Spire’s disposable health tracker tags can smarten up your dumb clothes

We’ve covered smart clothes before at Digital Trends, but a new product from health monitoring company Spire promises to do something a bit different from its competitors: Give you the tools to make any item of clothing into a smart wearable. Called the Spire Health Tag, it’s a tiny device that adheres to your clothes and then — it claims — offers you real-time data relating to heart rate, sleep, stress, and other assorted daily activities.

“Health Tag attaches to a wide range of clothing — because people like to wear a wide range of clothing — but it’s clothing like pajamas, underwear, or bras that keep the device in contact with your core,” Jonathan Palley, CEO and co-founder of Spire, told Digital Trends. “The custom sensors that we developed for Health Tag collect 20 billion data points per day from continuously tracking your activity, heart rate, and heart rate variability and breathing. Together with the advanced algorithms in our Insights Engine that analyze the data, we can identify periods where your breathing reflects stress and calmness levels, along with physical activity and sleep quality.”

The company certainly has a history of success. Its first product, the Spire Stone, is available for sale in Apple Stores around the world, and has racked up more than $8 million in sales. Palley said that, with the Spire Health Tag, they’ve taken everything they learned from that device (“including the fact that people don’t like to wear clunky devices that need to be charged”) and put it into a form factor which promises to just disappear into the background. Unlike some of the flashier wearable devices out there, the idea is simply that you forget about the waterproof Health Tag. The only time you get reminded of it is when there’s something it needs to notify you of, via your connected mobile device — complete with a recommended course of action to improve your health outcome.

The Spire Health Tag is available for ordering today, with a pack of three costing $99, a pack of eight for $199, and a pack of 15 for $299. Then just attach them to your items of clothing and, we hope, start living a healthier, happier life.

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Time to upgrade your gaming PC? These are the best processors to choose from

If want to completely revamp your computer to play the latest PC games, it’s smart to start with the processor and work outwards. Of course, the graphics component is the important half of the PC gaming equation along with the motherboard, system memory, and storage. But the processor is the heart of your machine, computing all the instructions required to create and maintain a believable, virtual environment.

So what are the best processors for gaming? You really only have two contenders to deal with: Intel and AMD. We broke down our processor choices into price groups, but kick off the gaming CPU bonanza with the ultimate chips from each company. They’re the best you can presently buy from each, so expect to drain the bank account, take out a loan, or do whatever needs to be done to purchase the absolute fastest gaming CPUs on the planet.

The speed demons

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

For this group, we have the two of the fastest desktop processors you can currently find from Intel and AMD. If you’re looking to just upgrade your CPU without having to rip out other components, then look the other way. If you don’t want to spend over $900 and on up into a four-digit price tag, then this duo isn’t for you. Intel’s 18-core chip is a whopping $2,000, and AMD’s 16-core chip is still rather wallet-thrashing at almost half the price.

For these two chips, you’ll need a completely new motherboard for starters given their enormous size. We’ve listed the required motherboard seat within the specifications along with the motherboard chipset that complements these powerhouse CPUs. Both shown below were released in the August/September 2017 timeframe, so they’re fresh off the CPU presses. These chips do not provide integrated graphics.

Intel
Core i9-7980XE
AMD
Ryzen Threadripper
1950X
Architecture:
Skylake-X
Zen
Cores:
18
16
Threads:
36
32
Base speed:
2.6GHz
3.4GHz
Maximum speed:
4.4GHz
4.0GHz
Cache:
24.75MB
32MB
Integrated graphics:
No
No
Power use:
165 watts
180 watts
Required socket:
LGA 2066
TR4
Required chipset:
X299
X399
Price:
$2,000
$970

The extreme market

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

This set is mostly dominated by Intel’s X-Series processors. Below you will find Intel’s 12-core X-Series chip along with AMD’s competing 12-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper processor. Again, both will require a new motherboard with a larger, compatible seat. But AMD’s variant will require additional juice given it consumes more power than the company’s current Ryzen 7/5/3 desktop processors. It even consumes 40 watts more than Intel’s 12-core chip.

Also seen below, you will find listings for three other Intel X-Series processors. You really can’t go wrong with any chip listed in this batch — it’s just a matter of how much you are willing to spend. Other things to consider is the additional cost of the motherboard, processor cooling, and possible system memory and graphics card upgrades. That’s a big part of AMD’s mission with its Ryzen processors: Equal, if not better, performance to match similar competing CPUs at a lower price.

Intel
Core i9-7920X
AMD
Ryzen Threadripper
1920X
Architecture:
Skylake-X
Zen
Cores:
12
12
Threads:
24
24
Base speed:
2.9GHz
3.5GHz
Maximum speed:
4.4GHz
4.0GHz
Cache:
16.5MB
32MB
Integrated graphics:
No
No
Power use:
140 watts
180 watts
Required socket:
LGA 2066
TR4
Required chipset:
X299
X399
Price:
$1,100
$745

Now here are the three other X-Series processors from Intel costing between $960 and $1,690.

Intel
Core i9-7960X
Intel
Core i9-7940X
Intel
Core i9-7900X
Architecture:
Skylake-X
Skylake-K
Skylake-X
Cores:
16
14
10
Threads:
32
24
20
Price:
$1,690
$1,400
$960

$500 to $599

Here is the last Intel X-Series processor in our batch, and the only chip within this price range that’s great for gamers. Like all the other X-Series chips, you’ll need a new motherboard with the big LGA 2066 processor seat, and Intel’s X299 chipset. It’s not exactly a power sipper either, so make sure your power supply can support the chip along with any other hardware — such as a high-end graphics card — you throw into the mix.

One note we’d like to throw in is that despite the X-Series chips hitting the market in the second and third quarters of 2017, they’re not eighth-generation chips. They’re actually based on a sixth-generation design that’s tweaked and enhanced to meet the high-performance requirements of enthusiasts. Intel typically does this every year, so keep in mind that when you sink huge loads of money into a new X-Series processor, another faster set of X-Series chips will likely arrive in the same timeframe a year later.

Intel

Core i7-7820X

Architecture:
Skylake-X
Cores:
8
Threads:
16
Base speed:
3.6GHz
Maximum speed:
4.5GHz
Cache:
11MB
Integrated graphics:
No
Power use:
140 watts
Required socket:
LGA 2066
Required chipset:
X299
Price:
$560

$400 to $499

Now we’re heading into a more mainstream-friendly desktop space. Leading this pack is Intel’s new eighth-generation Core i7-8700K processor, and AMD’s recently released Ryzen 7 1800X chip. Both were built with PC gamers in mind, but AMD’s solution falls slightly behind in gaming benchmarks. Still, if you insist on an AMD-based platform and don’t want to spend more than $500 on a processor, this is the chip for you.

There are a few things to note here. First, the Core i7-8700K uses the same processor seat as seventh- and sixth-generation Intel processors, but it requires a new chipset, leading to a new motherboard. Meanwhile, if you want to jump on AMD’s new Ryzen bandwagon, you’ll need to purchase a new AM4-based motherboard anyway given the chip doesn’t fit on older AMD-based motherboards. On top of that, Ryzen processors do not include integrated graphics, so the extra cost of an add-in card comes into play.

Intel
Core i7-8700K
AMDRyzen 7 1800X
Architecture:
Coffee Lake
Zen
Cores:
6
8
Threads:
12
16
Base speed:
3.6GHz
3.6GHz
Maximum speed:
4.7GHz
4.0GHz
Cache:
12MB
16MB
Integrated graphics:
UHD Graphics 630
No
Power use:
95 watts
95 watts
Required socket:
LGA 1151
AM4
Suggested chipset:
Z370
X370 / X300
Price:

$415
($420 @ Newegg)
$440

$300 to $399

Moving down the line, we have more affordable options from Intel and AMD. Intel’s chip is based on the company’s eighth-generation “Coffee Lake” design, and AMD’s Ryzen-branded solution is based on its near-built-from-scratch “Zen” architecture. Both are fresh off the presses, and require new motherboards even though the Intel-based chip is no bigger than previous-generation models.

For this duo, which model comes out ahead depends on the benchmark. Intel’s chip shows better single-core performance in benchmarks while AMD’s chip does a better job in multi-core tests. Again, you can’t go wrong with either chip in this price bracket, and the final purchase will depend if you favor one manufacturer over the other. The drawback with AMD’s model is that you’ll have no integrated graphics, but who uses that when PC gaming, right??

But here’s one last note: the Intel Core i5-8600K can provide the same if not better performance when overclocked than the Core i7-8700 chip for $40 less.

Intel
Core i5-8600K
AMD
Ryzen 7 1700X
Architecture:
Coffee Lake
Zen
Cores:
6
8
Threads:
6
16
Base speed:
3.6GHz
3.4GHz
Maximum speed:
4.3GHz
3.8GHz
Cache:
9MB
16MB
Integrated graphics:
UHD Graphics 630
No
Power use:
95 watts
95 watts
Required socket:
LGA 1151
AM4
Suggested chipset:
Z370
X370 / X300
Price:
$300
$350

$200 to $299

Continuing down the performance-per-dollar path is Intel’s eighth-generation Core i5-8400, and AMD’s Zen-based Ryzen 7 1700 chip. Technically, AMD’s “Zen” architecture is a first-generation design given that the company started with a clean slate, and ditched the “Excavator” design it used with four generations of processors. Regardless, both are the latest from Intel and AMD, designed with gamers in mind so you get more bang for your buck.

Like the previous two, these chips out-perform each other in different tests. The Core i5-8400 does a better job in single-core benchmarks whereas the Ryzen 7 1700 has a higher multi-core performance. AMD’s chip also does better in overclocked multi-core benchmarks despite Intel’s chip having a higher maximum speed. Both processors require new motherboards, and the AMD chip does not include integrated graphics.

Intel
Core i5-8400
AMD
Ryzen 7 1700
Architecture:
Coffee Lake
Zen
Cores:
6
8
Threads:
6
16
Base speed:
2.8GHz
3.0GHz
Maximum speed:
4.0GHz
3.7GHz
Cache:
9MB
16MB
Integrated graphics:
UHD Graphics 630
No
Power use:
65 watts
65 watts
Required socket:
LGA 1151
AM4
Suggested chipset:
Z370
X370 / X300
Price:
$252
$285

$100 to $199

Finally, we’re getting close to the $100 mark. Here we have Intel’s eighth-generation Core i3-8100 processor, and AMD’s fresh-off-the-presses Zen-based Ryzen 5 1500X chip. Both are extremely new and require a new motherboard, so you’ll need to add that extra cost and labor into the mix when making a purchase.

The rivalry between these two chips is no different than the other comparisons in our list: Intel’s chip out-performs in single-core benchmarks, and AMD’s chip does better in multi-core tests. Both offer a lot of bang for a small amount of bucks, but note that Intel’s chip doesn’t have a turbo speed, and is locked to four threads versus the Ryzen’s eight. Meanwhile, AMD’s chip doesn’t include integrated graphics.

Intel
Core i3-8100
AMD
Ryzen 5 1500X
Architecture:
Coffee Lake
Zen
Cores:
4
4
Threads:
4
8
Base speed:
3.6GHz
3.5GHz
Maximum speed:
N/A
3.7GHz
Cache:
6MB
16MB
Integrated graphics:
UHD Graphics 630
No
Power use:
65 watts
65 watts
Required socket:
LGA 1151
AM4
Suggested chipset:
Z370
X370 / X300
Price:
$130
$170

Under $100

For this price bracket, AMD’s Ryzen 3 1200 just squeezes in at a few cents under $100. It’s based on AMD’s latest “Zen” processor architecture, thus you’ll need to upgrade the motherboard too. Meanwhile, Intel’s Pentium G4560 chip is based on its seventh-generation “Kaby Lake” design, thus if your motherboard already includes the Z270 chipset, then you should be golden. Actually, any motherboard based on Intel’s 200 Series chipsets work, but the Z270 targets PC gamers.

In this boxing match, Intel’s Pentium chip has a slightly higher single-core performance due to a higher base speed. But the Ryzen’s multi-core performance outshines Intel’s competition for just $14 more, as it has four overclockable cores versus the two Pentium cores that are locked at 3.5GHz. Again, the drawback to AMD’s Ryzen chip is that it doesn’t include integrated graphics.

Intel
Pentium G4560
AMD
Ryzen 3 1200
Architecture:
Kaby Lake
Zen
Cores:
2
4
Threads:
4
4
Base speed:
3.5GHz
3.1GHz
Maximum speed:
N/A
3.4GHz
Cache:
3MB
8MB
Integrated graphics:
HD Graphics 610
No
Power use:
54 watts
65 watts
Required socket:
LGA 1151
AM4
Suggested chipset:
Z270
X370 / X300
Price:
$85
$99

Don’t forget your motherboard!

With your processor chosen, now you need a great motherboard. Luckily for you, we have a great list right here! Happy shopping, gamers!

Editors’ Recommendations

• AMD lands prestigious award for its beastly Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
• These are the best processors for building a PC on any budget
• The 7 budget PCs that prove PC gaming is for everyone
• AMD CEO shows off first laptop packing a Ryzen-branded chip at Best Buy
• Building a new PC? These are the best Intel processors no matter your budget

Germany bans sales of children’s smartwatches due to eavesdropping fears

Germany’s national telecommunications agency, the Federal Network Agency, on Friday banned the sale of children’s smartwatches and advised parents to destroy any devices they may currently have. The watches were classified as “prohibited listening devices” by the agency, which said these devices could be used by parents to listen to their children without their knowledge.

While the agency did not mention security concerns in its announcement, it comes nearly a month after the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) issued a report citing privacy and safety concerns with many of the smartwatch manufacturers. In its report, published last month by the Norwegian Consumer Council, the BEUC warned parents these devices may have vulnerabilities that could make stealing data or hacking the device relatively easy. The organization even found one of the smartwatches providing unencrypted location information to servers in China.

Children’s smart devices, such as smartwatches, cameras, and other toys, are internet-enabled devices that capture and transmit data to third-parties. The watches frequently use cameras, microphones and GPS trackers to allow parents to track their children in real time. If this data is not properly transmitted or stored, however, attackers could use this information to track and contact children without their parent’s consent.

Smartwatches are not the first children’s device to be prohibited by the Federal Network Agency. Earlier this year, the agency banned the My Friend Cayla smart doll over fears the device could be hacked and children’s data illegally collected.

Although German authorities banned children’s smartwatches, the U.S. is being more conservative, issuing a public service announcement earlier this year. The announcement, issued by the FBI, warned children’s smart devices can “record and collect conversations within earshot of the device. Information such as the child’s name, school, like and dislikes, and activities may be disclosed through normal conversation with the toy or in the surrounding environment.”

The FBI urges parents to use the devices with caution and examine user agreements and privacy practices, as well as know where their data will be stored.. It also urges parents to ensure devices are turned off when not in use. 

Editors’ Recommendations

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Ifi iDSD Nano Black Label hands-on review

Research Center:
Ifi iDSD Nano Black Label

Smartphones make excellent music players. Most have plenty of storage, data for streaming, Bluetooth and — hopefully — a 3.5mm headphone jack, and exceptional portability. However, even while some manufacturers make an effort to get the sound right — LG’s G6 and V30 for example — most phones could benefit from adding a standalone digital-to-analog converter (DAC). In our Ifi Nano iDSD Black Label hands-on review, we test out the latest $200 DAC from Ifi Audio to see if it’s the bargain it appears to be.

Features and design

The $200 Ifi Nano iDSD Black Label is less than half the price of the similar, and very popular, Chord Mojo DAC. Ifi Audio said it didn’t believe a DAC should cost the same as the device to which it’s attached, and it hasn’t stripped back the feature list to achieve the price either. The little black box supports hi-res audio formats up to PCM 32/384kHz and DSD 256. Also, the DAC supports MQA for use with content such as Tidal’s Master files.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Nano iDSD Black Label is lightweight and compact, and isn’t dissimilar to carrying around a battery pack for your phone. It has two headphone outputs, one with a balanced output, and a chunky physical volume knob that also turns the device on and off. Despite being designed for use with a smartphone, out of the box it’s easier to connect to your computer using the included USB cable. To connect it to your phone you’ll need to buy a special cable. If you have an iPhone you need the Apple Camera Connection Kit, or if you have an Android phone, you need an On-The-Go (OTG) cable, which is also often used for transferring photos from the device to a PC.

We couldn’t get the Nano Black Label working with many smartphones

We expect peripherals to connect up without issue, but unfortunately that’s not the case with the Ifi Nano iDSD Black Label, and the problem is very frustrating. We couldn’t get the Nano Black Label working with many smartphones we had on hand for the test. Most seriously, the LG V30 refused to connect and play music through the DAC, a phone which MQA highlighted as a high performer at the Nano Black Label’s launch, and even supplied us with special recommended tracks to test out on the device. We also tried with a Huawei Mate 10 Pro, a OnePlus 3T, a OnePlus 5, and a new Razer Phone.

After speaking to Ifi Audio about the problem, it may come down to the use of a USB Type-C plug and Android compatibility. They suggested several fixes which had worked on a Samsung Galaxy S8, but they did not cure the problems with our hardware. We eventually got the Nano Black Label working with our Google Pixel 2 and with our iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. Here, it was essential the unit was switched on before being plugged into the smartphone, otherwise it wasn’t recognized.

We’re lucky to be able to swap between smartphones, a luxury most people won’t have. Buying the iDSD Nano Black Label and finding out it doesn’t work with your phone would be a disappointment. The DAC worked perfectly as a replacement for the soundcard on our MacBook Pro, plugged in with the supplied cable. The battery is charged using the same cable, and usage time is quoted as 10 hours.

Performance

How did it sound when we got it working? We tested the Ifi iDSD Nano Black Label with two sets of headphones. The Brainwavz B200 balanced dual armature in-ears, and the Marshall Major 2 Bluetooth (plugging in with the supplied cable, obviously) on-ear headphones. Starting with the iPhone X, Jidenna’s Long Live the Chief rattled our brain and blurred our vision using the Marshall headphones, giving a really strong vocal and bass performance. What’s immediately obvious is the amount of power the on-board amplifier on the Nano Black Label produces. Take it to three quarters volume and you can physically feel the Marshall’s cups vibrating on your head. There’s way more punch and volume than your ears can take.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

We always enjoy Perfume’s Magic of Love for its varied, wide soundstage; but the iDSD Nano Black Label keeps things relatively intimate, without minimizing the wonderful spaciousness of that particular track. Keyakizaka46’s Kaze ni Fukaretemo — a great track over headphones — sounds great, with the wide range of vocals spread equally wide over the soundstage, and lead singer Hirate Yurina’s voice focused at exactly the right time. Trying the same tracks on the Google Pixel 2 resulted in a very similar performance, but with less bass response and a brighter sound.

Plug the Brainwavz balanced in-ears into the iEMatch 3.5mm jack, and flick the switch over to “Measure” on the iDSD Nano Black Label, and you get the clearer, wider soundstage the Marshall’s couldn’t produce — at the expense of heavy bass. If you own a pair of balanced headphones, the iDSD Nano Black Label will definitely help bring out their best.

There’s way more punch and volume than your ears can take.

A quick comparison with the Chord Mojo reveals the iDSD Nano Black Label can’t quite compete with the more expensive unit’s monster power and all-immersive soundstage. The Chord Mojo also works with all our Android devices without a problem. Audio performance differences are minor, and the iDSD Nano Black Label actually has the Mojo beaten on sheer, massive volume. If your plan is to lose your hearing in the near future, the iDSD Nano Black Label will be of great help. It’s also less of a cable nightmare, with the USB connector built into the device, rather than needing a MicroUSB cable to connect the Mojo to the phone’s audio dongle.

Because of the iDSD Nano Black Label’s problem connecting to Android phones, we haven’t had the chance to try out its MQA ability, and have only tested it with standard lossy files on our smartphones. All this makes a blanket recommendation of the device difficult. If you have an iPhone, we know it works, and it genuinely enhances the audio experience. If you have an Android phone, we’d hold off buying one until Ifi Audio releases a list of phones that absolutely work with the DAC. Otherwise you risk messing around with returning the product if it doesn’t connect.

We have alerted Ifi Audio about these problems, and know it’s working on fixing them. If updated firmware arrives and cures connectivity issues, we’ll update here.

Moodo is a smart scent diffuser that will make your home smell fresh as a daisy

Smart homes have made us used to the idea of being able to control everything from which lights are on to what music is playing with nothing more than the swipe of a smartphone or a simple voice command. So why can’t we do the same thing with the way our homes smell? After all, what kind of futuristic wonderland are we really living in if we can’t stride into our living room and tell our Amazon Echo to load up our favorite blend of sea breeze, with just the faintest aroma of eucalyptus leaves?

Thankfully, a new device called Moodo is here to turn our current dystopia into a sweet-smelling utopia. Moodo describes itself as the world’s first-of-its-kind, customizable smart home scent machine. Working with Amazon Alexa or the custom Moodo mobile app, it’s a smart scent diffuser that promises to give you a new way to personalize each room’s ambience.

Looking a bit like a Nespresso machine, the Moodo system requires users to choose from a wide range of scent capsules, and then lets you preload a selection and mix them to your specifications. You can mix them using the app or voice commands (no manual potion pouring required), and then allow the machine tp diffuse the scents with its four in-built adjustable fans.

“The fragrance capsules are sold in “scent families,” with each containing four different capsules that are designed to work together,” Yoav Thaler, head of business development at Moodo, told Digital Trends. “Once you place a scent family in the device, you can play around with the capsules’ different levels and blend your own unique scent, or choose from one of our presets. For instance, set the ‘Sandalwood’ capsule to 80 percent if you want it to be the strongest component, and split the other 20 percent among the other three scents. After creating a signature scent, use the app to share with friends, create favorites and even set timers to diffuse scents throughout the day.”

Moodo launched as an Indiegogo campaign last year, racking up $200,000, and proving that there is a market for smart scent diffusers. This week, it launched its online store to the public. The Moodo starter pack, which contains the fragrance machine and three scent families, is available for $189, while additional scent families cost $29.95 each.

The device claims that it can diffuse scent through a 600-square-foot space (that’s a bit less than an average apartment), and each scent capsule will last for around two months, or 60 hours of continual use.

In other words, it’s nothing to sniff at!

Editors’ Recommendations

• All Alexa-enabled devices you can utilize with Amazon’s Echo lineup
• Here’s how to unlock your phone automatically with Android Smart Lock
• Make your home smell more welcoming with the Renaisscent diffuser
• Take control of your house’s scents with Moodo, the smart diffuser
• The Ecobee4 smart thermostat gets cozy with Alexa and Google Assistant

Next Dell XPS 15 laptop may have full-blown Thunderbolt 3 support

The next version of Dell’s XPS 15 laptop, reportedly the 9570, will sport a Thunderbolt 3 port supporting transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, which is twice the speed of the same port on Dell’s current version of the laptop. The news arrives by way of Frank Anzor, Dell’s vice president and general manager of its Alienware, Gaming, and XPS divisions, who responded to a Thunderbolt-related question posted on Twitter.

Thunderbolt 3 technology consists of four data links — two separate outgoing links speeding along at 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) each, and two separate incoming links at 20Gbps each. That essentially means Thunderbolt 3 is capable of sending data at 40 Gbps, and receiving data at 40Gbps.

On the PC end, the controller managing the Thunderbolt 3 connection has access to four PCI Express lanes on the motherboard running at 8Gbps per lane (32Gbps total). It also has access to two 4-lane DisplayPort video outputs, with each output supporting up to 32.4Gbps (4x 8.1Gbps each). And because Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C port, it even has access to four USB 3.1 Gen2 lanes at 10Gbps each.

The Thunderbolt 3 controller switches between PCI Express, DisplayPort, and USB modes, depending on the connected device. But there are situations where the link between the PC and external device is throttled/bottlenecked because the Thunderbolt cable simply doesn’t support four links. On devices with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports supporting only USB 3.1 Gen1 lanes (5Gbps each), the Thunderbolt 3 aspect is bottlenecked to a theoretical 20Gbps.

But there are also situations where the Thunderbolt 3 controller simply doesn’t have access to the parent PC’s full complement of PCI Express and DisplayPort lanes. That’s why the question to Anzor about four-lane Thunderbolt 3 support popped up on Twitter.

In previous models of the Dell XPS 15, such as the 9350 and supposedly the 9550, the Thunderbolt 3 controller only had physical access to two PCI Express lanes on the motherboard, reducing the input and output data link speeds to 16Gbps. The speeds still fall within the frame of the “up to 40Gbps” advertisement because that maximum speed listed by Intel is only theoretical anyway, similar to how router makers promote high wireless numbers that will never be seen in the real world.

Regardless, Anzor indicated that the Thunderbolt 3 port on the next XPS 15 laptop will have access to the full four PCI Express lanes for speeds of up to 32Gbps. Of course, if the laptop has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, then the data rate stemming from the four PCI Express lanes will be shared, lowering the input and output link rates between the parent PC and external device.

Outside the Thunderbolt 3 aspect, Anzor said that the next XPS 15 will “be faster all around, and the display option will continue to be the absolute best available.” Variants will reportedly be based on Intel’s eighth-generation “Coffee Lake” processors, and sport impressive features such as display resolutions up to 5,120 x 2,880, and possibly even a discrete GeForce GTX 1060 graphics chip.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The refreshed Dell XPS 13 laptop is a pretty and speedy way to get things done
• Dell at PAX West: Inspiron 7000 Gaming serves quad-core and GTX 1060 for $1,000
• New Dell Inspiron PCs pack 8th Gen Intel CPUs, optional UHD screen, Geforce GPU
• A leak suggests the next Dell XPS 15 will sport a 5K display
• Thin and light cage fight: Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop

Next Dell XPS 15 laptop may have full-blown Thunderbolt 3 support

The next version of Dell’s XPS 15 laptop, reportedly the 9570, will sport a Thunderbolt 3 port supporting transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, which is twice the speed of the same port on Dell’s current version of the laptop. The news arrives by way of Frank Anzor, Dell’s vice president and general manager of its Alienware, Gaming, and XPS divisions, who responded to a Thunderbolt-related question posted on Twitter.

Thunderbolt 3 technology consists of four data links — two separate outgoing links speeding along at 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) each, and two separate incoming links at 20Gbps each. That essentially means Thunderbolt 3 is capable of sending data at 40 Gbps, and receiving data at 40Gbps.

On the PC end, the controller managing the Thunderbolt 3 connection has access to four PCI Express lanes on the motherboard running at 8Gbps per lane (32Gbps total). It also has access to two 4-lane DisplayPort video outputs, with each output supporting up to 32.4Gbps (4x 8.1Gbps each). And because Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C port, it even has access to four USB 3.1 Gen2 lanes at 10Gbps each.

The Thunderbolt 3 controller switches between PCI Express, DisplayPort, and USB modes, depending on the connected device. But there are situations where the link between the PC and external device is throttled/bottlenecked because the Thunderbolt cable simply doesn’t support four links. On devices with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C ports supporting only USB 3.1 Gen1 lanes (5Gbps each), the Thunderbolt 3 aspect is bottlenecked to a theoretical 20Gbps.

But there are also situations where the Thunderbolt 3 controller simply doesn’t have access to the parent PC’s full complement of PCI Express and DisplayPort lanes. That’s why the question to Anzor about four-lane Thunderbolt 3 support popped up on Twitter.

In previous models of the Dell XPS 15, such as the 9350 and supposedly the 9550, the Thunderbolt 3 controller only had physical access to two PCI Express lanes on the motherboard, reducing the input and output data link speeds to 16Gbps. The speeds still fall within the frame of the “up to 40Gbps” advertisement because that maximum speed listed by Intel is only theoretical anyway, similar to how router makers promote high wireless numbers that will never be seen in the real world.

Regardless, Anzor indicated that the Thunderbolt 3 port on the next XPS 15 laptop will have access to the full four PCI Express lanes for speeds of up to 32Gbps. Of course, if the laptop has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, then the data rate stemming from the four PCI Express lanes will be shared, lowering the input and output link rates between the parent PC and external device.

Outside the Thunderbolt 3 aspect, Anzor said that the next XPS 15 will “be faster all around, and the display option will continue to be the absolute best available.” Variants will reportedly be based on Intel’s eighth-generation “Coffee Lake” processors, and sport impressive features such as display resolutions up to 5,120 x 2,880, and possibly even a discrete GeForce GTX 1060 graphics chip.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The refreshed Dell XPS 13 laptop is a pretty and speedy way to get things done
• Dell at PAX West: Inspiron 7000 Gaming serves quad-core and GTX 1060 for $1,000
• New Dell Inspiron PCs pack 8th Gen Intel CPUs, optional UHD screen, Geforce GPU
• A leak suggests the next Dell XPS 15 will sport a 5K display
• Thin and light cage fight: Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop

Razer outs new Hammerhead USB-C earbuds to match the Razer Phone

Alongside the launch of its new phone, Razer also has a new set of earbuds up for grabs.

Designed to complement the Razer Phone, the new Hammerhead USB-C is a new take on Razer’s Hammerhead buds, but, as the name would suggest, designed with a USB-C connector.

Given the Razer Phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of going all-in on USB-C, that’s good news for anyone picking up the new smartphone. Of course, they’ll work with any old phone with USB-C you have laying around as well.

In terms of build, the Hammerhead USB-C packs all of the same specs as its Hammerhead siblings. The audio is powered by 10mm dynamic drivers, which Razer claims are larger than most similarly priced earbuds. That larger size should help to produce deeper bass tones and clear highs. As you might expect, the Hammerhead USB-C buds also pack an in-line remote and come with a custom carrying case.

As for raw specs, here’s a look at what makes the Hammerhead USB-C tick:

• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20kHz
• Impedance: 32 ± 15% Ω
• Sensitivity: 102 ± 3 dB @ 1 kHz
• Max input power: 10 mW
• Drivers: 10 mm with Neodymium magnets
• Cable length: 1.3 m / 4.27 ft.
• Approximate weight: 0.06 lbs (28.0 g)

Razer’s Hammerhead USB-C earbuds are available and shipping now directly from Razer for $79.99. For more, check out Windows Central’s in-depth review of the Hammerhead Bluetooth variant.

See at Razer

Charge your Android phone with this wireless dock for $14

Set it and forget it.

This Otium fast wireless charger dock is down to $13.96 with code CISLSVRY on Amazon. The lowest this charger has ever gone before was $16. We’ve never seen a cut down to $14 through direct price drops.

This device works with any phone that uses wireless charging, including the new iPhone X or Android smartphones.

Features include:

• Lighting charging technology leading a 1.4 times fast charging for this wireless phone charger
• The wireless charger work even with a case on the phone. Works with most cases.
• Enjoy the latest charging technology with your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X on this wireless charger
• The Fast Charge Mode is compatible only with Samsung Galaxy Note 8 S8, S8+/S8 Plus, Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge. Other Qi-enabled devices will charge at standard wireless charging speeds
• Charge your phone either horizontally or vertically. Keep watching movies or enjoying your music or making a call while charging on the stand.
• Temperature control, surge protection, short-circuit prevention and more protect you and your phone..
• No Wires, No Beeps, No Lights: Sleep-friendly. Forget about all tangled up wires, beeping sounds and annoying lights and invest in this modern mobile phone charger! Its LED indicator will automatically shut off after 10 seconds.

This device comes with a risk free 30-day return policy and is covered by a one-year warranty.

See at Amazon

Los Angeles taps a shuttle service to get riders to Metro stops

Most people find a short walk to and from a public transportation stop pretty reasonable, but the further away that stop is from their home or their destination, the less convenient it becomes. Well the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) wants to close that first mile/last mile gap and it’s doing so in partnership with Via.

Via, a ridesharing service that lets users hop on a ride with others who are headed in a similar direction, uses algorithms to find which vehicle makes the most sense given the person’s destination. It currently operates in New York City, Chicago, Washington DC and soon, London.

Starting next summer, Metro riders will be able to book a Via to or from three major Metro stations. The fares will be subsidized by Metro and riders will be able to pay with their TAP account — LA’s public transport fare card. The project and its reduced fare rates are funded by a $1.35 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

“We’re making our systems more inclusive — because access to public transportation is a right, not a privilege,” LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. “Everyone should be able to make a trip on Metro buses and trains, and these funds will help more riders get where they’re going quickly and conveniently.”

Source: Via