot, four USB ports, and a full-size HDMI port. Overall, it provides a solid foundation for all types of DIY projects.

Below, we’ve rounded up a few deals on different Raspberry Pi 3 bundles. So whether you’re into retro gaming or hoping to build a Raspberry Pi-based coding machine, we’ve got something for everyone.

CanaKit Raspberry Pi 3 Complete Starter Kit

CanaKit’s complete starter kit remains the top-selling Raspberry Pi bundle, and it’s easy to see why. This package comes with the latest Raspberry Pi computer board and a 32GB MicroSD card preloaded with NOOBS software to get you started right out of the box. Also included is a 2.5-amp Micro USB power supply, an HDMI cable, two heat sinks to keep your board running cool, and a sleek black enclosure to protect your Raspberry Pi and give you access to its ports. Amazon is offering this excellent starter bundle for just $70.

$70 on Amazon

Vilros Raspberry Pi 3 Basic Starter Kit

If you already have a spare HDMI cable and microSD card laying around and just need a basic kit to get started, then this Raspberry Pi bundle is for you. Like most kits, this starter bundle from Vilros includes the Raspberry Pi 3 B, two heat sinks, and a 2.5-amp USB power supply, as well as an attractive black plastic case. Available for just $50, this top-selling bundle is the cheapest kit on this list and makes a great starter package for those who already have an HDMI cable and microSD card and don’t want to pay extra for those components.

$50 on Amazon

Kano Computer Kit

For a near-complete computer setup and a great project for kids and students, check out the Kano Computer Kit. Along with the Raspberry Pi 3 computer and enclosure, this bundle includes HDMI and USB cables, an 8GB MicroSD card, and a wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad. Assemble the computer, hook it up to an HDMI display, and you’re ready to dig into the pre-installed games, coding apps, and learning software. The Kano Computer Kit is great for teachers, home-schoolers, computer clubs, and young tech enthusiasts, and is currently available for $128 on Amazon after a $21 discount.

$128 on Amazon

Google DeepMind under fire after being given access to 1.6M medical records

Why it matters to you

Criticism of DeepMind’s access to personal health data may inform future legislation about the legality of using that data for research purposes.

Google subsidiary DeepMind has accomplished some amazing things over the past couple of years, from beating humans at their own game to saving its parent company money on its electricity bill. Now, however, it’s coming under major scrutiny because of the specifics of a deal with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.

DeepMind forged a deal with the NHS that gave it access to health records from over 1.6 million patients, but the United Kingdom government’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, is investigating the arrangement, according to a report from The Verge.

The sticking point seems to be whether DeepMind had the legal right to handle personally identifiable medical records belonging to NHS patients without asking for permission on an individual basis. This kind of access is legal under U.K. law, but only so long as the entity involved is providing direct care to the patients in question.

DeepMind maintains that it is providing direct care, so there’s nothing wrong with the deal. However, the U.K. government’s National Data Guardian has argued that the company usage of the data — testing out a smartphone app called Streams — falls outside the boundary of direct care.

The Streams app is able to detect if patients are suffering from life-threatening kidney problems and help medical professionals administer the necessary treatment, according to a report from Sky News. It’s easy to understand the contribution that DeepMind is making to this important project, but there’s still a gray area from a legal perspective.

A spokesperson for the Royal Free, the organization that brought DeepMind on board with the project, has stated the importance of lessons learned from a “pioneering” project such as this. Meanwhile, a representative from DeepMind has reiterated that none of the information shared with the company would ever be used for commercial purposes, or to further Google’s products, services, or ads.

Google DeepMind under fire after being given access to 1.6M medical records

Why it matters to you

Criticism of DeepMind’s access to personal health data may inform future legislation about the legality of using that data for research purposes.

Google subsidiary DeepMind has accomplished some amazing things over the past couple of years, from beating humans at their own game to saving its parent company money on its electricity bill. Now, however, it’s coming under major scrutiny because of the specifics of a deal with the United Kingdom’s National Health Service.

DeepMind forged a deal with the NHS that gave it access to health records from over 1.6 million patients, but the United Kingdom government’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, is investigating the arrangement, according to a report from The Verge.

The sticking point seems to be whether DeepMind had the legal right to handle personally identifiable medical records belonging to NHS patients without asking for permission on an individual basis. This kind of access is legal under U.K. law, but only so long as the entity involved is providing direct care to the patients in question.

DeepMind maintains that it is providing direct care, so there’s nothing wrong with the deal. However, the U.K. government’s National Data Guardian has argued that the company usage of the data — testing out a smartphone app called Streams — falls outside the boundary of direct care.

The Streams app is able to detect if patients are suffering from life-threatening kidney problems and help medical professionals administer the necessary treatment, according to a report from Sky News. It’s easy to understand the contribution that DeepMind is making to this important project, but there’s still a gray area from a legal perspective.

A spokesperson for the Royal Free, the organization that brought DeepMind on board with the project, has stated the importance of lessons learned from a “pioneering” project such as this. Meanwhile, a representative from DeepMind has reiterated that none of the information shared with the company would ever be used for commercial purposes, or to further Google’s products, services, or ads.

Next Google Home version to permit control by third-party devices, improve reminders

Why it matters to you

Google Home will have to work hard to catch up to Alexa and Amazon Echo, but version 2.3 of the app may help make up some of that ground.

It’s been a year since Google Assistant and Google Home first entered the smart home space, competing with the more established Amazon Alexa and the Echo suite. And now, as Google I/O 2017 draws ever nearer, we’re getting a sense of just what the Silicon Valley company has up its sleeve that will give Amazon a run for its money. It would appear that the APK file of the newest update to the Google Home app (version 2.3) adds quite a few new features, including support for third-party Google Assistant speaker devices, listing reminders in the Google Home app, and more.

As outlined by the folks over at XDA, it looks as though you’ll soon be able to control Google Assistant on a third-party device, much as you can with Alexa. While Google recently released the Google Assistant SDK, allowing non-Home devices to integrate Assistant, there aren’t that many companies taking advantage of this offering. But now, it would appear that Google is making that easier. XDA predicts that the Google Home app will soon recognize third-party devices and let you configure them. 

Then, there are smaller (though just as necessary) updates like the ability of users to see all their reminders in one place. While you’re currently able to see your shopping list (or any other list) by opening the sidebar of the Google Home app, you can’t actually see everything on various lists. That ought to change with the updated app.

Similarly, it seems as though you’ll soon be able to clear your search history straight from the Google Home app, so if you’ve been Googling some questionable queries, you don’t have to go to your account via a web browser — you can just rid yourself of the evidence straight from the app.

XDA also suggests that the Google Home app may be preparing for Bluetooth device management activity, and may allow you to change notification sounds, and begin sending customers surveys asking them to rate their experience.

In any case, we ought to have more clarity around these updates at Google I/O 2017.

Sprint buyer’s guide: Everything you need to know

Find out what Sprint has to offer.

Sprint may be fourth amongst America’s top four carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint), but it’s still a big player in the national wireless market, with nearly 60 million subscribers across the country. It was the first carrier to offer “truly unlimited” plans for data, which are still a cornerstone of its mobile business. Sprint operates a nationwide CDMA network in the 800,1900, and 2500 MHz frequency bands, and even combines the three to provide higher throughput with its “LTE Plus” service on certain devices and plans.

Sprint offers unlimited talk, text, and data plans that can be configured for individuals or with multiple lines added for families. They offer deals on the latest phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG G6.

Sprint has a lot to offer, so read on and find a plan that works for you!

• Best Individual Plans
• Best Family Plan
• Best Phones
• Best Deals on Sprint
• How to cancel Sprint
• How to unlock a Sprint phone
• Finding an alternative carrier that uses Sprint’s network

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Best Individual Plans

All of Sprint’s contract plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, which start as low as $50 a month for a single line. Sprint also offers prepaid plans for those looking to avoid annual contracts and wanting to avoid credit checks and late fees.

• Unlimited plans
• Sprint Prepaid

Unlimited plans

Sprint offers some of the most competitive pricing for Unlimited plans amongst the Big Four carriers, as it prominently displays on its website with a comparative graph. According to Sprint, you could get an unlimited plan for two lines at a better price than AT&T and Verizon’s unlimited plans for just one line.

You can get a single line with unlimited data, talk, and text for $50 a month. That’s before any taxes, fees, or device leasing costs, but it’s still a great deal. Enjoy unlimited video streaming in 1080p and take advantage of 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot access for your tablets and laptops.

Sprint’s advertised prices do not include monthly surcharges, taxes, fees and other charges, which you can learn about on Sprint’s website.

Learn more

Sprint Prepaid

Sprint offers prepaid plans for individuals and families, which start as low as $45 a month for unlimited talk and text and 3GB of high speed data, with a $5 discount per month for signing up for AutoPay. There’s an option for unlimited data if that’s important to you, for $60 a month with the AutoPay discount before surcharges and fees.

Prepaid plans include a free mobile hotspot (tethering), which you can use with tablets, laptops, or other Wi-Fi connected devices. There’s no credit check required for a prepaid plan, and if you make 12 consecutive on-time payments, you can upgrade to a Sprint postpaid service with no credit check and upgrade to a new device with no activation fee.

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Best Family Plans

Sprint offers an Unlimited Freedom family plan that gives you unlimited data, talk, and text for your family, along with 10GB of hotspot data per line for any tablets, laptops, and other connected devices you or your family may own.

Pricing starts at $60 a month for the first line, $40 for the second, and $30 for any additional lines added. Other monthly fees will be applied, including any lease agreements for new phones, and the advertised pricing includes Auto Pay discounts.

You may find a better deal just getting an Unlimited Plan, which offers four lines at $30 a month and offers much of the same features as Sprint’s advertised family plan. Sprint will throw in a fifth line for free until June 30, 2017 for new accounts.

Sprint also offers prepaid plans for families which start at $100 a month for three lines and include unlimited talk and text and 3GB of high speed data. Prices will vary depending on how much data you require on each line.

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Best Phones

Sprint has a very particular network that doesn’t let you bring your own device from another carrier, so your best bet will be buying your next phone through Sprint and paying for it on contract. The good news is that Sprint offers many of the latest and greatest Android phones:

• Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
• LG G6
• Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
• LG V20

If you plan on buying a phone from Sprint, you have a couple payment options to consider. If you have good credit, you can lease or buy the phone via monthly contracts with no money down — if you’re still building your credit or have credit issues, you’ll have to put money down on the phone (typically around $200). If you’ve got the cash to buy a phone outright, that option is also available.

If you opt to buy the phone outright or on a 24-month installment plan, Sprint often bundles accessories with its biggest selling phones. For example, if you were to get a Galaxy S8, you’d get a free “entertainment kit” for the Galaxy S8, which includes Samsung’s Clear View Standing Cover along with a 64GB EVO+ memory card. Buy the LG G6 and Sprint will throw in a free Google Home.

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Best Deals on Sprint

Sprint has a section on its website with all of its latest deals, mostly for customers opening new accounts, subscribers upgrading their plans, and deals on leasing brand new devices.

As of May 2017, the best deals Sprint is offering include:

— Lease a Galaxy S8 and get a GS7 lease for free. With this deal, you’re also eligible to upgrade your Galaxy S8 to the latest Galaxy phone after 12 lease payments. You’ll also be entered to win a $5,000 Samsung shopping spree.
— Sprints Unlimited plans.
— Get a free 32GB iPhone 7 on an 18-month lease with a qualified trade-in and a new line activation.
— Switch to Sprint and get a $100 Visa Prepaid Card for each line of activation.
— Get 50% off the LG G6 — along with a free Google Home.

There are more deals to be had. Check out Sprint’s site or head in-store to find out more information!

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How to cancel with Sprint

You can cancel your Sprint service at any time, but if you cancel it before your contract is done, you’ll have to pay early termination fees on top of the balance remaining on your cell phone bill.

You may be able to get out of paying them if you don’t think you received the service you paid for (might be your reason for cancelling), or sometimes your new carrier may have a deal to pay them on your behalf. Whichever way you deal with it, you are the one who is ultimately responsible for paying them.

You’ll need to call Sprint Customer Service to cancel or change your plans. Call 1-888-211-4727 or dial *2 from a Sprint phone. When you get on the line, ask to speak to someone from the retention team. They may try to offer you deals to keep your business, but will also have the authority to cancel or change your service.

How to unlock a Sprint phone

Not all Sprint phones are available to be unlocked, and even when they can be unlocked, Sprint does not guarantee that they will be fully compatible with other networks. Only Sprint phones released after February 2015 are eligible for domestic unlocking. Of those, the only Android phones that are confirmed eligible for domestic SIM unlock on Sprint’s website are the HTC One M9, LG G Flex2, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, and Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. If your phone is not eligible for a domestic SIM unlock, Sprint may be able to provide a Master Subsidy Lock code.

To get your Sprint phone unlocked, your phone and/or Sprint account must meet the following criteria:

• Your phone must be Domestic SIM Unlock capable.
• The device must be or have been active on the Sprint network for a minimum of 50 days.
• If you have any outstanding lease payments, bills, or early termination fees, you’ll need to settle up with Sprint before it will unlock your device. Depending on your contract, you may need to buy out the remaining cost of your Sprint phone.
• Your Sprint account must be in good standing.
• The phone hasn’t been reported as lost or stolen, or ‘otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked’. Basically, as long as you can prove that it’s yours and there’s nothing sketchy about it, you should be good.

Sprint offers temporary unlocking for international travel — and most devices they sell are compatible. Same rules apply above, except the phone must be currently active on a Sprint account. This will allow you to use a SIM card from the country you’re travelling to.

Even if Sprint unlocks your phone, Sprint will not guarantee its phones will operate on another network. You may get limited functionality, such as voice services but no data services. It’s the risk you run when you buy through Sprint.

Sprint does partner with a wide variety of alternative carriers. They use Sprint’s network, which allows you to easily bring your own Sprint device over to their carrier.

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Finding an alternative carrier that uses Sprint’s network

Sprint offers its network up to a whole bunch of alternative carriers. Alternative carriers — also known as MVNOs — work by partnering with one or more of the Big Four carriers to piggyback on their networks. This allows them to offer better deals to consumers without needing to worry about infrastructure upkeep.

They’ve become increasingly reliable over the years and offer the cheapest plans in the mobile industry. There are 26 MVNOs that operate on Sprint’s network, including Boost Mobile, Straight Talk, Project Fi and Virgin Mobile USA.

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