GM is getting into ebikes and it wants you to help name them
Previous
Next
1 of 2
GM
GM
As part of efforts to broaden its business and fulfill its commitment to an all-electric future, General Motors has announced plans to enter the ebike market.
The American car giant is developing not one but two pedal-assist electric bikes — one compact model and one that folds up.
At this stage, it’s not offering any specs for the machines, opting instead to release a few photos of each of the bikes. Certainly, the casual designs seem geared toward city dwellers looking to speed up short journeys, while the foldable machine in particular could appeal to commuters looking for an easy way to zip between public transit and their home or workplace.
“As an avid cyclist and urban commuter, I know how great it feels to get where I’m going easily and to show up sweat-free,” Hannah Parish, director of General Motors Urban Mobility Solutions, said in a release. “We blended electrification engineering know-how, design talents, and automotive-grade testing with great minds from the bike industry to create our eBikes.”
$10,000 contest to name the bikes
Parish added that GM is keen to expand its thinking “beyond the company walls and hear from people who like to move and have rad ideas.”
She’s talking about finding a name for GM’s ebike brand, though ever since the internet voted to name a polar research vessel Boaty McBoatface a few years back, asking members of the public for naming suggestions clearly carries some risk.
So, once GM has spent what could be several days filtering out all of the daft suggestions (think Bikey McBikeface, Wheely McWheelface, or perhaps Spokey McSpokeface), the company should be left with at least a handful of more sensible entries that it can choose from.
Tips for those keen to enter the contest include coming up with “simple, smart, and bold concepts capable of bringing the ebike brand to life,” as well as something that’s “capable of being understood around the world.”
Detroit-based GM is offering a $10,000 cash prize to the person who comes up with the winning name for GM’s new ebike brand, while nine other entrants offering excellent-but-not-quite-good-enough suggestions will each receive $1,000, which, looking at the cost of some of the best ebikes on the market today, is unlikely to be enough to purchase so much as the saddle on one of GM’s new bikes when they launch next year.
You have until November 26 to dazzle GM with your ideas.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Yamaha brings Power Assist ebikes to the U.S. for the first time
- This low-maintenance ebike makes it easy to get into urban commuting
- Airbnb calls off Great Wall sleepover contest after backlash
- Zero Motorcycle’s latest electric bikes boast more power, longer range
- Vespa Elettrica: Piaggio’s first all-electric scooter is about to hit the road
OnePlus 6T ‘Thunder Purple’ color variant could be launching soon
Say hello to OnePlus’ most advanced smartphone to date.
The OnePlus 6T has arrived, and similar to past T models, it retains most of what made its predecessor great while adding a couple of new features and slightly increasing its price.
We were already quite enthralled with the OnePlus 6 from earlier in the year, and the 6T aims to offer an even better experience for about $20 more.
Need some help deciding if this is the phone for you? Here’s everything you need to know about the OnePlus 6T!
The latest OnePlus 6T news
November 5, 2018 — OnePlus 6T ‘Thunder Purple’ color option shows up in renders
OnePlus unveiled the 6T with just two color options — Mirror Black and Midnight Black — but it looks like that’s set to change soon. Images obtained by Mr. Gizmo (via FoneArena suggest we’ll see a Thunder Purple variant of the 6T debut shortly.
The images and renders suggest the color option will have a gradient effect, not unlike what we’ve seen from the likes of Huawei and others. OnePlus is known to launch limited-edition color options a few months after the release of a new phone, so there’s no telling when this particular variant might be available.
November 1, 2018 — The OnePlus 6T is officially on sale!
Just a few days after it was announced, the OnePlus 6T has exited the pre-order stage and is now available for purchase.
If you live in the United States, you can buy the phone from both OnePlus’s website and through T-Mobile. While T-Mobile is only selling the 128GB + 8GB RAM model in Mirror Black for $579, you can drastically lower the price by trading in an eligible phone, buying it on a monthly installment plan, and then get a total of $300 back in bill credits.
Alternatively, OnePlus’s website has all available models with prices starting at $550 for the 128GB + 6GB RAM configuration and going up to $629 for 256GB + 8GB RAM.
See at OnePlus
See at T-Mobile
All the big details
Read (and watch) our full review
The OnePlus 6T is a great piece of tech, but is it something that you should spend your hard-earned dollars on?
If you’re in the market for a flagship smartphone experience but only want to pay a fraction of what Samsung, Apple, and Google are charging, the 6T delivers on almost every front. It’s outfitted with top-of-the-line specs, a pair of fantastic rear cameras, and one of the best software experiences that you can currently find on Android.
The lack of an IP water resistance rating and removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack could be dealbreakers for some, but if you want the most bang-for-your-buck in the $500 – $600 price range, you’ll be hard-pressed to do much better than the OnePlus 6T.
OnePlus 6T review: 90% of the phone for 60% of the price
Check out the specs
Every single year, OnePlus packs its smartphones with the very latest and greatest specifications it can get its hands on. With the 6T, that’s no different.
Some of the highlights this time around include the Snapdragon 845 processor, 6 – 8GB of RAM, 128 – 256GB of storage, a 3,700 mAh battery, and Android 9 Pie available right out of the box.
OnePlus 6T specs: 6.41-inch display, 3700mAh battery, 128GB base storage
OnePlus removed the 3.5mm headphone jack…
All that glitters is not gold, and for some potential buyers, the 6T will no longer be a viable option once they realize that the phone does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
OnePlus was one of the few remaining brands that continued to outfit its devices with the legacy port year after year, and for die-hard fans, this has the potential to be a deal-breaker.
…But there’s now an in-display fingerprint sensor
On the upside, the removal of the 3.5mm jack allowed OnePlus to equip the 6T with an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Similar to phones like the Vivo NEX, the 6T’s fingerprint sensor has been removed from its backside and now lives underneath the display. Just hold your finger on the new fingerprint icon on the screen, the sensor will ID you, and then unlock your phone.
While it’s certainly a cool party trick and the first big phone in the U.S. to ship with the feature, it’s not quite as fast or reliable as the OnePlus 6’s fingerprint sensor.
The notch is even smaller
The OnePlus 6T follows in the OnePlus 6’s footsteps by having a notch at the top of its display, but this time around, the notch is considerably smaller.
OnePlus adopted the “waterdrop” style for the 6T’s notch, and while there aren’t any functional changes that come with this, it does make the front of the phone look a lot cleaner and doesn’t cut off as much screen real-estate as the 6’s notch.
Nightscape and Studio Lighting come to the 6T’s cameras
Google recently wowed us with its new Night Sight feature for Pixel phones that drastically improves low-light photos, and in an attempt to build its own version of that feature, OnePlus ships with the 6T with its take on this called “Nightscape.”
Nightscape is described as being perfect for “capturing low-light urban environments with improved clarity, less noise, more accurate color reproduction and better dynamic range.”
Also new is Studio Lighting. OnePlus says it worked with photographer Kevin Abosch on this feature that’s “been fine-tuned to recognize faces and adjust the lighting accordingly to simulate professional lightning. In other words, it’s OnePlus’s take on the iPhone’s Portrait Lighting.
There are just two launch colors
At launch, the OnePlus 6T is only available in two colors — Midnight Black and Mirror Black. These are the exact same finishes that were available for the OnePlus 6, with the former featuring a matte finish while the latter has a glossy coating.
It’s entirely possible (and very likely) that OnePlus will offer additional colors later on down the road, but for the time being, you need to choose between black and black.
The phone’s available for purchase now
If you’re interested in buying a OnePlus 6T it’s available for purchase right now with pricing starting at $549 for the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Along with that, you can get 8GB RAM + 128GB storage or 8GB RAM + 256GB storage for $579 and $629, respectively.
The 6T is being sold through OnePlus’s website, and for the first time in the U.S., it’s also being offered directly through a wireless carrier — T-Mobile, specifically.
T-Mobile’s only carrying the 128GB + 8GB RAM model in Mirror Black, but if you trade in an eligible phone and buy the 6T on a monthly installment plan, you can get $300 back via monthly bill credits.
See at OnePlus
See at T-Mobile
To make more room for livestock, the Dutch will moove cows to a floating farm
Floating Farm/Beladon
In the next three decades, the global population is expected to grow by more than two billion people. That could be a problem. We already fail to feed the roughly seven and a half billion people currently living on the planet, so we’ll need to initiate entirely new agricultural systems to accommodate more.
Soon, a Dutch company will begin testing a system they think could help provide locally grown food to coastal communities: a floating farm. For centuries, the Netherlands, one of the most densely populated nations in the world, has staved off encroaching seawater through innovative engineering techniques, while making use of limited land to feed its citizens. The floating farm idea combines these two Dutch specialties — maritime engineering and agriculture.
The first floating farm will focus on dairy cows, in particular a Dutch breed called Meuse-Rhine-Issel, but Beladon, the group behind the project, hope to expand to include crops and other livestock. Intriguing as the concept may be, it’s not clear that it’s environmentally beneficial, lucrative, or scalable.
Illustrations and concept art for the Floating Farm. Floating Farm/Beladon
We spoke with Minke van Wingerden, co-owner of Beladon. She described a partially automated operation, where robots do the milking as cows are treated to a “bougie” experience. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Digital Trends: How did the idea for a floating farm first com about?
Minke van Wingerden: My husband came up with the idea. Seven years ago he started Beladon, a company that designs floating structures. He was busy with a project in New York in 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit and Manhattan was flooded. He realized it’s important to produce fresh foods nearby cities because after two days shelves in the shops were empty.
The floating farm has three layers. The concrete layer at the bottom. Then the first floor, or the process floor. And the cows are on top.
It wasn’t the smartest idea to start with a floating dairy farm because cows are very big and curious, and they move together, so the structure has to be fairly stable. But, in the Netherlands, we’re used to floating structures and building on water. In our project, maritime technology and agriculture technology come together. That combination makes makes this project so interesting for the Dutch.
Can you describe the layout of the structure?
Well we are going to use a rubber floor that is a little elastic, so it’s good for the cows’ bones and joints. It has small canals, which we are going to clean with a manure robot. It’s easy to clean and then the robot takes away the manure, and it immediately separates the manure and urine. That’s important because when you separate that quickly it has less smell.
A video graphic showing each layer of the Floating Farm. Floating Farm/Beladon
Where does the robot take the waste?
The floating farm has three layers. The concrete layer at the bottom. Then the first floor, or the process floor. And the cows are on top. The manure goes from the top to the floor beneath, where we process the manure.
We split the manure and urine, then dry it and sell it the city as a fertilizer for grass or plants on your balcony. We are also going to use it for the cows so they can lie on it. It’s a raw material and they like lie on it.
Before we went through all the permits, we asked veterinarians if it’s OK for cows to live on platform like this.
You currently plan for 40 cows. Have you considered adding more to the herd?
This is now a private project, so we have zero subsidy and limited money. We made it as small as possible. For us, animal welfare is very important.
Cows need more space than in a regular stable, but we think that now they have about one and a half times more space than in a regular stable, so they will feel fine. This small floating farm, we call it our living lab, because this is how we are going to show the world that we can make it happen.
Minke van Wingerden, co-owner of Beladon. Floating Farm/Belaon
How much do you plan to invest in the project?
About €2.6 million ($3 million). But we think it would be much more interesting to make it bigger and start with about 100 cows.
Who will be milking the cows?
We have hired a real farmer, who is the son of a farmer from the northern part of the Netherlands. Now he can live in the city and be a farmer. In the Netherlands, farmers have a lot of troubles with succession. A lot of young people don’t want to be farmers. I think the agriculture sector needs a little boost to be a little more sexy. That’s also why we want to make this structure so iconic — to show the world that agriculture is important because it’s our daily food source.
[The cows] can choose to stay all day but there’s also a bridge to a small pasture next to the floating farm.
As far as animal welfare, I’m wondering about potential seasickness and discomfort that the cattle might experience. How are you making sure they’re comfortable in that environment?
Before we went through all the permits, we asked veterinarians if it’s OK for cows to live on platform like this. They agreed. We are convinced that cows will be very happy on the platform because we constructed it so stable. There will be almost no movement.
How long will the cows be on the floating farm?
They can choose to stay all day but there’s also a bridge to a small pasture next to the floating farm. On the platform there is the milking robot and there will also be fresh fodder for the cows. We will create a kind of a bougie environment. Cows like to live in bougie environments, so we think that they will be very happy on the platform
Construction of the Floating Farm has been underway since early March and is expected to be completed before the end of the year. Floating Farm/Beladon
What are you doing to mitigate any risks of pollution? Whenever you have animals you have quite a bit of waste that goes along with that. How are you ensuring that none of them waste or any other pollution from the farm gets into the waterway?
There’s a border around the side that the cows cannot walk on. There’s two meters between the water and the cows, so they cannot pollute the water in that way. And the bridge is completely closed, so there also can be no pollution of the water from the cows.
The plans are to make a complete floating food strip … in the harbor that you can [use to] feed, more or less, part of the city.
People are also afraid that there will be pollution of water. But the water we use we also clean on the platform, so the water we put back into the river will be cleaner than the water which is now already in it. Before we got the permit, we had to prove this.
This sort of structure seems like it could be appropriate for certain areas, like the Netherlands, but not for areas that experience strong weather or seas. Where do you think this type of structure could be used?
That’s something we have to research. In Rotterdam, we have no hurricanes and so no troubles there. But we also went to China where, for example, there are places where there has been mining and now there are wetlands. That might be a nice opportunity for a floating farm.
A video graphic showing each construction phase and overall design plan for the Floating Farm. Floating Farm/Beladon
When do you expect construction to be complete?
We expect the cows before the end of the year. The structure is almost completed. So we are now working inside it with electricity, water, and engineering. We expect we can invite all visitors in the beginning of 2019.
And when do you expect to have the first milk available?
Before the end of this year. We have also already designed a chicken farm and greenhouse. Our plans are to make a complete floating food strip to show in the harbor that you can feed more or less part of the city. We are now in a small part of the harbor, which is in transition. In the next 10 or 15 years there will be only housing and offices. Our idea is that we are going to transform this part of the area, because for us it’s important that a social community in the heart has its own food production to reconnect citizens to their food.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Leafy greens are grown by machines at new, automated Silicon Valley farm
- ‘Crop-dusting’ drones drop biodegradable sensors instead of pesticides
- From electron microscopes to X-rays, high-tech tools expose low-tech art forgery
- The deaf gamers making gaming more accessible
- LG V40 ThinQ Review
Apple starts selling refurbished iPhone 8 for $499; iPhone 8 Plus not in stock
Apple has started selling refurbished iPhone 8 units in its online store for $499 each, offering customers a $100 discount from the smartphone’s current price tag.
The iPhone 8 Plus has also appeared on Apple’s online store for refurbished devices, but there is currently no stock for the iPhone 8’s larger counterpart. Customers interested in purchasing a refurbished iPhone 8 Plus will simply have to keep checking to see if the device is made available.
Refurbished iPhones have been tested and repaired, but they may not come with the original packaging and accessories, and may show signs of cosmetic damage. Some refurbished iPhones were given up by users due to a defect, while some were sold as users upgraded to a new model.
Buying refurbished iPhones from Apple is the safest option, as the company tests and certifies all devices before being sold. Refurbished iPhones purchased from Apple also come with a one-year warranty and free shipping, as well as a new battery, outer shell, and white box.
Customers who purchase a refurbished iPhone 8 from Apple will enjoy a $100 discount to the smartphone’s current cost of $599 for its 64GB model. The gold, silver, and space gray versions are available on Apple’s online store, but not the 256GB option.
The iPhone 8 Plus is currently being sold at $699 for the 64GB model. It can be speculated that once the device is available on Apple’s refurbished store, its price tag will be around $599.
Apple slashed the prices of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus by $100 each when it revealed the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. Customers who do not mind purchasing refurbished iPhones will be able to enjoy another $100 discount from the original selling price of the iPhone 8.
The iPhone 8 was released last year, alongside the iPhone X. It remains a perfectly capable smartphone despite the arrival of this year’s new iPhones, powered by the A11 Bionic chip that is also found inside the iPhone X.
Apple started selling refurbished iPhones in 2016, starting with the iPhone 6s and iPhones 6s Plus. Other devices currently available on Apple’s refurbished online store include various versions of MacBooks, Mac computers, and iPads, as well as the iPod touch and the Apple TV.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Apple iPhone XR vs. iPhone 8 vs. iPhone 7 vs. iPhone 6s: Which is best for you?
- iPhone XS Max vs. iPhone 8 Plus vs. iPhone 7 Plus: The big guys clash
- You can’t buy the iPhone SE anymore, but Apple has cut prices for these iPhones
- How to buy a refurbished iPhone
- How to check if your iPhone 8 has a faulty logic board and is part of a recall
‘Fortnite Mobile’ improvements on the way: 60 FPS, controller support, and more
Epic Games revealed in its State of Mobile Development – November 2018 announcement that there are some important Fortnite Mobile features on the way which will further improve the playing experience on smartphones and tablets.
Get an update on current development efforts for Fortnite Mobile in our November State of Dev! https://t.co/6ehPAFnwl0 pic.twitter.com/BWYFVleeXZ
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) November 2, 2018
Epic Games said that it has started giving Fortnite Mobile players more control over their in-game heads-up display by allowing them to decide which elements are active or inactive at any given moment. The developer is apparently working towards an even more customizable HUD.
The announcement also revealed that Epic is starting testing on different controller setups, as it works to enable controller support for Fortnite Mobile. The developer did not mention a timeframe for the release of the feature, nor what kind of controllers will likely be supported by the game.
A limited number of high-end devices will also receive 60 FPS functionality soon, with Epic Games now testing some of them to make sure that they can maintain a high level of performance over multiple matches without the risk of overheating. Again, there is no word on possible smartphones and tablets that will likely support the feature.
Lastly, Epic Games said that it is continuing its efforts to improve performance across the board for Fortnite Mobile compatible devices. The developer is working to make major improvements to Android 7 and some other older operating systems, as well as on large scale optimizations to decrease the memory that Fortnite Mobile uses up to deliver more consistent frame rate when play sessions go long. Epic Games is also changing how its shader cache system operates on iOS devices to reduce the size and impact on memory.
Fortnite Mobile players are recommended to update their device’s operating system regularly in order to take advantage of the optimizations that Epic Games is making on the massively popular multiplayer shooter. The developer is also working to make update files smaller, so that players will not have to wait too long before they are able to jump back in to the Battle Royale matches.
Epic Games launched Fortnite Mobile first on the iOS, then on Android a few months later. Here are some tips and tricks for Fortnite Battle Royale, as well as some more specific advice for Fortnite Mobile.
Editors’ Recommendations
- These best iPad Pro games
- ‘PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile’ wants you to ignore your friends to win
- The best iPhone games of 2018
- Sony gets with the times, adds PS4 cross-play support, starting with ‘Fortnite’
- A look back at the first Android phone, 10 years later
Muji and Sensible 4 collaborate on ‘friendly’ autonomous shuttle bus design
Autonomous shuttle buses are not new, but previously their design has tended towards an emphasis on function rather than form. Now Japanese brand Muji have teamed up with autonomous driving company Sensible 4 to design a more user-friendly shuttle for use in Finland.
Gacha shuttle bus Sensible 4
The bus, known as Gacha, has a smooth rounded shape and a tasteful color scheme, as you would expect from the detail-obsessed Muji brand. There is no distinct front or back to the shuttle, so it can move in either direction with ease, and it has a band of LEDs running around the exterior which form the headlights and also convey information such as the bus’s destination. It is intended to look friendly and welcoming with a comfy interior that looks as good as the exterior, with soft minimalist blue seats and simple handrails.
The shuttle is designed for the harsh conditions of a Finnish winter, which can include heavy rain, fog, and snow. Most autonomous vehicles struggle in these conditions, which is why they are most often used in warmer climates. But the Gacha is designed with these challenges in mind, making it the first autonomous shuttle bus for all weather conditions. The bus can carry ten seated passengers and six standing passengers, and can reach a top speed of 25 miles per hour. It has a four wheel drive design to cope with slushy conditions and has a range over 60 miles between charges.
While Muji contributed to the appearance and design of the shuttle, Sensible 4 contributed to the tools needed for the bus to be self-driving such as obstacle detection technology, AI, and algorithms. They tested the bus in Arctic conditions to be sure that it would stand up to the freezing Finnish weather.
The first time the public will get to see the bus in person is at its premier in March 2019 in Helsinki. Following this, the buses will be rolled out in the three Finnish cities of Espoo, Vantaa, and Hämeenlinna, carrying passengers and operating among real-world traffic. Eventually, Sensible 4 and Muji plan to roll out an entire fleet of Gacha buses in 2020, hoping that they can become part of mainstream transportation services across Finland.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Boxy shuttles, not cars, will be people’s first taste of autonomous vehicles
- Drive.ai brings free, on-demand self-driving car rides to second Texas city
- Audi funnels its racing heritage into an electric supercar concept
- Disney takes to the air with an autonomous paint-spraying drone
- This autonomous drone ambulance concept won its creator a $20,000 prize
11-inch iPad Pro vs. 10.5-inch iPad Pro: Can the new model take out the classic?
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The new iPad Pro is finally here, boasting a new edge-to-edge display, improved internal specs, and support for the new Apple Pencil. Along with modernizing the design, Apple also changed the sizes of the iPad Pro, now offering one with an 11-inch display, and one with a 12.9-inch display.
But how does the new 11-inch iPad Pro compare with the previous generation 10.5-inch device? Is it really worth shelling out the extra cash for? After all, the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro is still available for purchase at the same $650 price tag. We put the 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro head-to-head with the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro to find out.
Specs
11-inch iPad Pro
10.5-inch iPad Pro
Size
247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches)
250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm (9.8 x 6.8 x 0.24 inches)
Weight
468 grams (1.03 pounds)
469 grams (1.03 pounds)
Screen Size
11-inch LCD display
10.5-inch LCD display
Screen Resolution
2,388 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)
2,224 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)
Operating System
iOS 12
iOS 12
Storage Space
64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
64GB, 256GB, 512GB
MicroSD Card Slot
No
No
Tap To Pay Services
Apple Pay
Apple
Processor
A12X Bionic
A10X Fusion
RAM
4GB
4GB
Camera
12MP rear, 7MP front
12MP rear, 7MP front
Video
2,160p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
2,160p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0
Ports
USB-Type C
Lightning
Fingerprint sensor
No (Face ID)
Yes
Water resistance
No
No
Battery
10 hours of web surfing
10 hours of web surfing
App Marketplace
App Store
App Store
Network support
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
Colors
Silver, Space Gray
Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold
Price
$800
$650
Buy From
Apple
Apple
Review Score
Hands-On
4.5-stars
Performance, battery life, and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Both the new 11-inch iPad Pro and the older 10.5-inch iPad Pro are excellent performers, but one of them is clearly better than the other. The new 11-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s new A12X Bionic processor, which has been hailed since its announcement to offer laptop-class performance. The older A10X Fusion is a great chip but it just doesn’t compare to the new one.
The battery life of the two iPads, on the other hand, is pretty much the same. Apple says both devices will get around 10 hours of web surfing, so we’re not expecting many discrepancies between the two. Neither of the two tablets charges wirelessly despite Apple adopting wireless charging for new iPhones and the Apple Watch.
Because of the better performance, the new 11-inch iPad Pro is the clear winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Design and durability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Both the new iPad Pro and its predecessor feature Apple’s classic design — but the 2018 iPad Pro takes things up a notch. With an edge-to-edge display on the iPad Pro, the bezels are far smaller than the previous generation. Add to that the nice flat edges and you have an ultra-modern device.
That’s not to say that previous-generation iPad Pro doesn’t look good. It still has a beautiful aluminum build and classy look, plus it’s available in a few more colors — Rose Gold and Gold. The 11-inch iPad Pro is only available in Space Gray and Silver.
Both iPads should have the same durability as both feature aluminum backs and glass fronts, and as such, they could both shatter if you drop them.
Perhaps the biggest design difference between the two tablets is the fact that Apple has gotten rid of the headphone jack in the new 11-inch iPad. Also, gone is the Lightning port, which has been replaced with the more versatile USB-C port. That means you can now do more with the new iPad Pro, such as connect it to external displays, or use it to charge your iPhone. We think the addition of USB-C trumps the lack of the headphone jack, so the new iPad gets the win.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Display
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Despite adopting OLED displays on other products, Apple is sticking to LCD for the iPad. The 2017 iPad Pro has a 10.5-inch display — while the new iPad Pro steps things up to 11 inches. The resolution is slightly sharper on the 11-inch iPad Pro, but both have a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch. Both also retain Apple’s ProMotion technology, which offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
Still, because of the fact that the 2018 iPad Pro has a slightly larger display, even if it’s only a small difference, it’s the winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Camera
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
While you may not use your iPad to take photos the same way you would with your smartphone, the camera may still be important to you, especially when it comes to video chatting with the front-facing camera. Ultimately, however, the cameras are the same on both the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the newer 11-inch iPad Pro. The rear-facing camera on the devices comes in at 12 megapixels, while the front-facing cam sits in at 7 megapixels. Both devices can record 4K video at 60 frames per second, but you can film up to 240 frames per second at 720p.
The 2018 iPad Pro still takes the win, though, as it comes with Smart HDR, a feature introduced on this year’s iPhones. It helps with high-contrast lighting and should deliver a better camera experience.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Software and updates
Both the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.5-inch iPad Pro now run iOS 12, though you may need to update a 10.5-inch iPad Pro to iOS 12 when you get it. Because of the way Apple handles updates, they will both get new versions of iOS as they’re released. The 11-inch iPad Pro is one year newer, so it may be supported with updates for longer. Because of that, it’s the winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Special features
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The overall experience of the 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be largely the same but there are a few differences to keep in mind. For starters, the new 11-inch iPad Pro offers Apple’s Face ID, which allows you to unlock the device with facial recognition like you can on newer iPhones. The new iPad also supports the new Apple Pencil, which can magnetically connect to the tablet to pair and charge wirelessly, which is a nice touch. The older iPad Pro has a fingerprint sensor and a home button, which may be the only special feature it has over the newer model.
Another major special feature in the 11-inch iPad Pro, as mentioned, is the fact that it has a USB-C port, essentially giving it access to a range of peripherals, like displays, and so on.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Price
The 2018 iPad Pro is clearly a better device but it comes at a price. While the 10.5-inch iPad Pro comes at $650, the 11-inch iPad Pro steps things up to $800. In other words, if you want that extra processing power, edge-to-edge display, and access to the improved Apple Pencil, you will have to pay for it. Prices range up from there, too.
For the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro, you will pay $800 for the 256GB model and $1,000 for the 512GB model. For the newer 11-inch iPad Pro, you need to shell out $950 for the 256GB model, $1,150 for the 512GB model, and $1,550 for the 1TB model.
Overall winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
No surprises here, the new 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro is the clear winner. The device has a far better processor, larger display, and more modern design. If you’re looking for the most powerful tablet you can buy, it’s the one to go for. That’s not to say that the 10.5-inch iPad isn’t a great option. It boasts still-excellent performance and a classic design, even if it’s not as flashy as the newer device. Our advice? If you simply want a tablet to play a few games on or use around the house, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is more than enough — you may even be more than satisfied with the new $330 iPad. If you’re looking for power and performance, go for the newer tablet.
Editors’ Recommendations
- How the 2018 Apple iPad Pro 12.9 stacks up against the 2017 and 2015 versions
- iPad Pro (2018) hands on review
- Surface Pro 6 vs. iPad Pro
- The new iPad Pro is here, and it adds the best of the iPhone to the tablet
- These best iPad Pro games
11-inch iPad Pro vs. 10.5-inch iPad Pro: Can the new model take out the classic?
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The new iPad Pro is finally here, boasting a new edge-to-edge display, improved internal specs, and support for the new Apple Pencil. Along with modernizing the design, Apple also changed the sizes of the iPad Pro, now offering one with an 11-inch display, and one with a 12.9-inch display.
But how does the new 11-inch iPad Pro compare with the previous generation 10.5-inch device? Is it really worth shelling out the extra cash for? After all, the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro is still available for purchase at the same $650 price tag. We put the 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro head-to-head with the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro to find out.
Specs
11-inch iPad Pro
10.5-inch iPad Pro
Size
247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches)
250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm (9.8 x 6.8 x 0.24 inches)
Weight
468 grams (1.03 pounds)
469 grams (1.03 pounds)
Screen Size
11-inch LCD display
10.5-inch LCD display
Screen Resolution
2,388 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)
2,224 x 1,668 pixels (264 pixels-per-inch)
Operating System
iOS 12
iOS 12
Storage Space
64GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
64GB, 256GB, 512GB
MicroSD Card Slot
No
No
Tap To Pay Services
Apple Pay
Apple
Processor
A12X Bionic
A10X Fusion
RAM
4GB
4GB
Camera
12MP rear, 7MP front
12MP rear, 7MP front
Video
2,160p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
2,160p at 60fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0
Ports
USB-Type C
Lightning
Fingerprint sensor
No (Face ID)
Yes
Water resistance
No
No
Battery
10 hours of web surfing
10 hours of web surfing
App Marketplace
App Store
App Store
Network support
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon
Colors
Silver, Space Gray
Silver, Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold
Price
$800
$650
Buy From
Apple
Apple
Review Score
Hands-On
4.5-stars
Performance, battery life, and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Both the new 11-inch iPad Pro and the older 10.5-inch iPad Pro are excellent performers, but one of them is clearly better than the other. The new 11-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s new A12X Bionic processor, which has been hailed since its announcement to offer laptop-class performance. The older A10X Fusion is a great chip but it just doesn’t compare to the new one.
The battery life of the two iPads, on the other hand, is pretty much the same. Apple says both devices will get around 10 hours of web surfing, so we’re not expecting many discrepancies between the two. Neither of the two tablets charges wirelessly despite Apple adopting wireless charging for new iPhones and the Apple Watch.
Because of the better performance, the new 11-inch iPad Pro is the clear winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Design and durability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Both the new iPad Pro and its predecessor feature Apple’s classic design — but the 2018 iPad Pro takes things up a notch. With an edge-to-edge display on the iPad Pro, the bezels are far smaller than the previous generation. Add to that the nice flat edges and you have an ultra-modern device.
That’s not to say that previous-generation iPad Pro doesn’t look good. It still has a beautiful aluminum build and classy look, plus it’s available in a few more colors — Rose Gold and Gold. The 11-inch iPad Pro is only available in Space Gray and Silver.
Both iPads should have the same durability as both feature aluminum backs and glass fronts, and as such, they could both shatter if you drop them.
Perhaps the biggest design difference between the two tablets is the fact that Apple has gotten rid of the headphone jack in the new 11-inch iPad. Also, gone is the Lightning port, which has been replaced with the more versatile USB-C port. That means you can now do more with the new iPad Pro, such as connect it to external displays, or use it to charge your iPhone. We think the addition of USB-C trumps the lack of the headphone jack, so the new iPad gets the win.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Display
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Despite adopting OLED displays on other products, Apple is sticking to LCD for the iPad. The 2017 iPad Pro has a 10.5-inch display — while the new iPad Pro steps things up to 11 inches. The resolution is slightly sharper on the 11-inch iPad Pro, but both have a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch. Both also retain Apple’s ProMotion technology, which offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
Still, because of the fact that the 2018 iPad Pro has a slightly larger display, even if it’s only a small difference, it’s the winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Camera
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
While you may not use your iPad to take photos the same way you would with your smartphone, the camera may still be important to you, especially when it comes to video chatting with the front-facing camera. Ultimately, however, the cameras are the same on both the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the newer 11-inch iPad Pro. The rear-facing camera on the devices comes in at 12 megapixels, while the front-facing cam sits in at 7 megapixels. Both devices can record 4K video at 60 frames per second, but you can film up to 240 frames per second at 720p.
The 2018 iPad Pro still takes the win, though, as it comes with Smart HDR, a feature introduced on this year’s iPhones. It helps with high-contrast lighting and should deliver a better camera experience.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Software and updates
Both the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.5-inch iPad Pro now run iOS 12, though you may need to update a 10.5-inch iPad Pro to iOS 12 when you get it. Because of the way Apple handles updates, they will both get new versions of iOS as they’re released. The 11-inch iPad Pro is one year newer, so it may be supported with updates for longer. Because of that, it’s the winner here.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Special features
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The overall experience of the 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be largely the same but there are a few differences to keep in mind. For starters, the new 11-inch iPad Pro offers Apple’s Face ID, which allows you to unlock the device with facial recognition like you can on newer iPhones. The new iPad also supports the new Apple Pencil, which can magnetically connect to the tablet to pair and charge wirelessly, which is a nice touch. The older iPad Pro has a fingerprint sensor and a home button, which may be the only special feature it has over the newer model.
Another major special feature in the 11-inch iPad Pro, as mentioned, is the fact that it has a USB-C port, essentially giving it access to a range of peripherals, like displays, and so on.
Winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
Price
The 2018 iPad Pro is clearly a better device but it comes at a price. While the 10.5-inch iPad Pro comes at $650, the 11-inch iPad Pro steps things up to $800. In other words, if you want that extra processing power, edge-to-edge display, and access to the improved Apple Pencil, you will have to pay for it. Prices range up from there, too.
For the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro, you will pay $800 for the 256GB model and $1,000 for the 512GB model. For the newer 11-inch iPad Pro, you need to shell out $950 for the 256GB model, $1,150 for the 512GB model, and $1,550 for the 1TB model.
Overall winner: 11-inch iPad Pro
No surprises here, the new 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro is the clear winner. The device has a far better processor, larger display, and more modern design. If you’re looking for the most powerful tablet you can buy, it’s the one to go for. That’s not to say that the 10.5-inch iPad isn’t a great option. It boasts still-excellent performance and a classic design, even if it’s not as flashy as the newer device. Our advice? If you simply want a tablet to play a few games on or use around the house, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is more than enough — you may even be more than satisfied with the new $330 iPad. If you’re looking for power and performance, go for the newer tablet.
Editors’ Recommendations
- How the 2018 Apple iPad Pro 12.9 stacks up against the 2017 and 2015 versions
- iPad Pro (2018) hands on review
- Surface Pro 6 vs. iPad Pro
- The new iPad Pro is here, and it adds the best of the iPhone to the tablet
- These best iPad Pro games
Nintendo may finally bring ‘The Legend of Zelda’ and ‘Donkey Kong’ to mobile
The next Nintendo mobile games may be The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong, finally bringing two of the company’s most popular franchises to smartphones.
The arrival of the two franchises to mobile gaming was hinted by trademarks that the company filed this month, Destructoid reported, citing Japanese Nintendo. The two trademarks are for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and Mario vs. Donkey Kong, filed as “program for home video game machine, downloadable video game program, and program for smartphone.”
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks was first released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, and re-released for the Wii U Virtual Console in 2016. Mario Vs. Donkey Kong, meanwhile, first appeared on the Game Boy Advance in 2004, with subsequent versions gracing the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, and Wii U.
Rumors of a The Legend of Zelda smartphone game have been making the rounds since last year, after the success of Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes. The report mentioned The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, which is primarily controlled through the Nintendo DS stylus, as a possible inspiration for the mobile game.
New Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said earlier this year that he is planning to turn the company’s mobile gaming division into a nearly $1 billion business, after Fire Emblem Heroes made almost $300 million in its first year from microtransactions. The arrival of The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong to smartphone games will definitely give the division a boost towards achieving that goal.
The trademark filings do not entirely confirm that The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and Mario vs. Donkey Kong are indeed on the way to be released as mobile games. There is the possibility that The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will be repackaged for the Nintendo 3DS, while a new Mario Vs. Donkey Kong may be on its way to the Nintendo Switch.
However, with the trademark filings mentioning “program for smartphone,” fans of the two franchises are hoping that they will be the next Nintendo mobile games. The two titles may translate well to smartphones and tablets, and are good candidates to mark the arrival of The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong to mobile.
Editors’ Recommendations
- ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ special edition includes snazzy Pro Controller
- The 25 best GBA games ever made
- ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’: Everything you need to know
- This affordable headset is designed to ‘mimic’ VR for the Nintendo Switch
- The best video games to gift this holiday season, from ‘Spider-Man’ to ‘Hitman 2’
Smart garage door hubs, all-in-one printers, and more are discounted today
Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.
There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From printers to pressure cookers, these are today’s best deals.
Tech Deals
Everyday Essentials
If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!
AIVAnet 