NBA star Paul George teams up with PlayStation for his new Nike signature shoe

Oklahoma City Thunder star forward Paul George has been an avid gamer since he was a kid. “I remember on Christmas morning, I unwrapped my gift and sure enough, it was the PS2,” he said. “I’ve been a PlayStation guy ever since.”

It’s really no surprise that his latest Nike signature shoe, the PG2, combines his loves of basketball and gaming. The shoes feature his own logo on one tongue and the familiar PS logo on the other.

The shoes are mostly dark blue, with neon sprinkles just above the sole, and George debuted them in a game against Cleveland last night. The Nike swooshes are blue, pink, and green. George is just the 21st NBA player to have a signature shoe, and he was involved with every step of the design. “It’s amazing the relationship I have with Nike,” he said. “They really took my inspiration and took my input to heart and created the shoe.”

???????????? PG2 PlayStation. @ygtrece @nikebasketball pic.twitter.com/LPaXbdA26E

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 20, 2018

The two logos light up and will vibrate when pressed, just like the famous DualShock controller, powered by a non-replaceable 150-hour battery. The blue, green, pink, and red lace holes mimic the controller buttons as well.

There’s also a special bonus included with the shoe for PlayStation owners.

“We worked directly with the PlayStation team on every aspect of this shoe,” said Tony Hardman, designer of both the PG1 and PG2. “One thing that they provided, which was really cool, was the starry graphic from the dynamic theme that will be available for your PlayStation 4 with a code from the shoe. It’s a beautiful graphic, so we made it the sock liner.”

A number of other NBA players were fans of the PG1, and George hopes the new sneaker will inspire future NBA stars. “I’m really excited, more so again for the performance that it’s going to give guys that follow me and are trying to get to the NBA, I’m most excited for those guys to get a chance to wear them and be in them and help them with their careers,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s what I want.”

The PG2 sneakers will be available on February 10 for $110.

Editors’ Recommendations

• While Nike dominated the sneaker industry, hip-hop allowed Reebok to stay relevant
• Allbirds’ cozy and sustainable wool shoes are taking the world by storm
• Reebok’s new Stranger Things × Ghostbusters sneakers are nerd-tastic
• Adidas’ limited-edition sneakers double as a yearlong train pass in Berlin
• Keep drooling. It’ll be a while until you can afford the future of shoes

Add style and functionality with the best iPad Pro 9.7 cases

The iPad Pro 9.7 is an excellent tablet, but if you want to keep the aluminum body and display in pristine condition, you’re going to need a proper case or cover. You may also be on the hunt for a keyboard, or a case that allows you to use your tablet while in landscape mode. Well, thankfully, the best iPad Pro 9.7 cases offer as much functionality as they do protection. Peace of mind is rarely as easy to come by.

You may also want to check out the best iPad accessories and some handy iOS 11 tips and tricks.

Speck Style Folio Case ($20)

You can get this folio case in a variety of different colors or with a patterned finish on the cover. The plastic shell has foam padding to protect your iPad Pro 9.7 in the event of a fall and it has been drop tested up to four feet. The cover has a clasp closure, but there are magnets to automatically sleep and wake your tablet when you open and close it. You can also fold it back to different positions for comfortable typing or watching movies in landscape view. The openings are generous and a clever forward-facing design on the speaker cutouts helps redirect the sound straight at you.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pipetto Origami Case ($45)

These attractive iPad Pro 9.7 cases are the perfect marriage of style and function, created by London-based Pipetto. A flexible, but extremely tough, shell with a soft-touch finish holds your iPad Pro snug and secure. Large cutout sections ensure there is no interference with the speakers, ports, controls, or camera. The luxuriously lined microfiber cover, with a durable polyurethane exterior has a really smart folding design that allows for four different landscape positions, and you can even use it to prop your iPad Pro in portrait, which is great for FaceTime calls. It comes in loads of different colors, including tones to match your iPad finish.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Pipetto

Otterbox Defender Series Case ($68)

If you’re seeking 360-degree protection for your iPad Pro, then the Otterbox Defender Series should make your shopping shortlist. It’s a bulky case that consists of three distinct layers. This ensures that angle of your tablet is covered, which, in turn, translates to rugged drop protection. There are also port covers to keep dust and debris out, and if you open it up, you will find that it works well as a landscape stand. There is even a special slot to securely stow your Apple Pencil. There are accurate cutouts for your phone’s camera and speakers, however, the built-in screen protector can interfere with the Apple Pencil.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Spigen Smart Cover ($11)

This slim cover provides great value for money. Your iPad Pro slots into a thin, plastic shell that features accurate cutouts for your tablet’s speakers, controls, ports, and camera. The faux-leather cover also features a microfiber lining and grooves that allow you to fold it back in one of several positions. The cover also works with your tablet’s sleep-wake function, so your iPad Pro will turn on as soon as you flip up the cover. It’s not rugged, per se, but it’s enough to guard against minor drops and scratches.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Lifeproof Nuud Series Case ($75)

Lifeproof’s offering isn’t cheap, but if you feel the need for a waterproof iPad Pro case, then it may be your only option. The case seals your Apple tablet inside and scores an IP68 rating, which means you can submerge it in up to 6.6 feet of water for an hour. The case also provides solid protection against sudden impacts, not to mention snow and rain. You can even fold the cover back and use your iPad Pro in landscape mode, or in one of several positions.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Luvvitt Clear Grip Case ($13)

Here is a minimalist option that can be used in conjunction with Apple’s Smart Cover or Smart Keyboard. Luvvitt’s offering is a transparent shell made of flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), with reinforced corners that extend to the front and back of your device, preventing it from touching surfaces when placed facedown. You will also find openings for your phone’s controls, ports, speakers, and camera. The striped, textured sides are just a bonus that helps enhance your grip.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Poetic Quarterback Case ($8+)

This case combines a TPU shell for shock absorption with a polycarbonate back panel, one that comes in a medley of colors. The design is common, sure, but it works well to keep your tablet protected. There are also tactile button covers and a slew of cutouts lining the case, which provide unfettered access to your tablet’s various features and functions. You can even use the case in conjunction with Apple’s Smart Cover or Smart Keyboard, or make use of a special clip that’s designed to hold your Apple Pencil.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pad & Quill Contega Thin Case ($100)

This folio case looks and feels like a book. It’s finished with hard-wearing Buckrum linen which comes in charcoal, cranberry, or grey colors. Open it up and you will find that it works as a landscape stand with a choice of different angles. Your iPad Pro 9.7 is held in place by a special adhesive, which helps to keep the case slim and offers unobstructed access to buttons and ports. An elastic closure keeps it securely closed and adds to the notebook aesthetic. The cover does also support the automatic sleep/wake function of the iPad.

Buy one now from:

Pad & Quill

The best lightweight laptops you can buy

We rounded up some of the best and lightest laptops you can find from Apple, Samsung, HP, and even smartphone maker Huawei. The heaviest in our batch weighs a mere 2.45 pounds, and that’s feather-light compared to a gaming laptop from Alienware that could weigh a hefty 11 pounds. Of course, these lightweight laptops aren’t built for gaming, so they rely on hardware that produces minimal heat. 

For our list, we chose what we consider as the best you can purchase right now, along with three other solutions that should work just fine for any mobile computing need. The list includes two Windows 10 PCs, a MacBook, and a Chromebook to spread the love across three operating systems. 

The Best

Huawei MateBook X

Highlights

Weight: 2.31 pounds

CPU: Intel Core i5-7200U or i7-7500U

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620

Memory: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD

Starting price: $799

China-based Huawei is mostly known for its smartphones, but the company took a stab at the Windows laptop market in 2016 with the introduction of its very first MateBook. Nearly two years later, we now have the MateBook X weighing in at a mere 2.31 pounds and a thickness of 0.49 inches, making it a very portable laptop solution. That thin-and-light form factor plays host to a 13-inch screen based on IPS panel technology supporting 100 percent of the sRGB color space, a brightness of 350 nits, and a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440.

As the highlights show, it’s powered by a seventh-generation Intel Core processor and integrated graphics. These CPUs are complemented by up to 8GB of system memory, up to 512GB of storage, and a 41.4WHr battery. There are only two ports on this notebook, both of which are USB-C 3.1 Gen1 capable of file transfers of up to 5Gbps, thus you won’t find an Ethernet port for wired networking. Connectivity consists of Wireless AC (up to 867Mbps), Bluetooth 4.1, and the use of an Ethernet adapter via one of the USB-C ports.

As for other bells and whistles, the laptop provides two speakers backed by Dolby Atmos. There are a handful of sensors too including one for ambient light, and one for accessing Windows 10 via Windows Hello using just a fingerprint. Huawei sells this laptop in Space Grey, Prestige Gold, and Rose Gold to compete with Apple’s line of MacBooks. The company sells a “Signature Edition” model too, that includes the MateDock 2 for expanding the laptop’s connectivity with two USB ports, and two video ports.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

The Rest

Apple MacBook

Highlights

Weight: 2.03 pounds

CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54, or i7-7Y75

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615

Memory: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD

Starting price: $1,299

If you look closely at the highlights, they’re similar to what you’ll find on Huawei’s MateBook X, at least in memory and storage. Both models rely on seventh-generation Intel processors, but Apple’s 12-inch MacBook is smaller in size and weight, sporting a 12-inch screen, a thickness of 0.52 inches, and a weight of a mere 2.03 pounds. Yet the similarities continue in color options, as the MacBook is also served up in Space Grey and Rose Gold colors along with standard Gold and Silver options.

The 12-inch screen is based on IPS technology Apple brands as “Retina,” promising deep colors and wide viewing angles. This screen provides a 2,304 x 1,440 resolution powered by Intel’s integrated graphics, and a 41.4WHr battery. Video output is handled by the MacBook’s single USB-C port, so you’ll need an adapter to add an external display. Two speakers complement the screen along with a headphone jack if you want to listen to content up close and in private.

As for other notable features, Apple’s MacBook includes Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, and a 480p camera optimized for FaceTime. The starting price depends on the configuration, with the $1,299 price consisting of the Core m3 processor, 8GB of system memory, and 256GB of storage. The $1,599 starting point begins with the Core i5 processor, but both configurations support the Core i7 chip and up to 16GB of memory. Unfortunately, the 512GB storage option is only available for the second, more expensive model.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Apple

HP Spectre 13

Highlights

Weight: 2.45 pounds

CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U or Core i7-8550U

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620

Memory: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD

Starting price: $1,299

This laptop is the heaviest on our list, but it’s definitely not even close to carrying a sack of potatoes. With a weight of 2.45 pounds, a thickness of just 0.41 inches, and a width of 11.06 inches, the HP Spectre 13 should be a joy to carry, whether you’re working on an airplane, or carrying it to your next class. The 12.3-inch screen is backed by an IPS panel providing a touch-enabled 2,400 x 1,600 resolution at a maximum brightness of 400 nits.

HP’s laptop is the only model in our group that relies on eighth-generation Intel Core processors: the i5-8250U and the i7-8550U. You can configure the laptop with either chip along with 8GB or 16GB of system memory, and up to 1TB of storage on a stick-shaped PCI Express-based NVMe M.2 SSD. The color options are Ash Silver and Ceramic White that complement the overall slim and light form factor.

Despite the laptop’s “thinness,” HP managed to cram in two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB-C 3.1 Gen1 port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack for a more robust connectivity portfolio than the two laptops previously listed in our roundup. Also packed inside is Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, a TrueVision IR camera supporting facial recognition in Windows Hello, two Bang & Olufsen speakers, and a 43.7WHr battery.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

HP

Samsung Chromebook Pro

Highlights

Weight: 2.38 pounds

CPU: Intel Core m3-6Y30

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515

Memory: 4GB LPDDR3

Storage: 32GB

Starting price: $529

Finally, we can’t have a laptop list without a solution based on Google’s Chrome OS platform. It’s the second-heaviest in our batch, but sports the lightest price of just $599. There’s nothing to configure either: what you see is what you get, including a sixth-generation Intel processor, 4GB of system memory, an a mere 32GB of storage. Given the web-based roots of Google’s operating system, the laptop doesn’t require tons of storage like Windows-based units. But the Chromebook supports Android apps served up on Google Play, and that’s where the Micro SD card slot comes in to ease your storage woes.

The Samsung Chromebook Pro features a 12.3-inch screen based on an IPS panel supporting a maximum brightness of 400 nits, a resolution of 2,400 x 1,600, and touch input. This screen is powered by a 39WHr battery, and Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 515 component built into the Core m3-6Y30 chip. Complementing the screen are two 1.5-watt speakers, a microphone/headphone combo jack, and two USB-C 3.1 Gen1 ports that you can use for video output. A 720p camera resides at the top of the screen, too.

Finally, this Chromebook provides Wireless AC connectivity supporting speeds of up to 867Mbps, and Bluetooth 4.1. It also includes a pen that slides directly into the laptop’s chassis, and a 360-degree hinge enabling you to convert the Chromebook into Tablet, Tent, Stand, and classic Clamshell form factors. Tablet mode presumably turns off the keyboard so you can sketch, edit photos, and more using the included pen or your finger.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell’s refreshed Latitude laptops get to work with 8th-gen Intel Core, 4G LTE
• The best touchscreen laptops
• The best laptops under $500
• The best laptops for photo editing
• MacBook Pro 13 vs. MacBook Pro 15

The best lightweight laptops you can buy

We rounded up some of the best and lightest laptops you can find from Apple, Samsung, HP, and even smartphone maker Huawei. The heaviest in our batch weighs a mere 2.45 pounds, and that’s feather-light compared to a gaming laptop from Alienware that could weigh a hefty 11 pounds. Of course, these lightweight laptops aren’t built for gaming, so they rely on hardware that produces minimal heat. 

For our list, we chose what we consider as the best you can purchase right now, along with three other solutions that should work just fine for any mobile computing need. The list includes two Windows 10 PCs, a MacBook, and a Chromebook to spread the love across three operating systems. 

The Best

Huawei MateBook X

Highlights

Weight: 2.31 pounds

CPU: Intel Core i5-7200U or i7-7500U

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620

Memory: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD

Starting price: $799

China-based Huawei is mostly known for its smartphones, but the company took a stab at the Windows laptop market in 2016 with the introduction of its very first MateBook. Nearly two years later, we now have the MateBook X weighing in at a mere 2.31 pounds and a thickness of 0.49 inches, making it a very portable laptop solution. That thin-and-light form factor plays host to a 13-inch screen based on IPS panel technology supporting 100 percent of the sRGB color space, a brightness of 350 nits, and a resolution of 2,160 x 1,440.

As the highlights show, it’s powered by a seventh-generation Intel Core processor and integrated graphics. These CPUs are complemented by up to 8GB of system memory, up to 512GB of storage, and a 41.4WHr battery. There are only two ports on this notebook, both of which are USB-C 3.1 Gen1 capable of file transfers of up to 5Gbps, thus you won’t find an Ethernet port for wired networking. Connectivity consists of Wireless AC (up to 867Mbps), Bluetooth 4.1, and the use of an Ethernet adapter via one of the USB-C ports.

As for other bells and whistles, the laptop provides two speakers backed by Dolby Atmos. There are a handful of sensors too including one for ambient light, and one for accessing Windows 10 via Windows Hello using just a fingerprint. Huawei sells this laptop in Space Grey, Prestige Gold, and Rose Gold to compete with Apple’s line of MacBooks. The company sells a “Signature Edition” model too, that includes the MateDock 2 for expanding the laptop’s connectivity with two USB ports, and two video ports.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

The Rest

Apple MacBook

Highlights

Weight: 2.03 pounds

CPU: Intel Core m3-7Y32, i5-7Y54, or i7-7Y75

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615

Memory: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD

Starting price: $1,299

If you look closely at the highlights, they’re similar to what you’ll find on Huawei’s MateBook X, at least in memory and storage. Both models rely on seventh-generation Intel processors, but Apple’s 12-inch MacBook is smaller in size and weight, sporting a 12-inch screen, a thickness of 0.52 inches, and a weight of a mere 2.03 pounds. Yet the similarities continue in color options, as the MacBook is also served up in Space Grey and Rose Gold colors along with standard Gold and Silver options.

The 12-inch screen is based on IPS technology Apple brands as “Retina,” promising deep colors and wide viewing angles. This screen provides a 2,304 x 1,440 resolution powered by Intel’s integrated graphics, and a 41.4WHr battery. Video output is handled by the MacBook’s single USB-C port, so you’ll need an adapter to add an external display. Two speakers complement the screen along with a headphone jack if you want to listen to content up close and in private.

As for other notable features, Apple’s MacBook includes Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, and a 480p camera optimized for FaceTime. The starting price depends on the configuration, with the $1,299 price consisting of the Core m3 processor, 8GB of system memory, and 256GB of storage. The $1,599 starting point begins with the Core i5 processor, but both configurations support the Core i7 chip and up to 16GB of memory. Unfortunately, the 512GB storage option is only available for the second, more expensive model.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Apple

HP Spectre 13

Highlights

Weight: 2.45 pounds

CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U or Core i7-8550U

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620

Memory: 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3

Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD

Starting price: $1,299

This laptop is the heaviest on our list, but it’s definitely not even close to carrying a sack of potatoes. With a weight of 2.45 pounds, a thickness of just 0.41 inches, and a width of 11.06 inches, the HP Spectre 13 should be a joy to carry, whether you’re working on an airplane, or carrying it to your next class. The 12.3-inch screen is backed by an IPS panel providing a touch-enabled 2,400 x 1,600 resolution at a maximum brightness of 400 nits.

HP’s laptop is the only model in our group that relies on eighth-generation Intel Core processors: the i5-8250U and the i7-8550U. You can configure the laptop with either chip along with 8GB or 16GB of system memory, and up to 1TB of storage on a stick-shaped PCI Express-based NVMe M.2 SSD. The color options are Ash Silver and Ceramic White that complement the overall slim and light form factor.

Despite the laptop’s “thinness,” HP managed to cram in two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB-C 3.1 Gen1 port, and a headphone/microphone combo jack for a more robust connectivity portfolio than the two laptops previously listed in our roundup. Also packed inside is Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, a TrueVision IR camera supporting facial recognition in Windows Hello, two Bang & Olufsen speakers, and a 43.7WHr battery.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

HP

Samsung Chromebook Pro

Highlights

Weight: 2.38 pounds

CPU: Intel Core m3-6Y30

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515

Memory: 4GB LPDDR3

Storage: 32GB

Starting price: $529

Finally, we can’t have a laptop list without a solution based on Google’s Chrome OS platform. It’s the second-heaviest in our batch, but sports the lightest price of just $599. There’s nothing to configure either: what you see is what you get, including a sixth-generation Intel processor, 4GB of system memory, an a mere 32GB of storage. Given the web-based roots of Google’s operating system, the laptop doesn’t require tons of storage like Windows-based units. But the Chromebook supports Android apps served up on Google Play, and that’s where the Micro SD card slot comes in to ease your storage woes.

The Samsung Chromebook Pro features a 12.3-inch screen based on an IPS panel supporting a maximum brightness of 400 nits, a resolution of 2,400 x 1,600, and touch input. This screen is powered by a 39WHr battery, and Intel’s integrated HD Graphics 515 component built into the Core m3-6Y30 chip. Complementing the screen are two 1.5-watt speakers, a microphone/headphone combo jack, and two USB-C 3.1 Gen1 ports that you can use for video output. A 720p camera resides at the top of the screen, too.

Finally, this Chromebook provides Wireless AC connectivity supporting speeds of up to 867Mbps, and Bluetooth 4.1. It also includes a pen that slides directly into the laptop’s chassis, and a 360-degree hinge enabling you to convert the Chromebook into Tablet, Tent, Stand, and classic Clamshell form factors. Tablet mode presumably turns off the keyboard so you can sketch, edit photos, and more using the included pen or your finger.

You can read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell’s refreshed Latitude laptops get to work with 8th-gen Intel Core, 4G LTE
• The best touchscreen laptops
• The best laptops under $500
• The best laptops for photo editing
• MacBook Pro 13 vs. MacBook Pro 15

Nokia and DoCoMo enter partnership to supply Tokyo with 5G networks by 2020

5G networks may be closer than we think. Nokia has announced that it has entered a partnership with Japanese telecom company  NTT DoCoMo to supply 5G the telecom company with wireless radio stations.

The contract is the first of its kind for Nokia’s new 5G equipment, which is based on New Radio standards. The specifications for NR were only finalized in December of last year.

The current terms of the deal suggest that DoCoMo will have 5G service available in Tokyo in time for the 2020 Olympics. Once 5G has been established in the greater Tokyo region, the telecom company plans to roll it out to the rest of the country. However, this process is expected to take several years.

Regardless of those initial limitations, Nokia has said that it believes this deal is a “major milestone” in the development of 5G technology.

“Together we have worked hard in recent months to commence preparations for NTT DOCOMO’s eventual launch of its operational 5G service by 2020, which we have now set in motion by this very exciting announcement today,” said Nokia’s Marc Rouanne.

Nokia and DoCoMo have been collaborating for some time now. The Finland-based tech company was one of the DoCoMo’s major suppliers during the 3G and 4G eras. Since 2014, the two companies have been working together on the development of 5G technology. The new data networks are expected to provide a number of benefits to consumers such as faster speeds and better data capacity.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, DoCoMo is expecting to use its 5G networks to provide better services for self-driving cars, smart homes, and the business sector.

The financial side of the deal has not been disclosed by either Nokia or DoCoMo, so we don’t know how much each company is paying for this partnership.

In addition to DoCoMo, numerous American telecom providers have also seriously started work on the development of 5G networks. The future of wireless data is closer now than ever, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered. Luckily, we’ve got those covered in our guide to 5G, so check it out if you need more information.

Editors’ Recommendations

• 5G to reach a billion people by 2023, with VR and AR firing up development
• Verizon gets serious about 5G, plans to launch in homes in 2018
• 5G is finally coming: AT&T to begin mobile 5G rollout in second half of 2018
• Calling China, mate? Mega-network China Mobile launches U.K. phone service
• T-Mobile and Sprint say no to merger — yes, again

Who made the fastest phone of 2017? We tested the best, side by side

In today’s world, speed is of the essence. That’s why David Cogen of TheUnlockr recently put six phones to the test to see which is the fastest cell phone around. In order to ensure the most accurate results, each phone was connected to the same Wi-Fi network and made to open the same set of apps and games. All open apps were closed before each round, and videos of the phones were lined up see which device was faster.

Cogen picked the fastest phones he could think of — including the Essential Phone, iPhone X, Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Galaxy Note 8, OnePlus 5T, and Pixel 2 XL — to see how they compared with one another when it comes to performance. Each phone was awarded a place depending on how quickly they opened an app compared to their competitors, with the No. 1 slot going to the quickest device. The winner was whichever phone had the lowest score based on the number value of their places throughout the experiment.

The winner? The OnePlus 5T.

With just 18 points, it seems as though OnePlus’ latest offering is the fastest phone of 2017. It finished first in two of the rounds, and never placed lower than fourth in the others. The Note 8 came in second (21 points), followed by the Pixel 2 XL (22 points), iPhone X/Essential (both with 27 points), and finally the Mate 10 Pro (31 points).

This experiment only took into account the speed in which these six phones could launch apps, however, and did not look at, for example, how quickly one could navigate each phone’s user interface.

Smartphone:
Essential
iPhoneX
Huawei Mate 10 Pro
Galaxy Note 8
OnePlus 5T
Pixel 2 XL

Total (lower is better):
27
27
31
21
18
22

As a result, the places were widely varied. The iPhone X finished in last, or close to last, in the first four examples, but when it came to games, suddenly began placing first or second. The Essential Phone was in the middle of the pack throughout, but ended up scoring as much as the iPhone X.

The bottom line: All of these phones are fast. The rankings were also very close, with an average of only 1 to 5 points separating each device from the next. Whether or not limited UI (in the case of the 5T) actually makes a phone faster or not is difficult to tell at this point. But there’s one thing we can be sure of; today’s smartphones are fast, and are only going to get faster as we move into 2018.

David Cogen — a regular contributor here at Digital Trends — runs TheUnlockr, a popular tech blog that focuses on tech news, tips and tricks, and the latest tech. You can also find him on Twitter discussing the latest tech trends.

Editors’ Recommendations

• OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 5T: Is it worth making the upgrade?
• OnePlus 5T review
• Honor View 10 review
• Essential Phone vs. OnePlus 5T: Budget Android flagships go head-to-head
• We rounded up every hot smartphone for an ultimate camera showdown

Google Play Store will soon start selling audiobooks

Fans of audiobooks will soon have another option as 9to5Google has reported that the Google Play Store will soon be getting a dedicated audiobook section. The Play Store already has some audiobooks available through its music section, but it is a bit disorganized and the selection isn’t as robust as what you’d find on Audible or other competitors’ websites.

Google itself has not officially made any announcements regarding audiobooks,  but it has been reported that some users, on both the Play Store website and within the mobile app, have seen a banner ad for Play Store audiobooks. As of right now, the link leads to a 404 error page and a message saying that the requested URL could not be found.

While there has been no official word regarding when the audiobook section will go live, it would be reasonable to assume that it is happening fairly soon. After all, there’s no reason for Google to keep a useless banner ad live for too long. Additionally, the ad also said that users would get 50 percent off their first purchase of an audio book on the Play Store so it’s a good opportunity to grab a new book.

Aside from the banner ad, Android Police has also reported that Google Play Books will soon be updated with support for audiobooks. Taken together with the ad, it does look like the Play Store will soon have a dedicated section for audiobooks.

That being said, it remains unclear as to how much will change with this implementation. While a cleaner UI and dedicated storefront will make it easier to find audiobooks on the Play Store, it remains to be seen if this new option will bring in a greater quantity of audiobooks.

Of course, it has never been difficult to get audiobooks on Android devices as several different services offer them. However, their inclusion in the Play Store is still a good thing for many of us since Google often gives out promotional credits and other discounts.

If you can’t wait for the Play Store’s audiobook section to go live, then feel free to check out our list of the best audiobook websites.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to install Android apps on a Chromebook
• Want to download audiobooks for free? Here are the sites to visit
• A library at your fingertips: The best free Kindle books
• Microsoft Office suite finally arrives on Chromebooks via Google Play Store
• Did you download this fake ad-infected WhatsApp from the Google Play Store?

The phone’s the thing [#acpodcast]

Daniel Bader and Russell Holly are joined by Apps and Games Editor, Marc Lagace! They begin by talking about the massive credit card breach at OnePlus, Samsung Galaxy X rumors, foldable phone tech, and various issues that continue to plague LG.

The majority of the show is devoted to gaming — The trouble with loot boxes and games that ship incomplete to hit release dates, the best new Android games, hot indie titles, and what’s new in AR. Check it out!

Show Notes and Links:

• OnePlus confirms up to 40,000 users affected by credit card breach

• Samsung Galaxy X: Everything you need to know

• LG publishes patents for two foldable phone concepts

• LG might announce an upgraded V30 at MWC instead of the G7

• The U.S. smartphone industry has an LG problem

• Loot boxes and in-app purchases: A necessary evil or the scourge of the gaming world?

• The best new Android games

• Google announces finalists for 2017 Indie Game Contest

• What can you do in ARCore right now?

• Marc Lagace on Twitter

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Facebook hires TV network CEO to land worldwide sports deals

It’s clearer than ever that Facebook wants to become a leader in live sports streaming. Variety and the Guardian have learned that Facebook has hired Peter Hutton, the CEO of Discovery-owned TV network Eurosport, to lead its negotiations for worldwide live sports streams. He’ll work out of Facebook’s home turf in Silicon Valley, and this will definitely be a step down the corporate ladder — he’ll report to Facebook’s global sports partnership leader, Dan Reed. Hutton will formally switch roles after the Winter Olympics finish in February.

Neither Facebook nor Hutton would provide more details when asked by Variety, although Hutton pointed the media outlet to Facebook and said he was “focused on delivering the best Olympic Games possible” for Eurosport.

It’s a big win for Facebook regardless of the details. Aside from the feat of convincing a major TV network chief to take a lower-profile role, Hutton himself is a veteran in the sports right world. He co-ran a sports rights agency (MP & Silva) and helped launch Fox’s sports efforts outside the Americas. At Eurosport, he expanded the company’s live streaming service to 52 markets. In short: this is a man who knows how to negotiate for rights and drive streaming access.

This is an admission that Facebook’s existing live sports strategy has had mixed success. It obtained Champions League matches and weekly MLB games, but it also whiffed some major bids — it lost a shot at Indian Premier League cricket rights. Hutton could be crucial to scoring more of those huge deals and ensuring that Facebook isn’t just a bit player in sports broadcasting.

Source: Variety, Guardian

Playboy sues Boing Boing over a web link

Playboy has filed a lawsuit against Boing Boing, accusing the offbeat news blog of copyright infringement for linking to an Imgur gallery and a YouTube video that showed every Playmate centerfold. Boing Boing wasn’t involved in the creation of the gallery and the video at all — it simply reported upon the archive’s existence. In its post announcing that it has filed a motion to dismiss, the publication called the case “baseless” and “bizarre.” Linking is common practice among blogs and major media outlets alike, after all, and it’s one of the most basic methods people use to exchange information online.

EFF Senior Staff Attorney Daniel Nazer said in a statement:

“Boing Boing’s reporting and commenting on the Playboy photos is protected by copyright’s fair use doctrine. We’re asking the court to dismiss this deeply flawed lawsuit. Journalists, scientists, researchers, and everyday people on the web have the right to link to material, even copyrighted material, without having to worry about getting sued.”

If Playboy wins this case, it will have huge implications for every single outlet that has ever linked out to other people’s content. That’s almost everyone that publishes online. Boing Boing contends that by going after the publication instead of the people who created the archives, Playboy isn’t actually protecting its property: it’s looking to change the legal system so that wealthy companies and individuals can “shut down media organizations that displease them.”

The publication warned:

“The world can’t afford a judgment against us in this case — it would end the web as we know it, threatening everyone who publishes online, from us five weirdos in our basements to multimillion-dollar, globe-spanning publishing empires like Playboy.”

Perhaps Playboy felt confident enough to file this lawsuit because its Dutch publisher Sanoma won its case against commercial media site GeenStijl back in 2016. Sanoma sued the website for posting hyperlinks containing Playboy-owned photos of a TV celebrity. The magazine claimed GeenStijl earned unfair profits from the links, and the European Union’s top court sided with it.

Still, courts had sided with defendants in a lot of other cases involving hyperlinks, ruling that linking to content you don’t own doesn’t infringe on the owner’s copyright. Clearly, the EU court didn’t think the same when it tried GeenStijl’s case, so it’s not hard to imagine the possibility of Boing Boing failing to convince California’s district court to drop the lawsuit. We’ll just have to wait and see how this case unfolds.

Source: Boing Boing, EFF