Apple Raises Prices on All 256 and 512GB iPad Pro Models by $50

Following today’s event that saw the introduction of the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, Apple Watch Series 3, and 4K Apple TV, Apple has quietly raised the prices on all of its 256 and 512GB iPad Pro models.

All 256 and 512GB 10.5 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are $50 more expensive. For the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Apple now charges $649 for the 64GB model, $799 for the 256GB model, and $999 for the 512GB model.

For the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple charges $799 for the 64GB model, $949 for the 256GB model, and $1149 for the 512GB model. All cellular models are an additional $130 over the above listed prices.

Prior to today, 12.9-inch iPad Pro pricing was $799/$899/$1099 for the 64/256/512GB models, while 10.5-inch iPad Pro pricing was $649/$749/$949.

It is not clear why Apple has decided to raise the prices on its iPad Pro models, but prices could be increasing due to increased costs for memory.

Best Buy has already updated its iPad Pro pricing to reflect price increase, but other sites have not yet done so. If you plan to purchase a higher-capacity iPad Pro, now is the time to do it at a site that still offers the original price. For the best deals, check out our Deals Roundup, which features price charts for all Apple devices, including the iPad Pro.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Releases iTunes 12.7 With Major Changes, Including No Built-In App Store

In a day filled with surprises, Apple has shocked us once again with the release of iTunes 12.7, which entirely revamps the iTunes App. The new iTunes is designed to focus solely on music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and audiobooks, which means there is no built-in App Store.

The App Store has been entirely eliminated in iTunes 12.7, as has the ringtones section of iTunes. Internet Radio is now part of Music, and iTunes U has been folded into Podcasts, as Apple announced in late August.

Apps can now only be downloaded on an iOS device using an iOS device, and the same goes for ringtones. In addition to the removal of the App Store, today’s update adds support for syncing iOS 11 devices and includes support for new Apple Music features that allow you to follow friends and see what they’re listening to.

The new iTunes focuses on music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks. It adds support for syncing iOS 11 devices and includes new features for–

Apple Music. Now discover music with friends. Members can create profiles and follow each other to see music they are listening to and any playlists they’ve shared.

Podcasts. iTunes U collections are now part of the Apple Podcasts family. Search and explore free educational content produced by leading schools, universities, museums, and cultural institutions all in one place.

If you previously used iTunes to sync apps or ringtones on your iOS device, use the new App Store or Sounds Settings on iOS to redownload them without your Mac.

The new iTunes 12.7 update can be downloaded from the Mac App Store through the Software Update mechanism. The update is available for all iTunes users at no cost.

Tag: iTunes
Discuss this article in our forums

iPhone X and iPhone 8 Charge to 50% in 30 Minutes With Fast-Charge Feature

Though not mentioned on stage at today’s event, both the iPhone X and the iPhone 8 are “fast-charge capable,” which means the two devices can be charged to 50 percent battery life in 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, that fast-charging feature is not available using accessories that are sold alongside the two devices. To charge at that level, the iPhone X and the iPhone 8 need to be plugged into Apple’s 29W, 61W, or 87W USB-C Power Adapters, which are sold alongside its USB-C MacBook and MacBook Pro models.

The least expensive USB-C Power Adapter is the 29W version for the MacBook, priced at $49. The 61W USB-C Power Adapter for the 13-inch MacBook Pro is $69, and the 87W USB-C Power Adapter for the 15-inch MacBook Pro is $79.

To go along with the USB-C Power Adapter, a USB-C to Lightning Cable is also required. Apple charges $25 for a 1 meter cable and $35 for a 2 meter cable.

That means the cheapest solution for fast charging is going to cost iPhone owners an additional $74.

Both devices also support wireless charging using Qi-compatible wireless charging accessories, but fast charging is only available through a wired solution. As for battery life, the iPhone X offers two hours of battery life over the iPhone 7, while the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus continue to offer the same battery life.
Discuss this article in our forums

EVGA SC17 1080 review

Research Center:
EVGA SC17 1080

EVGA is best known for manufacturing high-quality GeForce add-in cards and power supplies for desktops, but the company also dips its toes into processor cooling, peripherals, and more. EVGA introduced is first gaming laptop in January of 2016, and as our EVGA SC17 1080 laptop review found, the newcomer has a lot to offer.

As the name implies, this $3,000 laptop is built around Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080. This isn’t the recent Max-Q version designed for tight enclosures, but Nvidia’s original chip tweaked for thick, high-performance notebooks.

Backing the GeForce GTX 1080 graphics chip is Intel’s Core i7-7820HK processor, 32GB of DDR4 system memory clocked at 2,666MHz, and PCI Express-based storage, all designed to provide the maximum frame rate possible in a mobile form factor. You’ll play games on a 17.3-inch screen with a 3,840 x 2,160 native resolution, and Nvidia’s G-Sync technology.

If you want a light show, shoot some fireworks

Visually, EVGA’s laptop sports a no-frills, black unibody aluminum design. There’s no chassis lighting save for the illuminated EVGA logo on the lid, and no multi-color theme giving it visual flare. For instance, Alienware laptops include a metallic, spaceship-like lid, and illuminated strips along its edges. Acer Predator laptops typically have a black and red design, while Asus laptops offer either that or, in some new models, a silver and bronze look. That’s not the case with the SC17 1080.

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

It’s an extremely solid, no-frills design. Just in the keyboard area alone, EVGA uses the space wisely compared to what we’ve seen in other laptops, like the Alienware 17 R4. For instance, Dell’s laptop angles out to a point in the front, leaving a space of around 1.5 inches between the tip of the angled edge to the bottom of the touchpad’s buttons. Meanwhile, EVGA provides an indented laptop edge under its touchpad measuring around three-quarters of an inch, which makes the trackpad easier to use.

Despite its full-size keyboard, EVGA has crammed three speakers into the keyboard area: two rectangular speakers that are on the same horizontal line as the touchpad, and one long rectangular speaker running across the top of the keyboard. Overall, all hardware installed in the keyboard area is perfectly aligned, fit to be printed in a magazine.

Connectivity

Along the left side of the laptop you’ll find a handful of ports consisting of gigabit Ethernet connectivity, one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A port, one HDMI v2.0b port, and two Mini DisplayPort v1.4 connectors. On the right side are two USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and a Thunderbolt 3 connector that also supports video output. The only other connectivity features to note are the laptop’s Bluetooth 4.2 and Wireless AC components, the latter of which can reach speeds of up to 867Mbps.

Easy to use, hard to keep immaculate

Despite the SC17 1080’s PC-gaming origins, you won’t find dedicated macro keys in the keyboard area. This enables a 16-inch width from one side of the laptop to the other, versus the 16.75 inches seen with the Alienware 17 laptop, which has an extra column of macro keys.

The EVGA laptop blazes past the Razer Blade Pro in several benchmarks.

The keyboard itself sports a clean, well-space design, and sits within a slightly indented area sporting chicklet-style keys. The backlighting is white only, which shines through the key fonts and spills around the key cap edges. Five brightness levels are available, and is brilliant enough to highlight each key in a well-lit office environment when set at the brightest level.

Meanwhile, the touchpad is an all-in-one input, so you won’t see or feel the left and right-click buttons until you press down on the lower area of the pad. It’s a Windows Precision Touchpad input device that feels precise and responsive. However, after a few hours of testing, our greasy paw prints were clearly visible on its smooth, dark surface. The same can be said about the black keyboard too, so expect to shut down the laptop every now and then to give it a thorough degreasing.

Eye candy

EVGA’s SC17 1080 has a gorgeous display. For starters, the screen hinge is recessed and hidden behind the top of the keyboard, so you don’t see obvious panel gaps or exhaust vents. There’s also no physical screen bezel that you can feel save, for a tiny rim protruding along the edges. Many competitors, including the Alienware R17, Acer Predator 15, and Razer Blade Pro, suffer larger display bezels and more obvious hinge designs, which are definitely less attractive than EVGA’s look.

The screen’s colors are rich and deep at any angle, and you can’t help but appreciate the benefits IPS technology brings to the laptop table. The SC17 1080 ships with a native 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, too, so it looks extremely sharp.

Our testing found the screen has a maximum brightness of around 300 nits, and a contrast ratio of 580:1 at its brightest level. That contrast ratio is just mediocre when compared to other gaming laptops on the market, such as the Razer Blade Pro’s 900:1 level, and the Asus ROG Zephyrus’ 870:1 level.

However, when it comes to color space support, the SC17 1080 excels. It supports 98 percent of the Adobe RGB color space, which is excellent for digital artists. That’s the same Adobe RGB color space support provided by the new Razer Blade Pro, and higher than most gaming laptops, including the Alienware R17 and Acer Predator 15.

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

The SC17 1080’s color accuracy is decent too, coming in at an average error of 1.65. Lower is better, and anything below one is hard for the human eye to notice, so the EVGA’s score is not bad. Still, it falls short of what we saw on gaming laptops like the Alienware 15 R3, , and HP Omen 15. The EVGA SC17 1080’s color accuracy did beat the Asus ROG Zephyrus, and the Razer Blade Pro.

While the EVGA’s display isn’t perfect, it does a good job overall. Its sharp resolution, wide color gamut, and precise color accuracy add up to a crisp experience, and the inclusion of Nvidia’s G-Sync ensures you won’t see stuttering, screen tearing, or other unattractive frame pacing issues in games. The mediocre contrast ratio will be noticeable in dark games, but won’t be overly distracting.

Loud speakers compliment the attractive display

Complementing a great screen is a great audio system. Because of where the speakers are placed, the sound hitting your ears is phenomenal. Typically, speakers are mounted on the sides of the laptop, or underneath, which produces muffled, “distant” audio. But that’s not the case here given audio is pushed up into your face.

EVGA SC17 1080 Compared To

Razer Blade Pro (2017)

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming Laptop…

Origin EON15-S

Asus ROG Zephyrus

Razer Blade (2017)

MSI GS63VR 6RF Stealth Pro

Alienware 13 R3

Asus ROG G752VS-XB78K

Acer Predator 17 X GX-791-73FH

Acer Predator 17 G9-791-79Y3

Asus ROG G501

Digital Storm Triton

Alienware 17

AVADirect Clevo P157SM-A

Origin Eon 17-S

Even at their maximum level, the speakers produce clear, full sound without distortion. You won’t hear weird vibrations or metallic audio stemming from sound passing through aluminum. Of course, the three-speaker system has its limitations — you’re not going to hear thundering explosions. Still, the speak system is well rounded for a laptop, and most people won’t see need to hook up external audio.

Beauty that’s more than skin deep

Backing all this glorious audio and visual fidelity is Intel’s quad-core i7-7820HK performance processor. Out of the box, it has a base speed of 2.9GHz, and a boost speed of 3.9GHz. It’s a relatively new chip, so the only real competition we’ve reviewed sporting the same CPU is Razer’s latest Blade Pro laptop.

In our single-core benchmark using Geekbench 4, the Core i7-7820HK installed in EVGA’s SC17 1080 scored 4,788 points on Normal Mode. One of the laptop’s most intriguing features is its inclusion of three set “EOC” speeds – SuperClock, Normal, and Silent – which you can quickly cycle through by pressing the FN button, along with the up or down arrow keys.

In a nutshell, Silent Mode underclocks the processor and graphics chip, thus lowering the speed of the fans and the resulting noise level. On the opposite end is the SuperClock Mode, which safely boosts the processor and graphics chip beyond their “shipped” levels.

Because of this, benchmarks were performed using all three speeds — 5,110 points using SuperClock Mode, 4,788 points using Normal Mode, and 4,640 points using Silent Mode. In the Geekbench 4 single-core test, all three modes beat the same chip installed in the latest Razer Blade Pro laptop.

The display is gorgeous.

Yet when we tested both laptops using Handbrake, the Razer Blade Pro was the clear winner, encoding a video file in just 420 seconds. It beat the SC17 1080 even when we converted the file using the SuperClock Mode, which performed the conversion in 429 seconds. Even the Alienware 15 R3, which is based on Intel’s Core i7-7700HQ chip, converted the video file faster.

For the record, you can jump into the BIOS and manually overclock the laptop. Given we were provided with a loaner unit, we didn’t make any attempts. EVGA says you can overclock the graphics chip, control the CPU multipliers, voltages, memory timings, memory frequency, and so on. The BIOS provides a full graphical interface to make the adjustment process easy, complete with mouse functions.

Storage can be a performance bottleneck

The EVGA’s SC17 1080 laptop ships with a 256GB M.2 NVMe PCI Express 3.0 x4 Toshiba SSD as the main storage device, and an additional 1TB Seagate hard drive to boost capacity.

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

In out tests, the Toshiba SSD managed to read 1,505 megabytes per second, and write 1,025MB/s. Although those speeds are faster than your standard SATA-based SSD or hard drive, they could be better. As a comparison, the SSD installed in the Alienware 15 R3 managed a read speed of 2,237MB per second, and a write speed of 1,464MB per second. The Acer Predator 15 is the only recently tested gaming laptop to score lower than the EVGA in read performance. The Razer Blade Pro, Acer Predator 15, and Razer Blade all scored lower in write performance.

Still, the performance of the SSD is reasonable, and shouldn’t prove a major bottleneck. Our bigger issue is capacity: 256GB just isn’t enough space, even with the added hard drive installed, and EVGA doesn’t offer any other storage configuration. Moreover, the second hard drive only managed a read speed of 146MB per second, and a write speed of 136MB per second in our tests. Gamers will end up installing all their performance-centric games on the tiny SSD, filling up its capacity in no time.

Nvidia’s GTX 1080 can be a beast if handled just right

Of course, the other major piece in the EVGA pie is the GTX 1080 graphics chip. It simply ruled in 3DMark’s Fire Strike benchmark, hitting 14,382 points in Normal Mode, and a meatier 15,739 in SuperClock Mode. This is where the SC17 1080’s three-pronged gear shift really shines, blazing past the GTX 1080 Max-Q chip in the Asus ROG Zephyrus, and the vanilla GTX 1080 in the latest Razer Blade Pro.

However, when you dig deep into actual gaming benchmarks, the new Razer Blade Pro and its GTX 1080 provides stiff competition. In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the Razer Blade Pro simply outperformed EVGA’s laptop even on its SuperClock setting. For instance, running the game at a 1440p resolution and Ultra settings, the Razer Blade Pro had an average rate of 58 frames per second versus the SC17 1080 in SuperClock Mode, at 54 frames per second. The Razer Blade Pro outperformed the SC17 1080 in For Honor, too.

In the Geekbench 4 single-core test, the EVGA beats the same CPU installed in the latest Razer Blade Pro laptop.

There were some wins for EVGA, though. In Civilization VI, the EVGA SC17 1080 did far better in benchmarks than the Razer Blade Pro, pushing higher framerates even when set to its Silent Mode. What’s interesting here is that these three modes didn’t make any difference in the game’s framerate, such as hitting 80 frames per second across all three modes with the slides set at Medium/Medium, and resolutions set at 1080p and 1440p.

EVGA’s laptop also mostly outperformed the Razer Blade Pro in Battlefield 1, save for the 1440p Ultra benchmark. As an example, it managed 162 frames per second on Silent Mode, versus the 148 frames per second of the Razer Blade Pro when set at a 1080p resolution and Medium settings.

That all said, the SC17 1080’s graphics performance is a mixed bag when compared to the GTX 1080 version of the Razer Blade Pro. It does better than the GTX 1080 Max-Q chip found in the Asus ROG Zephyrus, but with that unit, the performance reduction stems from its slimmer form factor.

What about 4K?

We gave the laptop’s native 3,840 x 2,160 resolution a spin as well. What’s interesting at this setting is that the framerates didn’t vary whatsoever – maybe a half of a frame per second – when moving between the laptop’s three speed presets (Silent/Normal/SuperClock). That wasn’t the case when we tested the 1440p and 1080p resolutions, which had clear differences in results between the three speed settings.

Kevin Parrish/Digital Trends

In Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, we saw an average of 21 frames per second with the Ultra preset, and 27 frames per second with the High preset. That’s a huge dip in framerate from the 54 frames per second average we saw using a 1440p resolution and the Ultra preset. Clearly, you’re better off not playing this game in Ultra HD unless you keep the detail settings on Medium (33 FPS) or Low (40 FPS).

In Battlefield 1, using the Ultra graphics preset, the laptop managed an average of 44 frames per second. That number jumped significantly to 58 frames per second using the Medium graphics preset. Remember, though, that if you crank the resolution down to 1440p, you’ll see a maximum 111 FPS average using the Ultra preset, and a maximum 145 FPS average using the Medium preset. Again, 1440p resolution appears to be the magic number.

A gaming rig you’ll love to cradle

EVGA’s SC17 1080 is portable, but it’s not exactly a thin-and-light notebook, either. It measures roughly 1.3 inches at its thickest point in the back (foot to lid surface), and weighs almost nine pounds. By comparison, the Razer Blade Pro measures just 0.88 inches thick, and weighs almost eight pounds. Still, the EVGA is easier to carry than the Alienware 17 R4, which weighs roughly 10 pounds and measures a steady 1.18 inches thick from front to back.

Given its roots, this notebook is meant to remain tethered to an electrical outlet.

Given its roots, this notebook is meant to remain tethered to an electrical outlet, and its battery backs our claim. In our video loop test, the included 75 watt-hour battery only lasted 159 minutes in Normal Mode, which is lower than the 210 minutes endured by the 99Wh battery in the Razer Blade Pro. Our iMacro browser test also drained the battery in 138 minutes, versus the 50Wh battery in the smaller Asus ROG Zephyrus managing a lengthier 162 minutes. We also tested the laptop in Silent Mode to improve battery life, but saw life extend by no more than 10 minutes.

While the numbers sound low, keep in mind that its powering a 17.3-inch UHD screen, a hefty processor, and a GeForce GTX 1080 chip. You’re simply not going to see all-day battery life with this type of machine, and the 300-watt power brick that ships with EVGA’s laptop is proof that it needs a lot of juice.

Starting from a clean slate… almost

The laptop ships with Windows 10 Home, and includes EVGA’s PrecisionX Mobile program, which doesn’t load during the boot process. Here you can set lighting effects for the keyboard and EVGA logo, see the processor and graphic chip temperatures, and view the Silent/Normal/SuperClock settings that are assigned within the BIOS. Other than EVGA’s single tool, there’s nothing pre-installed on the system save for a few Windows 10 apps.

Warranty information

As for the warranty, EVGA’s information regarding laptops can be found here. The battery includes a one-year limited warranty, and an optional one-year extension. There’s a Four Dead Pixel warranty as well, which  will replace the screen if more than four dead pixels appear. The laptop includes a two-year warranty for manufacturing defects and component failures, which is better than the industry average of one year.

Our Take

On a whole, EVGA provides a solid laptop for PC gamers that focuses on performance instead of looks. The might of the Nvidia GTX 1080 and Intel Core i7-7820HK make a great duo for a high-performance gaming machine you can take anywhere. Our only real beef is in the storage, which should be larger and faster to keep up with the competition.

Is there a better alternative?

Based on our benchmarks, the SC17 1080’s biggest competition is the new Razer Blade Pro with the GTX 1080 chip. In some cases, it outperformed Razer’s laptop, but in others it didn’t. What you should keep in mind when considering our benchmark numbers is that the Razer Blade Pro costs $1,000 more than the SC17 1080, so in our opinion, you see more bang for your buck here.

How long will it last?

EVGA has stuffed premium components into the S17 1080, so it’ll last remain relevant for at least several years. The GTX 1080 will start to show its age as newer, more demanding games come out, but we expect it’ll still play the majority of titles three years from now.

Should you buy it?

Yes. While the Razer Blade Pro is sleeker and more attractive, the EVGA SC 2017 is just as fast or faster, and less expensive. It’s also backed by a stronger than average warranty, and has minimal bloatware. Gamers looking for a big, powerful, no-nonsense laptop will love EVGA’s entry.

15 great wireless phone chargers to free yourself from cables

You know what’s missing from all our visions of a futuristic utopia? Wires. You never see anyone fumbling with a wire to plug in a device. Everything just magically works. We’re not there yet, but wireless charging technology is improving all the time. Leading the way toward this brave new world are wireless phone chargers. They’re not entirely wireless, because they still have to be plugged into a wall outlet, but they do free you from your nightly plug-in. You can just pop your smartphone on a pad, and know that in the morning it will be good to go.

Before you splash out on a wireless charger, though, make sure that your phone supports it. Loads of phones do now, from the iPhone X to the Galaxy S8 to the LG G6. For some smartphones, you’ll need to buy a special replacement back or a case that enables wireless charging. You also have to check that the wireless phone charger you choose is the right standard for your device. The most popular standard right now by far is Qi, under the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), but there is a rival called Powermat, under the Power Matters Alliance (PMA), which merged with the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP) to form the AirFuel Alliance.

We know Apple is planning a new AirPower mat, which will allow you to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Airpods all at the same time, but for now you’ll need to make do with one of these wireless phone chargers.

Ventev Wireless Chargestand ($60)

Simon Hill/Digital Trends

This wireless phone charger caught our eye at IFA in Berlin and it’s brand new on the market at the time of writing. It’s a really smart design that can be broken down for portability. The base is solid, non-slip plastic with a cushioned pad for your device. The frame is aluminum and it sports several notches which allow you to slot the actual charging pad in wherever you want. This means you can get that charging sweet spot by adjusting the position of the pad, allowing you to place your phone in portrait or landscape. If you want to travel light, you can pop the square wireless charging pad out and just take it with you.

We’re pleased to find that the Ventev Wireless Chargestand supports the Qi and PMA standards, and it also supports fast wireless charging for devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, and S8 Plus. The only slight downside is that it has a fairly hefty power brick that needs to be plugged in, but that’s how you can get up to 15W out, which is significantly more than many wireless phone chargers on the market. It’s also really versatile. Not only can you change the position of the pad, you can also reverse the aluminum frame for a slightly different angle.

Specs
Power output
15W
Standard
Qi and PMA
Dimensions
Unknown
Weight
Unknown
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Ventev

Bezalel Futura X ($50)

If you’re after something light and truly portable, then this wireless charging pad from Bezalel should tempt you. It will charge any Qi-compatible device, from an LG G6 to a Galaxy S8, but Bezalel also sells cases to bring wireless charging capability to smartphones like the iPhone 7. The glossy pad is made from premium materials with an aluminum base and an elegant acrylic surface that comes in black or white. It is magnetic, and the cases are designed so your phone naturally slides into the right spot for charging.

For just an extra $10 you can get the stand, which enables you to slot the charging pad in and prop your phone in either landscape or portrait view while it charges. You get a cable with the pad, but you’ll need to supply your own wall charger. For best results use the charger that came with your phone. This version has a maximum output of 5W, but there is a Futura X Turbo for $60 that goes up to 15W output for fast charging devices that support faster speeds. The stylish look makes this stand out from the wireless charging crowd, but we also appreciate the internal cooling system.

Specs
Power output
5W
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.7” x 3.7” x 0.27”
Weight
91g (3.2oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

RAVPower Fast Wireless Charging Stand ($22)

There’s always something by RAVPower on our best portable battery chargers list, but the company also manufactures wireless phone chargers like this one. It’s a two-coil stand, so you can prop your phone in portrait or landscape view. It will fast charge devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8, if plugged into a fast charging wall charger. There’s a white LED indicator underneath that blinks to indicate it’s working, then turns off until the device is fully charged, whereupon it lights up for five seconds. If there’s a problem it will blink continually to alert you.

You get a short Micro USB to USB charging cable with it, but no adapter. There’s non-slip silicone on the bottom, so it doesn’t slide around on the nightstand. The design is pretty plain, apart from the RAVPower logo, so it will blend in on most desks or nightstands. If your case has metal on it or is thicker than 3mm, then it’s going to interfere this charger. Overall, it’s decent quality with an unobtrusive design at a reasonable price.

Specs
Power output
10W
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.3″ x 3.3″ x 4.7″
Weight
130g (4.6oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Amazon

Anker PowerPort Qi 10 Wireless Charging Pad ($20)

The PowerPort Qi 10 is so named because it can output up to 10W, as long as you combine it with a Quick Charge 3.0 rated wall charger, which you’ll have to buy separately. That means it can charge some devices, like the Galaxy S7, faster than a standard wireless charger, Anker says up to 2X faster. It’s a very slim, lightweight design, but there are large feet on the bottom to help it grip.

When you first lay your phone on this charger a series of LEDs light up to show the charging status, but thankfully they turn off again after 10 seconds. It doesn’t make any sound either, so it could work well on the night stand. You do get a 3-foot Micro USB cable with it, but you’ll need your own wall charger to plug it into. The downside with this charger is that it has a single coil, so you really need to find the sweet spot and you’ll want to remove phone cases for best results.

Specs
Power output
10W
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.4” x 3.4” x 0.3”
Weight
17g (0.6oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Satechi Wireless Charging Pad ($15)

If you’re looking for an alternative to Samsung’s official wireless charging pad that supports faster charging for the newer members of the Galaxy family, including the S7 and S7 Edge, then this could be it. The design is stylish, with a circular metal frame in gold, silver, rose gold, or space gray. The pad itself is shiny black or white, but thankfully there is a rubber cross in the center which protects your phone and prevents it from sliding around. There are also pads on the bottom so it grips the table top.

It works fine with most cases and will charge any Qi device, but fast charging devices like the Galaxy S7 will enjoy 1.4X the usual speed. There’s a LED that lights up blue when the device is charging and turns green when it’s fully charged. We’re not a big fan of LEDs on charging pads, because you don’t want light on the nightstand and it seems superfluous, since your phone already indicates when it’s fully charged, but at least this is a small one. You get a decent Micro USB cable in the box with it, but you’ll have to provide your own charger.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
3.94” x 3.94” x 0.31”
Weight
130g (4.75oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
No

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Samsung Wireless Charging Pad ($35)

This circular wireless charging pad from Samsung resembles a flying saucer. If you have a Note 5, or a later Samsung flagship such as the S7, you can use it to quickly charge your device without a cord. It’s capable of fast charging at around 2A, instead of the standard 1A you get from most wireless chargers, making it around 1.4X faster, at least according to Samsung. It’s outfitted with a circular strip of rubber to prevent your phone from sliding off the top, and another one on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around on your desk or bedside table. The LED is, unfortunately, quite bright and it shines blue when charging and green when fully charged. It also flashes when there’s a problem.

Because the pad can charge supported phones faster, there’s a silent fan inside to help keep the temperature down. You’ll also have to use the charger and cable supplied if you want the faster speeds, but you can use this pad with other Qi charging devices for standard speeds. You can get the pad in black or white, and it’s pretty portable. It does the job, but the design is dull, and if you don’t have a Samsung phone that supports fast wireless charging, there’s little reason to pay a premium for this pad.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
4” x 4” x 0.81”
Weight
117g (4.12oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Montar Air Car Mount ($60)

Once you get used to wireless charging, you really don’t want to have to go back to plugging in cables, but that means you need a few wireless chargers dotted around to cover you in different situations. Montar has created an excellent cradle for the car with built-in Qi wireless charging. It can accommodate smartphones up to 6 inches in size, and it supports fast wireless charging at up to 2A, if your phone does. This charger and cradle is ideal if you like to use your smartphone to navigate as you drive.

It’s a versatile beast with various mounting options. You can slot it into a cup holder, use the suction cup, or securely stick it to your dash with 3M adhesive. The cradle is fully adjustable and will accommodate larger phones like the iPhone 6S Plus or the Note 5. There’s also a cable included with Micro USB at one end to plug into the cradle, and a power adapter that fits a standard car power socket at the other. The power adapter lights up, so you know when it’s charging and drawing power. The cradle is great, because it has adjustable feet to change height and clamping arms with a release button, which makes it easy to fit and remove your phone with a single hand. You can also rotate it, thanks to a ball joint, to find the exact angle you want.

Specs
Power output
2A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
7” x 4” x 5” (adjustable)
Weight
212g (7.47oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes (for car socket)

Buy it now from:

Amazon

TYLT VU ($19)

As far as we know, TYLT was the first manufacturer to offer wireless chargers with this tilted, 45-degree cradle design, which allows you to see your phone more easily than if it were lying flat. The VU is a Qi charger with three coils inside, so you can put your phone on the cradle in portrait or landscape mode and it will still charge. There’s a single LED under the lip of the stand which goes green to indicate that it’s charging.

However, this charger is a bit on the expensive side, the power adapter is ugly and chunky, and some people have found that the pad can produce a lot of heat. The bright, plastic design is available in blue, green, and red, or you can go for black if you want something a bit more subdued. It also has a nice, soft-touch finish. We like the distinctive design, but it will take up a bit more space than a simple pad.

Specs
Power output
5W, 1A
Standard
Qi
Dimensions
7.5” x 3.5” x 0.5”
Weight
161g (5.7oz)
Cable included?
Yes
AC Adapter included?
Yes

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Apple shows off iPhone 8’s augmented reality features at September 12 event

Why it matters to you

Apple’s big bet on augmented reality and ARKit seems to already be producing some compelling apps, based on what was shown at today’s event.

At WWDC 2017, Apple lifted the lid on its ARKit augmented reality development tools. At the company’s September 12 event, AR apps were given major spotlight as part of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X reveal.

Apple is billing the iPhone 8 and iPhone X as the first smartphones designed with AR in mind. Their cameras have been calibrated for the technology, and the phones are capable of delivering crisp, 60fps visuals even in low-light conditions, and they are outfitted with a new gyroscope and accelerometer to track motion accurately — something that developers have been eager to see.

The A11 Bionic is the jewel in the crown of these AR capabilities. Its CPU handles world tracking and makes sure that the scenes virtual objects are placed in are rendered consistently, its GPU outputs realistic graphics, and Apple’s custom-designed ISP handles lighting.

A few examples of apps developed to take full advantage of the AR hardware were shown off. Major League Baseball’s At Bat app layers player stats over a live view of the game while you’re at the stadium, which seems like a great way to merge the best aspects of broadcast coverage with the appeal of being in the crowd.

Sky Guide overlays a star map over the night sky, making it easy to spot individual constellations. We only saw brief glimpses of these apps, but if they work as flawlessly as they seemed to, they’ll go a long way toward demonstrating that AR is something of a gamechanger and not just a gimmick.

Directive Games demonstrated its new title, The Machines. It’s a multiplayer game where a landscape is virtually implanted on a flat surface in the real world, with players invited to move around the environment to gain a tactical advantage over the opposing force.

The Machines looks like an action-centric take on real-time strategy with a focus on the land grabs that make MOBA games so compelling. It’s set to be released via the App Store later this month.

Pre-orders on the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X are set to open on September 15, with the devices arriving a week later on September 22, while iOS 11 launches on September 19.

Apple shows off iPhone 8’s augmented reality features at September 12 event

Why it matters to you

Apple’s big bet on augmented reality and ARKit seems to already be producing some compelling apps, based on what was shown at today’s event.

At WWDC 2017, Apple lifted the lid on its ARKit augmented reality development tools. At the company’s September 12 event, AR apps were given major spotlight as part of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X reveal.

Apple is billing the iPhone 8 and iPhone X as the first smartphones designed with AR in mind. Their cameras have been calibrated for the technology, and the phones are capable of delivering crisp, 60fps visuals even in low-light conditions, and they are outfitted with a new gyroscope and accelerometer to track motion accurately — something that developers have been eager to see.

The A11 Bionic is the jewel in the crown of these AR capabilities. Its CPU handles world tracking and makes sure that the scenes virtual objects are placed in are rendered consistently, its GPU outputs realistic graphics, and Apple’s custom-designed ISP handles lighting.

A few examples of apps developed to take full advantage of the AR hardware were shown off. Major League Baseball’s At Bat app layers player stats over a live view of the game while you’re at the stadium, which seems like a great way to merge the best aspects of broadcast coverage with the appeal of being in the crowd.

Sky Guide overlays a star map over the night sky, making it easy to spot individual constellations. We only saw brief glimpses of these apps, but if they work as flawlessly as they seemed to, they’ll go a long way toward demonstrating that AR is something of a gamechanger and not just a gimmick.

Directive Games demonstrated its new title, The Machines. It’s a multiplayer game where a landscape is virtually implanted on a flat surface in the real world, with players invited to move around the environment to gain a tactical advantage over the opposing force.

The Machines looks like an action-centric take on real-time strategy with a focus on the land grabs that make MOBA games so compelling. It’s set to be released via the App Store later this month.

Pre-orders on the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X are set to open on September 15, with the devices arriving a week later on September 22, while iOS 11 launches on September 19.

The best iPhone X cases to protect and style your new Apple phone

We knew the 10th anniversary edition of Apple’s influential iPhone was going to be something special. The iPhone X sports a big and beautiful, edge-to-edge, bezel-less screen, packs some serious power under the hood, and boasts a dual-lens camera. It’s a gorgeous design, but it can be damaged all too easily. Let’s check out some of the best iPhone X cases and covers to add some much-needed protection to your new Apple smartphone.

Grovemade Minimalist Tough Case ($100)

When you shop for rugged iPhone cases it can be difficult to find solid protection that doesn’t compromise on style. An industrial, durable aesthetic isn’t going to work for everyone, and that’s why Portland-based Grovemade has developed a new line of iPhone X cases that blend drop protection with stylish, natural materials. These tough frames combine anodized aluminum with a shock absorbing elastomer band and come with a choice of wood or leather back panels. Our top pick combines black aluminum with American Walnut, which has a discounted pre-order price of $100, but you can also snag the bumper for $80 or the black leather version for $110.

Buy it now from:

Grovemade

Nodus Access Case ($60)

This classy wallet case is made from Italian leather and comes in brown, black, gray, and teal varieties. The neatly stitched, textured leather exterior is stylish and practical. Inside, things are a little different from the majority of wallet cases, because there’s no plastic shell. Your iPhone X is held in place by a micro suction pad of adhesive that won’t mark your device. There’s a single, large pocket for cards or cash in the cover and you can fold it back to act as a landscape stand. The interior has a soft, microfiber finish and, because there’s no shell, you have uninterrupted access to ports, controls, and other features, but there is a cut-out on the back for the dual camera.

Buy it now from:

Nodus

Rokform Crystal Case ($50)

The big attraction of Rokform’s cases is the clever mounting system for securely fixing your iPhone to your bike, car, motorcycle, or anything else. You don’t just get Rokform’s clever locking system, though, there’s also a magnet on the back and each case ships with a magnetic mount for the air vent in your car. These cases meet military drop test standards and mix clear polycarbonate with flexible, black TPU padding where you need it most. The Crystal is the slim option and it comes in a range of different colors, but they also do a Rugged Case with a textured finish for the same price.

Buy it now from:

Rokform

Mous Limitless Case ($40)

Here’s another case manufacturer intent on delivering military-grade protection in a stylish package. The Limitless case from Mous is a fairly slim shell with an inlaid back panel that comes in a range of different materials including wood, carbon fiber, leather, and marble. Mous relies on “AiroShock”, a smart material that can absorb a lot of impact shock and take the sting out of falls. The case design includes the usual range of button covers and cut-outs for easy access to all your iPhone’s functions.

Buy it now from:

Mous

Speck Presidio Ultra Case ($50)

Sometimes you want extra protection, but you don’t necessarily want your iPhone to wear a bulky case all the time. Speck may have the answer. The Presidio Ultra offers drop protection up to 15 feet with four layers of protection, including dirt and dust resistance thanks to button and port covers. But the base is a regular Presidio case, which is a slim, protective plastic shell with the full range of cut-outs you need, drop protection up to 10 feet, and a durable finish. When you want the extra protection, you simply slip the Impactium Ultra bumper on top.

Buy it now from:

Speck

Lumion Osprey Wallet Case ($16)

You don’t have to spend big to get a protective, functional iPhone X case, as this option from Lumion proves. It’s a malleable TPU shell with button covers and cut-outs, but there’s also a glossy polycarbonate back that slides open to reveal a card slot with space for two cards. The corners are reinforced for drop protection and there’s a slight lip around the screen. The compartment door is spring-loaded, making it easy to access quickly. If you don’t recognize the Lumion name, that’s because it’s a new brand backed by VRS Design.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Peel Case ($25)

The ethos behind Peel’s cases seems to fit with Apple’s iPhone perfectly. These cases are intended to be minimalist, subtle, and free of logos. They’re only 0.35mm thick and have a semi-transparent matte finish in a wide range of different colors. Apple’s design shows through, but you benefit from a thin layer of protection against scratches and bumps. We wouldn’t rely on these iPhone X cases for drop protection, but if you just want something simple, they’re ideal.

Buy it now from:

Peel

Karapax Shield+ Case ($15)

This one-piece shell case allies polycarbonate with TPU to safeguard your iPhone X from tumbles and bumps. It feels flexible, sports cut-outs in all the right places, and has soft button covers that are easy to press. The back features an industrial design with black gloss and carbon fiber highlights. If you’ve never heard the name Karapax before, that’s because it’s a new case brand from one of our favorite portable battery charger manufacturers, Anker. This iPhone X case offers decent drop protection at a low price.

Buy it now from:

Anker

Mujjo Leather Wallet Case ($50)

Leather feels good in hand and it ages gracefully, acquiring more character as it breaks in, so Mujjo’s full-grain leather cases are well worth a look. We like the wallet variety because it includes a simple, slanted leather pocket stitched onto the back, capable of holding a couple of credit cards and your ID. There are leather button covers, openings for the camera and other features, and a slight bezel around the screen. The inside of the case is super soft microfiber.

Buy it now from:

Mujjo

Case-Mate Brilliance Tough Case ($80)

For serious eye-catching sparkle, the Case-Mate Brilliance range cannot be beat. Each case features more than 800 real crystals framed by metal accents. The underlying dual-layer shell meets military drop test standards, so your iPhone X can survive a fall with this case on. You’ll also find a raised lip to safeguard the screen, metallic button covers, and generous openings for ports and other functions. The Iridescent version is pictured, but this also comes in rose gold, lace, and champagne.

Buy it now from:

Case-Mate

Everything you need to know about Apple’s AirPods

With two generations of iPhone now headphone jack-free, qualms about the lack of a headphone jack on Apple’s smartphones has died down. Some of that is because people are making do with the 3.5mm headphone jack adapter that comes in the box, and some is because of consistent advancement among the best wireless headphones on the market. For those who are interested in keeping all their tech products within the same family, the fully wireless earbuds from Apple, which are specifically designed for the company’s products thanks to the W1 chip, may be of interest. Below, you will find everything you need to know about the Apple AirPods. If you are interested in more specific information about how they function in day-to-day life, be sure to check out our full AirPod review.

Price and availability

Apple’s Airpods are now available to order online for $159, and can also be purchased in person at any Apple Store.

The AirPods do not come bundled with any current iPhone models and they are fairly expensive at $160. But the price is in the range of other fully wireless earbuds currently available, many of which start at $250. There are a few other options closer in price and function to Apple’s AirPods, notably Bragi’s The Headphone.

Heaven forbid you lose one of the earbuds but if you do, don’t worry. Apple will sell both earbuds individually.

Buy them now from:

Apple

The W1 chip

Apple wants to get rid of wires, and the W1 chip inside the AirPods helps get the company closer to that vision. It’s the brains of the AirPods and improves the efficiency for almost every function. It makes pairing with your iPhone faster and easier and it manages power better so you get longer battery life.

When pairing, all you need to do is open the carrying case for the AirPods, and if your iPhone is nearby, you will receive a notification asking if you want to pair the two. It is that simple.

The chip also makes wireless transference of your audio more efficient and that means the earbuds can get about five hours of playback time per charge.

The W1 chip is not only in the AirPods but also in several other Apple products like the Beats Solo3 Wireless, Powerbeats3 Wireless, and the Beats X. Even with the W1 chip, all these devices, including the AirPods, still use Bluetooth, meaning you will be able to pair them with non-Apple devices.

To pair with non-Apple devices, press the button on the carrying case.

The AirPods

Apple’s shower-head-shaped AirPods are still similar in design, comfort, and sound in comparison to the wired earbuds that came with previous iPhone devices.

Both earbuds have dual optical sensors that sense when they are in your ears to pause and play music, and there are dual-voice accelerometers that can detect when you are speaking. Each earbud for the AirPods is packed with two microphones, an antenna, a battery, and the W1 chip.

Since each earbud has all that tech, you can use one without the other — all audio will automatically be routed to the earbud you decide to use.

Once you pair the earbuds to your iPhone, it will automatically pair with your Apple Watch and Mac if they are running the latest software — watchOS 3 and macOS High Sierra, respectively.

Don’t expect great audio quality with the AirPods — wired headphones and earbuds are typically better in this regard. Still, wireless earbuds have been catching on for a while and they will only get better.

What else can the AirPods do?

Apart from listening to music, you can trigger Siri with a quick double-tap gesture on either of the earbuds. Unfortunately, the only way to change the volume for music is to ask Siri or use your phone. Asking Siri to do it will pause your music, which can be annoying.

If you don’t care for having Siri at your fingertips, you can set double-tap to simply play or pause music in the Bluetooth settings page. If you are getting a call, just tap once to answer.

The latest iPhone models may be waterproof, but that doesn’t mean the AirPods will be. They’re capable enough to prevent rain or sweat from ruining the device, in case you’re using the AirPods at the gym. But anything more than that may damage the earbuds.

Battery and charging

The downside with wireless earbuds is that you have to charge them — yep, yet another device to charge. The AirPods come with a carrying case that can charge your earbuds when you’re on the move. It can offer up to 24 hours of listening time, but the earbuds themselves will only have five hours of playback time per charge.

To charge both the case and the earbuds, all you need to do is plug in a Lightning charger to the case.

Those who are tired of cables will be happy to know that Apple announced the launch of an optional charging case for AirPods will come in 2018 — to go along with the company’s new AirPower system. The case features a single design change from the original, in that the LED charging indicator will move from the inside of the case to the outside so it can be monitored during wireless charging.

Update: Added news of AirPods’ optional wireless charging case.

SwingLync is a wearable golf sensor to help you improve your game

Why it matters to you

Looking to improve your swing? Look no further than the suite of sensors from SwingLync.

You may not be in the PGA Tour (yet), but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be working on your swing. If anything, it means that you should be getting all the help you can get. And here to provide some assistance is the SwingLync, a wearable golf swing analyzer that promises to serve as a virtual coach that will guide you toward a better swing (and hopefully, a better game).

Described as a wearable training technology, the SwingLync claims to help everyday golfers (whether they’re amateurs or seasoned pros) learn how to better position their body during the all-important swing. The wearable is paired with a companion smartphone app that delivers instantaneous feedback, and customizable settings can be specially tailored to your skill level. Indeed, the SwingLync team claims, this is “the tool you’ve been missing to gain increased power and consistency in your swing.”

Thanks to this new wearable, you’ll actually be able to see how your body contorts during your swing. The app features visual snapshots that show you precisely how you’re moving — you’ll be able to see every stage of your swing, including the setup, the top, the impact, the finish, and everything in between. Movements that are deemed commendable will be shown to you in green, whereas red results will tell you where to focus your time.

SwingLync will also give you specific, actionable advice. For example, by way of the app, you can see where you need to rotate more, where you need to bend less, and everything in between. This easy-to-understand feedback ought to be hugely helpful in actually implementing the changes you need to improve your game.

The entire SwingLync system comes with a wide range of wearables to measure each and every part of your body involved in the sport. The system is comprised of three wearable sensors, one shoulder harness, and lifetime access to the SwingLync mobile app. And for Kickstarter backers, it will all cost you $199 (which the team boasts is less than the cost of a new driver). Delivery for the wearable set is expected for April of next year.