Testing company says benchmarks in Intel’s favor over AMD were a mistake

Benchmarking company Principle Technologies admitted to a mistake in its testing between AMD and Intel’s latest ninth-generation chipsets. The firm will be re-testing the processors and will address earlier issues which skewed results benchmarks towards Intel.

Though the original benchmarks report in question was paid for by Intel, Hardware Unboxed was the first to point out that the original hardware testing was obviously leaning toward one chipmaker over the other. In testing 19 games, Principle Technologies reportedly used a less powerful CPU cooler when testing the AMD’s Ryzen 7 2700X, only overclocked the RAM on Intel’s chipset, and didn’t leverage all the cores onboard the AMD Ryzen.

Intel stood by the testing, issuing the following statement: “Principled Technologies conducted this initial testing using systems running in spec, configured to show CPU performance and has published the configurations used. The data is consistent with what we have seen in our labs, and we look forward to seeing the results from additional third-party testing in the coming weeks.”

Principle Technologies said the entire issue was due to Game Mode on the AMD Chips, which disables some of the cores onboard the Ryzen 7 2700X. It also said that the choice of a less powerful Wraith Prism Cooler CPU cooler was due to AMD recommending it. Finally, Principle Technologies said that the difference in overclocked RAM was due to “parity.”

This was partially echoed in the benchmarking firm’s official public statement: “For almost 16 years, we have tested products for our clients because they trust our integrity. We have worked not just for any one company but for dozens of the leading technology firms, including rivals such as Intel and AMD, Microsoft and Google, Dell and HP, and many others. Before going further, we thus must categorically deny any dishonesty in our work on this project for Intel or in any of our other projects.”

Benchmark testing is inherently controversial, so it makes sense to see Principled Technologies come out and explain itself. That is especially important when Intel is claiming that the Intel Core i9-9900K is the “best gaming processor yet.” Intel has yet to respond after Principle Technologies issued its separate statement on Wednesday, October 10.

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This $20 OtterBox case will turn your Google Home Mini into Mickey Mouse

Oh boy.

The Google Home Mickey has arrived. For $20, this OtterBox case transforms your miniature home assistant into your favorite mouse-cot.

The rubber non-slip base props your Google Home Mini up whilst giving it ears and Mickey’s red suspenders. It also makes the power cord look like a tail, for added adorableness.

As of press time, the case is listed on the OtterBox website, but currently it is out of stock. You can enter your email address to be alerted when the item is available again.

If OtterBox makes the obvious choice and releases a Google Home Minnie, we’ll be sure to let you know.

See at OtterBox

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) or a Google Home Mini?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe smart home technology, so if you’re just stepping into this exciting new tech space, we’re here to help set you in the right direction.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

Our Pick

$50 at Amazon

Pros

• Supports speakers with Bluetooth or 3.5mm connection.
• Fresh design with a fabric finish.
• Easy to connect multiple Echo speakers.

Cons

• Lacks some features found in larger Echo speakers.

The re-designed Echo Dot is slightly larger and more rotund than the previous generation with a bigger speaker delivering better sound. You’re also able to connect your own speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio cable.

Google Home Mini

OK Google

$49 at Best Buy

Pros

• All-fabric design.
• Control Chromecast with your voice.
• Ultra-lightweight.

Cons

• No support for connecting external speakers.

The Google Home Mini is a perfectly acceptable option for a compact smart home speaker — it just lacks some of the refinement that Amazon has developed over three generations of products.

It’s almost an unfair fight to compare the third-generation Amazon Echo Dot to the first-generation Google Mini, but you’ve got to give credit to Amazon for continuing to refresh it’s line of smart speakers each year while also keeping prices down.

Which AI assistant is right for you?

Both the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini are positioned as the most affordable smart speakers in their respective lineups. They’re perfectly capable for general use on their own, but work best as part of a network of connected speakers set up throughout your home.

Which speaker you opt for is going to largely depend on whether you already own another Amazon Echo or Google Home speaker, as there’s no cross-compatibility between the Amazon and Google ecosystems. If you’re coming in fresh and are open to adopting either AI assistant, the Amazon Echo Dot is objectively the better hardware product, but anyone using an Android phone has likely grown quite familiar with the Google Assistant. Amazon announced an impressive line of products alongside the new Echo Dot, so it’s worth checking out what other smart home stuff will be compatible as that just might be enough to sway your opinion. Purely in terms of hardware, the Echo Dot is our pick between the two.

There’s so much in common between these two products that hashing out the differences essentially comes down to brand loyalty.

Both Amazon and Google offer great support for an ever-growing list of connected smart home device to control your lights, lock your doors, and control appliances around your home. Both the Dot and Mini are perfect for bedrooms for setting alarms and delivering morning briefings or anywhere else in the house where you could make use of a voice-controlled assistant. Either speaker can be paired with brand-specific smart TV dongles or set top boxes for controlling home entertainment, and both cost around $50.

But the biggest differentiation is the Echo Dot’s ability to let you connect better speakers. Both the Echo Dot and Home Mini are designed to sound great, but limited by hardware constraints to maintain a compact size. With the Echo Dot, you’re able to connect more substantial speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio cable (not included) and enhance the existing speakers you own with the power of Alexa.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

Our Pick

$50 at Amazon

For smart speaker newcomers

The Amazon Echo Dot is a great entry point for adding Alexa to your home. Designed to work in unison with Amazon’s affordable line of smart home products

Google Home Mini

Still OK

Google first crack at a side table smart speaker

$49 at Best Buy

As it stands, the Google Home Mini is still a great option but lacks some of the hardware features found in Amazon’s product. If you love using Google Assistant on your phone, this is the one you should get.

The Brydge G-Type keyboard was made exclusively for the Google Pixel Slate

This full-sized wireless keyboard is another great option for Pixel Slate owners.

If you’re a fan of the Google Pixel, you’ve likely already heard of yesterday’s announcements regarding the next versions of the smartphone: the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. That wasn’t the only unveil however, as Google also took the wraps off the Pixel Slate, a high-end tablet which offers the option of a detachable keyboard at an added price for even more versatility.

Having the ability to add on or remove a keyboard from your tablet at will is a great feature, but Google is charging an additional $199 for the keyboard on its website, with the Pixel Slate itself ranging in price from $599 to $1599. Depending on its configuration, this could get a bit expensive. Thankfully, third-party keyboard options are already starting to be shown off to give you a few more choices, such as Brydge’s G-Type keyboard.

Priced at $159.99, the G-Type comes in at nearly $40 below the price of the official keyboard. It was designed to offer three modes of use, from the standard laptop mode to tablet mode which allows you to flip the keyboard to the back of the Pixel Slate. It’s full-sized and equipped with Bluetooth 4.2, backlit keys with three levels of lighting, and the ability to last six months on a single charge. Brydge includes a limited lifetime warranty with its purchase, too.

With built-in Chrome OS shortcut keys and the largest trackpad ever found on a tablet keyboard, you should have no trouble whatsoever navigating the Pixel Slate. This keyboard was designed especially for the tablet after all, and it shows. It works with Google Assistant and charges via USB-C so you won’t need a separate charger to power it up.

Though the G-Type isn’t available for purchase yet, you can head to Brydge’s website and join the waitlist to be notified when it becomes available.

See at Brydge

C by GE is the first ‘Made for Google’ bulb, available October 22

Here’s a bright idea!

Smart bulbs are great to have around, but one of the pain points of them can be the requirement to have a hub and setting them up can sometimes be a stressful process. GE hopes to solve both points with its C by GE bulb, which happens to be the first and only Made for Google bulb. With these, you won’t need any additional hardware like a hub, and the setup process is literally as simple as a single tap within the Google Home app. To make things even simpler, you’ll be able to purchase a starter kit that includes a Google Home Mini and a bulb that are pre-paired, so all you need to do is take it out of the box, plug it in, and you’re good to go.

You’ll be able to set up schedules and routines, as well as control the bulb even when you aren’t home. The bulbs will be available starting October 22 and will sell for $25 for a two-pack of the regular ones, or $35 for a two-pack of the Sleep version. The Google Home Mini bundle will run $55, which is only about $6 more than the Home Mini regularly sells for. When you consider the cost and convenience, these C by GE bulbs easily beat out much of the competition.

Other lights, like Sengled’s smart bulbs and those from Philips Hue require you to use their own Hub to connect the lights to, and then you connect that to your other smart home gear like the Home Mini or Echo Dot. You do get a bit more versatility with these, as they offer additional styles of bulbs and light strips, but the added convenience of the GE bulbs will make smart lighting more accessible and easier to use for everyone.

Save a trip to the mechanic with the $40 Nonda OBD-II car code reader

Get app notifications for every issue.

The Nonda ZUS smart vehicle health monitor OBD-II car code reader is down to $39.99 on Amazon from a street price of $60. It has never dropped this low before and hasn’t come anywhere close since dropping to $45 back in June briefly.

The Nonda monitor will keep tabs on your engine with real-time alerts and predictions based on the collected data. It will also decode engine error codes and deliver those messages to you. All you need to do is install this in your car’s OBD-II port. If you aren’t sure whether or not your car has that port, any car made after 1996 manufactured in the U.S. is required to have one. Once plugged in, all you need to do is pair the device via Bluetooth with the free app on Android or iOS. There are a few car models that won’t be compatible with the iOS version of the app, and you can find those listed on the product page.

See on Amazon

Here are our first photos taken with the Google Pixel 3

Start to see what this camera is capable of.

Leading the smartphone camera race for a year with the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, Google had a tough act to follow. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL focus on new software-based features and utilizing the Pixel Visual Core to take better photos than the last generation, but also significantly upgrade the front-facing camera setup for selfie shots. As I work through my full review process, I wanted to share my first handful of photos taken with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL so you can get a feel for what these cameras are capable of in the real world.

These photos are, for the most part, submitted without comment. I’m still formulating my opinions on the entire Pixel 3 and 3 XL experience for my full review, and a big part of that is analyzing how well the cameras perform. For now, take a look at my first photos taken with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL and see for yourself what they can do.

Click images to view larger

The one big thing to note here is that Google’s super-low-light mode, Night Sight, is not yet available to test — so all of the darker photos here are taken with regular HDR+ processing. Everything else has been taken with the standard camera app as it shipped from Google, submitted without edits or tweaks.

For more opinions on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, check out our hands-on preview — come back soon to see our full review!

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL hands-on preview
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 3 vs. Pixel 3 XL: Which should you buy?
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications
• Join our Pixel 3 forums

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Project Fi

What enclosures are compatible with the Raspberry Pi 3 B+?

A Raspberry Pi is a sensitive electronic device. We tend to forget that when we’re making all sorts of things or even just making lights blink, but it’s a computer and subject to the same dangers as any other computer. Putting it inside a case is a must! Here are a few of the top recommended cases to put your Raspberry Pi 3 B+ in to keep things from shorting out.

Heat Sink

Flirc Raspberry Pi Case

The Flirc Raspberry Pi case not only looks good but is a great heatsink, too. Built from solid aluminum with its own thermal pad integrated, this case is an excellent supplemental cooling solution.

$16 at Amazon

Active cooling

Miuzei Rapsberry Pi 3 Model B+ Case

Your Raspberry Pi can get hot when you’re playing games or streaming HD video. This case from Miuzei was built to keep things cool, even if you’ve put your entire setup under the TV or inside a media cabinet.

$11 at Amazon

Crystal clear

KuGi PC protective case

If you want an inexpensive option that still protects your Raspberry Pi and looks great, this crystal clear case from KuGi fits the bill. It even comes with two heatsinks should you need them!

$8 at Amazon

Things just got serious

iUniker Raspberry Pi Cluster Case

If you’re working on a project that needs multiple Raspberry Pi boards, this 4-stack cluster case from iUniker supports the new 3 B+, and it comes with heat sinks and a cooling fan. That’s hardcore.

$25 at Amazon

The OG

Raspberry Pi Foundation Case

This Raspberry Pi case was designed by the Raspberry Pi foundation to fit the exact specifications of the Pi 3 B+. It’s solid, easy to assemble and the red/white look is a nice touch.

$10 at Amazon

Lego!

Building Block Compatible SmartiPi case

You can build your own case out of Lego bricks, but this kit from SmartPi also includes a Raspberry Pi Camera case and a GoPro mount. That takes a Lego enclosure to the next level.

$18 at Amazon

No Frills

Sunfounder ABS case

Sunfounder has been making quality Raspberry Pi accessories for years, and its no-frills ABS case protects without trying too hard to do anything else.

$7 at Amazon

Princess in another castle

Kintaro Super Kuma 9000

If you’re building a retro-gaming console with your Raspberry Pi, you need the right case. This SNES-inspired case from Kintaro is the right case and fits your raspberry Pi perfectly.

$21 at Amazon

All-in-one

Neego Case with official 7-inch Raspberry Pi LCD

The Raspberry Pi Foundation makes a 7-inch LCD designed for the Raspberry Pi 3 B+, and you’ll find it in the box with this all-in-one case from Neego. Includes everything you need plus a high-demand power supply.

$90 at Amazon

As you can see, there is a case for your Raspberry Pi that completes the look of any project. Keeping things protected might be the primary goal, but you can’t deny the appeal of having things look great, too! I’m partial to the Miuzei Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Case because I like knowing active cooling is there if I need it. And if I don’t, I can omit it by unplugging one wire.

No matter what you’re looking for, one of these cases should fit right in.

Add a USB-A and USB-C port to your wall receptacles for just $21

These are must haves!

Using coupon code TYWIRE20 during checkout at Amazon drops the price of this TopGreener USB outlet wall receptacle down to just $20.92. It normally sells for just over $26, and this discount is one of the best we’ve ever tracked on this. It replaces your standard wall receptacle with two AC plugs and two USB ports, one of which is USB-A and the other is USB-C. It offers a total output of 5.8A for an improved charging speed, but not quite as fast as this option with Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Unlike some of its other products, this model does come with a face cover, in fact it comes with three of them. You can opt to use a white, black, or almond cover for it, and TopGreener also includes a USB-C cable with it. Installing this is quite simple, but you’ll want to verify that there is no power to the outlet before you begin. Consult a local electrician if you’re uncomfortable doing the work yourself. Be sure to grab a few of these, and replace some of the less useful outlets in your home with these helpful ones.

See at Amazon