Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review

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Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

Once bulky and awkward, 2-in-1 devices have matured with grace over the past couple of years. Awesome new options from Acer, HP, and Lenovo suddenly made the 2-in-1 a reasonable alternative to a traditional clamshell laptop. Unlike their predecessors, these devices didn’t sacrifice laptop usability to gain tablet convenience.

There was one company notably missing from their ranks – Dell. But that changed at CES 2017, as the company proudly launched its XPS 13 2-in-1. Today, it has both a 13-inch 2-in-1 and a 15-inch 2-in-1, but unlike the XPS 15 2-in-1, which has an 8th-gen Core CPUs with AMD’s RX Vega M for graphics, the XPS 13 2-in-1 uses lower-end specs and hasn’t been updated since 2017. Recent reports have leaked that Dell could be working on an update to the device with a new Y-series chip from Intel, though that could still be a ways out.

In addition, Dell no longer sells the lowest configuration, so you’ll $1,200 to buy the XPS 13 2-in-1, which snags you a Core i5-7Y54 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB hard drive. How does this 2-in-1 stand up to the competition?

Staying true to its heritage

The original Dell XPS 13 is now two years old, so you might expect the company to go a new direction with the design of its 2-in-1. Instead, the company has stuck to the formula. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 we received, with its matte silver display lid, is hard to distinguish from the original XPS 13 we reviewed in 2015. Only an indentation near the display hinge – and the fact this model has two small hinges, rather than one broad hinge – gives it away.

Luckily for Dell, the original’s formula is still rather unique. The combination of a professional metal exterior with soft-touch, carbon-fiber weave interior, is unlike anything else sold today. We still think it’s a great design. It’s subtle enough to fit in at a meeting, but luxurious enough to justify the XPS line’s pricing. And the soft-touch interior feels more inviting that the cold aluminum or magnesium used by rivals.

Of course, the XPS 13 2-in-1 does make an important tweak to the formula. The display hinge allows 360-degree rotation, making it possible to enjoy a tablet experience. Dell’s hinge design works as well as its rivals, such as Lenovo’s Yoga line or HP’s Spectre x360 laptops. Swinging it up is a breeze, and stay in place once adjusted where you’d like. The XPS 13 2-in-1 is also slightly smaller and lighter than both the HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 910, which means it’s easier to use as a tablet.

Make no mistake; this device still isn’t thin enough or light enough to entirely work as a stand-alone tablet. An iPad is still far lighter, so if you want a tablet specifically, the XPS 13 2-in-1 won’t do. But the XPS 13 2-in-1 comes as close to that experience as any 2-in-1 with a 360 degree hinge, and it’s perfectly fine for half-hour bouts of web surfing from a couch.

Limited ports, webcam woes, and a stylus joins the party

Unlike the normal XPS 13, which tries to support legacy connections, the XPS 13 2-in-1 goes all-in on USB-C. There’s only two such  connections available, one of which also handles Thunderbolt 3. Either USB-C port can be used to charge the system. There’s also a microSD card reader, a headset jack, and a lock slot.

Dynamic Power Mode isn’t a gimmick – it boosts performance noticeably.

The slim connection options aren’t strange in this category, but users should keep them in mind. You’re probably going to need a dongle. At least Dell includes one USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box.

Several wireless connection options are available including 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, and Miracast. This is about the best you’ll find on a modern PC.

Unfortunately, Dell hasn’t resolved the awkward location of the XPS 13’s 720p webcam. It remains below the display in laptop mode, which leads to an unflattering angle. However, Dell say the webcam’s orientation will rotate if the 2-in-1 is switched to tent mode, or tablet mode, which puts a band-aid on the problem. The webcam will support Windows Hello after a planned Windows update, according to Dell. A fingerprint reader with Windows Hello support is also included.

Finally, the touchscreen is compatible with Dell’s Active Pen, an active stylus that supports 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. This is not included, but sold for $49. Dell didn’t send one for use with our XPS 13 2-in-1 review unit, so we can’t comment on its quality.

A class-leading keyboard, with a mediocre touchpad

It’s great the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 makes a passable tablet. Frankly, though, that’s a secondary concern. We think every 2-in-1 needs to be built on a great laptop. That means it needs a great keyboard.

And the Dell XPS 13 has a great keyboard. Though slightly smaller than some competitors — a design decision that translates to small backspace key — the keyboard is otherwise near perfect. Each key provides smooth, long travel, and an enjoyable bottoming action that’s firm without feeling harsh. The overall experience is essentially identical to the regular XPS 13.

Dan Baker/Digital Trends
Dan Baker/Digital Trends

Keyboard backlighting is standard, though only two brightness settings are available. Both are dim enough that they’re usable in a dark room. Some light leaks around the keys, and particularly from a few function keys, but the overall look is like other high-end laptops.

The touchpad has also changed little from the original XPS 13, and it’s one trait that’s starting to feel outdated.  There’s nothing wrong with it, as it feels perfectly responsive, and it’s large for the XPS 13 2-in-1’s footprint. But competitors have new tricks. Acer and HP now use ultrawide touchpads that offer almost twice the usable space, and Apple has moved to a gigantic touch surface that absolutely dwarfs this Dell.

A beautiful display with a few quirks

Dell has long used its expertise in displays to enhance the XPS series, and the XPS 13 was a standout at time of its introduction, not only because of solid test results, but also because of an optional 3,200 x 1,800 touchscreen. Times have changed since then. Most competitors now offer similar options. Some, like the Lenovo Yoga 910, even serve up 4K resolution.

On paper, Dell doesn’t move the display forward. The base XPS 13 2-in-1 has a 1080p touchscreen, which our review unit equipped, and the most expensive models improve that to 3,200 x 1,800 resolution. The usual IPS panel technology is offered, behind Gorilla Glass NBT. That’s great. It’s also nothing new.

Let’s start with the bad. We measured a maximum brightness of just 251 lux. That’s bright enough for most situations, but noticeably dimmer than competitors. The HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 910 hit 355 and 340 lux, respectively. Another oddity is the gamma curve, which came in at a measurement of 2.6. That indicates a display that skews way darker than it should. And indeed, blacks do appear overly dark on the XPS 13 2-in-1.

These oddities are balanced by solid results elsewhere. The color gamut spans 97 percent of sRGB and 75 percent of AdobeRGB –- both numbers are a point or two behind the Dell’s main competitors. However, the XPS 13 2-in-1 produced an excellent contrast ratio of 1,120:1. That’s on par with contrast standouts like the MacBook Pro 13, and the Surface Book 2. As mentioned, the XPS 13 2-in-1’s display is not bright, so strong contrast comes from excellent black level performance.

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Compared To

Dell Inspiron 13 5000 2-in-1

Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 (2016)

HP Envy x2 (2017)

Asus NovaGo

Acer Spin 7

Samsung Notebook 7 spin

Dell Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 (2016)

Acer Switch Alpha 12

HP Spectre x360 13-w023dx

Huawei Matebook

Vaio Z Flip

Dell Inspiron 11 (2015)

Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Special…

Toshiba Satellite Click 2 Pro

HP Spectre 13t x2

It’s clear this 2-in-1’s display makes some sacrifices, and those sacrifices won’t work for everyone. We’re not sure why the backlight is so dim, or why the gamma skews so dark. Still, in subjective viewing, we were impressed by the screen. It delivers vibrant color and inky blacks, traits that help high-quality videos and games pop. A professional photographer won’t be pleased with this screen, but a more casual user will come away impressed.

The speakers don’t stand out

The XPS 13 2-in-1 has speakers, and they produce sound. Moving on…

Seriously. Sound quality is not a priority for this system, and it shows. The speakers don’t sound bad, and they provide clear sound in most situations, at most volumes. But they’re not loud, and they don’t sound crisp – good enough for a meeting, or a podcast, but inadequate for watching a movie. You’ll want to pair it with headphones, or external speakers.

Dell’s Dynamic Power Mode isn’t a gimmick

The XPS 13 2-in-1 is thinner and lighter than the normal XPS 13, yet retains an equally excellent keyboard, and bundles in touchscreen. Something had to give, and that something is the processor.

Dell has opted for Intel’s low-powered “Y-Series” processors, formerly known as the Core M line. These chips are designed to draw less power, but suffer a performance penalty for it. Our review unit came with the Core i7-7Y75, while base models of the XPS 13 come with the Core i5-7Y54.

To eek every ounce of performance from the Y-Series, Dell has introduced a feature called Dynamic Power Mode. Normally, the Intel processor works with a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of seven watts. With Dynamic Power Mode, Dell can temporarily increase that to nine watts. It’s like bumping up the rev limiter on a high-performance sports car — without the risk of blowing the engine.

Does it work?

Geekbench 4’s single-core test gives Dynamic Power Mode a chance to strut its stuff. The XPS 13 2-in-1 actually beat the HP Spectre x360, which is powered by a 15-watt Core i7-7500U. It also left the Acer Spin 7 in the dust, despite the fact Acer’s system was reviewed with the exact same processor.

The benefit becomes harder to see in the Geekbench 4 multi-core test. There, the XPS 13 2-in-1 does fall behind the HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 910, but it also continues to run rings around the Acer Spin 7. The XPS 13 2-in-1 is over 25 percent quicker than the Spin 7.

So far, so good, but there is some bad news. Handbrake held back the XPS 13 2-in-1, which required over thirty minutes to transcode our 4K test clip to x.265. That’s actually a bit longer than the Spin 7, and twice as long as the HP and Lenovo.

That result is not unusual. Handbrake is the worst enemy of the Y-Series, because it forces the chip to run flat-out for a long time. Eventually the processor, which is passively cooled, hits its power peak. It simply can’t sustain maximum performance long enough to complete the test.

The question, then, is how you plan to use your system. In most situations, the XPS 13 2-in-1 performs surprisingly well, giving little ground to competitors with chips that draw more power. If you plan to run a processor-demanding task for a half-hour, though, the XPS 13 2-in-1 will fall behind.

We think Dynamic Power Mode does its job. Just be aware of its limits. We doubt many readers are considering the XPS 13 2-in-1 for video editing or similar processor-heavy work, but if you are, think again – you’ll need a larger laptop for that.

Unlike the HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 920, Dell didn’t give the XPS 13 2-in-1 an 8th-gen update in 2017.

The SSD is no slouch

A variety of hard drive options are available with the XPS 13 2-in-1, ranging from 128GB to 1TB. Our review unit came with a 256GB solid state drive connected over PCI Express. The drive was a Toshiba XG4, which is common in laptops.

There’s nothing to complain about here. While the drive isn’t the fastest we’ve tested, it performs well across the board, and its write speeds are better than average. This certainly isn’t going to hold you back.

Not cut out for gaming

Gaming is not this system’s goal, as is true with many 2-in-1 laptops. Intel HD graphics powers games and, because it’s on a chip with a lower power draw than typical, performance suffers. Dynamic Power Mode does not apply here.

3DMark’s Fire Strike test drives the point home. There, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 scores just 608, which is about 30 percent less than the HP Spectre x360. The Lenovo Yoga 910 does even better, scoring 933.

To be clear, none of these laptops are great for games, but the XPS 13 2-in-1 is notably worse. Running Civilization VI at 1080p resolution is unenjoyable no matter the settings, unless you have a thing for slideshows. Players will have to reduce the settings of most new 3D games to the lowest preset to have any hope of acceptable performance.

If you want a 2-in-1 that can game, you’ll need to check out something like the Surface Book 2 or the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1.

Smaller battery doesn’t cut endurance

At just 2.7 pounds, and no greater than .54 inches thick, the XPS 13 is easy to tuck into a bag. It’s not as slim as competitors like the Acer Spin 7, but a tapered chassis helps it feel small enough.

To keep it small, Dell has reduced the battery’s capacity from 60 watt-hours (in the most recent XPS 13) to a more mundane 46 watt-hours. That’s not bad; it’s barely less than the Apple MacBook Pro 13, which is a fair bit heavier, and larger. But any reduction will make frequent fliers feel skeptical.

Thankfully, the reduction in battery size doesn’t have much impact on endurance. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 lasted four hours and fifty-four minutes in our demanding Peacekeeper test. That’s exactly the same as HP’s Spectre x360, and more than either the Lenovo Yoga 910 or the Acer Spin 7. The Dell XPS 13 with Core i7-7500U processor does last slightly longer, hitting five hours and seven minutes.

The XPS 13’s design remains unique.

Our 1080p video loop extended the battery to 10 hours, 37 minutes, which exceed the Core i7-equipped Dell XPS 13, and also beats the Lenovo Yoga 910. The HP Spectre x360 lasted just six additional minutes.

It’s clear that Dell’s reduction in battery size hasn’t compromised endurance. The XPS 13 2-in-1 lasts longer than average. Do note, however, that versions with the 3,200 x 1,800 display will not last quite as long, due to higher power draw from the screen.

A bit too much bloat

The XPS line has always forgone the bloatware, and there’s little to be found on the XPS 13 2-in-1. McAfee Antivirus does make an appearance, complete with an upgrade nag-screen, and there’s also a Dell warranty sign-up.

Warranty information

Dell ships the XPS 13 2-in-1 with a one year warranty. That’s typical for a notebook, no matter its price. However, Dell does offer a unique support plan called “Premium Support.” The company says this plan, which starts at $89 per year. This plan activates on-board diagnostics that can advise you of a problem, such as hard drive failure, before it happens, and schedule a fix before the failure occurs. It’s an interesting option, but it’s hard to say if it’s worth the price.

Our Take

We gave the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 our Best of Computing at CES 2017. Handing out such an award is always a risk. Sometimes, a device doesn’t hold up to closer scrutiny. But Dell’s latest is rock solid. It posted great scores in our benchmarks and, just as importantly, is a joy to use every day. Just be prepared to pay for quality. Starting at $999, or $1,299 as-tested, this is not an affordable machine.

Is there a better alternative?

Plenty of excellent competitors exist including the Acer Swift 7, Asus Transformer Book 3, HP Spectre x360, Lenovo Yoga 910, and Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga X1. Many of these systems are quite good, but the HP Spectre x360 is the 2-in-1 to beat, especially the updated 8th-gen. model. The Lenovo 2-in-1 got an 8th-gen. update in 2017 as well with the Yoga 920. Unlike both of those devices, the XPS 13 2-in-1 didn’t get an update to the most recent Intel CPU architecture.

The DT Accessory Pack

ProCase 13 – 13.5 inch sleeve case

$20

Logitech MX Anywhere 2 wireless mobile mouse

$57.70

Aukey USB-C Hub with 4 USB 3.0 ports

$13

Choosing between the Dell and the HP is difficult. They offer similar performance by most metrics, including battery life and display quality. However, Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1 starts at $999, while the HP Spectre x360 starts at $899. HP also bundles twice the RAM and hard drive space in its base model, both of which are upgrades you’ll notice every day. Dell’s advantage lies in its size. It’s noticeably smaller than the HP in every dimension, and that makes it easier to use as a tablet.

In addition, there are now high-powered 2-in-1 devices that could be considered. The 13-inch Surface Book 2 comes with a discrete GPU and manages some insane battery life. Unfortunately, it starts at $1,499. Once it hits store shelves, the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 also can play games — though again, it starts at a higher cost of $1,299.

How long will it last?

The XPS 13 2-in-1 has a 7th-generation Intel processor technology, and most models equip a solid-state drive that connects over PCI Express. Bluetooth 4.2 is supported, though Wireless AD is not. Still, this laptop is as future-proof as any sold today.

Should you buy it?

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1’s strength lies in how well it melds the productivity of a laptop with the convenience of a tablet. Like the HP Spectre x360 and Lenovo Yoga 910, it’s a great laptop, and it’s more usable as a tablet than either. We recommend shoppers go for the step-up models, rather than the baseline entry – and if you do, you’ll end up with one of the best 2-in-1s ever made.

Large SSDs, robotic vacuums, Nerf blasters, 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 the Crucial MX500 2TB SSD, the Roomba 980 robotic vacuum, a Nerf blaster, 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!

Rolls-Royce wants to put you in a flying taxi come the early 2020s

Rolls-Royce wants to take you for a ride in the skies. The U.K.-based jet engine maker has unveiled a new concept for a propulsion system that would power a flying taxi. This would rival similar offerings from Airbus and Uber, and could make air travel far more common (and affordable) than ever before. As it stands, the flying taxi is nothing but an idea, and Rolls-Royce is beginning a search for partners who would help bring this vision to fruition.

The concept electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) vehicle can be customized to suit a number of purposes, including personal transport, public transport, and military applications. Rolls-Royce notes that the hardware and software needed to bring this EVTOL to life either already exists, or is now being developed. Consequently, the engine maker hopes that it could be accepting passengers as soon as the “early 2020s.”

Initially, Rolls-Royce hopes to leverage gas turbine technology in order to create the power needed for six electric propulsors, all of which are designed to have a low noise profile. The flying taxi would also have a battery for energy storage, and as configured, would have space enough for four to five passengers. But where things really get interesting is in the EVTOL’s speed and range. The vehicle ought to be able to travel for approximately 500 miles at a top speed of 250 mph, and because its battery would be powered by the gas turbine, it wouldn’t have to make pit stops in order to recharge. Moreover, Rolls-Royce says that its flying taxi would be able to make use of existing infrastructure for take-off and landing, including heliports and airports.

The EVTOL’s wings, as designed, are capable of rotating 90 degrees, which means that the taxi would be able to take off and land vertically. And because the propellers on the wings could fold away at cruising height, Rolls-Royce believes it has a solution to drag and cabin noise. The first models of the EVTOL will likely boast an M250 gas turbine in the rear of the aircraft, and can be adjusted in order to match the specifications of the hybrid electric propulsion system.

“Electrification is an exciting and inescapable trend across industrial technology markets and while the move to more electric propulsion will be gradual for us, it will ultimately be a revolution,” said Rob Watson, who heads up Rolls-Royce’s electrical team. “Building on our existing expertise in electric technologies and aviation, Rolls-Royce is actively exploring a range of possible markets and applications for electric and hybrid electric flight. We are well placed to play a leading role in the emerging world of personal air mobility and will also look to work in collaboration with a range of partners.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Uber’s flying cars get a boost from government assistance
• Aston Martin flying concept brings style and luxury to the skies
• California prepares to lead the nation in solar-equipped housing
• Norway tests its first all-electric plane, hopes for passenger flights by 2025
• Hinge wants to make first dates easier, launches ‘Most Compatible’ feature

From robot insects to human-sniffing sensors, this rescue tech could save lives

Elon Musk’s futuristic “mini-sub” ultimately wasn’t used in the recent daring rescue of 13 people trapped in a cave in Thailand. However, its much-publicized existence reminded the world of the important role similarly cutting-edge technology will increasingly have a role to play in similar disaster rescue efforts.

From inflatable vine robots to skin-sniffing smart sensors, read on for six of the high-tech tools which could one day save your life.

Search and rescue drones

We’ll start with the most common technology on this list: drones. Forget being tools of the future; examples of camera-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being employed by emergency response teams are already playing out.

Earlier this year, the technology was used to help guide emergency responders to the residence of a resident in Hawaii whose home risked being swallowed up by lava following a volcanic eruption. As drones’ flight time increases, these will only become a more widespread tool in the arsenal of lifesavers.

A growing vine robot

Created by researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, this flexible, vine-like robot is capable of growing up to 236 feet in length by pumping itself full of air.

By doing this, it can snake through complex environments, lifting objects, and extending through gaps just 10 percent of its diameter. Because of its hose-like design, the robot could be used for moving materials from rescuers to whoever needed to be rescued.

“One of the areas we’re most interested in is search and rescue,” Professor Elliot Hawkes, lead researcher on the project, told Digital Trends. “We imagine growing the robots through rubble and debris to help find trapped survivors. The robot could deliver water or oxygen to the survivor, and possibly pry rubble off the survivor.”

Harvard’s insect rescue-bots

If you’re in need of a savior in a disaster scenario, what could be a more welcome sight than a rescue robot that’s literally capable of walking on water? That’s what Harvard researchers have developed with its ongoing insect-inspired Harvard’s Ambulatory MicroRobot (HAMR) project.

These miniature rescue bots may be diminutive, but they show off some impressive capabilities, including scampering over ground at high speeds, walking on top of and under water, and — in the future — hopefully climbing and jumping, too.

“Think about a scenario in which a building collapsed due to earthquake or tsunami,” Kevin Chen, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, told Digital Trends. “There are many people trapped in confined and cluttered environments. We can send in a swarm [of hundreds] of these small robots into the site to search for survivors. These robots should be able to overcome obstacles on land. In addition, when facing water puddles, the robots need to bypass these by walking on the water surface or dive down to avoid obstacles on the water surface.”

SmokeBot

Örebro University

No, it’s not a cigar-chomping automaton like Bender from Futurama. Instead, SmokeBot is a robot designed to assist firefighters when they enter smoke-filled buildings. The big selling point of SmokeBot is its ability to spot things firefighters may not — thanks to a combination of gas sensors, radar, a laser scanner, and a thermal camera.

It can then relay this information in the form of maps of its surroundings for assisting fire services or search-and-rescue teams. While the robot has to be remote-controlled by a human user, by way of WiFi, it possesses the smart ability to autonomously return to the last position it had good internet reception if this connection is cut off.

“[We were interested in using robots for] operating in low-visibility environments, a scenario where robots could be very helpful, but in which it was not possible to use them prior to SmokeBot,” Achim Lilienthal, project coordinator and professor of Computer Science at Sweden’s Örebro University, told Digital Trends.

Human-sniffing sensors

American Chemical Society

Finding survivors in the aftermath of disasters, such as earthquakes or bombings, is a major challenge — with serious time constraints. To help with this, researchers from Austria, Switzerland, and Cyprus have developed an inexpensive sensor designed to literally “sniff out” survivors who may be trapped.

The sensor is both light and portable enough that it could be carried by first responders or mounted onto a drone. It can detect a person’s chemical signature at even the tiniest, trace-level concentrations.

“We tested our sensors in a human entrapment simulation,” Sotiris Pratsinis, Professor of Process Engineering at ETH Zurich in Switzerland, told Digital Trends. “Volunteers were enclosed in a gas-tight chamber to accumulate their breath and skin emissions. The sensors rapidly detected human presence by sensing tiny amounts of these chemicals, at levels unprecedented for portable detectors — down to three parts per billion. The next step is to test the sensor array in the field with first responders under conditions similar to those expected in the aftermath of a calamity.”

MIT’s Cheetah bot

Certainly the coolest-looking robot on this list, Cheetah is a four-legged robot built by MIT engineers. Currently in its third iteration, the 90 lbs Cheetah can handle uneven terrain, make some impressive leaps, and even navigate effectively in pitch black darkness thanks to some smart spatial awareness tech.

The team behind the work hope that it can one day be used as part of rescue missions in disaster relief situations.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Harvard’s latest robot can walk on water. Your move, Jesus
• A lightweight sensor can help sniff out survivors in disaster zones
• SmokeBot robot can see things human firefighters can’t in smoke-filled rooms
• MIT’s Cheetah 3 robot doesn’t need sight to navigate stairs
• It sounds ridiculous, but these beaver bots are designed for disaster zones

A Japanese startup is planning an artificial shooting star show by 2020

Barcroft Media/Getty Images

Who says you have to wait around for a meteor shower? Certainly not ALE Co., a Tokyo-based startup that wants you to wish upon a shooting star anytime you’d like. The company is looking to develop a system that would offer paying customers “shooting stars on demand,” and as per a report by Japan Times, the first man-made meteor shower in the history of the world could take place in just two years.

The system depends upon two satellites, both of which are currently being developed. The first should be launched into orbit in March 2019, while its sibling would take flight sometime next summer. Each satellite will carry around 400 tiny spheres, each of which contain a proprietary chemical formula that would mimic falling stars in the sky. Think of them, in some ways, as extraterrestrial fireworks. Each of the little spheres could be reused, which means that they could be repurposed for between 20 and 30 artificial shooting star shows.

The satellites purportedly have a lifespan of around 24 months, and would be programmed to send the tiny fireworks flying in the right place, speed, and direction in order to achieve visible illumination even over an extremely crowded metropolitan area (think Tokyo or New York City). And because they would be shot out in space, millions of viewers could be able to enjoy the show from their own homes, ALE claims.

“We are targeting the whole world, as our stockpile of shooting stars will be in space and can be delivered across the world,” ALE CEO Lena Okajami told reporters.

Should all systems continue to operate smoothly during these planning and production phases, both satellites could be in place by February 2020, and an initial test run could be ready to go later in the spring. That means we’ve less than two years to think of all of our most pressing desires and make as many wishes as possible.

The first test is slated to take place over Hiroshima, which was chosen thanks to its weather, landscape, and cultural background, the company said. It’s unclear exactly how much you’ll have to pay in order to order a meteor shower of your own. The initial tests have a budget of $20 million, which includes the cost of launching a pair of satellites.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to take pictures of the stars
• ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ review
• You’re doing it wrong! Here’s the perfect way to watch every Star Wars film
• Here’s how to watch all of the Star Wars films and series online
• The best point-and-shoot cameras you can buy

Best Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for Google Pixel 2

Don’t scratch that Gorilla Glass.

The Google Pixel 2 is pretty amazing — and if you want to keep it in amazing condition, you should be sure to protect that screen with a screen protector. Tempered glass screen protectors are your best option for protecting your phone’s screen from drop damage and general wear and tear. And chances are you will see some wear over time.

Fortunately, there’s a number of great options out there for you to choose from. Let’s dive in!

• Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Power Support Tempered Glass Film
• IntelliGLASS Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Top Pick

The Whitestone Dome Glass screen protector has quickly become one of the more trusted options for keeping your smartphone display safe. Sure, it’s absolutely the most expensive option but it has won over a ton of fans.

Typically sold for $60, you can get one for the Pixel 2 for just $45. Check out this review and installation guide to get an idea of how this tempered glass screen protector uniquely adheres like no other screen protector you’ve seen before. If the worst case scenario has already occurred and your screen is cracked, think of this as a second chance screen before dropping hundreds of dollars on a proper replacement screen. The packaged UV light required to complete the curing process makes this a bit more of an involved process, but if you spend the time to install it right the first time you should have one of the most reliable screen protectors for your Pixel 2!

See at Amazon

Power Support Tempered Glass Film

Official Offering

Next, we’ll shift gears and look at the tempered glass accessory Google sells alongside the Pixel 2 on the Google Store. It has a black border at the top and bottom to help with lining it up during installation and also has cutouts around the front-facing speakers. Curved edges ensure a good in-hand feel, and the oleophobic coating will ensure you’re not constantly wiping fingerprint and grease smudges off of your screen.

Google is selling this screen protector for a whopping $39.95, but for that money, you can be sure that it’s a quality product and designed precisely for your Pixel 2.

See at Google

IntelliGLASS 3D Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Thinnest Option

IntelliARMOR is a trusted brand in phone protection, and right now they’ve got a great deal on their IntelliGLASS 3D screen protectors. Regularly sold for $45, you can get one for just $20.

The IntelliGLASS screen protector is incredibly thin and features the ever-important oleophobic coating to prevent oils and dirt from sticking to your screen. It’s a great option that is super thin and lightweight but tough when it counts. IntelliGLASS uses a silicone-based adhesive that makes for an easy installation, and if you have any problem the IntelliARMOR customer service will work to make things right. It’s available with a white or black border, or you can opt for the IntelliGLASS HD that’s fully transparent and starts shipping the first week of December.

See at IntelliARMOR

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

Best Value

If you like screen protectors with a border around the screen (which helps with installation), you should check out this affordable offering from Supershieldz. This two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors includes all the features you’d expect, such as hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings to keep your screen clean.

The kit includes alignment stickers and Supershieldz guarantees a bubble-free installation. If you run into any issues, you can contact Supershieldz customer support as it offers a no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty on its products. Available for just $7.99, this is a premium option at a budget price.

See at Amazon

ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

Most Coverage

ZeKing offers a really good option if you don’t like leaving the top and bottom edges of your phone exposed. Opting to provide precise cutouts around the front-facing speakers instead, this two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors will offer good protection for the entirety of the display up to the curved edge of the screen glass.

It’s a basic kit but includes all the standard features including an oleophobic coating for fingerprints along with alcohol wipes for a clean installation. At just $5.99, you aren’t likely to find a better deal on a tempered glass screen protector.

See at Amazon

InvisibleShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Trusted Brand

Zagg is a trusted name in phone accessories, and especially screen protectors.

The InvisibleShield Glass+ provides ample impact protection for your screen and is designed to withstand shattering itself. If it does, you can count on its limited lifetime warranty in which it’ll replace the screen protector if it gets worn or damaged for as long as you own the phone (you only pay shipping and handling costs).

It’s also smudge- and scratch-resistant, too, so it will hold up nicely to daily wear and tear — and you wouldn’t expect any less from a product that costs $39.99.

See at Zagg

amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Best for 2 XL

One of the few options available for the Pixel 2 XL, this tempered glass screen protector from amFilm should do the trick. It’s been specifically designed for the larger model and claims to offer edge-to-edge protection with an improved adhesive gel. The glass has a black trim around the perimeter of the curved corner display, and notches cut out of the top and bottom to accommodate the front-facing speakers.

This is a case-friendly screen protector that features an invisible dot matrix to simulate fingerprint contact most accurately. It also has an olophobic coating to prevent fingerprints which is always important.

There may be cheaper options to come, but for $12.99 you’ll get everything you’ll need to ensure a clean installation and quality protection for your new phone.

See at Amazon

Which screen protectors do you trust?

Are you going to grab something off our list? Eyeing a different brand? Let us know in the comments!

Update July 2018: These are still the best options for protecting your Pixel 2 screen.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

The Pixel 2 XL’s still got it, which bodes well for the Pixel 3

If you can avoid paying full price, the Pixel 2 XL is still worth it.

We’re sometimes guilty of being a little fickle when it comes to older phones. As new toys arrive, and release cycles grind on, phones from years past are left to collect dust.

The Google Pixel 2 XL is an exception. It has unquestionably aged better than just about any Google phone before it, be it a Nexus or a Pixel. For a phone that had a tumultuous launch, thanks to some concerns around the display, the Pixel 2 XL stood the test of time better than I could’ve imagined.

We’re still a few months away from the next generation of Pixel phones, and with the final version of Android 9.0 dropping very soon, plus price drops on the Google store and elsewhere, this phone is still a tempting proposition. If you care about having the latest Android software and Google features, then the Pixel 2 will be running software in August that other flagships like the Note 9 probably won’t get until at least a couple months into 2019.

Of course, there’s more to a phone than the version of Android it runs. The Pixel 2 XL is a generation behind the current crop of high-end Androids if you just look at the spec sheets. You get last year’s Snapdragon 835 instead of this year’s 845. 4GB of RAM versus the increasingly standard six.

Real-world performance, though, is basically on par with many of the Snapdragon 845 phones we’ve been using over the past few months, with only tiny differences in app load speeds. Even then, it’s pretty much a coin toss as to which one feels faster to use. The only downside I’ve really seen has to do with that four gigabytes of RAM. Compare it to the OnePlus 6, for instance, with its monstrous eight gigs of RAM, and it’s clear OnePlus’s phone is the superior multitasker.

Having the latest version of Android is all well and good — the Pixel 2 XL will have Android 9 comfortably before any other phone. And it’s guaranteed for platform updates through until Android R in 2020. But the real strengths of the Pixel comes from the extra stuff Google’s layered on top. Features like “Now Playing”, which identifies music playing when you’re out and about, are things that still delight me whenever I switch back to the Pixel. And then there’s the legendary Pixel camera, which is so good mostly because of the HDR+ processing that Google’s developed over the past few years.

Sure, there are ports of the Pixel camera for other phones, but none work as well as the real deal on a Pixel 2.

Pixel 2 camera’s still got it. pic.twitter.com/W1Nz4UyZbG

— Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) July 18, 2018

This is still a top-three camera. Although it’s beaten in one or two areas by the Galaxy S9 and Huawei P20 Pro, the Pixel’s camera is absolutely a reason to recommend it over other flagships. It’s not quite the best anymore in low light, but it still captures a ton of color detail in the dark. And dynamic range is spectacularly good. Photos from the Pixel 2 have a magical quality that’s hard to replicate on any other handset. And it’s still the camera, more than anything, that lures me back to a Pixel now and again, even when reviewing newer and shinier things.

Something else that’s held up surprisingly well is this phone’s battery life. Even after around nine months of use, with hardware that’s a generation old, my Pixel 2 XL’s longevity compares favorably to the Galaxy S9+, OnePlus 6, LG G7, HTC U12+ and just about any other 2018 flagship you might care to mention. (The only exception being Huawei’s Mate 10 and P20 Pro, with their extra-large batteries.)

The Pixel 3 is just around the corner. Nevertheless, if you can find the Pixel 2 XL with a reasonable discount, it’s absolutely still worth picking up. The phone was briefly discounted on the Google Store, but most outlets have reverted back to the $849 base price, which you definitely shouldn’t pay. If you are buying outright, Amazon has a few refurb options at a more palatable price point.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Other odds and ends for a lazy Sunday:

• Am I the only one having deja vu around the new proactive Google Assistant? This new feature essentially recreates many of the capabilities of Google Now when it debuted back in 2012 with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. We’ve come full circle.
• Hopefully this is the death knell for the current Google Feed, which as I mentioned here is currently little more than a below-average news aggregator. Surely the new proactive Assistant is poised to replace the Feed on the next round of Pixel phones. The new Google News app leaves little reason for the Feed to continue to exist in its current form.
• Looks like the Samsung Galaxy Watch (probably) won’t run Wear OS after all. Makes sense, for the reasons I laid out in this video. Samsung shipping a Wear OS watch could only happen if Google were to essentially buy Samsung’s cooperation. Even then, there’s the question of what would happen with other Tizen gadgets like the Gear Fit series, which are a poor fit for Wear OS’s UI. Either way, in the absence of Google bucks to sweeten the deal, Tizen is the far more likely bet.
• Google got slapped with a $5.1bn fine this week, and Russell Holly has a great explainer of the issues involved. The company has always walked something of a tightrope with “open” Android. AOSP Android is still open-source, but progressively less and less of what you or I might think of as Android on a phone is available without playing by Google’s rules. Realistically, you need to cooperate with Mountain View and work within the Google ecosystem to get anywhere with Android in Western markets — which is the crux of the EU’s argument around how Google has competed unfairly. Google will appeal, of course. But if it loses, significant structural changes could be coming to Android, particularly around Google Play Services, which ties app compatibility and device security into reliance on Google services.
• Fuchsia is exciting, and we got a tantalizing look at a potential timeframe for Google’s next-gen OS this week. Fuchsia is supposedly an OS for everything from smart speakers to laptops, and on phones it’ll allow Google to solve some of the big built-in problems with Android — fragmentation, security, slow platform updates — from the get-go. Developers will need a long lead time to prepare for Fuchsia, and even after it arrives, you can bet it’ll run “legacy” Android apps just fine. This should be an orderly transition if/when it happens.
• A lot has been made of Android as we know it potentially going away in five years. (Which, amusingly, would make Android U the last version, just before we start to get to the more problematic letters for “sweet treat” nicknames.) But let’s remember that Android is ultimately just a brand. When Fuchsia comes to phones, Google can call it whatever it wants. I’m also willing to bet Fuchsia won’t be a user-facing brand in the same way Android is today.
• We’re still waiting on that HTC U12+ OTA. So far only Taiwan has received the update to “fine-tune” the problematic digital buttons. It’s apparently due in the U.S. by the end of the month. I genuinely hope something can be salvaged from this phone, which aside from its crappy buttons is actually pretty good.
• (After a month with the aforementioned crappy buttons, though, does anyone besides me still care about the U12+? Surely, at this point, the damage is already done.)
• Another update that has actually arrived this week: The OxygenOS 5.1.9 OTA for the OnePlus 6, which brings a big, noticeable improvement to dynamic range, sharpness and low-light performance in the camera. I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and will hopefully have more to share very soon.
• Quick protip for anyone thinking about leaking a photo of an unannounced phone: Blanking out the IMEI is a good start, but if you forget about those barcodes, holograms and other identifiers, you’re still likely getting fired:

Yeah we can probably just blank out the serial number. Don’t need to worry about those barcodes or holograms pic.twitter.com/D7Z8lcf0Iw

— Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) July 20, 2018

That’s it for now. I’ll be back with another Editor’s Desk post-Note 9 launch with a number of takes at varying temperatures.

-Alex

How to use a blue light filter on your phone

The average length and quality of our sleep has been steadily declining in recent years and the consensus is that our smartphones are at least partly to blame. There is still some debate about the impact of blue light from phone screens, but most manufacturers have taken note and now offer some kind of option to enable you to filter out blue light around bedtime. This may help you fall asleep more easily, especially if you’re in the habit of reading on your phone in bed.

We’ll show you how to turn blue light filters on and off for a variety of Android phones and for Apple’s iPhone in this guide, but we recommend setting up an automated schedule because it’s easy to forget to turn it on and off manually.

How to use Night Shift on your iPhone

Introduced in iOS 9.3, the Night Shift feature in iOS allows you to filter out blue light and adjust the warmth of the colors in your display. To turn it on go to:

• Settings > Display & Brightness > Night Shift

We recommend toggling on the Scheduled option and selecting the hours that best suit you. Ours comes on at 10 p.m. and goes off at 7 a.m. but you can also choose Sunset to Sunrise to have iOS pick hours automatically based on your location.

How to use the blue light filter on your Samsung Galaxy

The majority of Samsung Galaxy phones have a blue light filter option now. The fastest way to turn it on is to pull down your notification shade and swipe down again to access your quick settings. One of them is called Blue light filter and you can tap to toggle it on and off. Alternatively, look in:

• Settings > Display > Blue light filter

You can tweak the opacity with a slider and you can also tap Turn on as scheduled and then pick Sunset to sunrise or Custom schedule if you want to specify your own preferred hours.

How to use Night Light on your Pixel phone

On Google’s Pixel phones and some other stock Android devices running Android 8.0 Oreo and later you can find a blue light filter option here:

• Settings > Display > Night Light

Tap on Schedule to specify your own hours and change the level of filtering with the Intensity slider.

How to filter blue light on other Android phones

Different manufacturers have coined different names for their blue light filters, but the majority have one. You’ll generally find a quick setting option in your notification shade and scheduling options in Settings > Display.

LG calls it Comfort View, HTC and OnePlus call it Night Mode, Huawei calls it Eye Care, Motorola calls it Night Display, and Xiaomi calls it Reading mode.

What if your phone doesn’t have a built-in blue light filter?

If you’re unlucky enough to have a smartphone without a blue light filter, or you dislike the option you do have, then you can always try a third-party app instead.

Our favorite blue light filter app on Android is Twilight.

If you use your laptop or computer late at night, then check out how to use a blue light filter on PC or Mac.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to use a blue light filter on your PC
• Take control of your LG G7 ThinQ with these helpful tips and tricks
• Galaxy S7 tips and tricks
• Here are Moto G6 tips and tricks to help you master your new phone
• Here’s how to track an Android phone, tablet, or smartwatch

NASA is teaming up with the United Arab Emirates to send humans into space

NASA is striking up deals with other countries in the name of sending more humans into space. The American space agency has recently signed a deal with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to advance human space travel. In a recent tweet, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine announced the signing of a joint letter of intent “for cooperation in human space flight.” The cosigner was the Director General of the UAE Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi. Bridenstine added, “I look forward to working with @DrAlahbabi to further humanity’s exploration of space.”

This morning I met with the Director General of the @UAESpaceAgency, HE Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi. We signed a joint letter of intent for cooperation in human space flight. I look forward to working with @DrAlahbabi to further humanity’s exploration of space. pic.twitter.com/LJfBoilO6q

— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) July 18, 2018

It’s not yet entirely clear what the joint letter actually entails in terms of cooperation between the two space agencies, though it seems likely that astronauts from the Middle Eastern nation will be able to board American space missions. As it stands, the UAE is selecting its first crew of astronauts, and has already whittled down the field of candidates to nine individuals who are currently undergoing training. This group will ultimately be narrowed down again, as only four astronauts will make the final cut to go into space.

The first astronaut from the UAE is currently slated to make his or her way to the International Space Station by April 2019, and in that flight, the country will be partnering with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos.

This is not the first time that NASA and the UAE have struck up a deal with regard to the cosmos and space travel. Two years ago in June 2016, the two parties agreed to an outer space and aeronautics research partnership. But in this latest joint letter, both NASA and the UAE are focused on sending humans into space, in addition to other lofty goals.

Of course, if the UAE is depending upon NASA to get its astronauts beyond Earth’s atmosphere, they may have to wait a while longer. NASA’s contracts for these services with both SpaceX and Boeing are taking a bit longer than anticipated, which means that even American astronauts are being delayed in terms of liftoff. That said, we will have to see if an accelerated timeline manages to result in flights for scientists from both the U.S. and the UAE.

Editors’ Recommendations

• NASA wants help coming up with ways to get rid of astronauts’ space trash
• NASA abruptly shuts down its planned 2022 moon rover mission
• Samsung’s moon-hopping VR experience in NYC is like space camp for adults
• NASA (again) delays launch of the world’s most powerful telescope
• NASA’s planet-hunting satellite sends back its first image — and it’s amazing

Why progressive web apps (PWAs) may ultimately benefit Google more than Microsoft

Image Credit: David Breyer

The hybrid web-app solution, progressive web app, is touted as the possible solution to Microsoft’s app gap; but it may do more good for Google than for Microsoft.

Google and Microsoft are fierce competitors in AI, productivity tools, search and more. Additionally, Google’s refusal to bring its first-party apps to Windows phone was a strategic blow that contributed to the platform’s poor adoption.

Given this troubled history and present rivalry, it’s ironic that Microsoft’s Jeffrey Burtoft, principal program manager for partner app experiences, reached out to Google to forge a partnership in developing progressive web app (PWA) standards. Google had introduced service workers or scripts that run in the background, into its web-app solution that reduced the system’s resource usage, allowing PWAs to work efficiently. Microsoft was intrigued by Google’s approach which seemed superior to its own Universal Windows web-app strategy.

Microsoft had been investing in a Universal Windows web-app bridge called Westminster, which it merged with Google’s PWA solution after the two joined forces. Though this partnership is seemingly the best chance Microsoft has to close the app gap, it may profit Google even more.

Related: PWAs, the great equalizer

Microsoft’s PWA potential

Microsoft needs PWAs, Centennial apps and the whole of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to succeed. Ironically, the company’s historic lack of support for its ecosystem is counterintuitive to the resources it possesses and the dire state in which that ecosystem has languished. Microsoft’s reaching out to Google for a partnership likely reflected a sense of desperation for a strategy that it realizes is a “Catch 22” that would benefit its own ecosystem while enhancing Android’s and Chrome’s growing threat to Windows.

PWAs could help Microsoft populate the Microsoft Store with a plethora of apps. Granted, some app categories don’t translate well to PWAs, and PWAs may not have the quality or features of dedicated apps. Still, if the strategy is successful, PWAs would greatly benefit cellular PCs, Microsoft’s Surface Go LTE category (and OEM devices it inspires) and Microsoft’s rumored Project Andromeda pocket PC category.

As Microsoft pushes Always Connected PCs (ACPCs), it is forced to highlight their laptop productivity aspects since the touch-centric mobile platform (even for 2-in-1s with detachable keyboards) is weak. Surface Go has the same weakness. PWAs provide hope that the whole of the Windows 10 ecosystem would benefit from them, particularly since Windows 10 treats them as native universal apps. Such an outcome would make Microsoft’s connected Windows PCs, particularly small mobile-focused devices like Surface Go or Surface Andromeda, more relevant.

Google’s PWA play

Android is the most used mobile platform in a mobile-centric personal computing world. PWAs would benefit Google by reducing a user’s need to download apps that consume device space and are frequently ignored once downloaded.

Furthermore, the mobile web and search are still highly frequented to accomplish tasks despite app stores boasting millions of apps. PWAs, which combine websites with the UI and other benefits of dedicated apps, optimize on this web-centric user behavior. Google’s search and A.I. fortés could help it make PWAs in the Android and Chrome ecosystem a quick, seamless and rich experience.

Additionally, if PWAs become a “standard” computing experience, Chromebook efficiency and appeal could be boosted. Though not as popular outside of the U.S. education sector, Chromebooks are a growing segment. PWAs as part of Chrome make those devices even more practical.

PWAs’ double-edged success

Image Credits: David Breyer

As personal computing becomes more connected, Google browser-based Chromebooks and web-based tools make its connected personal computing strategy appear forward-looking in some regards. Combined with Android’s dominance of mobile, PWA’s app-web solution fundamentally enhances Google’s personal computing strategy by making web experiences on millions of popular Android phones and Chromebooks behave like native apps.

Microsoft is reportedly delaying Surface Andromeda to refine the OS and bolster the Windows ecosystem with PWAs. Though PWAs may be Microsoft’s best chance to close the app gap, they’re also Google’s tool to make Chromebooks more relevant and Android and Chrome more powerful.