8 months after its release, the iPhone 8 outsells the new Galaxy S9

It looks like Apple’s back on top. The company may have had a few down months thanks other companies’ upgrade cycle, but it has again locked in the top-selling smartphone spot for May — though Samsung’s Galaxy S9 Plus wasn’t too far away from beating it, according to Counterpoint Research.

It makes sense that Samsung came so close — the company released the Galaxy S9 in March, and the Galaxy S9 Plus held the top spot for April as a result. Both of the two devices ended up with 2.4 percent of the smartphone market share, but in the end, the iPhone inched ahead. Of course, the iPhone 8 wasn’t the only phone to show up on the list — the iPhone X also appears, coming in third place. In fourth was the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, and the iPhone 8 Plus came in fifth. Other phones in the top 10, in order, include the likes of the standard Samsung Galaxy S9, Huawei P20 Lite, Vivo X21, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, and Oppo A83.

It’s a pretty big deal for Apple to grab three of the top five spots on the list and it comes after a series of big advertising campaigns for the company. For example, a new ad campaign was launched for the FIFA World Cup highlighting “How to shoot on an iPhone,” which has reportedly helped generate a lot of interest for the device, especially in Europe.

Even more notable about the fact that the iPhone 8 and iPhone X are so successful is that we’ll be getting a slew of new iPhones in a matter of a few months. Apple normally refreshes the iPhone in September, and that’s when we’re expecting to see a follow-up to the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. Apple is rumored to be moving to a lineup of three phones with the iPhone X design this time around, which could help generate even more sales. It’s likely the gap between the top-tier iPhone and the Galaxy S9 won’t be so close in a few months, when the new set of iPhones launch and Apple is expected to absolutely dominate the market — as it usually does.

It’s interesting that Samsung was able to get so close to Apple in May — new reports indicate that the company has missed profit estimates and suffered a 0.7 percent decline in sales year over year.

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How to choose the right Chromebook

Knowing what to look for before you buy will make you happier and can save you money — which also makes you happier.

Whether you’re buying your first Chromebook or upgrading from an older model, you need to know what to look for before you part with your cash. Really, most purchases are this way — especially electronics of any sort. We can help you figure out which Chromebook features are right for you so you can be an informed buyer.

If you’re not yet sure that Chrome OS will work for you, go cheap.

Before you begin, you should set your budget. Thankfully, a fully capable and future ready (if not future-proof) model can be had for well under $300 if you don’t want to go for the top-shelf. And realistically, you don’t. Chrome OS runs well on hardware that might not have enough “oomph” for another operating system. In fact, there’s a good chance your phone will have more cores, be clocked higher and have more memory than a Chromebook that can do everything it’s intended to do. That’s not to say you won’t benefit from having a more premium model with better specs, but it’s certainly not necessary.

And that makes the first thing on our buyer’s checklist easy: if you’re not yet sure that Chrome OS will work for you, go cheap.

One of the top-selling Chromebooks on Amazon (and a pick for “Amazon’s Choice”) is the Acer Chromebook CB-3. It sells new for $178 (as of December 2017). And while it’s not the nicest laptop you’ll ever see, it has a great IPS screen and runs the very latest version of Chrome OS. And runs it pretty well. You will see things get bogged down a little if you’re trying to do too much at one time, but a browser session with a handful of tabs open or a few Chrome apps or documents open won’t be a problem at all. It’s a perfect way to see how Chrome will handle doing the things you want it to do.

More: Best Chromebooks

Amazon is also a great place to look for refurbished models that still carry a full warranty. I have seen Chromebooks for as little as $99 for Amazon Prime accounts, and any of them would be a good way to try a taste of Chrome OS, so you know if you’re ready to spend a little more.

See at Amazon

If you’re already sure you want a little better hardware or are looking forward to Android apps, you still don’t have to spend a lot of money. But you do need to know what to look for.

Android apps will change how we use a Chromebook.

Android apps have changed how we use Chromebooks. Adding almost 2,000,000 apps to one of the fastest and safest operating systems available also makes it one of the most capable for many of us. Don’t expect to run specialty programs like Adobe Photoshop or a CAD program, but for things like light video editing or 3D drawing, you’ll find a handful of apps that can handle the task.

Chromebooks weren’t designed for folks who need to use a high-end desktop or laptop. But most of us don’t need a high-end desktop or laptop and will be served well with a Chromebook. If Android apps are going to be important to you, here are a few things you need to look for.

• Make sure it’s on the list. You’ll find a list of Chromebooks that will be able to run apps from Google Play. Existing models will be listed if they’re going to support them. All new models support Android apps. If you’re not sure, you can ask us — if we don’t know, we’ll find out.
• More storage is better. This goes without saying, but we are saying it anyway. Chromebooks were designed as a cloud-centric device. Because of this, many don’t come with a lot of storage space. Android apps can change how much you’ll need. Consider some games for Android (which will play just fine on your Chromebook) are up to 2GB or more in size, and you’ll see why. You can store a lot of data or documents or photos on the SD card, but apps will go to the actual device storage. Ideally, you’ll want 64GB or more, but 32 can work if you’re not interested in any games.
• Know how you plan to use it. Some of us want a convertible model that we can use as a tablet. Others want a traditional clamshell-style. Spending a little more to get something you’ll find more useful is worth it. Screen size comes into play here, too. If you’re on the go a lot, you might want an 11-inch model. Or the 14-incher would be better for your desk. Think about how you’ll be using your Chromebook before you buy one.
• Get a model with a touchscreen. Using a touchscreen for “normal” computing kinda sucks. Editing something in Google Docs or writing a long email just isn’t designed for touch input no matter the platform. That’s why the people who make tablets also make keyboard covers. But that changes when you add in apps originally designed for a phone. They are built for a great experience when poking and swiping with your finger, and that translates well from a 5-inch screen to a 13-inch screen. While you can use the trackpad for most any of it, it’s just not as good.
• How much memory do you need? That’s determined by what you plan to do. A model with 2GB will be enough to have a few tabs open in the browser as well as an app or two running, but if you’re the power-user type you’ll want to go with 4GB. The video experience benefits from more memory, too. A 1080p video on YouTube or Google Play Movies can get a little stuttery with 2GB, but 720p runs great.
• How premium do you want to go? Every other item on this list can be had in a sub-300 dollar Chromebook. You can also spend $1,000 on a Pixelbook. The $300 model will handle most anything you throw at it, but the Pixelbook just feels better. I won’t toss a silly car analogy in here, but only you know how much a nicer look and feel is worth. Of course, more expensive models tend to have nicer displays and smoother trackpads, too.

More: Best Chromebook for students

You’ll have to decide which Chromebook is best for you, but we can toss a couple recommendations out. The Lenovo 500e is a great buy. $300 gets you a Chromebook that not only does everything a pricier one will, but is built for the education market, which means it’s ultra-rugged and has a spill-resistant keyboard.

See at Lenovo

If you’re ready to go all-in with Chrome and don’t mind spending a little more, The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is one of the best Chromebooks for the money available today. A fast processor and plenty of storage mean you’ll have it for years, too.

See at Amazon

Of course, new Chromebooks are coming out all the time and something coming up may be even better. You can keep up to date on our Best Chromebooks page, and keep an eye out for our reviews. And as always, the forums are a great place to learn more about anything Chrome.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Chromebook Buyers Guide
• Google Pixelbook review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Portable speakers, messenger bags, robotic vacuums, and more are all discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on a portable speaker for the Echo Dot, a Eufy robotic vacuum cleaner, a Timbuk2 messenger bag, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

MacRumors Giveaway: Win Crossfade 2 Wireless Headphones from V-Moda

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with V-Moda to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones.

Priced starting at $330, the Crossfade Wireless headphones fit over the ear with memory foam ear cushions for comfort even when listening for long periods of time. The hexagon shape is designed to reduce force on the head and ears while minimizing gap for a solid fit, and the steel frame is durable and comfortable.

There are built-in “V-Port” vents that allow for air circulation when working out or using the Crossfade on stage or in other warm environments. Passive noise isolation features are included to cut down on unwanted ambient sounds.

Inside, the Crossfade 2 features 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers engineered in Japan, which V-Moda says separates bass from bleeding into mids and highs for “extraordinary sound quality.”

According to V-Moda, the Crossfade 2 headphones have been instrument engineer verified, offering clean deep bass, lifelike vocals, and clear cymbals.

The Crossfade 2 can connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth, but there’s also an option for a wired connection so it’s versatile and will work with all of your devices. When connected wirelessly, the Crossfade 2 offers 14 hours of wireless listening.

Multitasking functionality lets the headphones pair to two devices at one time, such as an iPhone and a Mac with easy switching between the two, and there’s a built-in microphone for use with gaming or phone calls.

Though full-sized over-ear headphones, Crossfade 2 offers a built-in hinge mechanism that allows them to fold up into a small exoskeleton case when traveling.

The Crossfade 2 is available in Black Matte, White Matte, and Rose Gold, with the Rose Gold version offering Qualcomm’s aptX audio codec for improved sound over Bluetooth. All three offer the V-Moda Vamp AMP/DAC technology.

We have two sets of the Crossfade 2 to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (July 6) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on July 13. The winners will be chosen randomly on July 13 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tag: giveaway
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Siri at Center of Latest Patent Lawsuit Filed Against Apple

Arizona-based speech recognition technology company AVRS, short for Advanced Voice Recognition Systems, Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Apple this week, accusing the iPhone maker of infringing on one of its patents with its virtual assistant Siri, according to court documents obtained by MacRumors.

The asserted patent is U.S. Patent No. 7,558,730, titled “Speech recognition and transcription among users having heterogeneous protocols.” It was initially filed in 2001 but abandoned, refiled in 2007, and granted in 2009. Siri was first introduced alongside the iPhone 4s in October 2011.

The complaint is very exhaustive and technical, but in simple terms, AVRS believes Siri’s ability to process voice commands across multiple protocols and operating systems, such as iOS and macOS, infringes on its patented technology.

AVRS claims that Apple has been aware of the patent since at least 2013, and that Apple has cited it at least 77 times in its other speech recognition patents and in other litigation. AVRS says it also sent Apple correspondence in 2015, but to no avail, as Apple allegedly continues its willful infringement to present day.

AVRS has demanded a jury trial in Arizona district court, where it is seeking damages from Apple, in an amount no less than a reasonable royalty.

AVRS says its speech recognition software was first introduced in 1994, but it does not appear to offer any products or services that incorporate its patented technologies on its website, so it is more than likely a non-practicing entity.

“Our portfolio of intellectual property is the foundation of our business model,” the company’s website acknowledges.

Advanced Voice Recognition Systems v. Apple by MacRumors on Scribd

Apple has yet to formally respond to the complaint.

Tags: lawsuit, Siri, patent
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How to Use the New Augmented Reality Measure App in iOS 12

One of the new features in iOS 12 is an augmented reality app called Measure, which Apple has designed to make it easier for you to measure various real-world objects using 3D spatial detection techniques.

Open up the Measure app.
Follow the on-screen instructions and move your iPhone around the room so that it can get the dimensions of various objects.
Once it’s calibrated, denoted by a white dot in a circle, you’re ready to start measuring.
To take a measurement, line the white dot up with the corner of an object and then press the “+ button to create an anchor point.
From the anchor point, pan the iPhone over to the other edge of the object.
Press the “+” button again to get the final measurement of the line.
You can continue using this method to get the full dimensions of different objects in your room, with the ability to set multiple anchor points if desired.

Haptic feedback is included in the Measure app, so you’ll feel little haptic taps whenever you set an anchor point, for physical feedback. Haptic taps are also included whenever the app detects an obvious stopping point for a measurement, such as the end of a wall.

To clear your anchor points and start over at any time, tap the “Clear” button.

Once all of your measurements are in place, tap the white camera button to take a photo that displays all of the measurements overlaid on the object you’re measuring.

You can also tap on the arrow of one of the measurements to get a pop up with the current readings that you can copy and paste into another app like Messages or Notes.

Measurement Automatic Detection

For certain square-shaped objects that the Measure app detects, the detection of the dimensions will be automatic. To get an automatic measurement, choose a square or rectangular object and hold the iPhone in front of it.

If it’s going to take an automatic measurement, you’ll see a yellow square appear, which you can then tap to get dimensions. If it’s not going to do automatic detection, you’re going to need to use the tap method to draw individual lines.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the Measure app depends heavily on the precision of where the end points are placed, so there’s room for error.

It’s great for quick measurements to get an idea of size, but where precise measurements are required, it’s probably best to double check with a physical measuring method.

Level Feature

In iOS 12, the Measure app is also home to the Level feature that lets you use the iPhone to detect whether a surface is level. Prior to iOS 12, the Level feature was in the Compass app, so it’s not new, just relocated.

To use it, tap over to the level portion of the app, which is located at the bottom. Hold the iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation with no case and balance it on an object such as a picture frame to get a reading.

If you tap the screen when using the level app, you can set a 0 degree reference angle to make measurements from, and laying the iPhone flat allows it to be used as a bubble level.

Related Roundup: iOS 12
Discuss this article in our forums

Elon Musk sends SpaceX and Boring Company engineers to aid in a rescue mission

The rescue team dedicated to saving the Thai soccer team that has been trapped in a cave for nearly two weeks is growing larger by the day, and its latest members are coming from SpaceX and the Boring Company. According to Elon Musk, who took to his favorite medium (Twitter) to announce the news, engineers from both his ambitious companies will be heading to Thailand on July 7 “to see if we can be helpful” to the rescue operations. It’s unclear exactly what role these engineers will serve, and whether or not their smarts will ultimately be able to contribute to the overall operation. Just a few hours ago, the rescue operation claimed the life of an experienced Navy SEAL diver.

“There are probably many complexities that are hard to appreciate without being there in person,” Musk tweeted. It appears that the executive has been mulling over the decision to send engineers for quite a few days. On July 3, a Twitter user asked the serial entrepreneur for his help in rescuing the soccer team, at which point, Musk responded, “I suspect that the Thai [government] has this under control, but I’m happy to help if there is a way to do so.” Clearly, Musk has found a way, and has already tweeted a number of suggestions as to how best to aid in the mission.

Maybe worth trying: insert a 1m diameter nylon tube (or shorter set of tubes for most difficult sections) through cave network & inflate with air like a bouncy castle. Should create an air tunnel underwater against cave roof & auto-conform to odd shapes like the 70cm hole.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2018

“We are speaking with the Thai government to see how we can help, and we are sending SpaceX/Boring Company people from the US to Thailand today to offer support on the ground,” a spokesperson for The Boring Company tells The Verge. “Once we confirm what exactly will be helpful to send or do, we will. We are getting feedback and guidance from the people on the ground in Chiang Rai to determine the best way for us to assist their efforts.”

The soccer team, comprised of 12 young boys, along with their coach, were reported missing in late June. They were exploring the Tham Luang cave complex in northern Thailand, which is known to flood during the rainy months of the summer. They were ultimately found by rescuers 10 days after originally becoming trapped in the cave, and luckily, only “light injuries” have been reported in the group. Already, food and medicine have been delivered to the complex, but as flood waters continue to rise, there is a race against time to save the group.

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Fans petition Microsoft to save the Surface Phone from cancellation

Surface Phone fans are hoping that a grassroots campaign will help persuade Microsoft to reverse its reported decision on cancelling its unannounced dual-screen computing device. A Change.org petition is asking hopeful buyers of the Surface Phone to add their signatures in an effort to convince Microsoft to continue its course in launching the project later this year, which was known by its Andromeda code name.

“All the fans of Windows Phone want Microsoft to release the Surface Phone aka Surface Andromeda Phone Project that has been leaking out lately with the phone screen that can turn into a tablet,” the petition reads. “Money is power and if a lot of people want a Surface phone like the ones in the leaks then they will be forced into action as everyone knows Microsoft wouldn’t be able to give a reason on why not to do it to there [sic] investors, as its too much of a money opportunity to miss.”

The original writer of the Change.org petition, Zachary Hinski, speculates that consumers may not mind paying $799-$999 for the device. That cost would be in line with the price for some of today’s flagship phones, including iPhone models from Apple, but it’s unclear if Microsoft would be able to get the price that low, given the innovative size and components that would have gone into the design.

Although Microsoft never formally announced that it was working on such a device, recent leaks suggest that the Surface Phone would be a “disruptive” device that can transform into five distinct modes thanks to a 360-degree hinge. However, unlike convertible notebooks today, the Surface Phone would come in a more compact design that’s said to be pocketable, allowing it to look and feel more like a smartphone when it’s closed.

Most recently, it was reported that Microsoft is rethinking its Surface Phone strategy. “This is partially because of scheduling and quality, sources say, but more so because there’s still no compelling reason for Microsoft to come to market with its current iteration of a small, dual-screen mobile device,” ZDNet reports. However, ZDNet said that this doesn’t mean that the Surface Phone has canceled and it could still launch at some point in the future with a form factor that is more like a small foldable PC rather than a phone-sized device.

Technically, since Microsoft never formally announced the device, the Surface Phone was never really “canceled” by the company. For his part, Hinski said that he created the petition as a survey “to see how many people would buy this phone if Microsoft would release it.” At the time of this posting, the petition had 250 supporters.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone
• Microsoft leak hints dual-screen Andromeda device targets launch later this year
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• Microsoft calls its foldable Andromeda device “disruptive”
• Microsoft’s new USB-C port could enable even slimmer Surface products

Fans petition Microsoft to save the Surface Phone from cancellation

Surface Phone fans are hoping that a grassroots campaign will help persuade Microsoft to reverse its reported decision on cancelling its unannounced dual-screen computing device. A Change.org petition is asking hopeful buyers of the Surface Phone to add their signatures in an effort to convince Microsoft to continue its course in launching the project later this year, which was known by its Andromeda code name.

“All the fans of Windows Phone want Microsoft to release the Surface Phone aka Surface Andromeda Phone Project that has been leaking out lately with the phone screen that can turn into a tablet,” the petition reads. “Money is power and if a lot of people want a Surface phone like the ones in the leaks then they will be forced into action as everyone knows Microsoft wouldn’t be able to give a reason on why not to do it to there [sic] investors, as its too much of a money opportunity to miss.”

The original writer of the Change.org petition, Zachary Hinski, speculates that consumers may not mind paying $799-$999 for the device. That cost would be in line with the price for some of today’s flagship phones, including iPhone models from Apple, but it’s unclear if Microsoft would be able to get the price that low, given the innovative size and components that would have gone into the design.

Although Microsoft never formally announced that it was working on such a device, recent leaks suggest that the Surface Phone would be a “disruptive” device that can transform into five distinct modes thanks to a 360-degree hinge. However, unlike convertible notebooks today, the Surface Phone would come in a more compact design that’s said to be pocketable, allowing it to look and feel more like a smartphone when it’s closed.

Most recently, it was reported that Microsoft is rethinking its Surface Phone strategy. “This is partially because of scheduling and quality, sources say, but more so because there’s still no compelling reason for Microsoft to come to market with its current iteration of a small, dual-screen mobile device,” ZDNet reports. However, ZDNet said that this doesn’t mean that the Surface Phone has canceled and it could still launch at some point in the future with a form factor that is more like a small foldable PC rather than a phone-sized device.

Technically, since Microsoft never formally announced the device, the Surface Phone was never really “canceled” by the company. For his part, Hinski said that he created the petition as a survey “to see how many people would buy this phone if Microsoft would release it.” At the time of this posting, the petition had 250 supporters.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone
• Microsoft leak hints dual-screen Andromeda device targets launch later this year
• Code in latest Windows 10 preview hints at a Surface Phone
• Microsoft calls its foldable Andromeda device “disruptive”
• Microsoft’s new USB-C port could enable even slimmer Surface products

Samsung sees a second-quarter slump, due in part to slow Galaxy S9 sales

After four quarters of record profits, it looks like things are about to change for Samsung.  The South Korean tech giant released its earnings guidance of 14.8 trillion South Korean won ($13.2 billion) in operating profit from 58 trillion won (51.8 billion) in revenue for the second quarter of 2018. Samsung will report final results for Q2 later this month.

While the guidance shows an 11 percent increase in profit year over year, it also shows a 0.7 percent decrease in overall sales for the period ending June 30. The guidance is a far cry from analysts predictions of a 60.3 trillion won revenue with 15.1 trillion won in profit.

Industry analysts believe the lower-than-expected figures for the second quarter can be attributed to low sales of the Samsung Galaxy S9 as well as pricing volatility for memory chips.

According to Lee Seung-woo of Eugene Investments, sales of the Galaxy S9 have been sluggish. He expects the Samsung to ship about 31 million Galaxy S9 handsets in 2018. That number falls far below Samsung’s sales target of 43 million Galaxy S9 handsets.

In addition to slow sales for the Galaxy S9, analysts also believe pricing volatility for memory chips could be wreaking havoc on Samsungs earnings for the second quarter. Much of Samsung’s earnings success over the last four quarters can be attributed to its thriving components business.

Samsung Electronics became the No. 1 supplier of semiconductors worldwide in 2017 and its sales of memory chips continue to outpace its competitors by a long shot.  However, prices for NAND memory has fallen drastically in recent months and analysts believe DRAM chips will fall 10 to 15 percent in the coming months as well.

Slow sales and components pricing may not be Samsung’s only challenges in the coming quarters. Earlier in 2018, it was believed the majority of Apple’s upcoming 2018 iPhone models would use Samsung’s OLED displays. However, analysts now believe a greater proportion of the upcoming handsets will have less expensive LCD displays.

Samsung may see a boost in fourth-quarter sales, though. The company is expected to announce new hardware in August, including the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung Gear S4, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. The products would likely go on sale at the end of the third quarter in time for the holiday shopping season.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung beats Apple in smartphone activations during the first quarter
• Apple reveals healthy iPhone sales as Cook hints at more handset variations
• Shrinking demand forces Apple to slow down iPhone X production
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