Apple Further Refutes Bloomberg Report Suggesting Chinese Spies Tampered With iCloud Servers

Apple has gone to unusual lengths to thoroughly and definitively refute a Bloomberg Businessweek article that today suggested Chinese spies had planted microchips in the Chinese-made Supermicro server motherboards that Apple uses in its facilities.

Following the publishing of the article, Apple released a strongly worded statement calling Businessweek’s report inaccurate with no evidence to support the claims, and this afternoon, Apple went further and published an entire rebuttal on its website.

Apple’s press release includes the same statement that was initially provided to Bloomberg Businessweek, along with additional information that the company says it shared with Bloomberg Businessweek ahead of when the server article was released.

While Bloomberg Businessweek’s report claims that Apple reported the alleged microchip incident to the FBI in 2015, Apple told the news site in no uncertain terms that no one from Apple ever reached out to the FBI, nor had Apple ever heard from the FBI about an investigation.

Apple also told Bloomberg Businessweek that despite “numerous discussions” across teams and organizations, no one at Apple had heard anything about the supposed microchip investigation.

Apple’s updated statement clarifies that Apple is not under any kind of gag order or held to a confidentiality obligation, and it says clearly that the report is “completely untrue” and that no malicious chips have been found in Apple servers. The full additional statement is below:

The published Businessweek story also claims that Apple “reported the incident to the FBI but kept details about what it had detected tightly held, even internally.” In November 2017, after we had first been presented with this allegation, we provided the following information to Bloomberg as part of a lengthy and detailed, on-the-record response. It first addresses their reporters’ unsubstantiated claims about a supposed internal investigation:

Despite numerous discussions across multiple teams and organizations, no one at Apple has ever heard of this investigation. Businessweek has refused to provide us with any information to track down the supposed proceedings or findings. Nor have they demonstrated any understanding of the standard procedures which were supposedly circumvented.

No one from Apple ever reached out to the FBI about anything like this, and we have never heard from the FBI about an investigation of this kind — much less tried to restrict it.

In an appearance this morning on Bloomberg Television, reporter Jordan Robertson made further claims about the supposed discovery of malicious chips, saying, “In Apple’s case, our understanding is it was a random spot check of some problematic servers that led to this detection.”

As we have previously informed Bloomberg, this is completely untrue. Apple has never found malicious chips in our servers.
Finally, in response to questions we have received from other news organizations since Businessweek published its story, we are not under any kind of gag order or other confidentiality obligations.

Apple’s initial statement, available below, was shared this morning after Bloomberg Businessweek published its article claiming Apple discovered illicit microchips in its Supermicro server motherboards that were able to inject code or provide instruction to the CPU with the ultimate goal of providing the Chinese government with access to “high-value corporate secrets and sensitive government networks.”

Bloomberg Businessweek claimed to have spoken to officials with knowledge of the investigation, which Apple says did not happen at all.

Over the course of the past year, Bloomberg has contacted us multiple times with claims, sometimes vague and sometimes elaborate, of an alleged security incident at Apple. Each time, we have conducted rigorous internal investigations based on their inquiries and each time we have found absolutely no evidence to support any of them. We have repeatedly and consistently offered factual responses, on the record, refuting virtually every aspect of Bloomberg’s story relating to Apple.

On this we can be very clear: Apple has never found malicious chips, “hardware manipulations” or vulnerabilities purposely planted in any server. Apple never had any contact with the FBI or any other agency about such an incident. We are not aware of any investigation by the FBI, nor are our contacts in law enforcement.

In response to Bloomberg’s latest version of the narrative, we present the following facts: Siri and Topsy never shared servers; Siri has never been deployed on servers sold to us by Super Micro; and Topsy data was limited to approximately 2,000 Super Micro servers, not 7,000. None of those servers have ever been found to hold malicious chips.

As a matter of practice, before servers are put into production at Apple they are inspected for security vulnerabilities and we update all firmware and software with the latest protections. We did not uncover any unusual vulnerabilities in the servers we purchased from Super Micro when we updated the firmware and software according to our standard procedures.

We are deeply disappointed that in their dealings with us, Bloomberg’s reporters have not been open to the possibility that they or their sources might be wrong or misinformed. Our best guess is that they are confusing their story with a previously-reported 2016 incident in which we discovered an infected driver on a single Super Micro server in one of our labs. That one-time event was determined to be accidental and not a targeted attack against Apple.

While there has been no claim that customer data was involved, we take these allegations seriously and we want users to know that we do everything possible to safeguard the personal information they entrust to us. We also want them to know that what Bloomberg is reporting about Apple is inaccurate.

Apple has always believed in being transparent about the ways we handle and protect data. If there were ever such an event as Bloomberg News has claimed, we would be forthcoming about it and we would work closely with law enforcement. Apple engineers conduct regular and rigorous security screenings to ensure that our systems are safe. We know that security is an endless race and that’s why we constantly fortify our systems against increasingly sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals who want to steal our data.

Along with Apple, Bloomberg Businessweek claimed that other companies, such as Amazon, were also affected. Amazon has also issued a similarly worded denial. According to Amazon, the report is untrue and Amazon has never found any issues “relating to modified hardware or malicious chips in Supermicro motherboards” nor has Amazon participated in an investigation with the government.

Supermicro has also denied all reports and says it is not aware of any investigation regarding the topic.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

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LG V40 ThinQ vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Which LG flagship is right for you?

The LG V40 ThinQ is to the LG G7 ThinQ, as Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9 is to the Galaxy S9: Bigger, more expensive, and packing a few extra features. The V in LG’s V Series phones stands for video, but that’s not the only thing that sets these two phones apart.

If you’re shopping for a new smartphone, you like LG, and you’re wondering whether to go for the V40 or the G7, then we’re here to help. Perhaps you’re weighing up whether to upgrade from the G7 to the V40 — we can help you there, too.

Specs

LG V40 ThinQ

LG G7 ThinQ

Size
158.7 x 75.7 x 7.7mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.30 inches)
153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9 mm (6.03 x 2.83 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
169 grams (5.96 ounces)
162 grams (5.71 ounces)

Screen size
6.4-inch P-OLED
6.1-inch IPS LCD

Screen resolution
3120 x 1440 pixels (537 pixels per inch)
3120 x 1440 pixels (564 pixels per inch)

Operating system
Android Oreo 8.1
Android 8.0 Oreo

Storage space
64GB
64GB, 128GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes
Yes

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
4GB, 6GB

Camera
Triple-lens 12MP (with OIS) and 16MP wide and 12MP telephoto rear, dual 8MP and 5MP wide front camera
Dual lens 16MP (with OIS) and 16MP wide-angle rear, 8MP front camera

Video
4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps
4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps, 720p at 240 fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
USB-C 2.0
USB-C 1.0

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (back)
Yes (back)

Water resistance
IP68
IP68

Battery
3,300mAh

Fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0)

Qi wireless charging

3,000mAh

Fast charging (Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0)

Qi wireless charging

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue
Aurora Black, Platinum Gray, Raspberry Rose, and Moroccan Blue

Price
$900+
$650+

Buy from
LG

LG, Amazon, Best Buy

Review score
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Both the G7 ThinQ and the V40 ThinQ rely on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor which ensures fast and smooth performance. The V40 ThinQ backs that up with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while the G7 has 4GB of RAM in the 64GB model and 6GB of RAM in the 128GB model. You can expand the storage in both of these phones with a MicroSD card.

There’s fast charging and wireless charging out of the box with these phones, so there’s no dividing them there. The V40 has a slightly larger battery, but it also has a slightly larger screen, so we think battery life will be similar and you’ll probably need to charge your phone daily whichever one you pick.

Winner: Tie

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We were a little disappointed when LG embraced the notch in the G7 ThinQ, and the notch in the V40 suggests that it’s here to stay. The V40 ThinQ is the taller and wider of these two phones, though it does manage to be a touch more svelte than the G7. Both have a metal frame and a curved glass back with a fingerprint sensor in the middle of it. They’re clearly part of the same family, but you can see an important difference right off the bat: The V40 ThinQ boasts three lenses in its main camera to the G7’s two.

Drop either of these phones and you’re going to run the risk of cracked glass and a scuffed metal chassis. Cases are a smart move. Water need not provoke any concerns, though, as both phones are IP68 rated, which means they can survive in water up to a meter and a half deep for 30 minutes without any signs of permanent damage.

Winner: Tie

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

It has taken a while to hit upon a meaningful difference, but the OLED screen in the V40 is clearly superior to the LCD screen in the G7. The shape of these wide screens is very similar and they both have a 3120 x 1440-pixel resolution. That actually means the G7’s screen is a touch sharper, because it’s smaller, but we think the advantage of OLED tech far outweighs that detail. There are good reasons why all the top manufacturers are employing OLED in their phones now including the fact that it’s thinner, offers better refresh rates, and delivers higher contrast with true blacks.

Winner: LG V40 ThinQ

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The headline feature for the LG V40 ThinQ is the camera. There are five lenses in the two cameras that the V40 ThinQ has and they’re packed with tricks. You’ll find a 12-megapixel main lens with larger pixels for improved low-light performance and optical image stabilization (OIS). It’s flanked by a 16-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. That means you can still shoot wide photos when there is a lot to pack in, but it should also mean you can take better portrait shots with the bokeh effect blurring the background or zoom in on subjects that are far away. The front-facing camera pairs an 8-megapixel lens with a 5-megapixel wide-angle lens — a setup you’ll appreciate if you take a lot of group selfies.

By contrast, the LG G7 ThinQ pairs two 16-megapixel lenses, one with OIS, and the second with wide-angle support. It’s a solid performer, as we recently found out in a shootout with the S9 Plus. The G7 makes do with a single 8-megapixel lens in its front-facing camera.

Not only is the hardware in the V40 better and more versatile, but you’ll also find some neat tricks in the software, especially if you love to shoot video. One of our favorite new features is the cinemagraph support, which enables you to take video where a single spot is animated and the rest is frozen like a photograph. While there’s a gimmicky feel to some of this stuff, and it may be used once and forgotten by the average person, if you’re into shooting video, the V40 should delight you.

Winner: LG V40 ThinQ

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The LG G7 ThinQ shipped with Android 8.0 Oreo while the LG V40 ThinQ is shipping with Android 8.1 Oreo. They will both get upgraded to Android 9.0 Pie, but we don’t know how long that will take. With LG’s interface on top of Android, you’ll find the experience of using these phones very similar. Since they came out around the same time, we don’t expect to see much difference in terms of future updates or support longevity.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The camera and some of the video tricks and filters are what sets the LG V40 ThinQ apart. As we said in the camera section, if you love to make videos, the V40 has been designed with you in mind.

Winner: LG V40 ThinQ

Price

While you’ll need at least $900 to snag an LG V40 ThinQ, the LG G7 ThinQ has recently dropped in price and can be picked up for $650 if you shop around. Both phones have wide carrier support, so you shouldn’t have any trouble using them on any network or buying one on a contract.

Overall winner: LG V40 ThinQ

The triple-lens camera and the OLED screen elevate the V40 ThinQ above the G7 ThinQ. The fact that LG is asking for a big premium to secure those advantages might give you pause, but there’s no doubt that the V40 is the better phone.

Editors’ Recommendations

• LG V40 ThinQ vs. V35 ThinQ vs. V30: Which of LG’s big phones is best for you?
• LG V40 ThinQ: Everything you need to know
• LG V40 ThinQ Review
• LG V35 ThinQ review
• LG G7 ThinQ review

With Premiere Elements’ new A.I. editor, you may finally finish that video project

Adobe

Adobe Elements programs, the less feature-packed cousins of Photoshop and Premiere Pro, are designed to simplify photo and video editing — but the latest versions take this a big step further, by leveraging artificial intelligence to automatically put projects together for you. On Thursday, October 4, Adobe launched Photoshop Elements 2019 and Premiere Elements 2019 which use Adobe’s Sensei AI engine to create photo and video slideshows as well as collages from different events, all without you having to lift a finger. Performance improvements have also been introduced across both applications, including faster installs and speedier edits with some tools.

If an auto-generated slideshow isn’t what you’re after, Premiere Elements and Photoshop Elements also have redesigned welcome screens that may look a little different for each user, thanks to personalized content. Adobe says the screen is tailored to the user’s experience level, so new users won’t be overburdened by features they don’t understand.

Inside of Photoshop Elements 2019, users will find new templates and customization options. The new Guided Edits feature walks users through various editing process, like creating a meme, turning photos into text art, converting portions of an image into art styles, and creating photo borders.

The update also adds support for editing images in the HEIF format on the MacOS version. HEIF was popularized by Apple when it was built into iOS 11, offering smaller file sizes for the same image quality as JPEG.

For as time-consuming as photo editing can be, video is even worse. Tired of sorting through all your video clips looking for the best moments? Adobe Premiere Elements 2019 can now locate your best footage for you. The tool works in conjunction with the A.I.-powered trim tools already inside the program. The enhanced Smart Trim joins a new, simpler Sceneline tool in Quick Edit mode. Like Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements also gets Guided Edits, including walkthroughs on creating a glass pane effect and Luma fade transitions.

The update also brings support for HEIF photos and their video counterpart, HEVC, for users running macOS 10.13 or later.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2019 and Premiere Elements 2019 launch today, October 4. Individually, each can be purchased for $100 for an individual license, or as a bundle for $150. Current users can upgrade for $80 for a single program or $120 for both.

Editors’ Recommendations

• ‘Seasons Simulator’ throws snow and mud at celebrities in ‘Forza Horizon 4’
• Lifeprint’s Harry Potter printer adds motion magic to photos
• Here are the best Amazon Prime Day photography deals (updated)
• How to make GIFs with Photoshop (or these free alternatives)
• The 5 best features in MacOS Mojave

Surprise! ‘Civilization VI’ is available on iPhone, and it’s on sale now

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is now available on iPhone, Aspyr Media announced in a press release. The renowned turned-based strategy game becomes one of the most high-profile AAA games to land on smartphones.

iOS users have been able to play a stellar version of Civilization VI on iPad since December, but iPhone compatibility greatly expands the potential player base. In order to run Civ VI on iPhone, you need an iPhone 7/7 Plus, 8/8 Plus, or X. Curiously, the press release does not note the new iPhone XS but we imagine Civ VI will soon be able to run on the XS, if it doesn’t already.

Like with the iPad launch, Civ VI is heavily discounted for a limited time. From now until October 16, you can nab Civ VI on iOS for 60 percent off at $24. Yes, even the discount price is steep for a mobile game, but Civ VI is one of the best PC games in recent memory and doesn’t sacrifice anything in its move to iOS. Keep in mind that while Civ VI for iOS has been on sale a couple times since launch, it has never gone below $24 and it could be months before it wiggles away from its $60 tag once again. The price only covers the base game, though multiple DLC packs are available to purchase (but not the Rise & Fall expansion).

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If you already own the iPad version, you don’t have to worry about re-purchasing for iPhone. As a universal app, you should be able to go into your purchases in the App Store and download Civ VI on your iPhone.

If you want to see how it plays on iPhone before you buy, you can download the game for free and play the first 60 turns. We’re excited to check it out ourselves on iPhone. Aspyr Media did a stellar job porting Firaxis’ brilliant sim. The sacrifice in screen size may take some getting used to, but it’s nice to have Civ VI playable on a decidedly more mobile device.

This isn’t the first time iPhone users have had the opportunity to play a Civilization game. Civilization Revolution, a spinoff, came to iOS in 2009. A sequel, Civilization Revolution 2, launched in 2014 and still regularly appears on the bestseller chart for simulation games. However, this is the first time smartphone users have received the full, unabridged Civilization experience.

Before long, Civilization VI will be playable on another portable platform. A Nintendo Switch version arrives November 16.

Editors’ Recommendations

• ‘Destiny 2: Forsaken – Legendary Edition’ brings all four adventures together
• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR: How to buy Apple’s new phones
• Apple’s September 12 Event: Everything Apple announced
• ‘No Man’s Sky’ review
• Here’s how and where to buy the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Google Assistant now lets you compare rideshare prices and wait times

Google is making it a little easier to book a rideshare through Google Assistant. The company has announced a number of new features for Assistant that should help users look at rideshare pricing quickly and easily, though the actual booking of the service still needs to take place in the app itself.

With the new updates, users simply need to ask Google to “book a ride” to a specific destination, after which you’ll be given a list of popular rideshare services, along with pricing and wait times for each one. Popular services that might show up include the likes of Uber, Lyft, Grab, Go-Jek, Ola, and more. If you prefer to use one service over another, you can simply ask Google to “book an Uber ride” to your destination, and you’ll only be given pricing and wait times for that service.

Once you get the list of rideshare services, all you need to do is tap on your preferred service, and if you have the app installed on your phone, it’ll open up. The feature also works on Google Home speakers — though after asking Assistant to book you a ride, you’ll still have to look at your phone to see prices and wait times.

At first, the new feature will only be available in English in any country where the supported ridesharing services are available. Google says it will expand the service to other languages in the near future.

While the new feature is nice, it would certainly be helpful if Google Assistant could complete the booking process on its own. Then, instead of having to open up the app to complete the process, you’d simply ask Assistant to book a ride, and it would do so itself.

Still, the new feature will be helpful for those who want to find a service with the shortest wait time or the lowest price. Without a feature like this, you’d have to open up multiple apps and manually search for your destination — which could take a while, especially if you have access to multiple rideshare services in your area.

Google has been consistently updating Assistant with more features since its launch — and that’s unlikely to stop any time soon.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Lyft wants to know about your ride experience before it’s even over
• Don’t be duped by fake rideshare drivers, safety campaign urges
• Riddled with problems, Chrome 69 isn’t the celebration Google hoped for
• Redesigned Google Fit uses Heart Points and Move Minutes to keep you active
• Got Android 9.0 Pie? Here’s why you should turn off auto screen rotation

Nokia 7.1: Absolutely everything you need to know

If you’d told us three years ago that Nokia would make a strong comeback in 2018’s mobile market, we probably wouldn’t have believed you. Yet here we are with the Nokia 7.1, another of HMD Global’s strong pushes into the mobile midrange. While the Nokia 7 was only released in China at the tail end of 2017, the Nokia 7 Plus impressed us in March 2018, providing great bang for its buck — but it also didn’t see a U.S. release.

Now, HMD Global — the company with the Nokia phone license — is finally bringing its midrange to the U.S. with the Nokia 7.1, and we’re excited to see how big an impact it will have. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nokia 7.1.

Design and display

Midrange mobiles have seen a renaissance over the last year, with many flagship design trends filtering down the price brackets. It’s now rare that you need to compromise on design when picking a cheaper phone, and the Nokia 7.1 is a great example of this. It’s made from an aluminum frame overlaid with glass, and though it doesn’t have the refractive qualities of a phone like the Honor 8X, it’s still an attractive design. A vertically dual-lens camera suite sits in the top-center of the phone, with the fingerprint scanner sat flush underneath.

Flip it over and that dedication to updated design continues. While some still object to notched displays, we’ve seen more and more phones tap into the trend in 2018. The Nokia 7.1’s notch is small compared to some we’ve seen, and it gives plenty of room to either side for the status bar. There’s still a sizeable bottom bezel — though that can probably be forgiven at this price range — and there’s still some bezel present around the edges of the aluminum frame.

Thankfully the notch doesn’t mean less display, and the 5.84-inch display has been stretched out to a 19:9 aspect ratio. HMD Global calls it a “PureDisplay” screen, and it displays in full HD, rocking a 2280 x 1080 resolution. It also supports HDR10, and is capable of converting SD content to HDR. HMD Global also boasts that the screen will also get bright enough to be seen comfortably in full sunlight — a claim that we’ll happily put to the test in our review.

Specs and battery

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While you’re not going to get the latest specs on the Nokia 7.1, the midrange machine is packing some powerful numbers that’ll see you through most tasks.

Key Specs

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636

Memory: 4GB

Storage: 64GB

MicroSD storage: Yes, up to 400GB

Screen size: 5.84 inches

Resolution: 2280 x 1080

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, headphone jack

Battery: 3,060mAh

Size: 149.7 x 71.18 x 7.99 mm

Weight: 160 grams (5.6 ounces)

Operating system: Android 8.1 Oreo

The Nokia 7.1’s main brainpower is provided by the Snapdragon 636, a strong midrange chip we saw give a great performance in the Moto Z3 Play. We expect it’s given a considerable amount of grunt in the 7.1 too, and while it won’t be as smooth and snappy as the latest flagship equipped with the Snapdragon 845, the Nokia 7.1 should be a decent performer in most mobile games, and should be able to handle day-to-day tasks with ease.

Four gigabytes of RAM back up the processor and should be more than capable of handling multiple tasks and switching between apps. There’s a sizeable amount of storage too, with 64GB as standard and the option to expand that by up to 400GB with a MicroSD card. That MicroSD slot also doubles as a dual-SIM, giving you easy switching if you’re a world traveler. The U.S. will only be getting the dual-SIM version, but it’s worth noting that some international models will be single-SIM, and will come with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage as well as 4GB/64GB. Keep an eye out for that if you’re not shopping in the U.S., and make sure you get the version you want.

The battery’s on the slightly smaller side, weighing in at only 3,060mAh. We’re expecting we’ll get a day’s use out of the Nokia 7.1 though, and the phone also comes with a USB-C port, complete with fast charging. Nokia also claims the 7.1 will be able to recharge up to 50 percent of its power in just 30 minutes.

Software and special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Good news for lovers of pure Android — HMD Global’s still rocking undiluted Android One in its phones. Unfortunately, the Nokia 7.1 won’t be launching with Android 9.0 Pie, but with updates coming straight from Google you can be fairly sure that the 7.1’s Android 8.1 Oreo will be updated as soon as Pie is released on Android One. Nokia 7.1 users will also get two years of Android upgrades and three years of monthly security updates too — that means users can expect to get updates to Android Q, as well as Pie.

Nokia’s added some extra stuff to the phone though, including the ability to stream “Bothies” — which show both the front and back camera at the same time — directly to social media, and an A.I. enhanced front camera that will enable 3D masks, filters, and personas. Outside of that, you’ll find the latest features from Google, including Google Assistant, Google Lens, and eventually all the new features from Android 9.0 Pie.

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

HMD Global’s continuing its partnership with Zeiss on the Nokia 7.1, so you’ll find Zeiss-tuned optics here. The camera suite on the back is comprised of a main 12-megapixel lens with an f/1.8 aperture, paired with a secondary 5-megapixel lens that provides the prized background blur “bokeh” effect. There’s an 8-megapixel lens with an f/2.0 aperture around the front, which is also capable of a portrait-style blur effect.

Google Lens can be quickly and easily accessed from the camera app, along with Motion Photos. Nokia’s celebrated Bothie mode makes a welcome return, taking a picture with the front and back cameras simultaneously for a truly unique photo, and can now even be streamed straight to social media. You’ll also be able to apply A.I.-enhanced stickers, masks, and personas to your selfies.

Release date and price

The Nokia 7.1 will cost $349 and will be available for pre-orders from October 5, in gloss midnight blue and gloss steel. The phone will release fully on October 28, and will be available for purchase and pre-order from Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H. Selected Best Buy stores will also be showing off the phone in special demonstrations from November 4.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Nokia 6.1 Plus: Everything we know
• Nokia 3.1 review
• Nokia 9 rumors suggest a strong 2018 for the reinvigorated company
• Nokia 6.1 has Android One, takes funky ‘Bothie’ pictures, and is yours for $270
• Nokia 7.1 Plus leaks show off a gorgeously shiny copper model

LG Watch W7 hands-on review

Research Center:

LG Watch W7

When LG announced a new smartwatch running Google’s Wear OS, the LG Watch W7, we were thrilled. It has been approximately 20 months since the LG Watch Sport’s release, which debuted alongside what was called Android Wear 2.0 at the time, and it was packed with all the bells and whistles. Our excitement quickly waned after we learned more about the new watch; it’s quite the opposite of the Watch Sport. The Watch W7 is light on features, but it carries a high $450 price tag. LG deserves some praise for thinking outside the box, but while it looks stylish and has a unique mix of analog and digital, this hybrid smartwatch may be one many will want to skip.

Mix of analog and digital

The spotlight feature of the Watch W7 is that it has mechanical watch hands powered by a quartz movement. It’s why LG is calling the Watch W7 a “hybrid smartwatch.” The silver mechanical watch hands sit above the Wear OS watch face, but the watch is still a touchscreen you can interact with. It’s a neat implementation of bridging the analog and digital watch world. LG said it worked with a Swiss watch company, Soprod SA, to get this quartz movement right in the watch.

You might be thinking, “Won’t the watch hands block the content on the digital screen?” You’re right. But LG thought ahead: The top button on the right side of the watch will level the watch hands to the 9 and 3 o’clock marks and will push content up so you can read it without any objects blocking it on the screen. This is a smart way to get around the problem, but constantly needing to press this button just to read your smartwatch would easily get annoying — that takes away the simplicity of just glancing at your watch.

The watch faces are unique to this watch, because unlike other Wear OS watches, the faces don’t need hour and minute hands since they’re physically part of the W7. The ones we saw at a hands-on briefing looked good, but there were only three available in the demo unit we used (there may be more hidden away). We’ll have to confirm this in the full review, but it’s likely you won’t have access to the hundreds of watch faces on the Google Play Store since they will all come with digital watch hands.

The W7 is not a watch for people with skinny wrists (unless you like big watches).

The 1.2-inch screen is big enough for viewing notifications, and it looks colorful and sharp, thanks to the 360 x 360 resolution. It’s an LCD screen, so you’re not going to get the deep black levels you get with OLED watches, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Fossil Q Venture HR. Don’t expect sapphire crystal protecting the watch face either, which is disappointing considering the price.

The Watch W7 looks more like an analog watch than a smart variant, especially when compared to LG’s Watch Sport last year. The black stainless steel case is wrapped by silver lugs that extend out quite a bit. It looks very sporty and masculine, with hour marks around the bezel, and another bezel with minute tick marks around the screen. The watch is quite lightweight and feels comfortable on the wrist.

LG Watch W7 Compared To

Fossil Q Venture HR

Apple Watch Series 4

Garmin Fenix 5X Plus

Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30

Alpina AlpinerX

Fossil Q Venture

Garmin Vivoactive 3

Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen…

Apple Watch Series 3

Diesel On Full Guard Smartwatch

Huawei Fit

Garmin Vivoactive HR

Apple Watch Series 2

Asus ZenWatch 2

Garmin fenix 2

Unfortunately there’s only one size option: A 44.5mm case. That’s positively big, and this is not a watch for people with skinny wrists (unless you like big watches). We’d have liked to see a smaller size option as an alternative, and perhaps another color for variety.

The watch uses 22mm straps, and they’re interchangeable. The default one that’s included is silicone and it’s thick, but it feels high quality.

Light on features

The Watch W7 runs Google’s Wear OS, but it’s the new and improved version of the operating system. The update just started rolling out to other Wear OS watches, and it dramatically improves the usability and simplicity of the interface. Swipe to the left and you’ll get quick access to the new Google Fit health-tracking app; swipe to the right and you can interact with Google Assistant and see personal information like flight details, traffic delays, and more. You’ll be able to interact with notifications right from the watch too.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

But the W7 is powered by Qualcomm’s aging Wear 2100 processor with 768MB of RAM (and 4GB internal storage). This is a two-year-old processor, and while performance seemed satisfactory in our brief time with the watch, Qualcomm just announced the Wear 3100 processor that will deliver much improved battery life, better performance, and stronger fitness-tracking features. It’s a shame we’re not getting any of that with the W7.

There are two other buttons on the right edge of the watch. The middle crown can be used to go home or open the app drawer, but you can also rotate it to scroll throughout the interface. The bottom button launches LG’s “Master Tools,” which accesses the altimeter, barometer, stopwatch, timer, and compass directions. What’s neat is the mechanical watch hands move around when you try to use these features. For example, launch the compass and the mechanical hands will move to wherever points north.

While we do like the mechanical watch hands, we don’t think the design and basic fitness-tracking is worth the high price.

The only other software change from LG is to elongate the W7’s battery life. LG claims a standard battery life of up to two days, which we’re skeptical of, given the small 240mAh battery capacity. But LG said an “analog mode” lets the watch stay alive for three to four days, and then there’s a separate “mechanical watch-only mode” that turns off Wear OS and keeps the watch ticking for 100 days. That’s impressive if it all works, but we didn’t get to see it in action yet.

So, what doesn’t the watch have? There’s no heart rate monitor or built-in GPS, so you’re getting very basic fitness-tracking. There isn’t even NFC for contactless payments with Google Pay. As nice as the mechanical watch hands are, it’s a little ridiculous you’re not getting these standard features considering the price.

Price and availability

The LG Watch W7 costs $450, and pre-orders start October 7 through Best Buy. Official retail sales kick off October 14.

LG is propping the W7 as a watch first, but while we like the mechanical watch hands, we don’t think the design is worth the high price. That’s subjective, though, as watch design heavily revolves around personal preference. If you’re completely enamored by the W7’s design and are fine with the limited functions on it, then you should shortlist this watch. But it’s a shame the watch is so big with no other size options, because that eliminates a group of people that don’t want big watches.

We’ll be spending more time with the watch soon to find out what it’s really like to wear everyday, whether the limited features impact its usability, and if there’s anything we discover to justify the price.

Windows 10 update should be avoided until Microsoft delivers fixes

After consumers reported a number of problems with the latest major update to Windows 10, Microsoft responded by preventing the October 2018 Update from being installed on some systems. Microsoft announced that the Windows 10 October 2018 Update was available for download when it announced its new Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Studio 2 at a media event on October 2 in New York City. Since then, users have reported a number of wide-ranging issues caused by the update, including lost files, issues with CPU usage, and reduced battery life post-update.

The problem with disappearing files has been widely reported on various social media forums, including on Reddit and Twitter, with one user reporting on Microsoft’s community forum that he had lost up to 220GB of data after the update. Affected file types include documents, music, and photos. “I have just updated my windows using the October update (10, version 1809) it deleted all my files of 23 years in amount of 220gb,” forum member Robert wrote. “This is unbelievable, I have been using Microsoft products since 1995 and nothing like that ever happened to me.”

This problem may be caused by OneDrive. Twitter user @coolkevinator noted that if you have locally stored items that aren’t also saved to OneDrive, the Windows 10 update will wipe out the files stored on your computer. “Heads up to anyone updating windows,” the tweet said. “Apparently, if you have documents saved in your user directory, i.e. users/JohnDoe, and not one drive, the update will delete EVERYTHING in that location. So if your ‘Documents’ or ‘Pictures’ don’t have a one drive symbol, MIGRATE IMMEDIATELY!”

According to MSPowerUser, rolling back the install the previous version of Windows 10 does not bring back the files. If you’re updating to the October 2018 Update, be sure to backup your file to an external drive, OneDrive, or another cloud storage service in case of data loss.

Another issue caused by the update relates to the Intel Display Audio driver. This glitch affects users running PCs with Intel’s 6th-Generation Skylake processors or newer. Users reported excessive CPU usage, which will lead to diminished battery life. Microsoft and Intel both acknowledged the issue, and Microsoft has halted the update to affected systems. “To ensure a seamless experience, we are blocking devices from being offered Windows 10 version 1809, until updated Intel device drivers are installed on your current operating system,” Microsoft said on its support page. “We recommend that you do not attempt to manually update to Windows 10, version 1809, using the Update Now button or the Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft Software Download Center until newer Intel device drivers are available with the update.”If your system is affected, you can manually download the Intel Graphics Driver prior to downloading the Windows 10 update. This driver also contains the fix for the Intel Display Audio driver glitch.

Although the October 2018 Update is available now, it’s not an automatic process yet. You can manually check for the update by going to Settings, Windows Update, and then Check for Updates. The update should automatically download for all users starting October 9.

For now, users should hold off on updating their Windows 10 PC until Microsoft addresses all the early complaints from the download. If you must download the October 2018 Update, we highly recommend that you back up all your files and install the Intel Graphics Driver before proceeding.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to install the Windows 10 October 2018 Update right now
• Windows’ October 2018 update wants to be best buds with your phone
• Hacked Chrome extension disguised as legitimate version steals logins
• Are Android apps coming to your Windows laptop? It’s in the works
• The most common Xbox One X problems, and how to fix them

Alienware has unleashed the M15, its thinnest gaming PC yet

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Fans of Alienware’s lineup of gaming laptops know that the company’s machines can undoubtedly break backs with their hefty designs, but the company’s latest offering shows that might be about to change. The new Alienware M15 is poised to deliver a thinner and lighter machine for gamers; it features a 14-percent reduction in thickness and a 20-percent reduction in weight compared to the previous generation Alienware 13, yet manages to pack in a full 1080p or 4K 15-inch display.

The Alienware M15’s reduced overall size can be attributed in part to its new 15-inch display, which features skinnier bezels than previous models. While past generations such as the Alienware 13 and Alienware 15 have had massive borders to the left and right of their displays, the new M15 is a step closer to modern. The overall chassis has also been redesigned, eliminating the old ‘humped-back’ design of the last generation, bringing the entire device down to only 0.83 inches thick.

Alienware won’t have the lightest 15-inch gaming laptop on the market, weighing in at 4.8 pounds, since Razer’s Blade 15 still comes in a bit lighter at 4.56 pounds, but the move is impressive. When compared to the company’s previous 15-inch offering, which weighed in at 7.69 pounds, it is evident that the team at Alienware sat down for a full redesign. Alienware is known for packing powerful hardware into its machines, and the trend doesn’t stop here.

Despite the M15 being one of the thinnest and lightest machines that the company has produced, Alienware won’t skimp on the internals. Consumers can choose from a selection of Intel’s latest eighth-generation processors including a quad-core Core i5 or a six-core Core i9. When it comes to graphics, the Alienware M15 offers up a selection of either Nvidia’s GTX 1060 or 1070 Max-Q GPU — both overclocked out of the box.

For those in need of a high-quality screen, it’s reassuring to know that Alienware’s shrinking bezels don’t equate to a loss in quality, at least on paper. The 15-inch display will be available starting with a 1080p 60Hz panel but can be upgraded to either a 1080p 144Hz panel for more intense gaming or a 4K 60Hz panel for those who would instead focus on resolution.

And there’s no need to fear for ports as the machine includes a healthy selection, including three USB-A ports, one USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI, Mini Displayports, gigabit Ethernet, and the company’s external graphics amplifier plug. For those looking for exciting color options, the Alienware M15 will be available in both Epic Silver and Nebula Red.

Other specifications include the ability to add up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, dual drives including a 1 TB (+8GB SSD) hybrid setup, and Alienware’s signature RGB AlienFX lighting system. With up to 7.1 hours of video playback on its 60Wh battery, or 13.4 hours with the extended 90Wh battery, gamers should be able to grab the machine for a gaming session on the go.

Those interested can purchase the machine beginning October 25 with a starting configuration price of $1,300.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Alienware 17 R5 review
• Razer Blade 15 (2018) review
• Predator Helios 500 vs. Alienware 17 R5
• Dell XPS 15 9570 review
• Acer Swift 3 review

The best cases for the Moto G5 Plus

Because metal scratches too easily.

If you recently bought a Moto G5 Plus at a discount, you should reinvest some of that money you saved on a case to keep it in tip-top condition. I’ve rounded up a wide variety of cases here —from heavy duty and rugged to slim and sleek — but I don’t think you can do much better than the exceptional Spigen Rugged Armor.

Our pick

Spigen Rugged Armor case

Spigen’s Rugged Armor lineup offers a great balance between style and functionality without adding a ton of bulk to your phone. This is one of the most popular cases in the world for a reason.

$13 at Amazon

Clearly colorful

Ringke FUSION case

Striking the right balance between protection and thickness, the Ringke Fusion series is one of the most popular for a reason. Get the Moto G5 Plus version in one of three awesome colors.

$10 at Amazon

Thick as a brick

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro with Built-in Screen Protector

The Supcase Unicorn is thick and bulky for a reason: it’ll protect your Moto G5 Plus from anything life throws at you. It comes with a built-in screen protector, too.

$18 at Amazon

Honeycomb drop protection

Incipio NGP case

If you’re looking for a lightweight rugged case, Incipio’s NGP case is the right voice for you. It’s a no-fuss choice that provides considerable protection, specifically around the sides and back.

$15 at Amazon

Thin, not flimsy

Tudia Ultra Slim case

Tudia’s carbon fiber Ultra Slim case is the perfect way to cover your Moto G5 Plus with minimal bulk. A stylish and inexpensive solution for not a lot of money.

$11 at Amazon

A clear bargain

Cimo clear case

Cimo’s cases are some of the highest quality you can find, and this clear case shows off the Moto G5 Plus’s excellent looks. Cimo is a brand we love, and this is one of their best options.

$8 at Amazon

Rugged good looks

Poetic Revolution

If rugged protection is the name of the game for you, you’ll want to consider this Poetic Revolution case for the Moto G5 Plus. It offers full protection for your phone, including a front plate with a built-in screen protector that also adds water resistance to the mix.

$13 at Amazon

A card-carrying success

LK Leather Wallet Flip case

If you’re looking to keep your phone, ID, credit cards and cash all in one place when you’re heading out for a night on the town, the LK wallet case is your best bet.

$7 at Amazon

The Moto G5 Plus is one of the best-looking metal budget phones around, but it’s easily scratched. While all of these choices are fantastic, I really love the Spigen Rugged Armor, which offers the best of all worlds of protection for your phone.