Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: What’s the difference?

It’s been a busy month for Microsoft. 

A couple weeks after announcing the new Surface Laptop and Windows 10 S, it has announced the successor to the Surface Pro 4. But instead of being named Surface Pro 5, it’s just called Surface Pro. So, how does it compare to the new Surface Laptop, or even last year’s Surface Book? It’s a good question to ask yourself before deciding to spend your hard-earned cash on the latest Surface device.

To help you out, we did all the leg work and pitted the three devices against each other spec by spec. 

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Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Design

• New Surface Pro (2017) said to be lightest Pro ever at 768g
• New hinge system on new Surface Pro (2017)
• Expected to have similar footprint to Pro 4 at 292.1mm x 201.4mm

The new Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) looks similar to its predecessor, but it has a new hinge system on the kickstand, which allows it to be used in Surface Studio mode. That means it can lay flat and works directly with the new Surface Pen. Its also lost a bit of weight, touting itself as the lightest Surface Pro (2017) ever created at 768g. Measurements have yet to be revealed for the new Surface Pro (2017).

Surface Laptop is offered in four colours (burgundy, platinum, cobalt blue, and graphite gold). Its emphasis is on manufacturing skill, with metal, plastic, and the Alcantara fabric deck coming together to give you a premium product. It weighs 2.76 pounds has the following dimensions: 12.13 x 8.79 x 0.57 inches. It includes a Mini DisplayPort, full-size USB 3.0 port, and Surface Connect for extendibility.

Microsoft introduced the Surface Book design in 2015, and although the model updated in 2016, it still looks the same, offering that proper keyboard, that innovative hinge that will let the screen sit at any angle, as well as offering a detachable 13.5-inch display. It measures 312.3 x 232.1 x 22.8mm and weighs 1.516kg or 1.647kg for the top i7 Performance Base model.

Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Display

• New Surface Pro (2017) has a 12.3-inch screen
• 2736 x 1824 pixel resolution, 267ppi

The new Surface Pro (2017) has the same size screen as its predecessor, the Surface Pro (2017) 4, measuring 12.3-inches diagonally. The resolution of the new model is 2736 x 1824 pixels, which results in a pixel density of 267ppi.

The Surface Laptop comes with a 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 resolution PixelSense display (3:2 aspect ratio). It’s touch-enabled with 3.4 million pixels for a sharp picture, and Microsoft is claiming it is the thinnest LCD touchscreen you’ll find on any device. 

The Surface Book features a 13.5-inch screen with a 3000 x 2000 resolution, which results in a pixel density of 267ppi. The laptop also has a 3:2 aspect ratio and uses Microsoft’s PixelSense tech. 

Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Hardware

• New Surface Pro (2017) has Intel Core 7th-gen
• RAM options between 4GB and 16GB depending on model
• New Surface Pro (2017) has 50 per cent more battery life

The new Surface Pro (2017) features Intel Core 7th-generation processors, The base model features the Core m3 Intel 7th-gen processor, configurable to a faster-yet Core i7 option. Meanwhile, RAM options come in abundance too: the entry-level Surface Pro (2017) has 4GB RAM, expandable up to 16GB. Its storage options start at 128GB SSD, through 256GB, 512GB, and even a maximum 1TB option.

There is also a microSD card slot on the new Surface Pro (2017), so paying the extra for the 1TB option might not be worthwhile for many. In terms of battery, the new Surface Pro (2017) is claimed to offer 50 per cent more than its predecessor, at 13.5 hours. There’s also an 8-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera on the Surface Pro (2017), which is capable of 1080p video recording.

The Surface Laptop is powered by the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 CPUs. Graphics-wise, it has Intel HD 620 or Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640. Impressively, Microsoft says you’ll get 14.5 hours of battery life. It’s also claimed that when the lid is closed and the laptop is in standby, it will drain no battery. It will be available with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB RAM, with an option of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB SSD for storage.

The Surface Book offers sixth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs with various RAM from 8GB to 16GB depending on your configuration. It starts with 128GB SSD, with options up to 1TB.  When it comes to GPU, the Surface Book has Intel HD graphics, but it’s also offering discrete GPUs – up to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M on the top i7 model.

Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Connections and ports

• No USB Type-C ports for the Surface Pro (2017)
• But it does have a headset jack

Microsoft did not give the Surface Pro (2017) any USB Type-C ports, contrary to speculation before Surface Pro (2017) was announced. But it does have a full-size USB 3.0 port, a microSD card reader, a Mini DisplayPort, one cover port, a headset jack, as well as Surface Connect.

Meanwhile, Surface Laptop has just one Mini DisplayPort, one USB 3.0 port, Surface Connect, and a headphone jack. And Surface Book features two USB 3.0 ports, a full-sized SD card reader, a Mini DisplayPort, a headset jack, and surface Connect. 

Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Software

• Surface Pro (2017) comes with Windows 10 Pro
• Provides access to everything from Office to Cortana

The new Surface Pro (2017) and Surface Book come with the latest Windows 10 Pro operating system. That means the full bevy of software – from Office to Cortana and beyond – is offered, plus they’ll run third-party apps. They also both offer an Office 365 30-day trial.

Surface Laptop runs Windows 10 S, a fully functional version of Windows that is meant to run smoothly on all hardware. The big catch is that it’s designed to only run verified apps from the Windows Store. You will not be able to download apps online and install them, so this version is sandboxed. But there aren’t any hardware restrictions on Windows 10 S, so again, it can run across a full range of devices.

Surface Pro (2017) vs Surface Laptop vs Surface Book: Price

• Surface Pro (2017): Starts at £799
• Surface Laptop: Starts at £979
• Surface Book: Starts at £1045 (Performance Base model starts at $2399)

The new Surface Pro (2017) (2017) will start at £799 and will ship on 15 June. Surface Laptop is available to pre-order in the UK now, with prices starting from £979 for the entry-level model. Microsoft said the laptop will start to ship 15 June. The Microsoft Surface Book starts at £1045 for the base model (though Performance Base model will start at $2399 and be available from November).

Warby Parker has an app that checks your eyes at home

Usually, completing a vision test for new glasses requires a trip to the optometrist and the glasses store. Newly announced technology could change that, however. Warby Parker, which started out as a try-before-you-buy mail-order eyeglasses company, is currently looking to use devices you already have in your home to help you get a new pair of glasses without having to drive to a doctor. If you have an expired vision prescription, you can use an iPhone, a computer and about 12 feet of space to find out if your vision has changed since your last exam.

You’ll need to download Warby Parker’s Prescription Check app to determine your eligibility, which means you’re between 18 and 40 and live in a state that has the company’s program (NY, CA, FL and VA so far). You also need to be a current Warby Parker customer, have no history of eye disease, have had a comprehensive exam within the last five years and only need a single-vision distance prescription (no bifocals, please). Oh, and your prescription can only have a current lens strength (SPH) between 0 and -6.0 and an astigmatism value (CYL) between 0 and -2.0.

If eligible, you’ll load up WarbyParker.com/Test and your phone and computer will pair up. Next, you’ll need to stand 12 feet away from the screen to take the basic vision test. When you’re finished, the app will send the results to an eye-doctor. If they’re the same as your previous prescription, the doctor will provide you an updated one to use for new frames from Warby Parker. If your vision has changed, you’ll get a referral to get a new exam at an optometrist. The company says the entire process takes about 20 minutes and that you’ll hear back on your results within 24 hours.

Warby Parker has been working on this technology since 2015, while other companies, like Smart Vision Labs, have found ways to use mobile phones for in-store eye exams in 2016. While it’s no substitute for a comprehensive eye exam if your vision has changed since your last one, those of us who just want to grab a new pair of frames based on a still-valid expired prescription can do so from the comfort of our own home.

Google’s $5,000 4K digital whiteboard goes on sale

It only took half a year, but Google’s first take on a digital whiteboard is finally available. Google has started selling the Jamboard in the US for $4,999 plus $600 per year for management and support ($300 if you buy one by the end of September). As before, it’s ultimately a 55-inch 4K display with collaborative cloud features at its heart. So long as you have a G Suite plan, both remote Jamboard and mobile tablet owners can draw and annotate as if they were in the room with you (phone users can follow along and enter data). You can also conduct presentations through Hangouts, and pull any files you need from the range of Google’s apps.

As we mentioned when Google unveiled the Jamboard back in October, it’s really a hardware manifestation of Google’s productivity apps — this is what happens when they all get a dedicated canvas. It’s a way of getting Google’s foot in the boardroom door, and could lure businesses that want an internet-savvy whiteboard but aren’t willing to fork over $9,000-plus for Microsoft’s Surface Hub before service costs are involved. You’re not going to have one at home, but it might become a mainstay in your office if you depend on Google and want some long-distance brainstorming.

Source: Google (1), (2)

Google expands family sharing to Calendars, Photos, YouTube TV, more

Why it matters to you

Families can be better informed and entertained thanks to new features in several of Google’s most popular apps.

Over the past several years, Google has made sharing apps and content with your family quite easy — and now it’s doing the same for Calendars, Photos, note-taking app Keep, and YouTube TV. The company announced a suite of family-focused features relating to some of its most popular apps on Tuesday, May 23.

First, Calendar. Creating a Family Group with a Google account now builds a separate calendar that any user who is part of that group can see and contribute to. Those outside your family cannot be added to that calendar, though you can still invite them to events.

As for Photos, a new Family Group item within the sharing menu will save you the trouble of having to individually select family members anytime you want to send images.

YouTube TV can now be linked to family accounts as well, for no additional cost. Up to five members can access YouTube TV and receive their own profiles, allowing them to keep their viewing history private from the rest of the group — however, only three can watch simultaneously. Even Cloud DVR content is kept sandboxed from other accounts.

Finally, Keep users will benefit from shared lists, reminders, and notes with other family members. Users outside the family can still be added to these notes — a home icon will designate which have been shared among the group.

It’s encouraging to see Google roll out family-sharing features beyond just apps. Coordinating events and keeping everyone up to date is one of the most frustrating tasks for any family, and Calendar and Keep integration should go a long way toward making that more convenient. Likewise, YouTube TV was built with sharing in mind, so extending it to family groups is a natural move.

According to Google, these features have started rolling out now in countries where Family Groups are already live: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. To learn how to start a group yourself, check out our handy guide.

Cats keep jumping on your countertops? This robot will scare them off

Why it matters to you

Cats jumping on your tabletop uninvited is annoying and unhygienic. This robot guardian will help teach them not to.

What is the cat’s natural adversary? If you replied “dog,” hang your head in shame! According to the creators of a new Indiegogo campaign there’s only one real answer — and it’s “robot.”

That’s the basis for a device called CatNani, a robot that promises to tirelessly guard the tables and countertops in your home; keeping a beady eye on your furry feline and scaring it off those surfaces by way of an ultrasonic warning — backed up by a quick burst of harmless citronella spray for good measure. Over a short period of time, the hope is that your cat will learn to respect its robot overlord and steer clear of climbing where it doesn’t belong.

A bit like the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, CatNani boasts some smart sensors it uses to get its job done. These include object-detection sensors, pet-location sensors, and all-important table-edge detectors, so your new robo-gatekeeper doesn’t plummet off his perch the moment you leave for work.

The team behind the project is almost comically overqualified for the task at hand — with the inventors coming from, or having done work for, companies including Amazon, Microsoft Research, and Facebook, and having an assortment of deep learning-based image recognition qualifications to back up their dream of cat-free kitchen surfaces.

Right now, the product is available for pre-order on Indiegogo, where a CatNani unit will set you back $55, with a proposed shipping date of January 2018.

Sadly (for us, not the cats) the product may take a bit longer than that to come to fruition. So far, CatNani’s campaign has raised a whopping $330 against a target fundraising goal of an optimistic $500,000, with just 14 days left on the clock. While we fully appreciate that anti-cat robots are something of a niche product, we don’t think it deserves that kind of disappointing fate.

Let’s hope that CatNani has eight more lives left after this one …

Turn your regular AC unit into a smarter one with the Ambi Climate 2

Why it matters to you

Summer is coming, and while you may not want to replace your whole AC unit, you probably want to buy this small device that is meant to boost its performance.

If there’s one appliance in your home that would benefit from a little intelligence, it’s probably your AC unit. After all, keeping your house at the right temperature, especially during the hottest months of the year, is no small task, and one that requires some brains. Luckily, Ambi Climate has plenty of smarts to go around, now that it’s introduced its second model, the Ambi Climate 2.

Described as an AI-enhanced air conditioning tool, this smart home device monitors more than just your home’s temperature. Rather, it takes into consideration a whole host of factors that ultimately affect the comfort of your internal environment, including humidity, sunlight, time of day, and the outside weather.

So why is this important? You see, while your body temperature is constantly in flux, your AC unit (inanimate object that it is), generally is not. That means that you, hapless soul, are constantly adjusting your AC to meet your ever-changing needs, which can certainly become a nuisance when those adjustments have to happen at 2 a.m.

But the Ambi Climate 2 wants to put an end to all that. “In order to deliver an optimal environment, Ambi Climate needs to learn what is comfortable for you,” the team explains on its Kickstarter page. “This is done using machine learning techniques and A.I. technology. You’ll need to help Ambi Climate learn by giving feedback about your comfort in different seasons and times.”

Using the system’s companion app, you can constantly provide feedback to the smart system, helping reduce overheating and overcooling issues over time. And in addition to the data that you provide, Ambi Climate will also use its multiple sensors to automatically adjust the temperature based on a variety of considerations. This, the team says, could help you reduce your energy bill by up to 30 percent.

The best part about the Ambi Climate is that it’s not a brand-new AC unit — rather, it’s a tool that can be paired with your existing appliance, indeed making it smarter. Simply place it in clear view of your AC, download the Ambi Climate app, pair the device with your AC unit, and make use of those brains.

You can pre-order an Ambi Climate now from Kickstarter for $90, with an estimated delivery date in June.

Intel-based Chromebooks fall behind when running Android apps

Why it matters to you

If you’re choosing a new Chromebook and care about Android app performance, then consider an ARM-based model.

Google’s Chromebook platform is getting a real shot in the arm with the impending widespread arrival of Android app support. Some newer Chromebooks are already supported, while most older machines have not yet received the necessary bits.

While many Chromebooks will eventually be able to run Android apps, some new research is indicating that not all of them will provide the same experience. Specifically, Chromebooks built around ARM processors will provide better Android app performance than the generally faster Chromebooks based on Intel processors.

The information comes via Shrout Research, which tested the performance of Android apps on two Acer Chromebooks, the R13 and the R11, which differ primarily in which processor is utilized. The R13 uses the Mediatek M81732C ARM processor, while the R11 uses the Intel Celeron N3060 CPU. A variety of Android apps were downloaded from the Google Play Store and then their performance tested in terms of startup time, stability, and battery life.

According to the tests, the ARM-based R13 provided a consistently “good” or “very good” experience on every tested app. The Intel-based R11, however, had a few apps that provided “poor” or “very bad” experiences, with some stuttering, long load times, and general instability on even more apps.

Shrout Research

In addition, the R13 was more power-efficient when running Android apps. On average, 11.5 percent power savings were realized by using an ARM versus an Intel processor.

Shrout Research

These results should come as no surprise, given that Android apps are written and optimized for ARM processors. Running them on Intel-based systems, therefore, provides a wider range of functionality for Chromebook users but creates some performance issues.

Generally speaking, Intel-based Chromebooks provide superior Chrome OS performance. But they do fall a bit behind when running the full range of Android apps, something that those still waiting for Android support should keep in mind.

Verizon CEO confirms it is preparing its own live-TV streaming service

Why it matters to you

Cable-cutting seems like it is here to stay and Verizon will be joining the fray, trying to court you to its upcoming service.

As if we didn’t already have enough options for live-TV streaming services, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam confirmed during a telecom conference that the cell carrier plans to launch its own over-the-top (OTT) TV streaming service in the near future.

Verizon is currently closing an acquisition deal with Yahoo, which is expected to be finalized in June. Once that deal is signed and Verizon takes over Yahoo and AOL, McAdam says the company plans to use the two platforms and their combined 1.3 billion users to test this future streaming service.

While this is a major move for the company, it won’t be Verizon’s first streaming service. Go90 is the company’s on-demand video service, functioning similarly to Netflix or Hulu. You would be forgiven for having never heard of it, though. The service has been unable over its nearly two years of life to attain a userbase to go toe-to-toe with the various other on-demand services out there. Despite this, Verizon has made numerous investments into original content for the service despite its smaller share of the market in hopes of drawing more users. It even carries content from high-profile internet content creators like Rooster Teeth, Vice, Funny Or Die, Elite Daily, and more. Further, thanks to an exclusivity deal, NFL games can be streamed on the service.

Sadly, these strategies haven’t worked, with Go90 facing recent layoffs and even going through major overhauls. Despite the previous rocky path of video streaming for Verizon, having 1.3 billion potential testers for a future service seems like a good place to start. Should original content and perks like NFL streaming show up on Verizon’s upcoming service, it could pose as competition to what os out there now, including YouTube TV, Hulu, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue, SlingTV… did we miss any?

We do not know when the service will be officially launched but since it depends on the finalization of the Yahoo deal in June, we don’t expect Verizon to announce anything until after that time.

The world’s largest floating solar power plant just went online in China

Why it matters to you

This sprawling, floating solar power plant could change the way other nations design city centers.

China has announced that the largest floating photovoltaic (PV) facility on earth has finally been completed and connected to the local power grid. Long reviled for its carbon emission record, this is the Chinese government’s latest achievement in its ongoing effort to lead the world in renewable energy adoption.

Located in the city of Huainan in the Anhui province, the 40-megawatt facility was created by PV inverter manufacturer Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ironically, the floating grid itself was constructed over a flooded former coal-mining region.

Floating solar farms are becoming increasingly popular around the world because their unique design addresses multiple efficiency and city planning issues. These floating apparatuses free up land in more populated areas and also reduce water evaporation. The cooler air at the surface also helps to minimize the risk of solar cell performance atrophy, which is often related to long-term exposure to warmer temperatures.

This is just the first of many solar energy operations popping up around China. In 2016, the country unveiled a similar 20MW floating facility in the same area. China is also home to the Longyangxia Dam Solar Park, a massive 10-square-mile, land-based facility touted as the largest solar power plant on earth.

This transition to solar is in large part due to the rapidly plummeting cost of the technology itself. By 2020, China could reduce prices offered to PV developers by more than a third with solar power plants projected to rival coal facilities within a decade. The nation has also announced plans to increase its use of non-fissile fuel energy sources by 20 percent.

An annual report released by NASA and NOAA determined that 2016 was the warmest year on record globally, marking the third year in a row in which a new record was set for global average surface temperatures. That said, if we as a species hope to reverse this dire trend, initiatives like this and others will need to be adopted around the globe.

Hackers manage to fool the Galaxy S8’s iris scanner with a photo

Why it matters to you

While your Samsung Galaxy S8’s iris scanner still has plenty of security, it can be tricked with an elaborate ruse.

Germany’s venerable Chaos Computer Club (CCC) takes no prisoners — especially when it comes to smartphone security. After successfully fooling a fingerprint sensor using high-resolution images of a hand, specialized computer software, and a standard printer last year, the hacker collective set their sights on a new target: The Galaxy S8’s iris scanner.

In a video released on Monday, the white-hat team of hackers demonstrated how Samsung Galaxy S8’s iris sensor, supplied by security firm Princeton Identity, can be tricked into unlocking the phone with a cropped picture of a person’s irises and a pair of contact lenses. After toying around with the photo’s brightness and color contrast, printing out a high-resolution copy, and placing the contact lenses on top of the print, the CCC was able to unlock the Galaxy S8.

It was a little more challenging than it seems. In a blog post, CCC spokesperson Dirk Engling conceded that most selfies won’t fool the Galaxy S8’s iris scanner — a hacker would have to capture a person’s iris with a digital camera in night-shot mode or the infrared filter removed.

“In the infrared light spectrum — usually filtered in cameras — the fine, normally hard to distinguish [sic] details of the iris of dark eyes are well recognizable,” Engling wrote. “[We were] able to demonstrate that a good digital camera with 200mm-lens at a distance of up to five meters is sufficient to capture suitably good pictures to fool iris recognition systems.”

Still, the CCC’s workaround would appear to contradict Samsung and Princeton Identity’s messaging. In marketing materials, Samsung’s highlighted the Galaxy S8’s iris scanner as a “secure” alternative to PINs and passcodes. In an interview with Business Insider in April, Princeton CEO Mark Clifton characterized the Galaxy S8’s iris scanner as “better” than the FBI’s fingerprinting technology.

“[The FBI] uses 13 points of identification per fingerprint, so with all 10 finger you might have 130 unique identifiers,” Clifton said. “[The] Galaxy S8’s iris scanner can register up to 200 identifying features from a single iris.”

It is not the first time the CCC has demonstrated flaws in iris-scanning technologies. In March, the group fooled a commercial system with a 75-pixel image of an iris printed at a resolution of 1,200 dpi (dots per inch).

“If you value the data on your phone, and possibly want to even use it for payment, using the traditional PIN-protection is a safer approach than using body features for authentication,” Engling said.