FCC adopts new rules aimed at stopping robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a new set of rules today aimed at shutting down irritating robocalls. The commission says that it receives over 200,000 complaints per year concerning unwanted calls, including robocalls, most of which were banned by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2009.

The new rules specifically target robocalls that spoof caller ID information, such as those that display numbers that are either not actually in use or numbers that don’t make outgoing calls. Voice service providers are now expressly authorized to block robocalls that use those spoofing strategies as well as those that appear to be from area codes that don’t exist or from numbers that haven’t been assigned to a provider.

However, while providers will be allowed to block these numbers, it doesn’t mean they will. In 2015, the FCC passed regulations that allowed telecommunication companies to block robocalls and spam messages at the request of customers. But in 2016, reports surfaced that companies like AT&T were still telling customers that they couldn’t block robocalls, which led the FCC to send letters to those companies asking them to provide call-blocking services to their customers. As part of its fight against robocalls, the FTC has held multiple contests that awarded cash prizes to people who came up with promising, robocall-stopping technology.

Hopefully the new rules adopted today by the FCC will help cut down on pesky robocalls, but because their effectiveness will depend on whether communications companies actually take advantage of them, that’s far from guaranteed. Additionally, there’s nothing in the new rules that prohibits companies from charging customers to block the calls, which is where FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel believes the proposal fell short. She voted to approve it regardless but said, “So this is the kicker: the FCC takes action to ostensibly reduce robocalls but then makes sure you can pay for the privilege. If you ask me, that’s ridiculous.”

Source: FCC

Nintendo Switch’s ‘Arms’ adds a fighter with robotic scorpion fists

Nintendo seems keen to address Arms’ overall thin initial offerings in terms of stages, characters and modes. Since launch the game has been updated a handful of times to add more, and today brings another. Arms 4.0 adds Misango, a man with robotic scorpions for fists. Yes, really. He also has a mask that can help guard against facial damage. There’s also a new stage that Misango calls home, and you can see that in the trailer embedded below. Nintendo hasn’t updated the fighter overview page online just yet — or the patch notes — so it isn’t clear what else Misango will bring with him.

Last month’s 3.2 update added badges for completing milestones within the game and a replay feature along with a slew of balance adjustments for the entire roster of fighters. And before that, the 3.0 update added several fighters in addition to gameplay tweaks. Rest assured, it’s incredibly likely that Mr. Scorpion Fists isn’t the only new bit that’s out today.

Via: Kotaku (UK)

Source: Nintendo (YouTube)

Vimeo Announces Support for HDR Video Playback on iPhone X, 2017 iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K

Vimeo today announced that support for high dynamic range (HDR) videos has officially arrived across the company’s entire suite of apps for the iPhone X, 2017 iPad Pro models, and Apple TV 4K. Vimeo said this means it’s “the only video-hosting platform available in HDR” on Apple’s platforms right now. This might be a reference to YouTube, which has been notably absent from including 4K video on its Apple TV app due to each company supporting different HDR codecs.

For Vimeo, the company said that it’s enabling HDR with 10-bit graphics and a BT.2020 wide color gamut by leveraging the next-generation High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard to keep file sizes at manageable levels. This will allow video makers and editors who shoot in HDR the ability to upload to Vimeo “in the highest color accuracy possible.”

We now support 10-bit video, which means the image quality is strikingly clear and cleaner than ever before. The precision and nuance of 10-bit allows us to upgrade from 16 million colors to 1 billion colors.

With BT.2020 (or Rec.2020) support and wider color gamuts (WCG), your image will now represent over 75% of the color that the human eye can see. That’s a big change: most modern color gamuts in videos are limited to a 35% color range. But with BT.2020, we can truly depict your deepest reds, brightest greens, and darkest blacks like never before.

The new support also unlocks resolutions in up to 8K, according to Vimeo, which viewers can watch on devices that support output of these resolution levels (4K, 5K, 6K, and 8K), or download them for file sharing later. Because Vimeo is also a video marketplace where creators can sell videos, the company noted that 8K Ultra HD support isn’t just about streaming video (since 8K displays are still nascent in the market), but also for selling, distributing, and submitting videos to festivals “in the best quality possible.”

Viewers will be able to know when a video is available in HDR with an included “HDR” badge on the video page and player, which Vimeo automatically detects and displays. Like all HDR and high-resolution content, viewers will need a screen that supports HDR 10 and HEVC, so anyone with an iPhone X, a model of the latest iPad Pro from 2017, and Apple TV 4K will be able to watch this content on their devices.

La La La from Rus Khasanov on Vimeo.

Vimeo content in HDR will also include a separate standard definition version of the video, for users who don’t have access to HDR-capable devices. Any device will be able to download HDR HEVC files so they can share and transfer the videos to other platforms, as well.

For more information on Vimeo’s HDR support, check out the company’s blog post here. Vimeo is available for free on the iOS App Store [Direct Link] and tvOS App Store.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, Apple TV, iPhone XTags: Vimeo, HDRBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Caution), Apple TV (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Neutral), iPhone X (Buy Now)
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Deep Neural Networks for Face Detection Explained on Apple’s Machine Learning Journal

Apple today published a new entry in its online Machine Learning Journal, this time covering an on-device deep neural network for face detection, aka the technology that’s used to power the facial recognition feature used in Photos and other apps.

Facial detection features were first introduced as part of iOS 10 in the Core Image framework, and it was used on-device to detect faces in photos so people could view their images by person in the Photos app.

Implementing this technology was no small feat, says Apple, as it required “orders of magnitude more memory, much more disk storage, and more computational resources.”

Apple’s iCloud Photo Library is a cloud-based solution for photo and video storage. However, due to Apple’s strong commitment to user privacy, we couldn’t use iCloud servers for computer vision computations. Every photo and video sent to iCloud Photo Library is encrypted on the device before it is sent to cloud storage, and can only be decrypted by devices that are registered with the iCloud account. Therefore, to bring deep learning based computer vision solutions to our customers, we had to address directly the challenges of getting deep learning algorithms running on iPhone.

Apple’s Machine Learning Journal entry describes how Apple overcame these challenges by leveraging GPU and CPU in iOS devices, developing memory optimizations for network interference, image loading, and caching, and implementing the network in a way that did not interfere with other tasks expected on iPhone.

The new entry is well worth reading if you’re interested in the specific details behind how Apple overcame these challenges to successfully implemented the feature. The technical details are dense, but understandable, and it provides some interesting insight into how facial recognition works.

With its Machine Learning Journal, Apple aims to share the complex concepts behind its technology so the users of its products can get a look behind the curtain. It also serves as a way for Apple’s engineers to participate in the AI community.

Apple has previously shared several articles on Siri, including how “Hey Siri,” works, and a piece on using machine learning and neural networks for refining synthetic images.

Tag: machine learning
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iPhone X Named One of the ’25 Best Inventions of 2017′ by TIME

Apple’s new flagship iPhone X is one of the best inventions of 2017, according to a new list of the top 25 inventions of the year published this morning by TIME magazine.

The smartphone, which launched on November 3, features some of the most radical design changes Apple has introduced in an iPhone since the first iteration of the device launched in 2007. It does away with the Home button, includes an entirely new user interface that embraces new gestures, brings impressive new camera technology, and introduces next-generation biometric authentication in the form of Face ID.

Apple Design Chief Jony Ive says Apple was “looking to the future” with the decision to remove the Home button, and that holding onto features, even those that have been effective, “is a path that leads to failure.” As for cost, Ive says packing those features and impressive processing power into the iPhone X has “financial consequence.”

Dan Riccio, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, says the iPhone X is “something we really wanted to do since day one.”

Based on estimates for demand, the iPhone X is a hit with consumers. It’s received largely positive reviews, and despite some bugs and hiccups with a small number of issues, its launch has been a success.

The iPhone X is just one of 25 products that were named the best inventions of the year. Other items that were highlighted by TIME include the Jibo robot, Halo Top low calorie ice cream, the heated Ember mug that keeps coffee warm, a multi-directional elevator, 3D printed Adidas shoes, the Tesla Model 3, the DJI Spark, the Nintendo Switch, and fidget spinners.

Related Roundup: iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Buy Now)
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Jony Ive Says Holding Onto Features When There’s a ‘Better Way’ is ‘Path That Leads to Failure’

After naming the iPhone X as one of the 25 Best Inventions of the Year, TIME sat down for an interview about the smartphone with Apple’s design chief Jony Ive and hardware engineering chief Dan Riccio.

Riccio believes the iPhone X paves the way for the next 10 years of smartphones, given its radical redesign with a nearly edge to edge display, no home button, and advanced cameras for facial recognition and augmented reality.

“There were these extraordinarily complex problems that needed to be solved,” said Ive. “Paying attention to what’s happened historically actually helps give you some faith that you are going to find a solution.”

That history includes, in part, Apple removing the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 last year, parting ways with the built-in disc drive on the MacBook Pro after 2012, and ditching the floppy drive on the iMac G3 in 1998.

“I actually think the path of holding onto features that have been effective, the path of holding onto those whatever the cost, is a path that leads to failure,” said Ive. “And in the short term, it’s the path that feels less risky and it’s the path that feels more secure.”

Ive acknowledged that it’s not always easy for Apple to move past a feature or technology when it believes there’s a “better way,” and it’s easy to see his point given the controversy that each change has generated.

Apple was criticized by a fair number of customers for removing the headphone jack on the iPhone last year, for example, and even competitors like Google and Samsung used it as an opportunity to poke fun at Apple.

After time, however, many customers usually learn to adapt. Google even removed the headphone jack on the Pixel 2 this year.

iPhone X is the most expensive iPhone ever, with a starting price of $999 in the United States, which Ive said is the “financial consequence” of “integrating the sheer amount of processing power into such a small device.”

“Our goal is always to provide what we think is the best product possible, not always the lowest cost,” added Riccio.

Despite being expensive, the iPhone X appears to be off to a successful start given sales estimates, and Apple’s forecast for an all-time revenue record this quarter. Orders placed today are still backlogged by 2-3 weeks.

Related Roundup: iPhone XTags: TIME, Dan Riccio, Jony IveBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Buy Now)
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Apple Pay Promo Provides Free Postmates Unlimited Subscription Through End of 2017

Apple today sent out an Apple Pay email to customers, highlighting a Postmates deal. If you use Apple Pay to sign up for the Postmates Unlimited service, you can get free delivery through the end of the year on all orders over $20 without paying the $9.99 per month fee.

Postmates Unlimited is a subscription service that allows customers to get free delivery from any merchant in their city on orders over $20, essentially doing away with delivery fees. The Postmates Unlimited service costs $9.99 per month, though, and it does not do away with other service fees or the need to tip.

If you’re a frequent Postmates customer, it’s potentially worth the $9.99 per month because delivery fees can add up, especially from merchants that are not located nearby.

Customers will need to sign up for the deal by November 23 to get free shipments for the rest of 2017. Postmates previously offered a similar Unlimited trial, but the company says it has been extended for all customers using Apple Pay.

Special announcement: Just in time for the holidays, we’ve extended the Unlimited trial for customers using Apple Pay. Sign up before Nov 23rd and your subscription will be free for all of 2017. That means all orders over $20 have no delivery fee.

This appears to be one of the first Apple Pay emails Apple has sent out to customers. Apple also highlights several locations that accept Apple Pay, including Trader Joe’s, Pizza Hut, and Crate & Barrel, along with the Jet, Etsy, and Macy’s apps.

Related Roundup: Apple PayTag: Postmates
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We tested it: The Surface Book 2’s 15-hour battery easily outlasts your work day

What’s a typical work day look like for you? Eight hours? Nine? 10? Perhaps even 12?

If so, we’re sorry. That’s a long, long time to work. Yet there is one PC that can keep up with you and may, in fact, even outlast your marathon work ethic — Microsoft’s new Surface Book 2 15-inch.

We test laptop battery life with a scripted, automated web browsing loop that rotates through several real websites, pausing between each. Most modern laptops do well in the test, scoring at least five to six hours of life. The best laptops can exceed eight hours.

And then there’s the Surface Book 2 15-inch. It turned in an incredible 15 hours and 33 minutes, smashing previous records with ease. Here’s how it stacks up next to five other recently tested laptops that impressed us with their endurance.

It’s not even close, is it? The Surface Book 2 kept on chugging four hours after the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, an increase of 35 percent. The Book 2 also lasts around twice as long as the Microsoft Surface Laptop.

How’s that possible? It’s half raw power, half magic. The power is the sheer size of the battery which, at 90 watt-hours combined between tablet and base, easily exceeds the competition. Yet Microsoft is also putting some secret sauce into its systems. Our reviews of both the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop noted they lasted longer than battery size alone might suggest.

Combine a big battery with a miserly design and, well, the results speak for themselves.

What’s the catch? Well, the battery is split between the detachable tablet and the base, so the tablet alone won’t last nearly as long. You can always re-attach it to the base to recharge, though, so we doubt it’ll be a problem for most.

Battery life isn’t the only benchmark that gave us a shock, either. Check out our Surface Book 2 full review for all the details.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Is the Surface Book 2 a worthy sequel to the original? Here’s how it compares
• Premium notebook knockout: ThinkPad X1 Carbon versus the Surface Laptop
• Dell XPS 13 Review
• Acer Switch 3 review
• Spin it or flip it? HP Spectre x360 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop

Want to look awesome while live-streaming? The Asus ZenFone V Live can help

If you’re worried about your appearance while hosting those live-streams, you might want to pick up the V Live, the new addition to the Asus ZenFone lineup that’s exclusive to Verizon. The device has a built-in “Beautification” tool to make you look better while live on social media.

Built-in Live Beautification

The ZenFone Live V has built-in Live Beautification for Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. It allows you to adjust and control your facial features, along with your complexion and any skin blemishes.

Regardless of the conditions, the device can apparently provide low-light performance with the rear-camera and clear, detailed live-streaming via the front-facing camera.

The Asus PixelMaster camera also features low-light, beautification, depth of field, panorama, and more.

Design

The Zenfone V Live has a full metal body, with curved edges and thicker bezels on the top and bottom. There’s only one color option available — black. But the back of the device is a dark gray.

Both the earpiece and speaker reside at the top of the device. On the right, you’ll find the power button and volume rocker.

Specs and screen

The device features a 5-inch HD display with curved 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. On the bottom, there’s USB Type-C port for charging. As for security, there’s a fingerprint reader located on the front of the device. On the back, there’s a vertical rear camera setup with a 13-megapixel sensor.

Under the hood, is a Snapdragon 425 processor and Adreno 308 GPU. It packs a 3,000mAh battery, along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of native storage. There’s also a SIM tray with a spot for a micro-SD card of up to 128GB for expandable storage.

As far as software goes, it runs Android Nougat 7.1.1, which is Google’s mobile operating system from 2016. The company has released another one since then, known as Android Oreo.

Price and availability

The Zenfone V Live is available exclusively on Verizon. It’s already hit shelves for $7 per month for 24 months on the Verizon device payment plan. You can purchase it through Verizon’s website or at Verizon’s retail locations.

Editors’ Recommendations

• YouTube Live makes streaming faster, includes ultra-low latency option
• Livestream Mevo Plus takes live broadcast camera from novelty to pro
• Screen share comes to Facebook Live for streaming games, tutorials
• These new Parrot drones could save lives and crops
• Get a live, fly-on-the-wall view with the new 360Fly 4K Pro immersive camera

Don’t buy a laptop for under $500 — unless it’s one of these

Looking for the best laptops under $500 can be a tricky process. There are a lot of these units on the market, and even a basic search on Amazon can produce a ton of results with a near-infinite number of configurations. Is this device worth the money? Am I purchasing out-of-date hardware? Will it end up moving slower than the smartphone in my pocket? Luckily for you, we did the investigative work.

Unfortunately, finding a laptop based on the most recent components priced under $500 is highly unlikely. You’re even lucky to discover a good deal based on previous-generation technology. For instance, Intel just unleashed its eighth-generation family of CPUs for laptops, but most of what you’ll find for under $500 are products based on older chips dating back to Intel’s third-generation lineup.

That said, buying a laptop with a processor launched at the end of 2015 isn’t exactly horrible (for now), and you’ll find a few scattered below sporting these sixth-generation chips. The clue to their age is in the CPU’s model number, such as the Core i3-7100U. The “7” indicates that it’s a seventh-generation chip, whereas the new Core i5-8250U is an eighth-generation model.

For our roundup, we split the laptop gold mine into two sections: Windows 10 and Chrome OS. There’s a huge fan base for each, and you’ll find models under $500 served up by popular manufacturers Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. First, let’s start with the best laptops under $500 packing Windows 10!

Acer Aspire E 15 (around $480)

With this model, Acer is using Intel’s seventh-generation Core i3-7100U processor, but there’s also a version made available relying on the sixth-generation Core i5-6200U chip. The latter Core i5 CPU actually provides slightly better performance, but it’s a two-year-old chip whereas the Core i3 processor arrived last year. The performance difference between the two isn’t drastic, so you may want to weigh performance versus age when choosing this laptop.

Outside the processor aspect, this Core i3-based model consists of a 15.6-inch screen with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, 8GB of system memory (DDR4), and 1TB of storage via a 5,200RPM hard drive. The graphics are handled by Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 620 component, and can be exported through the built-in HDMI port. Other connectivity aspects include Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.1, wired gigabit Ethernet networking, and four USB ports.

The laptop weighs 5.27 pounds, and measures 15 x 10 x 1.1 inches. It also includes an 8x SuperMulti optical drive.

Asus VivoBook F510UA ($499)

This Windows 10-based VivoBook from Asus relies on Intel’s latest eighth-generation Core i5-8250U processor. It’s a quad-core chip with a base speed of 1.60GHz, and a boost speed of 3.40GHz. It includes Intel’s integrated UHD Graphics 620 component supporting 4K visuals, but that’s only supported through the laptop’s HDMI output. The built-in 15.6-inch screen can only handle a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080.

As for other hardware goodies, this laptop includes 8GB of system memory (DDR4), 1TB of storage on a 5,400RPM hard drive, and an SD card reader for additional storage. Networking is only handled by Wireless AC connectivity, and the remaining connectivity options are provided through three USB ports. This laptop even ships with a fingerprint scanner for password-free access to Windows 10.

The VivoBook weighs 3.7 pounds, and measures 14.2 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches.

Dell Inspiron 15 (around $450)

Dell’s Inspiron-branded notebook is based on Intel’s seventh-generation Core i3-7100U dual-core processor clocked at 2.4GHz. The graphics are handled by the chip’s integrated HD Graphics 620 component capable of 4K visuals, but the 15.6-inch touch-enabled screen only supports a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Anything higher will need to be outsourced through the built-in HDMI port.

Based on the specs, the laptop includes 8GB of system memory (DDR4), and a 1TB 5,400RPM hard drive. There’s no wired Ethernet connectivity, but the laptop supports Wireless AC networking (433Mbps), and Bluetooth 4.1. Other features consist of an SD card reader, three USB ports, and a cool “orchid” purple exterior. The speakers are fine-tuned with MaxxAudio by Waves.

Dell’s laptop weighs 5.1 pounds, and measures 10.2 x 15.3 x 0.9 inches.

HP Pavilion 17 (around $475)

This Pavilion-branded laptop sports a 17.3-inch screen with a 1,600 x 900 resolution. It’s powered by Intel’s seventh-generation Core i5-7200U processor, and the chip’s integrated HD Graphics 620 component. It’s capable of 4K visuals only through a supported external display connected to the laptop’s HDMI port.

Other ingredients thrown into the Pavilion mix include a mere 4GB of system memory (DDR4), 1TB of storage on a 5,200RPM hard drive, and a SuperMuti DVD/CD burner. There are three USB ports to handle your external devices, and an Ethernet port for wired networking. There’s no mention of wireless connectivity on the product page, but HP’s Pavilion 17 laptops typically include Wireless AC (867Mbps) and Bluetooth 4.2.

This laptop weighs 7.2 pounds and measures 17.3 x 1.0 x 10.1 inches.

Lenovo IdeaPad 320 (around $475)

Here’s another 17.3-inch laptop for under $500, only it’s by Lenovo. This IdeaPad-branded model is based on Intel’s seventh-generation Core i3-7100U processor, and the chip’s integrated HD Graphics 620 component. The screen supports a maximum resolution of 1,600 x 900, which isn’t surprising given the targeted price point. There’s no touch-based input, but for the price, you get the added benefit of a fingerprint reader for password-free entry into Windows 10.

Other ingredients baked into this laptop include a weird 6GB system memory configuration, indicating that it may include two memory slots packed with 2GB and 4GB sticks. For storage, you get a slow 5,200RPM hard drive with a 1TB capacity that’s complemented by an SD card reader. Other features include three USB ports, an Ethernet port, HDMI output, Wireless AC networking (867Mbps), and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity.

Lenovo’s IdeaPad is the heaviest of the group, weighing 7.1 pounds and measuring 16.5 x 11.5 x 1.0 inches.

Next, on to Chromebooks!

Acer Chromebook 15 (under $500)

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

For starters, Acer has a newer version of its 15.6-inch Chromebook listed on its site for $400, but you can find this one for a wide range of prices on the internet. The older 2015 model we’re listing here is based on a fifth-generation Core i5-5200U dual-core processor backed by an integrated HD Graphics 5500 component capable of 4K visuals. But the Chromebook’s built-in screen only supports a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080.

Acer’s Chromebook includes 4GB of system memory, and a built-in SSD providing 32GB of storage. Other goodies include Wireless AC (867Mbps) and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, two USB ports, HDMI output, and a microSD card reader for storing your files, music, and videos. Note that this Chromebook provides upward-facing speakers in the keyboard area, so the audio isn’t muffled, distorted, or pushed away from your ears.

This Chromebook weighs a mere 4.8 pounds, and measures 15.1 x 9.7 x 1.0 inches.

Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA ($430)

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

This Chromebook from Asus has a smaller screen at 12.5-inches, and a smaller price tag in the process. This screen supports touch input and a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, backed by Intel’s Core m3-6Y30 processor with a meager base speed of 900MHz and a boost speed of 2.2GHz. While that doesn’t sound very “speedy” for any laptop, there’s a version based on Intel’s Core m5-6Y54 with faster base and boost speeds for $220 more.

With this Chromebook, you’re buying into the “flip” design, meaning the 12.5-inch screen sits on a 360-degree hinge to enable four form factors: Laptop, Stand, Tent, and Tablet. The screen has full touch support, and a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Other ingredients consist of 4GB of system memory, a whopping 64GB of storage (another cost factor), Wireless AC connectivity, and a handful of ports. The battery promises an average uptime of 10 hours.

The Chromebook Flip weighs 2.6 pounds, and measures 8.3 x 12 x 0.5 inches.

HP 13 G1 Chromebook ($499)

HP’s Chromebook is based on Intel’s sixth-generation Pentium 4405Y processor speeding along at 1.5GHz. It powers a 13.3-inch screen with a crazy resolution of 3,200 x 1,800, taking full advantage of the Pentium chip’s HD Graphics 515 integrated graphics. This is unusually high for a Chromebook, and a great deal for what you’re paying. There’s no dedicated video output, so you’ll need to use a USB adapter to pipe those visuals to an external display.

The screen and processor are backed by 4GB of system memory (DDR3), and 32GB of storage. Other components include Wireless AC networking (867Mbps), Bluetooth 4.2, three USB ports, an HP TrueVision HD camera, and a battery promising around 8.25 of average up-time. It even includes a TPM 1.2 embedded security chip for the workplace.

HP’s Chromebook weighs 2.7 pounds, and measures 8.6 x 12.6 x 1.0 inches.

Lenovo ThinkPad 13 Chromebook (around $400)

This Chromebook manufactured by Lenovo features a 13.3-inch screen with a lackluster 1,366 x 768 resolution. The selling point appears to be the device’s battery promising up to 13 hours on a single charge. It relies on a sixth-generation Intel Core i3-6100U processor along with an integrated HD Graphics 520 component capable of outputting an 4K resolution.

As for the other items on the Chromebook menu, the device includes 4GB of system memory (LPDDR3), 16GB of storage, and wireless connectivity via Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0. It provides four USB ports and an SD card slot, but you won’t find wired Ethernet-based networking or video output. It’s MIL-STD 810G certified, meaning it can withstand the harsh handling of kids and soldiers alike.

Lenovo’s Chromebook weighs 3.1 pounds, and measures 8.8 x 12.7 x 0.8 inches.

Samsung Chromebook Plus ($449)

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Finally, this Chromebook is based on a special processor optimized for Chrome OS, and is the only unit in the batch not based on an Intel chip. The processor is Rockchip’s RK3399, which consists of two “big” cores for the heavy lifting, and four “little” cores for general stuff like file editing and web browsing. This processor falls under Google’s “OP1” umbrella, which is short for “optimized first generation” for processors optimized for Chrome OS.

Outside the special chip, Samsung’s Chromebook sports a 12.3-inch touch-enabled screen with a hefty 2,400 x 1,600 resolution. It includes a 360-degree hinge enabling you to configure the Chromebook in four positions: Laptop, Tent, Stand, and Tablet. Other features include 4GB of system memory (DDR3L), 32GB of storage, an SD card reader, and several USB ports. Networking is provided via Wireless AC connectivity.

The Chromebook Plus weighs 2.4 pounds, and measures 11 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches. It also ships with a pen for on-screen note taking, illustrations, and more.

Editors’ Recommendations

• HP’s newest ProBook 400 G5 upgrades to Intel 8th Gen notebook CPUs
• Is Google’s Pixelbook a worthy competitor to the Surface Pro?
• It’s real! Lenovo unveils 25th Anniversary ThinkPad with retro keyboard, styling
• AMD CEO shows off first laptop packing a Ryzen-branded chip at Best Buy
• The best cheap laptop you can buy