Galaxy S10 to drop iris scanning in favor of in-display fingerprint sensor

2019 is going to be the year of Samsung.

Samsung’s Galaxy S phones always give us something exciting to look forward to at the beginning of each year, and 2019 officially marks the 10-year anniversary of when the first Galaxy S flagship was released.

Similar to what Apple did with the iPhone X, we’re expecting the Galaxy S10 to be truly special. The Galaxy S9 and S8 were both excellent phones, but in honor of such a big anniversary, Samsung will likely pull out all the stops to release a truly special and jaw-dropping gadget.

If you’re ready to learn more about the Galaxy S10 and find out what we could look forward to next February, here’s everything you need to know.

The latest Galaxy S10 news

November 1, 2018 — Galaxy S10 to drop iris scanning in favor of in-display fingerprint sensor

It’s been a hot minute since we had an update on the Galaxy S10, but that’s changing today thanks to a series of tweets from trustworthy Samsung tipster Ice Universe.

Yes, the S10 cancels the iris sensor and the ultrasonic fingerprint is enough to replace it.

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) November 2, 2018

As you can see from the above tweet, Samsung will apparently completely drop iris scanning on the Galaxy S10 and instead have its ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor tech be the main form of biometric authentication.

Ice Universe goes on to say that the ultrasonic sensor will be faster than optical in-display sensors like we see on the OnePlus 6T and have a larger surface area (possibly up to 30% of the entire display).

Compared to optical fingerprint sensors, the S10 ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is faster and has a larger recognition area, and 30% of the screens may be recognized.

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) November 2, 2018

Furthermore, it’s noted that the ultrasonic tech (that’s being sourced from Qualcomm) will be exclusive to Samsung phones for at least half a year.

July 20, 2018 — The Galaxy S10+ might be the last Plus model for the Galaxy S series

This year’s Galaxy S lineup is expected to be one of the biggest ever with three different S10 models being released at the same time, but according to a new report from The Bell, that could be changing next year.

For the past couple of years, Samsung’s released one regular Galaxy S phone and then a larger Plus model alongside it. That’ll continue with the S10 series, but after that, it’s said that Samsung will simply get rid of the Plus variant as it already overlaps the Galaxy Note line so much.

This move is reportedly being made to “defeat profitability deterioration caused by the saturation of the smartphone market.”

What’s your take on this?

July 16, 2018 — New report says Samsung will use Qualcomm’s in-display fingerprint sensor tech for the S10, Note 10, and more

We’ve already been expecting Samsung to introduce an in-display fingerprint sensor with the S10 series for some time, but thanks to a new report from Ming Chi Kuo at TF Securities, we now have specifics as to what kind of tech will be used for this system.

Per Kuo:

We expect Samsung will promote the ultrasonic FOD aggressively starting from 2019. Shipments of models equipped with this function are likely to reach 60mn units; specifically, the high-end S10 models.

Furthermore, Kuo goes on to say that this technology will also be present in “the most high-end model of the A series” as well as the Galaxy Note 10.

These ultrasonic sensors are developed by Qualcomm, and unlike optical ones from Synaptics, can even measure things like your heart-rate and current blood flow.

July 6, 2018 — The three S10 models will use a mixture of side-mounted and in-display fingerprint sensors

Late last month, a report came out suggesting that Samsung will release three different models of the Galaxy S10 — including Beyond 0, Beyond 1, and Beyond 2. Now, according to reliable Samsung tipster Ice Universe, we have new details on how the fingerprint sensor situation will be handled.

For Beyond 0, the cheapest of the three models, there will be “side fingerprints. “Although we don’t know for sure, this will likely be similar to the fingerprint sensor found on the Moto Z3 Play. As for the Beyond 1 and Beyond 2, it’s noted that we’ll see in-display fingerprint sensors.

Lastly, Ice Universe also confirms that Beyond 0 and 1 will have dual rear cameras while Beyond 2 will offer a triple camera setup.

July 5, 2018 — Samsung may announce the Galaxy S10 after the Galaxy X

Here’s something we weren’t expecting. According to reliable tipster Ice Universe on Twitter, Samsung will announce the Galaxy S10 during Mobile World Congress 2019 in February. While that isn’t out of the ordinary for Galaxy S phones, what Samsung might do just a month earlier is.

CES2019：Galaxy XMWC2019：Galaxy S10

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) July 4, 2018

In January at CES, we’ll officially be introduced to the long-awaited Galaxy X. This is the foldable phone we’ve been hearing about for years, and should this turn out to be true, this would probably allow Samsung to easily dominate the first half of next year.

June 27, 2018 — ISOCELL Plus technology could result in big camera improvements for the S10

Samsung’s long been one of the top players when it comes to smartphone cameras, and on June 27, the company announced its latest innovation in mobile photography — ISOCELL Plus.

ISOCELL Plus can capture considerably more light than Samsung’s traditional ISOCELL sensors (first introduced in 2013), with Samsung touting as much as 15% greater light sensitivity. Perhaps even more impressive, Samsung notes that ISOCELL Plus “also enables image sensors to equip 0.8-micrometer (µm) and smaller-sized pixels without any loss in performance, making it an optimal solution for developing super-resolution cameras with over 20 megapixels.

It’s not explicitly said that ISOCELL Plus will be present on the Galaxy S10, but I’d be surprised if Samsung didn’t include it on next year’s phone.

June 25, 2018 — Samsung to release three S10 models, introduce a triple camera system, and swap out iris scanning for an in-display fingerprint sensor

What a news dump today turned out to be for Galaxy S10 rumors!

Jumping right into things, a report from The Electronic Times claims that Samsung will launch not one, not two, but three different models of the S10. The most affordable of the bunch, codenamed Beyond 0, will reportedly ship with a 5.8-inch display that’s completely flat. Beyond 1, the mid-tier option, will also use a 5.8-inch screen but feature curves similar to what’s found on the S9.

The star of the show, Beyond 3, will boast a large 6.2-inch curved display and feature three cameras on the back — something we’ve never seen from Samsung before.

As if three different models and a triple camera system wasn’t enough to get you excited, The Bell also reported today that the Galaxy S10 will ditch the iris scanner of the S9 and replace it with a 3D facial-recognition system and in-display fingerprint sensor similar to what we’ve seen from the Vivo X21 and NEX.

All the important details

How many versions is Samsung going to launch?

For the past four years, Samsung’s launched two models of its Galaxy S series:

• 2015 — Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
• 2016 — Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge
• 2017 — Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus
• 2018 — Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus

With the Galaxy S10 in 2019, Samsung is expected to shake-up its formula by releasing three different models at the same time — codenamed Beyond 1, Beyond 2, and Beyond 3.

Beyond 1 and Beyond 2 will be similar to older S flagships with the former having a flat screen while the other has Samsung’s iconic curved display. Beyond 3 is where Samsung’s putting all the marbles, with things like a larger screen and triple camera system on the back.

When will the Galaxy S10 be released?

Perhaps the biggest question on your mind is “When will I be able to buy the Galaxy S10?”.

Save for the Galaxy S8 that was announced at its own special event, Samsung usually unveils its Galaxy S flagship phones during Mobile World Congress each year.

MWC 2019 is scheduled to take place between February 25 and 28 in Barcelona, and there’s a good chance that’s where we’ll get our first look at the S10. To back up this thought, reliable leaker Ice Universe said on July 5 that the S10 will be unveiled at MWC — just a month before the Galaxy X.

As for when you’ll be able to purchase the S10, it should officially launch around two or three weeks from when it’s announced. Should Samsung decide to reveal the phone during MWC, that’d place it with a launch date of around early-March.

How much will the S10 cost?

When it comes to price, that’s where things could get interesting next year.

Samsung’s only ever released one or two variants of its S flagships at a time, such as the S7/S7 Edge, S8/S8 Plus, etc. However, as noted above, the Galaxy S10 series will likely consist of three different phones.

This could result in vastly different pricing across all models, and depending on how you look at things, that’s either a dream come true or a nightmare.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a starting price of $720, and my guess is that the lowest-end Galaxy S10 will come in with a similar or slightly lower price of around $650-$700. The mid-tier S10 will probably cost a bit less than the S9+ at $800-$820, whereas the highest-end variant may very-well sell for $999.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

• Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!
• Galaxy S9 review: A great phone for the masses
• Complete Galaxy S9 and S9+ specs
• Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Should you upgrade?
• Join our Galaxy S9 forums

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Can a Google Home stand up to kitchen spills and bathroom sprays?

Best answer: Nope, the Google Home is many things, but waterproof is not one of them. If you want a Google Home you can use in water-prone areas like your shower singalongs or poolside parties, grab a waterproof Google Assistant-powered speaker like the JBL Link 20 instead.

• Best Buy: JBL Link 20 ($150)
• Best Buy: Google Home ($129)

Style, not sturdiness: Why the Google Home is not waterproof

The housing of the Google Home speaker and the wiring within it is not sealed enough to prevent water from getting inside. After all, the Google Home has those cute, swappable fabric and metal bases — as well as battery bases like the LOFT base seen at the top of this article, and those just cling to the speaker with magnets rather than any kind of secured clips or rubberized seals. The power adapter also plugs into the very bottom of the unit, meaning that spills on the kitchen or bathroom counter could seep into the power port on the bottom of the unit and potentially short out your Google Home, which would be a lousy way to lose a $130 speaker.

Waterproofing a speaker requires extra time, extra effort, and would have likely increased the size and/or the price of the Google Home. For a speaker that’s going to be chained to an outlet anyway, waterproofing doesn’t make as much sense as it does for portable speakers that tend to follow us everywhere. It’s understandable that Google did not pursue it for the Google Home, but thankfully, there are other options that are waterproof.

Back in 2016, if you wanted a speaker with Google Assistant, you had to use a Google Home. Now you have choices.

When the Google Home was the only speaker with Google Assistant inside it, I could understand using it in the bathroom, but Google opened up Google Assistant to third-party speakers years ago. These days, there’s plenty of Google Assistant speakers on the market for you to choose from, including several that have internal batteries and water resistance, so that they can be used or backing up my shower show tunes sing-along. While smaller speakers like the TicHome Mini are easier to hang on a shower hook to keep your tunes close, the JBL Link 20 boasts a bigger sound and lasts hours longer before it needs to go back on its charger.

What if I really want to use a Google Home in the bathroom?

When the original Google Home was announced back in 2016, I was practically drooling at the prospect of owning one. The Google Home’s keen microphones could make out commands from across a crowded room, or over the sounds of a shower, and that made it a must-have for controlling my shower songs hands-free. The Google Home was not and is not waterproof, but it was the only option, and so I bought one and set it on my bathroom vanity.

After a year and a half of sitting on my bathroom vanity through steamy showers, my Google Home still works, but the mics inside it aren’t quite as accurate at picking up my “OK Google” commands as it was when it was new. I also bought a third-party Google Assistant speaker with waterproofing — and portability — like the JBL Link 20 as soon as it was available so that I could retire the Google Speaker to a steam-free environment.

Considering the JBL Link 20 is only $30 more expensive that the original Google Home — which you should not be buying at list price over two years after its release — and has a bigger sound, better water resistance, and a big battery for portable playback, it is absolutely worth the upgrade.

Assistant anywhere

JBL Link 20

$150 at Best Buy

Bring Google Assistant to any part of your home, wet or dry!

This tall speaker is more rugged than the Google Home, but it also has a bigger sound and a 6,000 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of portable playback. The IPX7 waterproof JBL Link 20 can bring Google Assistant to places Google Home cannot, like the backyard, basement, or bathroom.

The Original

Google Home

$129 at Best Buy

Google’s original smart speaker is an iconic device you should not pay full price for anymore.

We love the original Google Home, the first smart speaker to come with Google Assistant, and it’s still a nice little speaker today. It may not be the newest speaker on the block, but it can still give you the latest and greatest Google Assistant commands. Just don’t pay 2018 prices for a 2016 speaker.

Table Tennis Touch is a top-notch sports sim game and our game of the week!

Table Tennis Touch

While most gamers are going gaga over Rockstar’s latest and greatest game, Red Dead Redemption 2, I’ve been over here reminiscing about another ambitious Rockstar game from over 10 years ago that has been mostly forgotten about — Table Tennis.

Rockstar’s top-notch table tennis simulation game was front of mind as I checked out Table Tennis Touch this week. Featuring photo-realistic graphics, fantastic overall presentation, and a stellar use of swipe control gameplay, Table Tennis Touch is quite possibly the best sports game for Android in 2018. Don’t believe it? Keep reading.

Having played more Android sports games than any healthy person should, I can tell you that far too many games released these days are instantly bogged down by clunky controls, annoying menus, and card collecting metagame mechanics that slow down your ability to just play the dang game. This is not the case with Table Tennis Touch, which is free-to-play with ads and non-intrusive in-app purchases (you’re able to buy “boosts” which give you a bit of extra power in your shots, but it’s nothing game-breaking).

Featuring photo-realistic graphics and stellar use of swipe-controlled gameplay, Table Tennis Touch is quite possibly the best sports game for Android in 2018.

Table Tennis Touch features four game modes which you can jump into right off the hop — quick game, career, multiplayer, and arcade. With a quick game, you can test your skills against AI opponents that range from beginner level to a world elite player. You’ll also get to preview the nine different venues available for play, which are appropriately low key, ranging from a garage to a more competitive tournament setting. Arcade mode offers a good changeup for gameplay, offering a total of 12 table tennis mini-games that are unlocked as you progress through the career mode.

That essentially makes career mode the main focus of the game. Fortunately, it’s not limited by recharging energy points or loot boxes for rewards, credits, or any of that noise. Career mode offers a mix of single matches, tournaments, and arcade challenges that are unlocked via your career reputation earned completing earlier challenges. It’s a pretty linear path from the club stages through the national level through to international competitions, but the AI skill and challenges get trickier as you go.

Finally, there’s multiplayer mode which lets you play over your LAN Wi-Fi with friends playing on iOS or Android. There’s no online play, but with the quick reaction times needed to play that’s pretty understandable.

Ultimately, it all comes down to whether the game itself is fun to play, and it really is. The touch controls are quick and responsive whether you keep your finger on the screen or swipe at the ball. You’re able to intuitively apply a curve to your shots and after lengthy rallies, you’ll get a nice pop from the virtual crowd which is so satisfying. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a fast-paced sports game to play in your spare time.

Download: Table Tennis Touch (Free w/Ads, IAPs)

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Samsung expected to open Bixby to developers for Alexa-like skills

We’ll also learn more about the foldable Galaxy X next week.

Next week, Samsung’s hosting a developer conference in San Franciso where Bixby will be a big focus. The company previously said that the developer conference is where we’d learn more about the Galaxy Home that was first announced in August, and now according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Samsung will also use the conference to make a big change to Bixby — make it open to developers.

Per WSJ:

At an event in San Francisco next week, Samsung will fully open its virtual assistant, called Bixby, to third-party developers for the first time. It is looking for help in bolstering its challenge to the industry’s big three players: Amazon.com Inc.’s Alexa, Apple Inc.’s Siri and Alphabet Inc.’s Google Assistant.

Furthermore, Samsung will announce “capsules” for Bixby that’ll essentially act like Alexa’s Skills.

Samsung will outline how developers can create functions, which it calls “capsules,” that are akin to the “skills” that Amazon’s Alexa assistant has, such as ordering pizza or hailing taxis with a voice command, according to people familiar with the matter.

In addition to the Bixby announcements, The Wall Street Journal goes on to say that Samsung will reveal more details about its upcoming foldable phone (the Galaxy X). The Galaxy X will supposedly allow users to run three apps at once and is being optimized for content on YouTube and Netflix.

Samsung’s developer conference is scheduled to take place on November 7 and 8.

Bixby’s reputation is tarnished beyond repair

Celebrate Alexa’s birthday with discounts on Echo, an Acer laptop, and more

Save big on tons of Alexa-enabled hardware for a limited time!

Amazon is celebrating Alexa’s fourth birthday in typical Amazon fashion, and is offering some big discounts on a wide variety of products that utilize the assistant’s services. From the Echo Dot to Anker’s Roav Viva smart car charger, smart plug 2-packs, and even laptops with Alexa built-in, there’s a bunch of great devices here at awesome prices. Beyond discounts on individual pieces of hardware, there are a few bundles that help you save even more that are worth checking out.

The second-gen Echo Dot is down to $30 each right now, but if you buy four of them at the same time you can get that price down to just $25 each, for a total of $100. You can grab the newer Echo Dot for $50 by itself, or pair it with a set of four Tile trackers for the same price, which is a $50 savings. If you buy two of the new Echo Dots you can save $20, and buying three of them ups the savings to $33.

Bundle the latest Echo Dot with a Harmony Hub to save $50, making your purchase only $100, or opt for the 2nd-gen Echo Dot and original Fire TV Stick for $70, which is $10 off.

Some of the other deals include a free Echo Input with purchase of Marshall’s Woburn II Bluetooth speaker, B&O’s Beoplay A1 Natural, or Anker’s SoundCore Sport XL. Anker’s Roav Viva smart car charger is down to $39.99, Acer’s Alexa-enabled laptop drops from $900 to $760, and the First Alert Onelink Safe & Sound hits $199, a savings of $51.

There are a bunch of other great discounts available as well that are worth considering. Be sure to check out the whole sale and get your order in before it ends. If you have existing Amazon hardware laying around that you don’t use and want to upgrade, Amazon has a great trade-in offer running that can score you up to 25% off the already-discounted new hardware, plus an Amazon Gift Card on top.

See at Amazon

These are the best Galaxy S9 cases!

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is another outstanding device and a popular option for those upgrading in 2018. With its sleek all-glass design, you’re probably going to want to keep it protected with a quality case. Luckily, there are a ton of options out there to fit your protection needs and personal tastes. Here are some of our favorites.

Samsung’s best folio

Samsung S-View Cover

The S-View case is a folio-style flip case that features a clear cover for the screen, so it’s protected from scratches while also letting you see notifications and accept calls with a swipe. It can also be folded up as a hands-free stand.

$26 at Amazon

That nylon finish tho

Samsung Hyperknit Cover

Made of woven nylon, this case looks brilliant in red with a nice, soft finish. With extra protection in the corner and clean cutouts around the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back, you’ll love the functional and stylish design on display here.

$13 at Amazon

Samsung’s most stylish

Samsung Alcantara Cover

Made of Alcantara, a lightweight material that’s rugged and durable while keeping a slim form factor, you’ll get a stylish and grippy case that won’t add much bulk to the phone. This is a great price for a premium Samsung case!

$20 at Amazon

Sleek and rugged

Spigen Rugged Armor case

Spigen makes some outstanding smartphone accessories, and the Rugged Armor style is always a popular offering. This case features a slim one-piece case made of flexible TPU that helps to absorb impacts with little pockets of air in the corners to help protect your phone when dropped.

$12 at Retailer

Most minimalist option

RhinoShield CrashGuard bumper

This is a really well-designed bumper that’s rugged and shock absorbing in the corners and along phone’s edges — exactly where you need it most. It’s quick and easy to install and lets you still fully show off the design of your phone.

$25 at Amazon

For OtterBox fans

OtterBox Commuter Series

We recommend the Commuter series case, which is a pocket-friendly case that still delivers the rugged protection you’ve come to expect from Otterbox. It’s got one big cutout on the back for the camera and fingerprint sensor and includes port covers to keep dirt out.

$19 at Amazon

For the outdoor enthusiasts

Lifeproof SLAM case

Lifeproof says this case can survive drops from up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) thanks to the reinforced bumpers. It’s also got a rugged backplate that’s clear to show off the phone’s design and also compatible with wireless charging. While it’s not quite as Lifeproof as you’d expect, it’s also not as expensive as other Lifeproof cases at only $50. Plus, it looks pretty cool with the black and neon green, don’t you think?

$50 at Lifeproof

Slim fit and low price

Maxboost mSnap Perfect Fit

The mSnap case has cutouts on the corners just to be able to slide over the phone — and even that takes some force to get it on and off. It just shows you how strong this case is. Once you do get it on, your phone’s protected — there’s even a good little lip around the front so you can put the GS9 face-down on a table without scratching it. The case has a soft-touch coating that gives it just enough grip to hold comfortably but not so much that it snags on pockets.

$5 at Amazon

Simple, stylish design

Speck Presidio

Speck has a full line of cases available for the Galaxy S9, but we’ll focus on the Presidio case here because it’s a great place to start. It’s got a simple design with smart features where it counts like double protection in the corners and a slim profile that’s compatible with wireless charging. It’s been drop tested up to 10 feet and the matte finish is scratch resistant, so it shouldn’t show wear.

$25 at Amazon

Keep it Clear

BodyGuardz Ace Fly clear case

Looking to show off your Galaxy S9 without leaving it prone to drop damage? BodyGuardz offers a clear case it says is built using the same impact gel used in padding and helmet technology for athletes. BodyGuardz backs its products with a lifetime warranty and you have a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it you can simply return it.

$35 at Amazon

Make it Shine

Spigen Liquid Crystal clear case

Looking for a clear case option under $20? Spigen’s got you covered there, too. Just like Spigen’s Rugged Armor case, the Liquid Crystal is slim and pocket-friendly. Made of flexible TPU, it’s easy to slip on and will provide quality protection while still letting you show off your phone’s design.

$10 at Amazon

Super Slim

VRS Design Clear Slim case

These clear cases from VRS Design basically offer it all. It’s a clear case that shows off the body of the Galaxy S9 with a shockproof bumper available in the exact color to match your device. Better still, these cases are thin enough to be fully compatible with wireless charging. Make sure you get the right color for your phone to complete the look.

$14 at Retailer

Dual-layer protection

Caseology Legion Series case

Check out the rugged Legion series case from Caseology. It features a layer of flexible a shock-absorbing TPU with an outer layer of polycarbonate. You’re protected from hard bumps and scratches, as well as shocks and drops. All the buttons are covered, but the coverings provide great tactile feedback, and your ports are completely accessible. You have your choice of black, violet, burgundy, or midnight blue, which all look stylish and fun.

$16 at Retailer

Fan Favorite

Ringke Fusion Clear Case

The best way to protect your phone from drop damage is to not drop your phone. The latest Fusion clear case from Ringke includes a handy wrist strap built into the case. Whether or not you want to use the wrist strap is up to you, but it’s a thoughtful addition to a consistently stellar case style.

$11 at Amazon

Old standby

SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Series case

The Unicorn Beetle case is one of those phone cases that people buy with every new device. It’s got that classic rugged design with ridges to help with grip and it includes a built-in screen protector to keep your S9 in pristine condition. Port plugs keep dust and pocket lint out of your charging port and headphone jack, and it also comes with an optional belt-clip holster.

$13 at Amazon

Skin It to Win It

dbrand Skins

Dbrand Skins are a consistently popular option for phone enthusiasts who want to customize the look of their phone without adding any bulk. They, of course, offer an awesome level of customization for creating a skin for your Galaxy S9. You can pick between nine different texture styles for the back, the minimal bezels on the top and bottom of the display, and even around the camera sensor! You can mix and match and create your dream skin.

Starting at $12 at dbrand

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a fantastic device that should last you for many years if you keep it in good condition. While we’ve given you a ton of options here to choose from, if I had to pick one I would have to recommend the Spigen Rugged Armor case ($12) that delivers solid protection in a slim form factor at a great price.

The Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 with LTE is now available for purchase

The new version is on sale now for $599.

This past June, Samsung released an upgraded version of its excellent Chromebook Plus in the form of the Chromebook Plus V2. As of November 2, you can purchase a version of the V2 that’s outfitted with LTE.

With that LTE connectivity, you can send emails, access Twitter, play online games and more without having to worry about whether or not you’re near a Wi-Fi network. You’ll need to pay an additional monthly fee with your carrier for that privilege, but if you’re constantly on the go, this is a welcome upgrade.

Everything else about the Chromebook V2 remains the same, including its Intel Celeron processor, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics, and 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 400GB.

If you’re interested, the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 (LTE) is available for purchase starting today at Samsung.com, Best Buy, and Verizon for a starting price of $599.99 ($100 more than the Wi-Fi only model).

See at Best Buy

Updated November 2, 2018: Updated this article to reflect the Chromebook V2 with LTE being on sale.

Conquer Christmas with the $209 KitchenAid Professional 6-quart Stand Mixer

Have some help.

Amazon has the KitchenAid Professional 6-quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer in Empire Red on sale for $209.00. This usually sells for more than $300, and the reviews are fantastic.

There’s a reason why everyone you know has a stand mixer. They’re awesome. Whether you’re baking, making pasta, mixing up huge batches, or you just want special touches like homemade whipped cream without the 40 minutes of hand-whisking, a KitchenAid can help you out. It makes classroom-sized cookie batches a goal you can reach, since the capacity can mix enough dough for 13 dozen cookies. The mixing action makes your ingredients incorporate thoroughly, and the bowl-lift design is capable of handling whatever you throw at it.

You’ll get a spiral dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip attachment. Don’t let the party stop there, though. There are about a gajillion attachments to take your new stand mixer to the next level.

See at Amazon

iPad Remained World’s Most Popular Tablet Last Quarter While Huawei Topped Apple in Smartphones Again

Apple continued to lead the tablet market in the third quarter of 2018, with the iPad achieving “nearly double the shipments of its nearest competitor,” according to data shared by research firm IDC today.

Apple on Thursday reported sales of 9.7 million iPads last quarter, giving it an estimated 26.6 percent share of the worldwide tablet market during the July-September period, according to IDC. Samsung finished runner-up with an estimated 5.3 million tablet shipments and 14.6 percent market share.

The worldwide tablet market declined 8.6 percent during the quarter, as global shipments fell to 36.4 million, according to IDC. Apple was not immune to the market contraction, as iPad revenue declined 15 percent last quarter on a year-over-year basis, according to the company’s earnings report on Thursday.

Top Five Tablet Vendors, Worldwide Shipments in Millions, via IDC
Nevertheless, IDC believes the new iPad Pro with Face ID bodes well for Apple’s sales through the holiday shopping season:

The refreshed $329 iPad with Pencil support that launched in late March continued to drive volume although it was unable to maintain the same momentum from the third quarter of 2017 as that was the first time in a while that Apple had released a lower cost iPad. iPad Pro saw year-on-year declines in anticipation of a refresh at the beginning of the fourth quarter, which bodes well for Apple through the end of the year.

iPad has remained the world’s most popular tablet for several years, even as the market has declined. IDC senior research analyst Jitesh Ubrani believes Apple’s continued focus on innovation and marketing has helped the company set itself apart from smaller rivals such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Huawei.

Notably, Microsoft did not crack the list of the top five tablet vendors based on shipments last quarter, according to IDC’s data. An all-new Surface Pro launched in October, but that was after the quarter ended.

IDC also shared smartphone data for the third quarter today. Apple reported sales of 46.9 million iPhones last quarter for an estimated 13.2 percent market share, finishing behind Samsung and Huawei, which had estimated market shares of 20.3 percent and 14.6 percent respectively last quarter.

Top Five Smartphone Vendors, Worldwide Shipments in Millions, via IDC
Apple is typically the world’s second largest smartphone maker, behind Samsung, but Huawei bumped it down to third for the second consecutive quarter. Nevertheless, IDC believes Apple could jump to first place next quarter thanks to anticipated holiday sales of the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Like the tablet market, the worldwide smartphone market also declined to the tune of six percent last quarter, according to IDC.

Tag: IDC
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Spotify is Coming to Apple Watch With Beta App Available Now

Spotify is officially coming to Apple Watch, as the streaming music service today delighted users with an early beta version of the watchOS app through TestFlight. There is no timeframe for a public release yet.

A few Reddit users participating in Spotify’s public beta testing program have shared screenshots of the app’s icon, playback controls, and recently played list with a toggle for shuffle mode.

According to one Reddit user, offline downloads are currently not supported, but the feature could be added later of course. The user also says the app has yet to be optimized for 40mm and 44mm sized Apple Watch Series 4 models, but it should work on all App

An official Spotify for Apple Watch has been long awaited, especially after third-party app Spotty was discontinued.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5Tag: SpotifyBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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