Live from Samsung’s Galaxy S9 event at MWC 2018!

Today is the day Samsung will be unveiling its highly anticipated Galaxy S9, the company’s latest flagship smartphone. As we discussed earlier this week, you can expect an improved, smarter camera on the handset, as well as an answer to Apple’s Animojis, animated emojis that will use face recognition technology to make your phone more interactive when you message friends or family. We’ll learn all about the Galaxy S9 in the next few hours, so stay tuned to this post to keep up with the action as it happens. The event kicks off at 12PM ET/6PM Barcelona time. Enjoy!

Catch up on the latest news from MWC 2018 right here.

The Nokia 8110 Reloaded is HMD’s latest retro feature phone

Many companies descend on the annual Mobile World Congress event to plug their first smartphone launches of the year. It’s an established routine, but HMD Global undeniably stole the show in 2017 with, of all things, a new feature phone. Flexing its newly-acquired license to the Nokia brand, HMD put on a marketing masterclass by announcing a re-release of the iconic Nokia 3310. This year, it’s attempting a similar trick, preying on ’90s nostalgia with the new Nokia 8110 Reloaded.

The 8110 was de rigueur when it launched two decades ago, but if the late ’90s are a little hazy, you might best remember the phone for its recurring cameo in 1999 sci-fi classic, The Matrix.

Quick tangent: HMD’s use of ‘Reloaded’ is kinda clumsy here, since it was Samsung that created a weird, futuristic phone specifically as a promotional tie-in to the Matrix sequel of the same name. Also, sorry to burst your bubble this early, but the new 8110 doesn’t have a spring-loaded slider like the modified versions of its predecessor used in the movie. Looks like you’ll have to wait for a Nokia 7110 re-release for that.

Much like HMD’s take on the 3310, the new 8110 is by no means a carbon copy of the 20-year-old handset that inspired it. They share the same banana-shaped design, which can’t possibly feel comfortable in your pocket for any length of time, but the stubby antenna of old is now gone.

Naturally, it’s also a lot smaller than the original 8110, but nowhere near as small as HMD could’ve made it. Compared to the cute and neat 3310 re-issue, the new 8110 is still rather long and chunky, particularly for a feature phone. Given that components and materials are much lighter these days, though, it doesn’t have that brick-like quality old Nokia phones are known for. The plastic slider feels conspicuously flimsy, for instance.

The recognizable curved frame carries with it a number of features you won’t find on turn-of-the-century phones, such as a 2.4-inch color screen (320 x 240), an awful reimagining of Snake, a 2-megapixel camera, much more capable feature-phone software, WiFi and even a 4G modem. This is primarily so you turn the thing into a retro-styled WiFi hotspot — the 4G version of HMD’s 3310 also has this functionality, but that handset’s only available in China. A speedy 4G connection isn’t totally useless if you don’t have another device that’ll benefit from a hotspot, though. Compared to the 3310, the browser on the 8110 is much better at rendering mobile websites in a readable way. Surfing on such a small screen is still a test of patience, mind you.

HMD adds that several popular apps will be able to take advantage of the data connection on the 8110. (For reference, you can get basic Twitter, Facebook and Facebook Messenger clients on the 3310.) At our briefing, HMD wouldn’t be any more specific, but we’re thinking maybe Instagram, WhatsApp or Snapchat — perhaps a decent navigation app. Those kind of names would make the 8110 more appealing to hipsters wanting a talking-point phone with up to 25-day battery life, as opposed to a digital detox device.

As HMD now has two re-issues in the 3310 and 8110 Reloaded, it’s going to start calling these Nokia Originals. It’s the company’s way of saying this series of nostalgic handsets won’t end with the new 8110. HMD still refuses to explicitly comment on whether the 3310 was, as most journalists suspect, a calculated marketing ploy. Representatives won’t talk sales figures, only saying it was a “success.” Beyond the countries where feature phones still enjoy significant market share, apparently plenty of people bought it as a back-up to store in their glove box or to take to festivals, as something new for their less tech-savvy parents or just as a fun collector’s item.

HMD is hoping the 8110 Reloaded will have the same broad appeal when it starts shipping in May in classic black and bright yellow (an obvious nod to its banana shape). However, at €79 (roughly $97, or £70), that puts it in the same price bracket as HMD’s new entry-level Android smartphone, the Nokia 1. ‘Success’ comes in many forms, though, including simply getting people talking about Nokia again.

Catch up on the latest news from MWC 2018 right here.

Huawei’s MediaPad M5 is the first tablet with a curved glass screen

You’d be forgiven for thinking that premium Android tablets were on the way out. While you’ll see occasional high-end entries like the Galaxy Tab S3, many are low-cost slates that don’t exactly push the boundaries of design. Huawei, however, wants to keep that torch alive — it’s unveiling the MediaPad M5, which promises a few flourishes you don’t usually see in tablets. Its 8.4- and 10.8-inch variants are reportedly the first tablets to tout “2.5D” curved glass screens. That promises both improved viewing and a “great hand-feel,” according to Huawei, although it certainly doesn’t hurt that they’re posh-looking at the same time.

They’re solidly equipped on the inside, too. While the Kirin 960 octa-core chip isn’t quite cutting edge (we saw it in the Mate 9 from late 2016), you can otherwise expect some solid hardware. The standard M5 touts a 2,560 x 1,600 display, 32GB to 128GB of expandable storage, 4GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel fixed-focus front shooter. You don’t get a headphone jack, unfortunately (there’s plenty of room, Huawei!), but you can count on stereo speakers. Some variants have LTE if you like your tablet computing to go.

And Huawei is not-so-subtly positioning the 10.8-inch variant as an answer to laptop-style tablets like the iPad Pro. All of the larger models have a pogo pin connector for a keyboard attachment and pack four speakers instead of two. There’s also a MediaPad M5 Pro model with a stylus (complete with 4,096 levels of sensitivity) and double the base storage if you’re a budding artist.

We have yet to get pricing or availability as we write this, although it’s safe to say this latest MediaPad will carry at least some kind of premium (though not as much as if it had, say, the Kirin 970 from the Mate 10 Pro). And it might be worth the outlay. While this isn’t a speed demon, the design and solid specs represent breaths of fresh air.

Catch up on the latest news from MWC 2018 right here.

Source: Huawei

Dell XPS 13 vs. HP Spectre 13

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

The 13-inch form factor is one of the most hotly contested in the laptop market because it’s the sweet spot between functionality and portability. Our favorite for the past few years has been the Dell XPS 13 and with good reason. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t interested in potential competitors.

In this head to head, we’ll pit the Dell XPS 13 vs. HP Spectre 13, to see which is the best mid-range laptop. We’ll look at everything from their style, to internal hardware, to display quality, and battery life, so you can make an informed choice when it comes to your next laptop buy.

Interested to see how the XPS 13 holds up against the Zenbook 13, or against its bigger brother, the XPS 15 2-in-1? Check out our other head to heads.

Specifications

Dell XPS 13

HP Spectre 13

Dimensions
11.9 x 7.8 x 0.46 inches (0.3 at thinnest)
12.03 x 8.83 x 0.41 inches

Weight
 2.67 pounds
2.45 pounds

Processor
8th Generation Intel Core i5, i7
8th Generation Intel Core i5, i7

RAM
4GB, 8GB or 16GB
8GB, 16GB

Graphics
Intel HD 620
Intel HD 620

Display
13.3-inch InfinityEdge
13.3-inch IPS display

Resolution
1080p or 4K
1080p or 4K

Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (PCIe optional)
256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD PCIe

Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
USB-C, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, Headset, microSD
2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, 1 x USB-C 3.1, 3.5mm combo jack

Operating System
Windows 10
Windows 10

Battery
52 watt-hours
43.7 watt-hours

Price
$1,000+
$1,080+

Availability
Now
Now

Review
Full Review: 9/10
Full Review: 8/10

Design

When HP released the Spectre 13 at the tail end of 2017, it touted it as the world’s thinnest touchscreen notebook. Although such claims are always a hard sell in such a competitive space, the Spectre 13 is certainly a streamlined laptop and the latest version is incredibly thin. If we’re looking at just the thinnest point on the laptop though, the XPS 13 does technically beat it by a fraction of an inch.

The XPS 13 is a little more svelte on the other dimensions too, but again by barely noticeable margins. Despite the Dell laptop’s new, trimmer physique though, it is certainly the heavier of the two, coming in at almost 10 percent weightier than its opponent. It’s not likely you’d notice it during casual use, but it all helps improve a laptop’s portability.

Both systems look great and offer more than their typical styling options alongside new, white and gold combinations — the XPS 13 sporting rose gold for its metallic look. It’s nice to see both manufacturers mix it up, considering how MacBook lookalikes are a dime-a-dozen in this price range now. Although looks are largely subjective, we think the XPS 13 is the slightly fancier looking of the two. Its slimmer bezels help that along.

In both our reviews of these laptops, we noted that the weight loss programs both have been on for their new renditions have left them a little weaker than their predecessors. Both exhibited a tiny bit more flex than we’d like, especially when opened, though it was more noticeable on the Spectre 13 — and could warrant some care when moving it with an open lid.

Neither laptop offers you USB connectivity in a format other than Type-C, so it’s worth making sure the retailer you buy from ships it with an adaptor — some do, some don’t. The XPS 13 does sport a microSD card reader though.

While both systems have similar layouts, great looks and trim designs, we still have to give the nod to the XPS 13. It just looks that little bit better, and with the added functionality of a microSD slot, it’s the slightly more functional design too.

Winner: XPS 13

Performance

It shows how competitive this mid-range space in the laptop market is, that both the XPS 13 and the Spectre 13 come with almost identical hardware offerings. Both systems have eighth generation Intel processors, with the choice of a Core i5-8250U or i7-8550U CPU. The XPS 13 offers a 4GB RAM configuration, though both come in 8GB and 16GB guises too.

That said, the Spectre 13’s memory has a default speed of 2,133MHz. While the XPS 13 does offer that in its 16GB configuration, its 8GB iterations only come with 1,866MHz RAM. That’s not going to make the Spectre dramatically more powerful, but it’s about the biggest differentiating factor in this entire category.

Since neither laptop sports a dedicated graphics chip, unlike the Asus ZenBook 13, both systems are stuck with the Intel HD 620. That’s a perfectly capable on board graphics solution, but it’s not a patch on dedicated graphics hardware, or even something like AMD’s new Ryzen APUs.

The storage options are also pretty much the same, with both Dell and HP offering 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB PCIe solid-state storage to pick from. Again, the only real difference is that Dell offers a low-end 128GB solid-state drive (SSD) solution.

With a slight increase in its base memory speed and low-end configurations that are more powerful than the XPS 13’s admittedly broader range of hardware, so this category goes to the Spectre 13 by a hair.

Winner: Spectre 13

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Display

Although both the XPS 13 and Spectre 13 offer 1080P and 4K displays, there are some noticeable differences between the two. In the 1080P form factor the Spectre 13 lacked brightness, contrast and color accuracy in comparison to the XPS 13. We found it pleasant to use in our testing, but its contemporaries are better equipped in terms of overall display quality at that detail level.

We loved the XPS 13’s 1080P panel, even preferring it in our testing to the 4K version, which while a much crisper and more detailed display, lost out a little in contrast ratio and color accuracy. However, Dell has dropped the option of touch functionality from its 1080P versions, meaning you have to buy the most expensive configuration with a 4K panel to gain that functionality. You save on weight (slightly) and overall cost by purchasing a non-touch panel, but it seems like a pretty standard feature to lose from a modern laptop.

Ultimately the XPS 13 has the better display choices, but if you are looking for a laptop with touch functionality, the Spectre 13 may be a better choice for you.

Winner: XPS 13

Portability

Where the XPS 13 shed battery size in order to reduce its weight this time around, HP actually added a few watt-hours to the Spectre 13. That still brought it significantly under the XPS 13 though, which is why it falls behind in real-world battery tests. When we put these laptops through their paces the XPS 13 managed a full 13.5 hours in our video loop test, where the Spectre 13 didn’t quite make 10 hours.

As one of the market leaders for battery life in this range — nothing beats the Surface Book 2 — it should come as no surprise that the XPS 13 does so well in battery tests, even if this version is a little weaker in that regard than its predecessor.

It is important to note though that the slight weight difference does hold it back from clean sweeping this category. Although a little larger, the Spectre 13 is definitely the more lightweight device, so it certainly deserves a pat on its lid for offering stiff competition.

Winner: XPS 13

Pricing and availability

Although the XPS 13 actually starts at a lower price point than the Spectre 13 ($1,000 vs $1,080) its hardware configuration at that level is vastly inferior. A fairer comparison would be the $1,200 XPS 13, as both that and the base-level of Spectre sport a Core i5-8250U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That makes the HP laptop the much cheaper option — and its RAM is a little bit faster too.

That disparity in price is even more apparent at the top end, where even the $1,900 reduced price tag for the XPS 13 with a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, 4K display, and 512GB of storage, is much more expensive than the Spectre 13. The HP laptop costs just $1,640 in comparison.

There is always the last-generation XPS 13 which starts at $800, but its hardware is older and weaker.

It’s important to note that these prices factor in the big sale HP is running at the time of writing; the original cost of that top-tier version of the Spectre 13 was $1,850. It’s been running long enough though, that we feel confident this price tag is effectively the standard one for now.

The only leg up Dell has in this category are delivery times. Although both systems are available to buy right now, the Spectre 13 can take up to two weeks to arrive in some configurations. With express shipping you can grab the XPS 13 in just a few days.

Winner: Spectre 13

Paying for portable privilege

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

The HP Spectre 13 is one of those laptops that makes it ever harder for us to outright recommend the Dell XPS 13 to everyone we know. It has comparable hardware, a near-enough overall design, and decent battery life. The fact that it’s cheaper makes it a perfectly viable alternative for those who don’t want to pay for the additional perks of our favorite Dell design.

However, the increased battery life and better keyboard/touchpad pairing push the XPS 13 over the top. Its better display quality and overall improved frame stability over the Spectre 13 are important factors too. You certainly have to pay a bit of a privilege of those benefits, but in our estimations, they’re worth it.

Overall winner: XPS 13

Editors’ Recommendations

• Asus ZenBook 13 vs. Dell XPS 13
• Asus ZenBook 13 vs. HP Spectre 13
• Dell XPS 13 9370 review
• The best Dell XPS 13 cases, sleeves, and bags for every occasion
• Dell XPS 13 vs. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Book 2 13

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Dell’s XPS 13 has long been one of our favorite 13-inch notebooks, offering a solid build quality, great performance, and long battery life. Now, Dell has finally upgraded the somewhat stagnant design, making our favorite notebook in this popular class even better.

There’s stiff competition, though, including the growing 2-in-1 form factor that brings many of the same advantages of clamshell notebooks with the flexibility of tablets. The most unusual example of that class of notebooks is Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, which added a performance boost to its unique tear-off display design.

Before you pull out your wallet and spend your hard-earned dollars on a new notebook, we thought you might benefit from a Dell XPS 13 vs. Microsoft Surface Book 13 shootout to see which form factor is right for you.

Dell XPS 13

Surface Book 2 13

Dimensions
11.9 x 7.8 x 0.3-0.46 (in)
i5 version: 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.51-0.90 (in)
i7 version: 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.59-0.90 (in)

Weight
2.67 pounds
13.5-inch starts at 3.38 pounds

Keyboard
Full-size backlit keyboard
Full-size backlit keyboard

Processor
Up to eighth-generation Intel Core i7
Up to eighth-generation Intel Core i7

RAM
8GB or 16GB RAM
8GB or 16GB

Graphics
Intel UHD 620
Intel UHD 620
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050

Display
13.3-inch InfinityEdge
13.5-inch PixelSense
15.0-inch PixelSense

Resolution
Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 or 165 PPI)
4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160 or 331 ppi)
3,000 x 2,000 (267 ppi)

Storage
Up to 1TB PCIe SSD
Up to 1TB PCIe SSE

Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1
802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1

Connectivity
USB-C 3.1, USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 (x2), mini-DisplayPort, microSD card reader, 3.5mm combo jack
USB-A 3.0 (x2), USB-C 3.1, Surface Connect, SD card reader, 3.5mm combo jack
15-inch only: Xbox Wireless built-in

Windows Hello

Fingerprint scanner
Infrared camera
Infrared camera

Operating System
Windows 10
Windows 10

Battery
52 watt-hours
70 watt-hours

Price
$1,000+

13.5-inch i5: $1,200
13.5-inch i7: $2,000+

Availability
Now (Dell Store)
Now (Microsoft Store)

Review
Full review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Full review; 4 out of 5 stars

Design

Dell’s newest XPS 13 has a thin and robust design that utilizes with aluminum for a rigid chassis and strong carbon fiber to create a comfortable lining for the keyboard deck. There’s still the same basic design in its black variant that’s been around forever, including some of the thinnest bezels around, but the notebook has is even thinner (0.46 inches at its thickest point) and lighter (2.67 pounds) than ever. There’s a new Rose Gold aluminum lid and Alpine White keyboard deck version that’s quite striking and it’s made with a special glass fiber material specially designed for Dell. Dell also commissioned a Gore Thermal Insulation material to help get hot air out of the chassis and keep performance ramped up.

Microsoft’s Surface Book 2 13 sports a distinctly different aesthetic, with its magnesium chassis and unique fulcrum hinge making it a bit thick in the rear. It’s a simple design that still looks ultra-modern, in spite of slightly chunky bezels by today’s standards, although it’s quite a bit thicker (0.90 inches at the hinge) and heavier (it starts at 3.38 pounds). Overall, it’s a unique look with design that’s shared across Microsoft’s entire Surface line and makes it at once different and yet recognizable — and of course the display tears off to work as a surprisingly thin and light tablet complete with advance pen support.

One area where Dell took a step back is overall rigidity, with the newest model being a bit bendier than before, whereas the Surface Book 2 is solid as a rock. Nevertheless, Dell has upped the ante in terms of using new materials to bring advantages in feel and thermal performance, and its new aesthetics set it apart.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Performance

Dell might have adjusted the XPS 13’s chassis, but it retained the machine’s internals from the previous version. It still utilizes Intel’s quad-core eighth-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, and there’s till still up to 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD). That results in great productivity performance and even some extra power for things like encoding video.

The Surface Book 2 uses the fastest version of the same CPU, the i7-8650U and so it performance similarly to the XPS 13 on productivity tasks. However, it also packs in a discrete GPU, the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, that makes it much better suited for entry-level gaming and even better for high-end creative tasks like photo and video editing. The display portion, which contains the PC components themselves, is also fanless — that means it’s completely silent except when the discrete GPU, located in the base, is fired up.

Both notebooks are great for productivity, but the Surface Book 2 ratchets things up a few notches for gaming and creative productivity. It wins this round handily.

Winner: Microsoft Surface Book 2 13

Keyboard, mouse, and pen

The XPS 13’s keyboard has received a bit of an update as well, and feels even better to us with a crisp bottoming action that adds to its precise feel. Dell’s touchpad is also very good even if it’s one the small side, with Windows Precision Touchpad support for reliable Windows 10 gesture support. Windows 10 Hello support is now provided by both fingerprint scanner built into the power button and an infrared camera for facial recognition. Finally, the XPS 13 has the now-typical touchscreen that let’s you tap a button or scroll a web page.

The Surface Book 2 has an excellent keyboard as well, with copious amounts of travel and a precise feel. Its touchpad is perhaps the best you’ll find outside of a MacBook Pro, with Precision Touchpad support for ultra-precise and smooth Windows 10 gesturing. Of course, the touchscreen is based on Microsoft’s PixelSense technology and is incredibly accurate, and the Surface Pen is also superior with tons of pressure sensitivity and tilt support. Finally, you can log in with just your face using Windows Hello and the infrared camera.

Once again, the Surface Book 2’s flexible form factor and tablet-like functionality gives it the lead.

Winner: Microsoft Surface Book 2 13

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Connectivity

Thanks to its slightly thinner chassis, the newest XPS 13 drops the USB-A ports that adorned the previous models. Now, there are “only” two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3, one USB-C 3.1 port, and a microSD card slot. You’ve got great future peripheral support and performance, including the ability to connect to an external GPU, but you’ll be needing some dongles for your legacy devices. The usual 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios make sure you can keep connected away from any cables.

With the Surface Book 2, Microsoft took only a short step into the future by adding in a single USB-C 3.1 port without Thunderbolt 3 support. That’s in addition to two USB-A 3.0 ports, the Surface Connect port, and the SD card reader. Wi-Fi is 2×2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac, and there’s a the typical Bluetooth radio to round out wireless connectivity.

We’re happy for the legacy ports in the Surface Book 2, but we like the Thunderbolt 3 support on the XPS 13 much better. We’ll accept dongles to keep from being mired in the past.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Display

Dell finally brought the XPS 13 up to speed, swapping out the previous 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800 or 276PPI) panel to a full 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160 or 331PPI) display. We found both displays to be very good in our testing, with the Full HD version offering better contrast and highly accurate colors. And the lower resolution display also brings some real advantages in battery life.

As usual, Microsoft chose an excellent panel for the Surface Book 2, in fact it’s the same 3,000 x 2,000 (267 PPI) display from the previous version. That means it has excellent contrast and brightness, making text pop on the page, while offering decent color gamut and accuracy as well. It’s in the 3:2 aspect ratio that Microsoft favors for its better tablet and productivity experience.

We like the option of choosing between Dell’s ultra-sharp 4K UHD option and the high-fidelity colors of the Full HD model. However, we also love the Surface Book 2’s awesome contrast and more work-friendly aspect ratio. It’s not often that we don’t give the win to a Surface device in this category, but in this case that near-perfect color accuracy and selection win out.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Portability and battery life

Dell’s nod to thinness also meant a cut in battery capacity, from 60 watt-hours to 52 watt-hours. That’s not a massive reduction, but it’s likely to have an impact that will be felt the hardest with the 4K display. In our testing, we found the XPS 13 to have very good battery life, particularly the Full HD model, that’s not at the top of its class but will still get you through a full day’s work.

Microsoft packs a whopping 70 watt-hours of battery into the Surface Book 2, some in the tablet portion and some in the bast. Taken together, they afford the 2-in-1 with some of the best battery life you’ll find in a near-13-inch notebook. Simply put, the Surface Book 2 last a lot longer on a charge no matter what kind of work you’re giving it.

The XPS 13 is significantly thinner and lighter than the Surface Book 2. But if you work long days away from a charger, you’re more likely to keep the Surface Book 2’s power brick at home.

Winner: Microsoft Surface Book 2 13

Availability and price

Dell has priced the newest XPS 13 at the low end of the premium market to start out, specifically $1,000 for a Core i5-8250U CPU, 4GB of RAM, 128GB PCIe SSD, and Full HD non-touch display. That means you’ll spend $100 more to get into the XPS line, and then the price ramps up from there. At the high end it’s $2,100 (currently on sale for $1,899) for a Core i7-8550U, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and 4K UHD touch display. In the end, Dell has taken the XPS 13 out of high-end budget territory and placed it solidly in the premium field.

Of course, the Surface Book 2 is perhaps the definition of “Windows 10 premium notebook.” Yes, you can get a low-end model for $1,200 and score a seventh-generation Core i5-7300U, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. But, you also give up the discrete GPU in that model. You’ll have to spend a minimum of $2,000 to get the GTX 1050, along with a Core i7-8650U, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. If you want to max things out with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, then you’ll spend a whopping $3,000.

The Dell XPS 13 is clearly the more affordable machine. You’ll like the Surface Book 2’s flexibility, but be prepared to make a serious investment to get it.

Winner: Dell XPS 13

Dell’s modern design aesthetic and exotic materials win out

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Simply put, the Dell XPS 13 is the best 13-inch notebook on the market. It’s great looking, has a solid build, and offers great performance and battery life. Compared to most other standard notebooks, the XPS 13 wins. At the same time, the Surface Book 2 13 is a special machine, too. You just can’t ignore its flexibility, unique design, performance, and battery life — and it too is solidly built (more so than the XPS 13, in fact).

In the end, though, we think the Dell XPS 13 is just more accessible to more people. With its significantly lower price and more traditional form factor, it’s the kind of product we can recommend to pretty much everyone. For those reasons, we give it the win in a very close battle.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Asus ZenBook 13 vs. HP Spectre 13
• Dell XPS 13 vs. HP Spectre 13
• Asus ZenBook 13 vs. Dell XPS 13
• Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro 13
• Samsung Notebook 9 Pen vs. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

FCC interactive map shows broadband coverage down to your local neighborhood

Mapbox screenshot

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may not be everyone’s favorite government agency at the moment, but one of its missions is to ensure that high-speed internet access is available all across the country.

The latest FCC report addressing that subject offers a wealth of data, and now a new scrollable and zoomable map tool lets you easily see the level of coverage available, from the entire country all the way down to the neighborhood level.

In a blog post, Mapbox detailed how the interactive display was created, using the FCC dataset that encompasses 68 million records and 441 different broadband providers. Cable, satellite, and DSL providers are all included.

“With this tool, we can identify where service is and is not, where facilities are being built and where they are lacking,” said FCC commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. “And how communities are connected and how they are at risk of falling behind. In other words, we have a blueprint for action that will provide everyone from consumers to policymakers with more information.”

The agency recently came under fire for trying to redefine “broadband” in its reports by lowering the standards to appease internet service providers (ISPs). Fortunately, that didn’t happen, as TechCrunch notes in its analysis of the FCC yearly broadband report.

The FCC maintained its definition of broadband as a connection that enables 25 megabits down and 3 megabits up. The agency also continued to separate out mobile coverage from fixed broadband when evaluating the quality of internet access.

As all the data that’s visualized comes directly from the ISPs themselves, so the map represents a best-case scenario rather than availability from a consumer viewpoint. An ISP may only service one customer on an entire block with the listed speeds. Still, it’s a marked improvement from the county-by-county information that used to be the norm.

What’s not included in the data is pricing, as some internet analysts have pointed out. Paying $300 a month for 1 gigabyte downloads is not really an option for most households. Not to mention that there are still large areas of the country with no high-speed internet at all, as Rosenworcel said in a statement. “But it defies logic to conclude that broadband is being reasonably and timely deployed across this country when over 24 million Americans still lack access.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Tired of slow internet? Check to see if you can get Fios in your area
• What you need to know about net neutrality
• FCC officially repeals 2015 Net Neutrality regulations by a narrow margin
• Li-Fi is finally coming to your home, inside this unassuming LED lamp
• New York won’t do business with ISPs not adhering to net neutrality principles

Microsoft and Xiaomi team up to produce smart speakers, laptops, and more

Microsoft and Xiaomi have signed a Strategic Framework Memorandum of Understanding to deepen the partnership between the two companies and to work together on future A.I.-powered products and software.

Microsoft has agreed to allow Xiaomi to use its cloud computing products, such as Azure, to create a line of smartphones, laptops, and other smart devices for an international market.

The details of the agreement have not yet been announced, but the press release says that one of the projects being considered is a Cortana-powered Mi AI speaker. The Mi AI is a budget-conscious smart speaker similar to the Google Home or Amazon Echo. Currently, the only Cortana-powered smart speaker on the market is the Harmon Kardon Invoke.

The Invoke currently costs around $150, putting it in a similar price tier as the Amazon Echo. The current version of the Mi AI costs about a third of that price, though its availability is limited outside of China.  It is likely that a Cortana-powered version would be marketed more aggressively in the west.

Microsoft and Xiaomi are also discussing plans to integrate other Microsoft software into Xiamio products such as Bing, Edge, Skype, along with improved A.I. functionality. The details of these plans have not yet been revealed.

The fact that these companies decided to go with a Memorandum of Understanding is also important, as it means that the agreement is not legally binding. It is also unclear what, if any, financials are involved in this program.

Regardless of the specifics, this deal has the potential to benefit both companies. Access to Microsoft’s A.I. and cloud computing technology could provide a boon for Xiaomi as it works to develop new hardware. Additionally, it might give the company greater access to western markets.

Microsoft, on the other hand, is likely hoping to leverage its partnership with Xiaomi to earn a foothold in the lucrative Chinese market. China can be difficult for foreign tech companies to break into, thanks to a combination of a highly competitive market and government policies.

This is not the first time that these two companies have worked together. In 2015, they signed a deal to test Windows 10 on Xiaomi devices.

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Purse.io lets you nab steep discounts on Amazon if you pay with Bitcoin

Amazon can be a great place to find good deals on everything from books to smartphones, but a new cryptocurrency startup is hoping to provide even steeper savings. Purse.io allows users to purchase Amazon items at discounted prices — provided they pay in Bitcoin, that is.

Purse allows users to select a discount from a sliding scale depending on how fast they want their items. The scale ranges from five percent to 33 percent, with higher discounts taking more time to fulfill. Users who select the five percent discount option can expect to receive their products within two to five days and those orders are fulfilled by Purse.io. This does mean that even the lowest discount leads to slower transactions than ordering directly from Amazon Prime.

Those seeking to get larger discounts will need to wait a bit longer for their items. Once you have selected the discount you want, Purse will match you with an appropriate Earner. These Earners will purchase your item using Amazon gift cards in exchange for a buyer’s Bitcoins. This process is also managed within Purse’s ecosystem, but these orders are fulfilled by third parties that aren’t directly associated with Purse.

As mentioned, buyers can select a discount rate as high as 33 percent, though Earners are under no obligation to accept any of the offers. The site warns that a discount that is set too high might mean that the offer won’t be accepted. However, buyers can always edit and resubmit their orders with lower discounts to make it easier to find an Earner. In general, Purse says that it sees average discount rates of 15 to 18 percent and suggests that as a good place to start.

One thing that should be noted is that Purse does charge a fee for using the name your discount feature. The fees range from 1.9 percent to 4.7 percent for the higher options. This does offset the discounts a bit, so buyers should bear these fees in mind.

The biggest hurdle that newcomers might find on Purse is that they cannot make payments in cash. Users are required to pay in Bitcoins, which can be purchased on various exchange sites.

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Intel makes huge 5G promises for the 2020 Olympics

It might seem strange to say it, but 5G is creeping closer to reality. Intel has already been powering a “broad-scale” 5G network at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but come the 2020 games in Tokyo, Intel is planning to make an even bigger splash. At Mobile World Congress today, the company announced that it’ll be working with Japan’s NTT Docomo to build a 5G network for the games. Notably, Intel expects it to be the largest commercial 5G deployment at that time. That’s not a huge surprise, since many carriers will likely offer 5G by 2020, but it’s nice to see Intel thinking big.

Specifically, the company promises 8K 360-degree video streams, which would be a huge upgrade over the lackluster VR video at this year’s Winter Olympics. We can also expect to see even more drones equipped with cameras (4K, hopefully?), and 5G-enabled sensors and services for visitors of the games. The company claims it’ll also power 5G integration in vehicles, which currently gets speeds of 1Gbps while watching 4K video and moving at 30 kilometers per hour.

The timing couldn’t be better for Intel, if it really wants to turn heads with 5G. The 2020 Olympics will be an ideal time to showcase what the faster network technology can do. And by then, there’s a good chance plenty of consumers will have access to 5G devices, which will let them enjoy the Intel-powered coverage from anywhere.

Apple will store China’s iCloud keys on local servers

Apple has already bent over backwards in a bid to keep doing business in China, but it’ll have to bend a little further. As of the end of February, the company will host mainland Chinese users’ iCloud keys on servers located within the country — and they’ll be jointly run by a state-backed company, Guizhou Cloud Big Data Industry. The company has no choice if it wants to keep offering iCloud to Chinese users, as the law now requires that any cloud services have domestic ownership and store their data within China’s borders.

According to Apple, this was the best balance. The company fought to keep iCloud data in the US, but was “ultimately unsuccessful,” it said in a statement. This at least ensures that they have a good user experience, and might actually be more secure than steering users to alternatives.

Apple said it still has control over the encryption keys and isn’t giving China special access. However, that doesn’t allay concerns that China will now have greater power to spy on iPhone-toting residents. Police in the country can both issue and execute warrants without the oversight of a court, and iCloud accounts aren’t as secure as iPhones and iPads — it is possible to access the information contained in an iCloud account if Apple gets a legal order.

And that, in turn, has human rights advocates worried. China is notorious for demanding to surveil as much domestic internet traffic as possible in order to target dissidents, and having local access through a state-owned company could make that considerably easier. Apple might be making the best decision it can short of exiting the Chinese market entirely, but that could still lead to problems for activists and others who want to maintain as much privacy as possible.

Source: Reuters