Review: Kano’s Harry Potter Coding Kit Teaches Kids to Code in a Fun, Engaging Way

Kano, a company that makes a series of coding kits for children and those new to programming, recently released a $99 Harry Potter-themed kit complete with a programmable wand that’s perfect for Harry Potter fans who want a fun and engaging way to learn some basic coding techniques.

The Harry Potter Coding Kit is designed to let users build a wand and then program that wand with various gestures that can be used within the Kano app on iOS devices, Android devices, PCs, or Macs.

Kano’s Harry Potter Coding Kit starts off by walking users through putting together the pieces of the wand and explaining the different components. There are two black plastic wand pieces, included batteries, a rubber button, and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

In the instructions, Kano explains all of the components of the Printed Circuit Board, such as the power controller, the micro controller, various sensors, a Bluetooth connector, a light, and a vibration motor.

Users are walked through putting together the pieces of the wand, from inserting the batteries into the PCB to putting the PCB inside the wand enclosure and sealing it all up. It’s a simple process, but the way that Kano walks through each step and explains each component makes the experience fun and interesting.

The wand is equipped with a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer that let it calculate orientation, direction, movement, and movement speed, all necessary components for casting virtual spells. Kano explains that all of this data is transferred to the computer (or iPad), where it’s turned into code that can make effects happen within the Kano app.

Kano’s wand is made of a black plastic material and it has a simple tapered hexagonal design. There’s a button at the base and an LED light that changes color. An optional lanyard is included too, which can be wrapped around the wrist so the wand doesn’t fly out of the hand when waving it around to cast spells.

Unfortunately, the wand does not look like any of the wands that the characters in the Harry Potter movie use, which are all made of wood (in the movies/books) or resin (the amusement park replicas) and fairly distinctive. I do wish more clever wand design could have been incorporated as I’m sure most people would prefer a wand more like Harry’s or Hermione’s, but there is a faux wood grain and it does look decently wand-like.

The wand is powered through AAA batteries that come with the kit (along with one extra set), and in my experience, battery life was not great. Kano recommends taking the batteries out when the wand is not in use, but that’s a hassle. Taking the wand apart requires fidgeting with a connector on the top to pull the two pieces together, which I didn’t find easy to do. I did not take the batteries out and they died after about a week, even when I wasn’t using the wand much.

Once the wand is put together, the rest of the coding kit experience relies on Kano’s software, available on iPad and on PC/Mac. The software is similar on either platform, but with drag and drop gestures on the iPad. For some of the app interaction, you will need some type of stand to prop the iPad up.

I tried both the iPad app and the Mac app, and while I preferred the Mac experience, both apps worked similarly well. Kano says its iPad app is still in beta, though, so there are some bugs that have yet to be worked out. As a note, I found that a bigger screen works better because there’s a lot on the screen to deal with.

The Mac app can’t be opened by default without changing Mac settings to allow unidentified developers, which some parents might not be a fan of. Your progress is saved through a Kano account, so you can switch devices anytime.

Kano’s app takes the form of a map of Hogwarts and its surrounding areas, with different unlockable challenges available in each area.

The app starts off with a tutorial that jumps right into the coding process, asking kids to start by changing the color of the light in the wand. Each coding challenge breaks the code down into a series of puzzle blocks that need to be fit together to create workable code.

The idea is to drag the different coding blocks onto the screen and connect them together in the proper way to complete the challenge in question. Before you can cast a spell with the wand to affect what’s on the screen to finish a challenge, you need to do all of the coding bits.

In the Harry Potter universe, learning a spell takes quite a lot of practice, and same is true with the Kano Coding Kit, so the coding experience feels a little bit like going to Hogwarts. You can’t levitate a feather without the proper pronunciation of Wingardium Leviosa (it’s Wing-GAR-dium Levi-O-sa) in Harry Potter, and you can’t levitate a feather in the Kano app without first putting together the right coding steps.

Through the coding lessons, there are a lot of different coding aspects to learn, which should give users a good idea of the kinds of things that can be done through code and the way things fit together when writing code, though there is no actual writing of code within the app. You can, however, see the Javascript at any time.

Events, logic, math, variables, color, objects, physics, speaker sound, loops, wand vibration, and more are different aspects of coding that the app advances through with each tutorial.

Coding challenges get more and more complex as progress is made through the app, and it’s important to really read the text blocks and pay attention to what’s going to be able to complete the increasingly difficult coding puzzles that come after finishing several coding tutorials.

A tutorial is included for each small challenge, but then it culminates in puzzles that must be solved sans instructions using the coding blocks to create code based on what was learned through the prior lessons.

With all of the challenges, wand position is displayed on the screen and there are options to make the visual and interactive portion of the challenge — such as coloring pygmy puffs, levitating a feather, multiplying chocolate frogs, or setting off fireworks — full screen.

Some of the coding puzzles that must be solved can be difficult, and because there’s no included hint or help system or a way to skip past the hard content, it can be frustrating. The trick is to go back and try coding tutorials again until all of the necessary aspects of the puzzle can be worked out. I do think the app would benefit from a hint system, though.

Each challenge and tutorial can be enhanced with coding additions if desired, and the movements and steps can be practiced over and over again. You can also save your creations, but it’s worth noting that everything you save is uploaded to an online service where anyone can comment on it. There’s no option to turn this off that I saw, which seems like an oversight.

As progress is made through coding challenges, experience is earned and items are unlocked that can be used with a customizable avatar within the app. The avatar also levels up as coding tutorials and challenges are completed, which provides a sense of accomplishment and progress.

Kano has some pre-made scenarios to experiment with for users who want to test out complex coding that can be done with the coding kit, and there are also options to try content created from other users. In my experience, though, much of this was the basic content that I’d already gone through in the tutorials because as mentioned before, every time a person saves after a tutorial, it’s uploading it to this database for all users to access. Some curation here would be nice.

For the most part, the app was bug free and the experience went smoothly. My wand connected to my Mac and was recognized by the Kano app, though I did think that it was difficult to do some of the wand movements for various spells. I did have some trouble with getting my wand oriented in the right position on the screen at times to complete the more complex challenges, but other than that, it worked well.

I only ran into one major bug. On a challenge that required levitating library books, when changing a variable, the game wouldn’t let me progress. With no way to skip past it, I couldn’t finish the content in the area because the rest of it was locked.

The Kano app has great Harry Potter-themed graphics and content, and I didn’t mind the simple graphic style, but I do wish it adopted a bit more from the Harry Potter film universe in terms of music and voice acting. It would have been great to hear some of the iconic music, but all in all I thought it was a fun and immersive experience.

Bottom Line

I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and like many other fans, I’ve always fantasized about what it would be like to go to Hogwarts to learn spells and potions and magic. I’m a sucker for anything Harry Potter themed, and the Harry Potter Coding Kit was no exception. It made learning the basics of coding engaging and entertaining because there’s so much that can be done with a programmable wand in a magical app.

Kano’s app could use some work and there are areas where things could be improved, but overall, it’s a fun way to get kids into coding.

Kano says the Harry Potter Coding Kit has a recommended age of six and up, but I think this is going to be most appealing to kids in the pre-teen and teen age group. At six, it might be a little tough to grasp some of the more difficult concepts, especially with no help system, but really, it’s never too early to start learning to code.

The Coding Kit isn’t limited to kids, of course. Adults who are Harry Potter fans that want to learn some coding basics are also going to enjoy it.

How to Buy

The Kano Harry Potter Coding Kit can be purchased from the Kano website or from Amazon.com for $99.99.
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What to Expect at Apple’s October 30th Event: New iPad Pros, Mac Mini, Low-Cost Retina Notebook and More

While Apple introduced iPhones back in September, there are still a number of products that the company is planning to refresh before the end of the year, necessitating a second fall 2018 event, set to be held on Tuesday, October 30 in New York City.

Apple’s October event will focus on the iPad and the Mac, and below, we’ve rounded up everything we expect to see along with a few other products that might possibly make an appearance at the keynote.

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iPad Pro

Apple is working on updated iPad Pro models that adopt an iPhone XS-style design with slimmer bezels and no Home button, with the iPads instead set to gain a TrueDepth camera system that will replace Touch ID with Face ID for biometric authentication purposes.

Though the iPhone XS uses a notch for the TrueDepth camera, the upcoming iPad Pro models are expected to feature slim top, bottom, and side bezels all around the display. Apple is not planning to use an OLED display for the new iPads due to cost and production issues.

2018 iPad Pro mockup via iDropNews
Recent CAD drawings sourced from a case maker along with additional leaks have given us some insight into the dimensions of the new iPad Pro models. The smaller iPad Pro is expected to be 7 inches wide (178.52mm) and 9.7 inches tall (247.64mm), while the larger model will be 8.5 inches wide (215mm) and 11 inches tall (280.66mm).

The smaller of the two iPad Pro models may be as thin as 5.86mm, and it’s not clear how thick the larger iPad Pro model will be. It could be as thin, or somewhat thicker like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Bezels for both iPad Pro models could measure in at around 6mm at the top, bottom, and sides.

Based on multiple leaks, Apple is apparently relocating the magnetic Smart Connector on the new iPad Pro models from the side to the bottom near the Lightning port, which could perhaps require a new vertically oriented Smart Keyboard. It’s not clear why Apple is making this change, and it’s not known if Apple is indeed releasing a new Smart Keyboard that connects differently.

Originally, it was thought that Apple was relocating the connector because Face ID would be limited to portrait orientation since that’s the way it works on the iPhone, but code in iOS 12.1 suggests that after being set up vertically, Face ID will work on the iPad in both portrait and landscape modes.

Design wise, the new iPad Pro models are said to feature a “diamond cut” at both the front and the back, which suggests the tablets could have a design similar to the iPhone SE with beveled edges. Antenna lines on the device may also be located at the top and bottom, similar to the iPhone 7, rather than in a block at the top.

Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
There are other major changes in store for the iPad Pro. Apple is said to be planning to eliminate the headphone jack from the iPad lineup like it did in the iPhone starting with the iPhone 7, and it’s rumored to use a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.

A USB-C port would allow for faster charging and new functionality not possible via Lightning such as the ability to drive a 4K monitor.

Inside, the new iPad Pro models are said to be equipped with an A12X Bionic processor that’s even faster than the A12 chip in the new iPhone lineup.

Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
For more on the iPad Pro, make sure to check out our iPad Pro roundup.

Apple Pencil 2

Alongside new iPad Pro models, Apple is said to be planning to introduce a second-generation Apple Pencil with a new design.

Little detail is known about the new Apple Pencil, but it could feature an AirPods-like pairing experience with the ability to switch the Apple Pencil between devices without the need to plug it into a Lightning port.

iPad mini

Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is working on an upgraded iPad mini that features an upgraded processor and a lower-cost display panel, which suggests it will be more affordable than the current version.

Kuo wasn’t entirely sure if Apple plans to release the iPad mini at its October event or at a later date in 2018 or early 2019, but there’s a possibility it will be unveiled alongside new iPad Pro models.

We don’t have any other information about the new iPad mini at this point in time, but it sounds like it’s not going to get the same design refinements that are coming to Apple’s iPad Pro lineup.

For more on the iPad mini, check out our iPad mini roundup.

MacBook Air

Apple has a 13-inch MacBook Air replacement in the works, which has been the subject of rumors for more than a year now. It’s still not clear whether Apple plans to label the machine as MacBook Air or a MacBook, but some concrete details about the upcoming notebook can be gleaned from everything we’ve heard.

Positioned as an entry-level low-cost machine in Apple’s product lineup, the notebook will be 13 inches in size and it will feature a Retina display. It is said to be similar in design to the current 13-inch MacBook Air, but with slimmer bezels.

It’s not entirely clear how Apple will distinguish this machine from the 12-inch MacBook if it’s going to be a MacBook Air with a Retina display, but if the design is similar to the current MacBook Air, the 12-inch MacBook will still be Apple’s lightest machine, justifying its higher price tag.

Various pricing rumors have suggested that it could be available for anywhere from $799 to $1,200, but the most reliable source, Bloomberg, believes it will cost under $1,000.

Whiskey Lake chips appropriate for a MacBook Air-like machine were announced by Intel in August, and so Apple could potentially be planning to use these chips in the device.

For more on the mixed rumors we’ve been hearing about the 13-inch low-cost notebook, check out our MacBook Air roundup.

MacBook

Regardless of whether the rumored lower-cost 13-inch notebook is positioned as a MacBook Air or a MacBook, rumors suggest Apple is planning to maintain the 12-inch MacBook lineup and a MacBook refresh is said to be in the works.

Upgraded 12-inch MacBooks are likely to feature Intel’s 8th-generation Amber Lake Y-series processors, announced in August. These chips bring processor and battery improvements, so new MacBooks could offer both faster performance and longer battery life.

Aside from upgraded Intel chips, there’s been little information on what else Apple might add to a refreshed MacBook lineup.

For more on the MacBook, check out our 12-inch MacBook roundup.

iMac

Apple refreshes its iMac lineup on a regular basis, and reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that an updated model is in the works and set to launch at Apple’s October 30th event.

We’re expecting new iMacs that feature upgraded 8th-generation Intel processors, improved GPUs, and perhaps the adoption of the T2 chip that was introduced in the iMac Pro and has since been added to the MacBook Pro.

For more on the iMac, make sure to check out our iMac roundup.

Mac mini

Apple is working on a refreshed version of the Mac mini that’s focused on the pro user base. The upgraded device will feature new storage and processor options, and because Apple is aiming it at pro users, some models could be more expensive than previous Mac mini products.

We don’t have a lot of additional information available on what to expect from the Mac mini, but one rumor suggested the higher-end model “won’t be so mini anymore,” hinting at one configuration with a larger size to accommodate higher-end components.

Given that the new Mac mini is going to be a pro-focused machine, it’s not clear what chips it will adopt, but Intel this year has announced 8th-generation processors appropriate for both desktop and notebook machines. Past Mac mini models have used the same chips as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but Apple may be planning to opt for more powerful chips for a pro Mac mini model.

For everything we’ve heard on the Mac mini, check out our Mac mini roundup.

Other Possibilities

Mac Pro Preview

Apple last year announced work on a high-end high-throughput modular Mac Pro that will facilitate regular upgrades to meet the needs of Apple’s pro user base.

Apple has said this new, redesigned Mac Pro will launch at some point in 2019, but in the past, the company has provided us with early previews and the work on the Mac Pro is no secret, so it’s possible we’ll get a little taste of what to expect at this fall Mac-focused event.

Modular Mac Pro concept from Curved.de
For more on Apple’s work on a redesigned Mac Pro, check out our Mac Pro roundup.

iMac Pro

As should come as no surprise, Apple is working on a next-generation iMac Pro model, which Bloomberg confirmed this afternoon. There are no new chips available that would be appropriate for an upgraded iMac Pro right now, but it’s possible Apple will give us some details on when we can expect a refreshed iMac Pro machine.

AirPower and AirPods

We’re still waiting on the AirPower, the three-device charging mat that Apple introduced in September 2017. When it made its debut, Apple said it would launch at some point in 2018, and we’ve got a few months to go, so it could potentially make an appearance at the October event.

We’re not counting on it though, as Apple made no mention of the AirPower at its September iPhone-focused event, where a launch would have made more sense.

The AirPower is designed to charge the Apple Watch (Series 3 and 4), glass-backed iPhones, and AirPods all at the same time, with a wireless charging case required to enable wireless charging for the AirPods.

Alongside the AirPower, Apple is supposed to be introducing a new AirPods Charging Case that adds wireless charging to the earbuds, so if we see the launch of the AirPower, AirPods are likely to launch alongside it.

In addition to wireless charging, refreshed AirPods could gain an upgraded wireless chip that supports hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality. With “Hey Siri” support, AirPod owners will be able to activate Siri without needing to double tap on the AirPods with a finger.

Existing AirPods Charging Case next to redesigned AirPods Charging Case with wireless charging capabilities
No other major changes are rumored for the AirPods this year, but there have been some hints that Apple is working on a set of Apple-branded high-end over-ear headphones that could launch in late 2018 at the earliest, so we may see a mention of them. Rumors on a launch date have been mixed, though, so Apple may not be ready to debut these until 2019.

For more information on the AirPods, check out our AirPods roundup.

How to Watch

Apple’s event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, three hours earlier than events are normally held. This year’s event is happening earlier because it’s taking place on the East Coast instead of the West Coast.

Apple is planning to live stream the product unveilings on its event website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.

For those unable to watch, MacRumors will have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, along with continuing coverage over the course of the next few weeks.

What are you most looking forward to seeing Apple introduce this year? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air, MacBookTag: October 2018 eventBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), iMac (Don’t Buy), Mac Mini (Don’t Buy), MacBook Air (Don’t Buy), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), MacBook (Don’t Buy)
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Grab the AMD Ryzen 7 2700 with Wraith Spire LED cooler for $265

In the world of computer processing units, two names have reigned supreme for decades: Intel and AMD. Although Intel has commanded the lion’s share of the CPU market, this rivalry has only heated up in recent years, with AMD’s new Ryzen processors rising to challenge Intel’s dominance. Rumor has it that Sony may even be using an AMD Ryzen processor for the company’s next console.

Although the Intel i-series processors remain more popular in laptop and desktop PCs, AMD CPUs are often seen in gaming consoles owing to their excellent price-to-performance ratio. Nonetheless, AMD processors typically lag slightly behind Intel’s offerings. That’s changing: The new second-gen AMD Ryzen units are quickly closing this gap, making these CPUs a very attractive choice for PC builders (who are, understandably, a fairly picky lot).

The AMD Ryzen 7 7200 processor is a second-generation replacement for the Ryzen 7 1700, and boasts similar specs with some speed improvements. It’s an eight-core CPU – more than ideal for modern systems – with a 20MB cache. The 3.2GHz clock speed out of the box can also be boosted to 4.1GHz when you need some more juice for gaming and other demanding tasks.

Along with the Ryzen 5 2600, the 7 2700 is one of the more power-efficient members of the Ryzen lineup, drawing 65 watts of power (the same power draw as the first-gen 7 1700 despite the 2700’s boosted speed and snappier performance). The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 also comes bundled with the Wraith Spire LED cooling fan. This model of the Spire has an RGB LED ring around the fan housing, which you can control with the companion app from CoolerMaster – the perfect way to give your desktop tower a bit of custom style.

The AMD Ryzen 7 2700 and Wraith Spire LED cooler bundle typically goes for $300, but a $35 discount lets you score this great CPU and fan from Amazon for just $265 today only. If you’re assembling your own custom PC, or if you’re just upgrading the CPU, then this is one of the best current-gen processors for any desktop build.

Buy Now

Looking for more Amazon deals? Find laptop deals, and more from our curated Black Friday deals page.

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We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and choose what we cover carefully and independently. If you find a better price for a product listed here, or want to suggest one of your own, email us at dealsteam@digitaltrends.com.Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Updated Intel processor benchmarks still beat AMD Ryzen competitor, but by less
• AMD vs. Intel
• AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper desktop CPU rips into wallets at $1,800
• AMD Ryzen 2500X and 2300X expand quad-core options for new CPUs
• Ryzen shine! AMD’s next CPUs could beat Intel at gaming in 2019

ASUS Zenfone 5Q review

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ASUS Zenfone 5Q

The Asus Zenfone 5Q was originally introduced at Mobile World Congress 2018, as part of the company’s Zenfone 5 series. It’s not the flagship model out of the bunch – that honor goes to the Asus Zenfone 5Z – but at $300, the Zenfone 5Q is significantly cheaper and still boasts the same beautiful design.

Of course, there are compromises to account for the $200 price difference — the camera is mediocre, and this phone most likely won’t receive the latest version of Android. While it has impressive battery life and a vibrant display, we’re not convinced the features on the Zenfone 5Q justify the price tag.

Sleek design, vivid display

Our favorite part of the Zenfone 5Q is its design — for a budget device, the smartphone looks more expensive than $300. With rather slim bezels and a glass body, it not only looks incredibly sleek but feels nice too. In fact, we didn’t mind swapping our iPhone XS to tote around the Zenfone 5Q when it comes to aesthetics. While our review unit is listed as “Midnight Black,” it looks more like a dark navy blue at first glance, especially when the light hits it.

At the top are two front-facing cameras, with an LED light and speaker sandwiched in between. A volume rocker is situated on the right side, with the power button underneath it. On the left is where you’ll find the dual SIM tray.

A feature that’s becoming more and more uncommon is the headphone jack, which the Zenfone 5Q houses at the top of the device. At the bottom, there’s unfortunately a Micro USB charging port instead of USB-C — which is more universal and convenient when it comes to charging. This is also where you’ll find the single speaker.

When it comes to sound quality, the Zenfone 5Q gets loud enough to hear both indoors and out and the quality is fairly decent. But we can’t ignore how muffled it sounds at loud volumes — while it’s not terrible, we’d advise a Bluetooth speaker if you want to crank the volume up.

The smartphone looks more expensive than $300.

While the phone is large in size, the rounded edges help with grip and it’s slim and lightweight enough that it’s comfortable to hold. On the back, there’s a stacked dual-lens camera module at the top that’s slightly raised — and the flash sits right next to it. Below it is an indented fingerprint sensor with the ASUS logo at the bottom of the device.

We do wish the fingerprint sensor was placed a bit lower than the spot it’s currently in, but it’s still comfortable to access and use. It’s also extremely responsive, but we relied more on face unlock, which worked quickly in most settings.

Brenda Stolyar/Digital Trends

The 6-inch LCD display on the front has a 18:19 aspect ratio and 2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution. We love how vibrant and bright content looks on the screen. With such a large and stunning display, we particularly enjoyed watching Netflix on it — the high resolution made the video quality look sharp and we didn’t run into any issues.

Outdoors we didn’t have trouble viewing anything on the display and didn’t have to tinker with brightness the way we’ve had to with other smartphones in the past. However, taking photos was a different matter and we found it was tough to see exactly what we were pointing the camera at even in broad daylight.

ASUS Zenfone 5Q Compared To

Sony Xperia XZ3

Moto Z3

Moto Z3 Play

Moto E5 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus

Porsche Design Huawei Mate RS

Alcatel 3V

Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra

Google Pixel 2 XL

ZTE Max XL

Meizu M3 Max

Blu Pure XL

Huawei Mate 8

ZTE Grand X Max+

LG G Flex

When it comes to durability, there’s no IP rating for the Zenfone 5Q so you won’t want to jump in the pool with it. We haven’t dropped the phone yet either, but with a glass back we definitely recommend grabbing a case for it. It made us a bit nervous to text one-handed, afraid that a drop without a case would completely shatter the glass.

Smooth performance

The Asus Zenfone 5Q is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 630, which was released last year. We found that apps opened quickly and there was no stutter or lag when scrolling in apps like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. It also comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage — and if that’s not enough, there’s a MicroSD card slot that supports up to 2TB.

When it comes to gaming, we didn’t run into any issues playing The Sims Mobile. Content looked great on the large display and the graphics ran smoothly. Here are the benchmark results:

• AnTuTu 3DBench: 87,898
• Geekbench CPU: single core 858; multi-core 4153
• 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 831

The Zenfone 5Q offers more powerful performance than competitors like the Honor 7X (which had an AnTuTu score of 63,311), but it didn’t beat out the Nokia 6.1 or Moto G6 Plus — which had scores of 88,595 and 90,483, respectively. While the Nokia 6.1 is cheaper by $30, the Moto G6 Plus has the highest score of all the phones mentioned and only costs $50 more than the Zenfone 5Q.

Mediocre camera

With the Zenfone 5Q, Asus takes pride in the four cameras featured on the smartphone. On the back is a dual camera — the primary sensor comes in at 16-megapixels with an f/2.2 aperture, while the secondary sensor features a 120-degree wide-angle lens. Meanwhile, the front facing camera also has a dual-lens setup — its primary sensor is 20-megapixels with an f/2.0 aperture and there’s a 120-degree wide-angle lens.

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Those seem like impressive specs on paper, but we weren’t impressed with the results. Overall, we found our photos were both blurry and noisy. Without HDR we were left with photos that were either over exposed or under exposed in specific areas — like the trees surrounding landscape shots. With HDR turned on, the photos were decent in the daylight, but low light performance was poor. In wide angle shots, parts of the image always came out blurry.On the other hand, the 20-megapixel front-facing camera takes impressive selfies that capture a lot of detail. In the photos that we took, we could see the minor breakouts on our forehead, fly-aways when looking at our hair, and our skin color looks extremely accurate as well. If you’re the type who likes to edit their selfies, But when we switched to wide-angle selfies, we found that each snapshot came out blurry. Asus conveniently packed in a “Selfie Master” app which lets you apply a beauty filter in real-time before you take the selfie. There’s also the option to edit it within the app afterwards.

We found our photos were both blurry and noisy.

While it can take some good photos, it requires staying super still and having the best lighting conditions possible. Other than that, though, there’s nothing noteworthy about the Zenfone 5Q’s camera capabilities. If the camera is really important to you, we think you might be better off with a different phone.

No Android Pie, or even Oreo

The Zenfone 5Q runs Android 7.0 Nougat — specifically 7.1.1 which was the second to last update to come to the 2017 operating system. It’s disappointing that the phone launches without the latest version of Android, or even the one before that, especially with a smartphone that costs as much as $300. But the device should be receiving Android 8.0 Oreo soon.

The company’s ZenUI skin is not our favorite and there are some questionable features that are probably best ignored — but it’s better than before. You do at least have your standard suite of Google apps pre-installed — you can swipe right from the home screen to access the Google Feed, or to activate Google Assistant, press and hold the home button.

Long-lasting battery

With a 3,300mAh battery powering the ASUS Zenfone 5Q, we were able to get a substantial amount of juice out of it for long periods of time. Before switching to it as our primary phone, we left it on overnight and still had 81 percent at 9 a.m. (that’s with all of our social media notifications coming in).

Alternatives

Nokia 6.1

Honor 7X

Honor 8X

Moto G6

By 12:25 p.m., after having used Google Maps, Spotify, and taking a bunch of photos, it was at about 66 percent. We then took it through some benchmark testing at which point the battery only dropped to about 51 percent by 2:30 p.m. Towards the end of our work day, which included text messaging and scrolling through social media, we were at 48 percent and by 11:30 p.m, we were at 37 percent.

Of course, the longevity of the battery varies depending on how much you use it but either way, you can easily get an entire day’s worth (and then some) out of the Zenfone 5Q.

Unfortunately, the Micro USB charging is slow and there’s no support for wireless charging here.

Warranty information

The 64GB Asus Zenfone 5Q costs $300 and can be purchased unlocked directly from Asus or from Amazon and Best Buy. But it’s only compatible with GSM networks like AT&T and Verizon — those with Sprint and Verizon are out of luck. As for colorways, you’ll be able to choose between black or white.

Asus offers a standard one-year warranty on the Asus Zenfone 5Q that protects against manufacturing defects.

Our Take

The Asus Zenfone 5Q is a beautiful smartphone on the outside, but once you peek under the hood you start to realize it’s not as impressive — especially for $300. There are plenty of other midrange smartphones on the market with the same processor, but better cameras, and more recent software.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. We recommend the Nokia 6.1 which costs $270 — saving you $30. It comes with the same Snapdragon 630 processor, and the same 16-megapixel rear camera as the Zenfone 5Q. While it isn’t as sleek, it still has an attractive design, and with an all-metal build you won’t have to worry about shattering it. You may also consider spending a little more to snag the Nokia 7.1.

There’s also the Honor 7X which will set you back $200, or its successor, the Honor 8X. The standard Moto G6 is another option, but for those in the U.K. we recommend the Moto G6 Plus. For even more options, you can learn more in our best cheap phones guide.

How long will it last?

The Zenfone 5Q should last you around two years — if you’re careful with it. Since it’s made of glass, you might want to get a protective case to keep it from shattering.

It might receive a few security updates but running Android 7.0 Nougat it’s not guaranteed you’ll be able to upgrade to a more recent operating system.

Should you buy it?

No, there are many other choices on the market if you’re looking for a budget phone. While you might have to spend a little bit more, shelling out extra cash will provide you with a more up to date smartphone that packs an even better processor and camera.

Following the Portal, augmented reality glasses may be Facebook’s next step

Facebook recently told TechCrunch that it is working on its own augmented reality glasses. Following the launch of its Portal smart display, the move signals Facebook could be challenging both Apple and Google to perhaps further rise up in the hardware scene.

Coming roughly a year after CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook had no technology and five or seven years needed to build AR glasses, a major change is now brewing. Likely driven by competition from Microsoft’s HoloLens, Magic Leap, and Thalmic Labs, Facebook’s head of augmented reality Ficus Kirkpatrick believes that its AR glasses are something that should come into reality.

“Of course we’re working on it, I think we’ve talked about this publicly at Oculus Connect. We’re doing a lot of research on this stuff, I think the glasses that we dream of are quite a ways away. We have no product to announce right now, but we have a lot of very talented people doing really completing cutting-edge research that we hope plays a part of the future headset,” Kirkpatrick told TechCrunch.

Fresh off the heels of its first hardware launch, Facebook's Fiscus Kirkpatrick says the company is also working on an AR headset https://t.co/AS8IMIO56b #TCARVR pic.twitter.com/eWW6JX22yc

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) October 24, 2018

The comments confirm hints and patents from the earlier this year which indicated that a Facebook designed AR headset was in the works. Part of those rumors initially involved job postings and “breakthrough work in computer vision, machine learning, mixed reality, graphics, displays, sensors, and new ways to map the human body.” It also hinted at Facebook was looking to control the entire process of any would be AR headset, down to the chip layer.

Facebook has faced many privacy and security scandals in the past few years, but given the data collection concerns with its first piece of hardware, it still remains interesting to see how the public will take such an AR headset.

The social media giant now also has its own hardware lab and considering Facebook’s ownership of Oculus, there could be some lessons and maybe some cooperation on the software side of the headset. The headset is obviously quite a ways off from now and there is still a lot of development before any real product hits the streets.

Consumers might not even be ready for it, as Google last attempted AR smart glasses in 2013, but things fell flat due to the lack of proper software.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple AR glasses: News and rumors about ‘Project Mirrorshades’
• Facebook’s reported Rift 2 cancellation caused a rift with Oculus executive
• Facebook appears set on crafting custom silicon for augmented reality devices
• Magic Leap One: Everything you need to know
• The best augmented-reality apps for Android and iOS

Following the Portal, augmented reality glasses may be Facebook’s next step

Facebook recently told TechCrunch that it is working on its own augmented reality glasses. Following the launch of its Portal smart display, the move signals Facebook could be challenging both Apple and Google to perhaps further rise up in the hardware scene.

Coming roughly a year after CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook had no technology and five or seven years needed to build AR glasses, a major change is now brewing. Likely driven by competition from Microsoft’s HoloLens, Magic Leap, and Thalmic Labs, Facebook’s head of augmented reality Ficus Kirkpatrick believes that its AR glasses are something that should come into reality.

“Of course we’re working on it, I think we’ve talked about this publicly at Oculus Connect. We’re doing a lot of research on this stuff, I think the glasses that we dream of are quite a ways away. We have no product to announce right now, but we have a lot of very talented people doing really completing cutting-edge research that we hope plays a part of the future headset,” Kirkpatrick told TechCrunch.

Fresh off the heels of its first hardware launch, Facebook's Fiscus Kirkpatrick says the company is also working on an AR headset https://t.co/AS8IMIO56b #TCARVR pic.twitter.com/eWW6JX22yc

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) October 24, 2018

The comments confirm hints and patents from the earlier this year which indicated that a Facebook designed AR headset was in the works. Part of those rumors initially involved job postings and “breakthrough work in computer vision, machine learning, mixed reality, graphics, displays, sensors, and new ways to map the human body.” It also hinted at Facebook was looking to control the entire process of any would be AR headset, down to the chip layer.

Facebook has faced many privacy and security scandals in the past few years, but given the data collection concerns with its first piece of hardware, it still remains interesting to see how the public will take such an AR headset.

The social media giant now also has its own hardware lab and considering Facebook’s ownership of Oculus, there could be some lessons and maybe some cooperation on the software side of the headset. The headset is obviously quite a ways off from now and there is still a lot of development before any real product hits the streets.

Consumers might not even be ready for it, as Google last attempted AR smart glasses in 2013, but things fell flat due to the lack of proper software.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple AR glasses: News and rumors about ‘Project Mirrorshades’
• Facebook’s reported Rift 2 cancellation caused a rift with Oculus executive
• Facebook appears set on crafting custom silicon for augmented reality devices
• Magic Leap One: Everything you need to know
• The best augmented-reality apps for Android and iOS

Should A.I cars put passengers before pedestrians? Here’s what 2.3 million people said

Anyone who has watched the excellent TV comedy The Good Place will be familiar with the “trolley problem.” In short, imagine you spot a runaway trolley headed toward five incapacitated people in its direct path. You have the power to redirect the trolley onto a side track, thereby saving the lives of the five people. The only problem? There is a single person lying on this side track and, by making the decision to redirect the trolley, you’re consciously sentencing them to death.

Philosophers have been wrestling with similarly thorny ethical dilemmas for centuries, but the arrival of self-driving cars suddenly brings them into real-world focus. That’s because decisions like the trolley problem become practical realities when you’re deciding on how an autonomous vehicle should respond to, for instance, a situation in which damage is going to be done to either pedestrians or passengers depending on how a car acts.

These are unsurprisingly sprawling, complex questions — but the findings of a large-scale survey sheds light on how populations at large view the moral principles which should guide machines. Drawing on the responses of 2.3 million people from around the globe, the study laid out 13 scenarios in which one person’s death was inevitable. Respondents were then asked who they would choose to spare given a wide range of variables — such as age, wealth, and numbers of people.

Some answers were universal constants: Humans were saved instead of pets and large numbers of people instead of individuals. But there was disagreement, too, such as the fact that people in certain countries were more likely to elect to hit people crossing roads illegally than those in others. Religious factors also seemingly played a role in differences, as did issues like economic inequality.

“I think the most surprising [results for me was] the degree to which respondents favored sparing characters of higher status,” Iyad Rahwan, an associate professor of Media Arts and Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, who worked on the project, told Digital Trends. “I find it especially concerning that this factor had a strong effect compared to other factors. It is important to be aware of such type of bias and quantify it.”

Ultimately, the researchers aren’t convinced that such findings should necessarily be used to directly crowdsource future laws, however. “We think that these findings are meant to inform experts who are working on normative guidelines,” Edmond Awad, a postdoctoral associate at MIT, told us. “We don’t suggest that experts cater to the public’s preferences, especially when they find these preferences concerning. But they need to be at least aware of such preferences and their magnitude to anticipate public reaction.”

A paper describing the research was published in Nature.

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HomePod Launches in Spain and Mexico

Apple’s HomePod Siri-enabled smart speaker expanded to an additional two countries today, with the device now available for purchase in Spain and Mexico.

In Spain the HomePod is priced at 349 euros, and in Mexico, it can be purchased for 7,999 pesos. The HomePod is more expensive in Mexico and Spain than in the U.S. due to value added taxes in both countries.

With the HomePod’s expansion to Spain and Mexico, the speaker is now available in a total of eight countries. When HomePod first launched in February, it was available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia before expanding to Canada, France, and Germany in June.

Rumors suggest the HomePod could expand to Italy in the near future, with Apple employees testing an Italian language version of the device.

Related Roundup: HomePodBuyer’s Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
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