Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro review: A great phone with one major drawback

Samsung gets a lot of things right with the Galaxy C7 Pro, but outdated software and a high price prevent the phone from achieving greatness.

The Indian handset segment saw a lot of changes over the last two years. One of the key trends was the influx of Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Lenovo, which siphoned off market share from local manufacturers. Chinese brands now account for 50% of all handset sales in the country, and that number is only set to increase as competition intensifies and new players make their entry.

In all this time, the one constant has been Samsung. The South Korean manufacturer not only managed to retain its position as the number one phone brand in the country, but it also successfully increased its market share. The reason it was able to do so was because of its competitiveness across key segments — the Galaxy S series and Galaxy A series targeted the high-end and mid-tier categories, whereas the Galaxy J and Galaxy On series catered to budget buyers.

While the Galaxy S series undoubtedly occupies a majority of the mindshare, it is the Galaxy J series that leads the way for Samsung in India — over the last two years, Samsung sold tens of millions of devices in this segment, allowing the brand to solidify its position as the leading smartphone vendor in the country.

That leaves us with the Galaxy C series. The lineup sits one tier below the Galaxy A series, and there are a few key differences — the Galaxy C7 Pro isn’t water-resistant, and there’s no Samsung Pay. The upside is that the C7 Pro is available for ₹25,990, or ₹7,500 less than the Galaxy A7 2017. Does the C7 Pro have what it takes to hold its own in a segment that’s dominated by the OnePlus 3 and 3T?

Let’s find out.

About this review

I (Harish Jonnalagadda) am writing this review after using the Galaxy C7 Pro for two weeks in Hyderabad, India, on Airtel’s 4G network. The phone came with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box and picked up the May 1, 2017 security update midway through the review.

Metalhead

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Hardware

Samsung has been offering gorgeous metal-and-glass designs with the Galaxy S series for a few generations now, with the Galaxy S8+ showcasing the best that the manufacturer has to offer. The Galaxy A series offers a similar design ethos with a glass back, but with the Galaxy C series, the company went with an all-metallic chassis that looks great.

The front of the phone is dominated by a large 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display. It’s not a QHD panel like the Galaxy S8, but it makes up for it with vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. Having used the C7 Pro after the Galaxy S8, I didn’t notice any major issues with the panel.

The earpiece sits above the display and is flanked by the front camera and the notification LED. There’s a Samsung logo underneath the earpiece for good measure, and you get a physical home button with an embedded fingerprint sensor that lets you store three prints. As always, the multitasking key is to the left of the home button, with the back button located to the right.

The power button is located on the right, and the SIM card tray is located right underneath. The C7 Pro has a hybrid SIM card slot, which means you can use a single SIM card along with a microSD card, or two SIM cards. The volume buttons are to the left of the device, and they offer decent travel. The phone features a USB-C port at the bottom, flanked by a 3.5mm jack and a microphone to the left and a speaker to the right. There’s a secondary microphone located at the top of the phone.

The Galaxy C7 Pro is built like a tank.

Round the back, the C7 Pro has antenna lines that run across the top and bottom of the device. The camera sits in the middle and protrudes slightly from the surface of the phone. While the C7 Pro may lack the design aesthetic of the Galaxy S8, it is built like a tank. It certainly feels much more durable than Samsung’s current flagship, and the build quality is top-notch, as one would expect in this segment.

The phone is available in two color options — gold and navy blue, and the blue variant looks better thanks to the all-black front plate. The gold version has matching accents for the earpiece and the fingerprint sensor at the front, giving the phone an added visual flair.

The highlight of the C7 Pro is its svelte profile, with the phone coming in at a thickness of 7mm. The sleek chassis makes it comfortable to hold the phone, but its sheer size makes it difficult for one-handed use.

Performance

The Galaxy C7 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 626 — the same chipset as the Moto Z2 Play. There’s 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, and Samsung’s memory management is still way too aggressive, closing down apps in the background with wild abandon.

The Snapdragon 626 is more than adequate for everyday use, and while you’ll notice the odd stutter in visually intensive games, there are no issues with day-to-day performance when using the device.

Continuing in the same vein, the 3,300mAh battery on the C7 Pro easily lasts a day on a full charge.

Burn it down

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Software

If you’ve used a Samsung phone in the last two years, the UI on offer with the C7 Pro will feel right at home regarding the sheer number of features available. The interface itself has picked up a fresh coat of paint, and it looks much more modern. The phone also offers an always-on display mode that shows the time, date, and unread notification icons.

The leftmost home screen is taken up by Flipboard, but it can be disabled if you’re not a fan of the Briefing feature. There’s a standard app drawer, and Samsung continues to offer horizontal scrolling for the launcher. You’ll be able to sort apps alphabetically or in your own order. There’s also a blue light filter, which is useful when viewing the screen at night, and you also get a theming engine that allows you to customize the look of the UI.

The main drawback with the Galaxy C7 Pro is that it’s still running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. In mid-2017, there really isn’t an excuse to not offer Nougat out of the box, particularly in this segment. Samsung has done a great job of rolling out the Nougat update to its high-end devices in the country — India is usually one of the first markets to pick up the update for the Galaxy S series — but the company continues to ignore its mid-range offerings.

In mid-June, there’s no mention of when the Nougat update will be available for the device. That said, Samsung offers a ton of features out of the box, including a multi-window mode, one-handed mode, ability to lock apps with your fingerprint with S Folder, S Health, power-saving features, and much more. And unlike the Galaxy S8, you can quickly launch the camera by double pressing the home button.

Reverse Batman

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Camera

The Galaxy C7 Pro has a 16-megapixel camera at the back that features an f/1.9 lens and PDAF along with a dual-tone LED flash. Samsung offers multiple shooting modes, including a food mode that makes objects in the foreground stand out. There’s also a panorama mode, a night mode, HDR, and a manual mode that lets you adjust the ISO, white balance, and exposure settings.

Images taken with the C7 Pro tend to look good for the most part — photos in daylight conditions offer a lot of detail and accurate colors. The camera struggles in low-light conditions, taking too long to dial in on a subject. The front 16MP camera is decent as long as you’re sharing images on social media.

It is what it is

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Bottom line

The Galaxy C7 Pro has a lot of strong points — the build quality is great, the Full HD AMOLED display is excellent, the overall performance is adequate, and the battery life is amazing. The lack of Nougat is a major downside, and it doesn’t look like an update is forthcoming for the device any time soon.

There’s no Samsung Pay as well, a noticeable omission considering it is available on the Galaxy A5 and A7. The C7 Pro is tailored for multimedia, and in that role the phone excels. The large screen is great for viewing content, and the battery life ensures that the phone lasts a full day.

Should you buy it? Your call

It would’ve made a lot of sense for Samsung to release the Galaxy C7 Pro offline. After all, the manufacturer can leverage its distribution network to boost sales of the device at offline stores, making it a viable contender to what OPPO and Vivo have to offer in this segment.

However, that isn’t the case. The C7 Pro is up for sale on Amazon India, where it is going up against the likes of the OnePlus 3T. The phone doesn’t offer nearly as much value as the OnePlus 3T, but Samsung is targeting the likes of the Moto Z2 Play with the C7 Pro. Samsung’s offering wins out in that context, offering much better display and class-leading battery life.

See at Amazon India

Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 go official in India: Everything you need to know

Here’s what you need to know about Nokia’s Android phones in India.

Nokia’s phones have always been well-received in India, and while the brand’s Windows Phones sold relatively well, customers have been clamoring for a Nokia-branded phone running Android for several years now. Thankfully, the wait is finally over.

At a media event in New Delhi, HMD Global — the company that has exclusive rights to the Nokia brand — has launched the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 in the country. The Nokia 3 will go up for sale initially, and will be followed by the Nokia 5 and the Nokia 6. There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s get started.

What are the specs?

Before talking about pricing and availability, it’s important to take a look at what’s on offer with the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6. Here’s the detailed spec sheet:

Nokia hasn’t made too many customizations to the Android skin, so you’ll get an experience that’s not too different from pure Android. In a country flooded by Chinese handsets with overly complex skins, Nokia’s approach is a breath of fresh air, and makes its devices that much more enticing. Nokia is also promising timely updates for its phones, which is welcome news.

How much do the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 cost?

Here’s the breakdown of how much Nokia’s Android phones will cost in the country:

• Nokia 3: ₹9,499
• Nokia 5: ₹12,899
• Nokia 6: ₹14,999

HMD Global is made up of veterans from Nokia and Microsoft, and they have a clear understanding of what works in the Indian market. Nokia’s brand name by itself is a strong pull for millions of customers in the country, and by aggressively pricing its products, the manufacturer is looking to make a statement.

Although the devices don’t offer the same value for money as Xiaomi’s phones — the Redmi Note 4 has a Snapdragon 625 and is more affordable — Nokia’s brand cachet combined with a pure Android experience should be more than enough to convince customers to pay up.

Where will I be able to buy the new Nokias?

Nokia is exploring different availability options for its latest phones — the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 will be sold exclusively offline, whereas the Nokia 6 will be available only on Amazon India.

Nokia has 400 exclusive distributors that cover over 80,000 retail stores, which means that you will be able to walk into any retail store and have a good chance of finding a Nokia device for sale. All of Nokia’s devices, including its feature phones, will be manufactured locally in India.

After-sales service will be handled by Nokia Mobile Care, which offers pickup and drop facility in over 100 cities, with service centers located in over 300 cities.

When will I be able to buy the new Nokias?

Nokia is kicking things off with the Nokia 3 initially, which will be available for pre-booking starting June 16. Nokia 5, on the other hand, will be available for pre-booking from July 7. The Nokia 6 will be exclusively sold on Amazon India, and will be available from July 14.

What are your thoughts on the pricing of the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and the Nokia 6 in India?

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: Much more than an elite Chromebook competitor

Microsoft’s hardware division has gone from strength to strength over the last few years: from the Surface Pro, which has defined the high-end 2-in-1 space in its refined fifth-gen form; to the heavyweight Surface Book, which has enough grunt to keep MacBook Pro owners sheepishly quiet; to the Surface Studio and its command of the high-end creative space.

Its latest, the Surface Laptop, is supposedly pitched at the education sector. It’s also the device to champion the stripped back Windows 10 S operating system – which cannot install full executable files, only downloads from the Windows Store, almost like “Windows RT version 2” – positioning it almost as an elite Chromebook competitor. Its £979 starting price, however, puts it at odds with more affordable Chromebooks and might be a hard ask for cash-strapped students.

Can such a price be justified for what may be seen as a hampered Windows device? We’ve been using the Surface Laptop over a long weekend and have a different take: with Windows 10 Pro installed (for free), this stylised and really well built laptop is one of the best Windows machines we’ve seen in some time. It’s not just for the education market, and it’s not the most logical launch bed for Windows 10 S, but here’s why the Surface Laptop can be great.

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: Design

• 308 x 223.2 x 14.5mm; 1.25kgs
• Metal body design with Alcantara keyboard surround
• 1x USB, 1x mini DisplayPort, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack

There’s no denying the Surface Laptop is a gorgeous looking device. With Microsoft now five generations into its Surface Pro line, the company has learned lessons in refinement, producing an iconic statement piece, which is equally apparent in the Laptop.

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From the rear silver four-panel Microsoft logo, to the grey marl (so-called “platinum”) Alcantara material keyboard surround, or the speakers being hidden from sight beneath the fabric, to the USB port being painted in the same finish as the metal body – everything looks seamless and is made to a high standard.

There are small touches of elegance which preside, too, such as the ability to open the Laptop’s lid with one finger without needing to hold the device down. That might sound like something barely worth raving about, but this is design and user experience at the cutting edge.

Port-wise the Surface Laptop apes its Surface Pro cousin. There’s a full-size USB 3.0 port, with a mini DisplayPort slot neighbouring. And that’s about it. No SD card slot, and no USB Type-C port to be found here – which isn’t very forward-thinking given where the market it going. There is, however, a 3.5mm headphones jack, so no fear there.

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The decision to use full-size USB is one that we welcome though. It also means the Laptop is a tad chunkier than its ultra-slim competition – at 14.5mm, thinning to 9mm at the front edge – but that also means more space for battery. And in a laptop that’s aimed at the education market, longevity is a key point.

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: What is Windows 10 S?

• Windows 10 S can be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro for free in 2017
• 10 S means Windows Store apps only can be installed, no EXE files
• One year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 included

We do think that Windows 10 S is at odds with the high-end design. Just as Microsoft was beginning to streamline its operating system product, it’s gone and taken a step backwards by muddying the waters once more in this version. To explain: when Windows 8 launched it came with a Windows RT option, also a “streamlined” version with apps only available from the Store, meaning full-on executable file apps weren’t available. It didn’t last, because it was no good. And in its absence Windows 10 has been left to run freely, in full or tablet modes. Windows 10 S is like the second coming of RT.

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However, Windows 10 S looks and operates much like Windows 10, so discerning one from the other might not be immediately obvious. That means it’s a perfectly usable system – the main difference for us has been more pop-up alerts from apps – but we soon ran into a brick wall because of the application install limitations. There’s no full Photoshop in 10 S, for example, and no Google Chrome at all – meaning Microsoft Edge and its Bing default search are left to rule the roost. Capable apps can be packaged and distributed via Windows Store, but right now a number of big ones aren’t. Also, Store is a total mess to search through.

• What is Windows 10 S?

So why does 10 S exist? Well, Microsoft says it is more secure, streamlined for performance and extra quick to login. That final point is a would-be bonus, but it’s not always true. Yes, the software is instantly available between short sessions and  Windows Hello cameras make for a super-fast login. But with the lid closed for a longer periods, however, Windows 10 S goes into sleep mode, which takes over 10 seconds before revealing the login screen, sometimes longer when it fails to quickly jump out of sleep until various buttons are mashed to prompt it.

The point about 10 S’s performance might ring true on a more limited spec machine, but with a seventh-gen Intel Core i5 processor at the Surface Laptop’s heart (and that’s its entry spec), that point feels entirely moot here. This is Microsoft’s Google Pixel moment: the Laptop is a machine more powerful than its supposed needs.

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Another point worth making is the Surface Laptop comes with a year’s subscription to Microsoft Office 365. The software runs really well – indeed, we’re writing this review in Word, but of course – and delivers some new features across the suite, such as fluid transitions between PowerPoint slides, side-by-side comparison of documents in Word, and the ability for Excel to pull in data from online sources, such as Wikipedia.

Interestingly, Windows 10 S can be upgraded to 10 Pro for free throughout 2017, meaning full executable file installs without limitations. By 2018 that upgrade will cost $49 (likely £49, but UK pricing is TBC at the time of writing). It’s as if the Laptop is a test bed for the stripped-back operating system; as if Microsoft knows that Pro is the better option, hence dangling that carrot from the off. Our advice would be to upgrade to Pro, but each to their own.

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: Display

• 13.5-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio LCD with Gorilla Glass protection
• PixelSense display for 2256 x 1504 resolution (201ppi)
• 10-point touch control; Surface Pen compatible (not included)

One area where the Surface Laptop is undeniably pro is in its screen. The 13.5-inch panel has been squeezed into a body that feels smaller, thanks to relatively trim bezels – although we’ve seen even more trim ones on Dell’s Infinity Display XPS laptops.

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This Surface’s resolution is high – that’s what the “PixelSense” marketing term is more than hinting at – for greater-than HD visuals. You could edit a 1080p video at pixel-to-pixel scale with editing tools surrounding it, for example… well, if you can find suitable Windows Store-sourced software to do so in Windows 10 S.

Windows laptops are increasingly offering the power of touch, and the Surface Laptop is no exception: it has 10-point touch and, if you have or want to buy a Surface Pen for £100, then it’s stylus compatible (although there’s nowhere logical to store one, which is irksome). We’ve been using the touch feature in conjunction with the keyboard more than we had anticipated – it’s more efficient for scrolling through documents than gestures on the trackpad, we’ve found.

Like in the Surface Pro, the Laptop uses a slightly reflective coating which is its only notable display drawback. It’s not mirror-like in its reflective qualities, but you’ll catch a glimpse of your own face more often than not when there’s surrounding daylight sources. Fortunately there’s ample brightness to cut through any potential issue this could cause when using the Laptop outside.

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: Typing and trackpad

• Alcantara material keyboard surround
• Full-sized keys with backlighting

There are some superficial similarities between Surface Laptop and a Surface Pro with Type Cover keyboard – especially because the former uses the latest generation Alcantara material surround, which looks much like the latest Surface Pro covers. Don’t try and remove the Laptop’s keyboard covering, though, or you’ll end up trying to rip the laptop in half.

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That material finish feels lush on the wrists – there’s none of that cutting-in sensation that’s part and parcel of every Apple MacBook – which makes for comfortable prolonged use.

How such material will survive over a long period of time, however, we can’t say. We’ve seen Alcantara used in higher-end car trims before now, because it’s designed to be resistant of stains, scuffs and marks. It’s not foolproof, though, so don’t go chucking a can of Coke all over it.

As a typing experience, we’ve moved from MacBook Air to Surface Laptop like a duck to water. The keys have the right amount of travel, aren’t too clacky, and are well spaced. The backlight is a nice touch, too, although it deactivates after next to no time. The keys’ only real drawback is how plasticky they feel, which might sound like a bizarre complaint when almost all laptop keys are made of plastic – but they’re the most plastic-in-feel plastic keys we’ve used.

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The same can be said of the trackpad: it doesn’t offer the high-end glass-topped finish of some higher-end laptops. It works fine, has a nice shallow depth to its click, and sits almost flush to the Alcantara surround. Its coating is a well judged balance between the right degree of resistance and smoothness.

Microsoft Surface Laptop review: Performance and battery life

• Seventh-generation Intel Kaby Lake processor options
• Intel Core i5 with 4GB/8GB RAM or Core i7 with 8GB/16GB RAM
• 128GB-256GB SSD for i5, 256GB-512GB for i7

As we said earlier, as an introduction to Windows 10 S the Surface Laptop is an overpowerful machine. The entry-level model comes with a seventh-gen (Kaby Lake) Intel Core i5 processor, clocked at 2.5GHz, with 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD, priced at £979.

Our review model is one step above that: the Core i5 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, priced £1,249. Go up the ranks and the Core i7 models are priced at £1,549 with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, and £2,149 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Which is a heck of a lot of cash.

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For our money the Core i5 models make the best sense. Our review machine is fanless and therefore silent in operation, which is a great feature. It does get a little hot under the base, which might warm up your left leg a little when on the lap, but it’s not going to scorch any skin.

What you can do with that power under the hood is likely to depend on which version of Windows you opt to use. Now, 10 S isn’t entirely redundant, given some Microsoft/Xbox titles are available on the Windows Store, including the likes of Gears of War 4. In that sense, if you’re looking for the best experience, the higher power machines do make sense, even without discrete graphics options (which is where the Surface Book makes better sense).

We’ve used the Surface Laptop with Windows 10 S for this review in order to explore that experience. It’s meant we couldn’t do everything we’ve needed, given the lack of full Adobe Suite, but otherwise the performance has been sprightly.

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It’s long-lasting, too, thanks to Windows 10 S’s power management. Hit the battery symbol and there’s a slider to select between “battery saver” and “best performance” (“recommended” and “better performance” straddle in-between options). As battery saver switches off the keyboard backlight and limits the screen’s maximum brightness we’ve been switching between the other three options for the main part, as required.

And just how long can you expect to get out of a Surface Laptop? Our Core i5 review model gave us nine hours of use and was still sat at 50 per cent battery. That time included downloading apps, using Slack, Word, Edge, Mail, and some streaming – so nothing heavyweight, but such longevity outperforms the Laptop’s quoted 14 and a half hours of life.

Go a little heavier in use and it still performs well. We streamed a three hour YouTube video at maximum resolution, with brightness turned up to full and speaker volume at around 50 per cent and still had 63 per cent battery remaining. We’d call that capable of nine hours of streaming duties, or more for on-device video, which is good innings. It’s miles ahead of the Surface Pro’s abilities.

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Maybe Windows 10 S does show its dues thanks to battery management then. And if you’re using the Surface Laptop in an education context then, well, that’s going to be a critical feature.

Verdict

The Microsoft Surface Book is a really interesting laptop. It’s gorgeous to look at, incredibly well built… and comes with a hampered version of Windows and all costs a fairly considerable sum of money. In that regard it’s going to be mis-matched for the education sector at which it is pitched.

However, upgrade to Windows 10 Pro – which is free throughout 2017 – and the Surface Laptop is a powerful, silent operator with an excellent screen and decent battery life. We’d opt for one over the entry-level Surface Pro because, pound for pound, you get more for your money in a better-looking package – if you’re specifically after a laptop, anyway.

But money is the issue here, because the Surface Laptop is far from cheap. Which, depending on the context in which it’s viewed, isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. As an elite Chromebook competitor it falls into the same overpriced ground as Google’s Chromebook Pixel did some years ago. Viewed as an out-and-out everyday laptop or MacBook rival, however, and the Surface Laptop is a potentially fantastic machine for many.

If we were going to buy a Windows machine tomorrow it would be the Surface Laptop. It’s only the out-the-box software version that gets in the way in our view, but that’s easily rectified.

The alternatives to consider…

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Apple MacBook Pro

Not a Windows fan? The obvious opposite to the Surface Laptop is Apple’s MacBook Pro.

Read the full article: MacBook Pro (2016) review

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Microsoft Surface Pro 4

With the new Surface Pro just around the corner, now might be a good time to grab a Surface Pro 4 bargain. With a hinge for versatile use, this tablet transforms into a production centre if you buy a Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen stylus.

Read the full article: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review

Logitech unveils Circle 2, a versatile, flexible and secure connected camera

Launching at the end of July is the Logitech Circle 2, the updated version of the original Logitech Circle connected camera. This next generation of Circle camera is touted as being more versatile and flexible than the previous model.

Logitech explained that it has listened to users of the original camera as well as catering for the needs and wants of customers. This results in an adjusted design to suit all those requirements.

What does that mean for the new camera? More options, to begin with.

The Circle 2 will be available in both wired and wireless formats, to be used and moved more easily around the home. It’s also going to be weatherproof and waterproof, said to withstand all kinds of conditions and temperatures down to minus 20-degrees Celsius and up to as much as 50-degrees.

The new design also means the Circle 2 can now be used as an indoor or outdoor camera and can be installed in a variety of ways.

One of the main selling points of the camera is its flexibility and versatility. You can now also purchase a number of accessories to aid installation around the home. Wall mounts, plug socket mounts, a rechargeable battery housing, weatherproof outdoor cabling and even a window mount are available.

The wireless version of the Circle 2 uses a battery housing and special sensors, giving it a battery life of up to three months before it needs recharging. In this format, the camera only records when it detects movement, then turns off after a short while until movement is detected again. This allows Circle 2 to be much more efficient and long-lasting than its younger brother.

The camera itself has also had various upgrades, including an improved speaker to enhance your two-way communication experience, a wider-angle lens to show a full 180-degree view of the room or area it is installed in and improved connectivity.

The Circle 2 will now work with Logitech Pop, Apple Homekit and Amazon Echo, meaning there is plenty of IoT connectivity and a wealth of flexibility for how you get your smart home devices working for you.

The new camera is compatible with the current app and will work alongside the original Circle camera too, so there’s no need to ditch old for new.

There are improvements to zoom levels within the app and an auto-enhancement functionality to improve image quality when you’re zooming, as well as an 8x digital zoom.

Like the previous model, the new Logitech offers 24-hour playback of recorded footage for free.

If you require more footage you’ll need to pay for the Circle Safe subscription which comes in two levels (basic and premium) offering 14-days or 31-days video storage respectively. Circle Safe Premium also has the same benefits for person detection and motion zones that feature on the current Circle camera.

The Circle 2 will be available for £169 for the wired version and £199 for wireless. Accessories start from £25.99, going up to £51.99. 

This amazing photo leak shows iPhone 7s/iPhone 8 panels

Some photos published to Reddit, from a user with a “friend in the industry”, allegedly show the front and rear panels of all three iPhone models due for release later this year. The Reddit user says the Chinese manufacturers received the panels the week commencing 5 June.

• Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus: What’s the story so far?

The images give a clearer look of the iPhone 8 than the two iPhone 7s models, and they support several rumours we’ve heard before that say the iPhone 8 will have an edge-to-edge display. The front panel clearly shows no space for a home button, and there’s no cut out on the rear panel either. This support claims that the iPhone 8 will have an embedded Touch ID fingerprint sensor and home button in the display. The rear panel also shows a vertical cut out for the rear camera, with the actual camera module having a small cut out between the lenses for a flash. On the front, a small section at the top for the front-facing camera, sensors and microphone is the only thing to interrupt the edge-to-edge display.The only glimpse we get of the iPhone 7s models from the pictures is of the top of the rear panels. They show camera cut outs, which suggest the Plus model will again receive a dual camera, but the regular iPhone 7s will stick with a single camera lens. It’s not completely clear from the photos if the iPhone 7s rear panels are made from glass, which they’re expected to be to support wireless charging.

• Apple iPhone 8 in pictures: Renders and leaked photos
• These iPhone 8 renders claim to fully reveal the phone’s design
• Do these leaked iPhone 8 drawings reveal the phone’s final design?

All three iPhones should be unveiled at Apple’s September event, however the iPhone 8 isn’t expected to launch at the same time as its 7s siblings due to supply issues with the OLED panels and embedded Touch ID sensors.

The History of the Selfie: 10 defining selfies from the Self-Expression exhibition

Selfies are so, well, now, aren’t they? Whether you favour a duck-like pout or want to snap yourself in every conceivable location, you’re just fashionably current.

Except the selfie has actually been around for centuries. True, it was called the self-portrait then and involved oil paints and canvas back then, but today’s self-portraitists can still find inspiration from the masters. A current exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, in collaboration with Huawei focuses on the selfie. It’s called From Selfie to Self-Expression, Here are what we think are 10 of the best selfies from the exhibition. 

Vincent Van Gogh Self-Portrait with bandaged ear

The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London

Vincent Van Gogh painted himself in 1889, bandage across mutilated ear and all. No, no, we’re not suggesting you go for the bandaged look, let alone what lurks beneath it, but check out the colours – wearing strong greens or even a fur hat in blue make for bold choices, which is what you need in a striking selfie.

Many phones have filters you can add to your camera so you can see, real-time – what effect it will have on your photo. The Huawei P10 has nine filters to choose from, including Impact, Original, Blue, Nostalgia and Sentimental. Surely one of those would have appealed to Vincent?

Barack Obama selfie with Danish Prime Minister

Courtesy ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

There are also selfies of a more conventional kind, like the famous one of Barack Obama, David Camera on and Danish PM Helen Thorning-Schmidt crowding into the selfie they took at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. Of course, the famous picture is a photo of a selfie rather than the selfie itself. And it brings home that for many phones you have to squeeze in together to get everybody in shot. The Huawei P10 has a smart selfie camera, made in conjunction with Leica. If it sees more than one person is there, it switches to a wide-angle mode so everybody’s there, with no crowding!

Hillary Clinton Group Selfie

Barbara Kinney/Hillary for America

Talking about crowding, take a look at this one of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton posing so everybody else can take a selfie with her. That’s proof that the self-portrait is here to stay. And the Leica front camera on the P10 would have worked well for any of the snappers in this shot. What’s more, the selfie camera has portrait-friendly extras which can enhance skin tone – well you want to look your best next to Hillary Clinton, don’t you? It can also soften the background and enhance the lighting.

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch jumps behind U2 at the 86th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California

Courtesy Mike Blake / Reuters

Of course, there’s still room for photobombing, like when actor Benedict Cumberbatch forced his way into a photo that was meant to be just of U2, at the 2012 Oscars ceremony. Still, the P10 camera is fast, so you may be able to snap before any nearby Sherlock Holmes actors hog the limelight.

Chris Levine 2017

Chris Levine 2017

Chris Levine’s photograph is a good example of a self-portrait that could only have been taken recently on a phone as cameras have only just become good enough to do so. The P10 has two Leica cameras on the rear. One shoots in black-and-white, which means that lots more light gets in more quickly to give outstanding smartness. The other shoots simultaneously and does so in colour, making sure colours are faithfully represented. Filters can bleach the colour out again, as here.

Chuck Close Big Self-Portrait

Chuck Close, Courtesy Pace Gallery

By the way, if you’re using the rear camera, you can make use of that twin sensor arrangement and shoot just using the black-and-white sensor. As you can see from Chuck Close’s self-portrait taken in the sixties, a monochrome image can be plenty captivating.

Cindy Sherman Untitled Film Still #21

Courtesy of the artist and Metro Pictures, New York

Or take a look at this portrait from 1977 by Cindy Sherman where the high contrast and sharp focus make the portrait subject leap out at you. Again, the 20MP black-and-white Leica camera can deliver brilliantly sharp, detailed pics. And, unlike previous Huawei phones, you can now shoot just in monochrome and still achieve that elegant bokeh effect where your subject is sharp and the background smooth and out of focus.

George Harrison Taj Mahal Self-Portrait

Harrison Family

Of course, for most of us the purpose of selfies is also capturing wherever we are, like this celebrated pic of George Harrison at the Taj Mahal. The Huawei P10 selfie camera is good enough to capture subject and background in sharp detail, without the need for the fish-eye effect George favoured.

Matt Stuart 2017

Matt Stuart 2017

Still, don’t hold back from being creative, like Matt Stuart did with this overhead shot. You can stage images like this, but the camera on the P10 is also quick to launch, and then very quick to focus, so you can catch moments that other smartphones might not be nippy enough to manage.

Rembrandt van Rijn Self-Portrait with Two Circles

Courtesy Kenwood House, Iveagh Bequest/English Heritage

Finally, another classic. You may not be able to recreate Rembrandt’s self-portrait but the wide-open aperture on the Huawei P10 means you can capture an image in relatively low light and still find it’s sharp and detailed. Oh, and it won’t take as long to create as the original did. Sorry, Rembrandt. 

The Surface Laptop is the pinnacle of design

Just a few years ago, the idea that Microsoft could be one of the most exciting PC makers around would have seemed insane. The first Surface didn’t inspire much hope. (I distinctly remember wanting to throw it out of a window during my review). But, like any wise newcomer, Microsoft learned and improved with every new Surface. The year 2015 was when it all came together, with the excellent Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. (That the upcoming Surface Pro looks almost exactly like its predecessor is a testament to great design.) And earlier this year, we got the Surface Studio, a unique attempt at reinventing the all-in-one PC.

With all of that innovation, the idea of a traditional Surface notebook seems, well, a bit boring. But the Surface Laptop is anything but. It might not have the flashy features of its siblings, but it’s far more focused on one thing: being a great notebook. Not everyone wants a hip hybrid tablet. Many people just want a portable, well-built and powerful machine with great battery life for getting all of their work done. In that respect, the Surface Laptop delivers in spades. The only problem? It’s powered by Windows 10 S, Microsoft’s more restrictive OS meant for schools, which could end up frustrating plenty of consumers.

Hardware

Strangely enough, the Surface Laptop looks like the evolution of the MacBook Air’s design that we’ve been waiting for. It doesn’t go for extreme portability like the tiny MacBook; instead it streamlines what we’ve come to expect from 13-inch ultraportables. At 2.8 pounds, the Surface Laptop weighs 0.2 pounds less than the Air. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s a noticeable one. And unlike LG’s ultralight Gram, it feels solid, and has no sign of flexing around its frame.

As you’d expect, the Surface Laptop echoes the design of its siblings. It has a smooth aluminum case (which is a big reason why it feels so sturdy), and it shares the rounded edges and clean lines of other Surface PCs. But of course, there’s no kickstand or unique hinge this time around. The only noticeable feature, aside from the silver Microsoft logo, is the air vents on its rear. If Microsoft was aiming to mimic the sophisticated minimalism typically associated with Apple, it succeeded.

While the Surface Laptop doesn’t sport ultrathin screen bezels like Dell’s XPS line, its 13.5-inch display is generous. You also won’t find any speaker grilles on this laptop — instead the sound comes directly through the keyboard. It’s a bit odd at first, especially since you can feel vibrations as your fingers rest on the keys, but the speaker placement makes for a far better audio experience than you’d find on most laptops. The sound is enveloping and detailed, and there’s even a bit of low end too. It’s ideal for video watching, since it comes right at you. In comparison, other laptops have speakers off to the sides, or beneath the screen, which projects sound away from you.

Speaking of the keyboard, it’s the most unique design element of the Surface Laptop. It’s covered in Alcantara, a microfiber material that’s typically found in cars and was previously used in one of the Surface Keyboards. Yes, it’s strange to use a keyboard that’s surrounded by fabric, but my fingers got used to it instantly. I grew to appreciate how soft and comfortable it felt on my wrists, as well as the fact that it’s warmer than the aluminum case. The keyboard itself is simply excellent, with a satisfying amount of key depth and responsiveness. It’s very similar to the Surface Book’s keyboard, but the Laptop’s feels even more fluid. The large touchpad is smooth as well, and unlike most Windows notebooks, it did a fine job of distinguishing between left and right clicks.

The Surface Laptop sports a single USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort, a headphone jack and the proprietary Surface power connector. It would have been nice to have a few more ports, but that would have been tough, given the way the Laptop’s case slopes to a thin edge. If you need an SD card slot or more ports, be prepared to buy a hub. It’s unfortunate, but Microsoft is merely following the rest of the industry by paring connections back to the bare minimum. We’d like to see the company finally adopt USB-C, which would make the Surface Laptop easier to charge and add some flexibility for connecting accessories.

Display

The Surface Laptop continues Microsoft’s tradition of packing great displays into its computers. The 13.5-inch screen features a sharp 2,256-by-1,504-pixel resolution, delivering 201 pixels per inch. That’s close to what you’d get from Apple’s Retina displays, so there aren’t any discernible pixels when reading text or viewing images with fine lines. It’s a bright and bold screen — it even looks good outdoors in direct sunlight, though you’d have to contend with a bit of reflectivity.

Since the display features a 3:2 aspect ratio, it’s a bit taller than the wide 16:9 screens we see on most laptops (and desktop monitors) today. That’s particularly useful for multitasking, since you’ll be able to see more information from every window without needing to scroll down. You’ll have to live with black bars on the top and bottom of the screen while watching widescreen video, though.

As usual, Microsoft calls the Surface Laptop’s screen a “PixelSense” display, its term for all of the multitouch technology it crams in. It’s as smooth as the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book when you use your fingers, and it also supports the company’s new Surface Pen. Though you’ll have to shell out another $100 to grab that stylus separately, unfortunately.

Software: Windows 10 S

Aside from being Microsoft’s most traditional notebook, the Surface Laptop is also the company’s flagship Windows 10 S device, its slightly stripped-down OS meant for schools. The major difference it has with normal versions of Windows 10 is that it can run only apps from the Microsoft Store, not legacy apps. Microsoft says this will make it perform better over time, since it won’t get bogged down by malware and other potentially dangerous software. Windows Store apps also run in a secured container, so you don’t have to worry about them doing anything nefarious to your computer without your knowledge.

For the most part, Windows 10 S made me realize many of the apps I needed, like Evernote and Slack, are already on the Windows Store. That’s something Microsoft is hoping to make more users aware of. The fewer people installing random software from the far corners of the web, the better it is for users and Microsoft alike. Getting more eyeballs on the Windows Store is also a useful carrot to lure in developers who have been avoiding it so far. Microsoft also recently announced that more apps, like iTunes and Spotify, are coming to the Store.

I stuck with the Windows 10 S experience for most of this review, and frankly I was surprised by how much I could get done without installing any legacy software. The only real pain was being forced to use Spotify’s web player and not having access to any browsers outside of Edge or Internet Explorer. Otherwise, the experience felt identical to the way I typically use my PC. It was a huge difference from Windows RT on the first Surface (Microsoft’s first stab at locking out legacy apps), since there’s actually a decent app selection now.

If you try to install a legacy app, the OS displays a warning pointing you back to the same app, or something similar, on the Windows Store. You can also choose to upgrade Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro through that notification. Currently, the upgrade is free for education customers, users who need assistive features, or for any Windows 10 S device that costs more than $799. Otherwise, it’ll cost $49 or under, depending on manufacturer discounts.

As someone who often juggles multiple browsers throughout the day, I eventually outgrew the restrictions in Windows 10 S and chose to upgrade. The process was relatively simple: You get it started from the app store, click through a few dialogue boxes, reboot, and voilà. All in all, it took around five minutes to complete. There’s no way to revert back to Windows 10 S, though, without completely reformatting your system.

Performance and battery life

Performance-wise, the Surface Laptop held up to my usual workflow, which involves jumping between dozens of open browser tabs, Evernote, Spotify and photo-editing apps. I never noticed any slowdown on our review unit, which was powered by an Intel Core i5-7200U processor and 8GB of RAM. It performed as well as similarly specced ultraportables on our suite of benchmarks.

Just like the competition, it also handled Minecraft and less demanding games easily, thanks to Intel’s HD 620 graphics. Just keep your expectations in check, since there isn’t a dedicated graphics card. The only potential issue? The Surface Laptop’s disk write speeds are surprisingly low, and both its read and write performance is half as fast as the Surface Pro 4.

Battery life

Surface Laptop
14:49
LG Gram 2017
10:42
Lenovo Yoga 910
16:13
Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (13-inch, no Touch Bar)
11:42
HP Spectre x360 (13-inch, 2015)
11:34
Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (15-inch)
11:00
HP Spectre x360 15t
10:17
Apple MacBook Pro 2016 (13-inch, Touch Bar)
9:55
ASUS ZenBook 3
9:45
Apple MacBook (2016)
8:45
Dell XPS 2-in-1
8:34
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
7:15
HP Spectre 13
7:07
Dell XPS 15 (2016)
5:25 (7:40 with the mobile charger)

Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop gets around 14.5 hours of battery life while playing video, and our testing came in a bit beyond that, at 14 hours and 40 minutes. It typically had around 40 percent of battery left after using it throughout the workday. Needless to say, it’s a huge improvement from the Surface Pro 4, which lasted just 7 hours and 15 minutes. You had to upgrade to the bulkier Surface Book to get decent battery performance from a Microsoft PC up until now.

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

Pricing and the competition

Price-wise, the Surface Laptop is on par with similar ultraportables. It starts at $999 with a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. We’d recommend bumping up to the $1,299 model with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. But if you really want to splurge, you can get a Core i7, with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, for $2,199. For comparison, the Surface Pro starts at $799 with weaker processors, though you can easily spec it up to the same hardware in the Laptop.

As for non-Microsoft notebooks, the Surface Laptop competes directly against Dell’s XPS 13 (starting at $899), our go-to Windows ultraportable for the past few years. HP also has a solid contender with its Spectre x360, which also features a screen that can be rotated around to be used as a tablet.

Wrap-up

While the Surface Laptop might not seem special on paper, I appreciate how all of Microsoft’s design choices came together as I used it. Its metallic case and Alcantara covering beg to be touched; the keyboard didn’t slow me down; and its battery life is impressive. It’s the sort of laptop that makes you wonder, “Why can’t everyone do this?”

Microsoft set out to make the most refined notebook it could with the Surface Laptop, and for the most part it succeeded. It’s sleek and powerful and has great battery life. It might seem like a step back for Microsoft, after trying to promote new twists on notebooks over the past few years. But it’s more of a realization: There’s still a huge demand for traditional laptops. And Microsoft just showed how it’s done.

Tech Hunters: The PlayStation and the rise of 3D gaming

In the early nineties, the console market was rising to prominence. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Mega Drive were popular but were largely dismissed as kid’s toys because they featured tiny red and green plumbers and spiky blue hedgehogs. However, that all changed with with the launch of the Sony PlayStation, which featured three-dimensional gameplay and gave millions their first taste of 32-bit gaming.

The original PlayStation was a big risk for Sony. It had never developed a computer game, let alone a complete system. In 1991, the company was reeling from a failed partnership with Nintendo — which would have resulted in it supplying CD-ROM technology for the popular SNES — so it decided to go it alone.

Back then, console makers like Nintendo, SEGA and Atari would develop their own titles in order to showcase what their platforms could do. Sony didn’t have its own game development studio, but it did promise powerful new features and flexibility for developers thanks to its disc-based architecture. With the chance to render 3D worlds and deliver stereo CD-quality sound, games studios jumped on board and the rest, as they say, was history.

In this episode of Tech Hunters, Julia Hardy traces the history of the console that made gaming the massive industry it is today and takes a look at giving the trailblazing system a modern makeover.

Tech Hunters is a 10-part video series that uncovers the devices we were once obsessed with, looking at how they disrupted the tech industry, and what they’re worth today. From the pocket pet obsession with the original Tamagotchi, to mix-tapes and Sony Walkman, Tech Hunters explores the audio, visual, interactive and transport innovations that have shaped today’s culture.

Amazon allows Echo call-blocking a month after it should have

Last month, Amazon introduced Alexa calling and messaging, features tailor-made for the Echo and its all-hearing microphone, letting you do busywork while chatting with friends. However, it neglected to add call-blocking for specific contacts, making it equally convenient for unwanted callers to invade your space. Luckily, the company has finally righted that wrong by introducing call-blocking with the latest version of its iOS app.

Until now, if an Amazon user had your phone number and the Alexa mobile app, you couldn’t stop them from calling you, recording a voice message or sending texts to any of your Alexa devices, including mobile apps and Echos. As The Verge pointed out last month, they can reach you even if you’ve blocked them on your cellphone — a privacy and security nightmare, to say the least.

The new feature “gives you the ability to block contacts from calling and messaging you,” according to the notes on iTunes. All you need to do is scroll through your contacts and tap the “block contact” button if you don’t want that person to have access to your device. (There’s no word on an update for the Android app yet.)

If you want to stop calling on Alexa altogether, you still need to call customer service, unfortunately. As Amazon user Elise Oras pointed out on Medium, that’s really not acceptable for a company as pervasive as Amazon. Vulnerable users still have to go through contacts one-by-one if they want to stop calls, or else brave a customer service call, including demands for why they want to disable calling. “I imagine victims of domestic violence, kids that are being bullied, and other victims of violence or crime may have their abuser’s number in their phone,” she wrote. “Not being able to [easily] block or delete the contact would open up another way for abuse to continue.”

Via: The Verge

Source: Amazon (iTunes)

Logitech Announces ‘Circle 2’ Home Security Camera With HomeKit Compatibility

Logitech today announced a follow-up to its popular Circle home camera, debuting the Circle 2. The Circle 2 builds on the features built into the original Circle camera, with Logitech introducing HomeKit support and two separate models, both wired and wire-free for different uses around the house.

For those unfamiliar with the Logitech Circle, it is an in-home camera designed to let you keep an eye on what’s going on in your house when you’re not there. It’s great for keeping an eye on pets and kids, with cloud storage, two-way communication, and more. In our review of the Circle, we questioned its usefulness compared to other home security solutions on the market, and that’s a specific area Logitech addressed in the Circle 2.

Wire-Free Circle 2
Logitech found that many people who purchased the original Circle camera were interested in it for home security, and the company has doubled down on those features in the second-generation version. Along with wired and wire-free models that offer more options for in-home placement, Logitech is also shipping the Circle 2 with a variety of mounting accessories. There’s also more granular control over things like motion zones and person detection in the revamped app that will be offered alongside Circle 2, so you can choose what your camera records and doesn’t record, and when and how it alerts you.

Wired Circle 2
The wired Circle 2 model is meant to be plugged in all the time and offers continuous recording, while the wire-free model runs on a battery and records video when motion is detected, allowing the battery to last for weeks or months at a time. Both models feature the same camera hardware, offering high-quality 180-degree video, night vision support, and a ball joint so it can be adjusted to any angle. Both models are weatherproof and can be placed outside for outdoor use.

Multiple accessories, priced from $29.99 to $49.99, expand the range of places where the Circle 2 can be placed. Accessory options are outlined below:

– Circle 2 Window Mount – The window mount allows the Circle 2 to be attached directly to a window pane with an adhesive ring.

– Circle 2 Plug Mount – With the Plug Mount, the Circle 2 can be plugged directly into and powered by any home wall outlet, which is ideal for kitchen or garage placement.

– Circle 2 Weatherproof Extension – The Weatherproof Extension is designed for the Circle 2 Wired Camera and protects cables from outside weather conditions.

– Circle 2 Rechargeable Battery – Designed for the Circle 2 Wire-Free Camera, the backup battery allows you to swap out batteries and keep one charged at all times.

Plug Mount left, Window Mount right
With HomeKit support, the Circle 2 video feed will be available in the Home app, and it will also be able to integrate and work with other HomeKit-connected products. Logitech plans to enable HomeKit compatibility to the Wired version through a software update following the launch of the Circle 2. Circle 2 also works with Amazon Alexa and the Logitech POP Smart Button.

“People want the peace of mind that comes with a simple security solution,” said Vincent Borel, director of new ventures at Logitech. “Circle 2 gives people just that – you can place the camera wherever you need it, inside or out, and rest assured that you’ll be alerted of any changes in your home while you’re away.”

Like the original Circle, Circle 2 will offer 24 hours of free encrypted cloud storage. Logitech also offers Circle Safe plans for a fee, which offer 14 to 31 days of storage.

Circle 2 is available for pre-order from the Logitech website starting today. The wired version of the Circle 2 is available for $179.99, while the wire-free version is available for $199.99. A range of mounts and accessories can also be purchased for $29.99 to $49.99.

Logitech plans to begin shipping Circle 2 orders to customers in July.

Tags: HomeKit, Logitech, Circle 2
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