Apple’s Mac Shipments Increase in Q2 2018 as PC Market Sees First Growth in 6 Years

Apple’s worldwide Mac shipments grew 3 percent in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the year-ago quarter, according to new preliminary PC shipping estimates shared today by Gartner.

During the quarter, Apple shipped an estimated 4.4 million Macs, compared to 4.26 million in the second quarter of 2017. Apple’s market share also saw slight growth, improving from 7 percent in Q2 2017 to 7.1 percent in Q2 2018.

Gartner’s Preliminary Worldwide PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q18 (Thousands of Units)
Apple’s improved Mac sales come amid an overall increase in worldwide PC shipments, the first growth that’s been seen in the last six years. Worldwide PC shipments totaled an estimated 62.1 million units in Q2 2018, up from 61.3 million in the year-ago quarter.

Though Apple saw sales growth in Q2 2018, the company was ranked the number four PC vendor in the world, coming in behind Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Lenovo was the number one vendor with 13.6 million PCs shipped, followed by HP with just under 13.6 million and Dell with 10.5 million. Acer Group, the number five worldwide PC vendor, shipped 4 million PCs during the quarter.

Lenovo and HP are tied for 21.9 percent market share, followed by Dell at 16.8 percent and Apple, as previously mentioned, at 7.1 percent. All of the top five worldwide PC vendors saw shipment growth in Q2 2018 compared to last year.

“PC shipment growth in the second quarter of 2018 was driven by demand in the business market, which was offset by declining shipments in the consumer segment,” said Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner. “In the consumer space, the fundamental market structure, due to changes on PC user behavior, still remains, and continues to impact market growth. Consumers are using their smartphones for even more daily tasks, such as checking social media, calendaring, banking and shopping, which is reducing the need for a consumer PC.

Apple saw less growth in the United States, shipping an estimated 1.84 million Macs, up from 1.81 in the year-ago quarter, an increase of 1.7 percent. Apple was also the number four vendor in the U.S., coming in behind HP (#1), Dell (#2), and Lenovo (#3). Apple holds 12.7 percent of the PC market in the United States, compared to 14.9 percent for Lenovo, 28.6 percent for Dell, and 29.3 percent for HP.

Gartner’s Preliminary U.S. PC Vendor Unit Shipment Estimates for 2Q18 (Thousands of Units)
Almost all top vendors in the U.S. saw shipment growth, with the exception of HP, which saw shipments fall 0.6 percent. Acer Group had the best quarter in the United states with 25.7 percent growth. Overall U.S. shipments were up 1.7 percent, with a total of 14.5 million PCs shipped during the quarter, compared to 14.3 million in Q2 2017.

Apple’s Market Share Trend: 1Q06–2Q18 (Gartner)
It’s important to note that data from Gartner is preliminary, and that the numbers can shift, sometimes dramatically and sometimes less so. Last year, for example, Gartner estimated Q2 2017 worldwide Mac shipments at 4.236 million when the actual number was 4.266 million.

Apple’s Mac sales could grow significantly next quarter and through the end of 2018. Apple today introduced new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with improved processors, more maximum RAM, higher-capacity SSDs, True Tone displays, and more.

The rest of Apple’s Mac lineup, including iMacs, MacBooks, and the Mac mini, is also expected to get a refresh before the end of 2018.

Tag: Gartner
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Apple Announces New $300 Million Clean Energy Fund in China

Apple today announced the launch of a $300 million investment fund in China which is designed to connect Apple’s suppliers with renewable energy sources.

Apple, along with 10 initial suppliers, is investing $300 million into the China Clean Energy Fund over the course of the next four years. Apple says the fund will invest in and develop clean energy projects totaling more than 1 gigawatt of renewable energy in China, which is equivalent to powering close to 1 million homes.

Apple’s new fund will be managed by DWS Group, a company that specializes in sustainable investments. DWS also plans to invest in the fund.

“At Apple, we are proud to join with companies that are stepping up to address the climate challenge,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. “We’re thrilled so many of our suppliers are participating in the fund and hope this model can be replicated globally to help businesses of all sizes make a significant positive impact on our planet.”

According to Apple, the China Clean Energy Fund will provide participates with the advantage of greater purchasing power and the ability to attain “more attractive and diverse” clean energy solutions.

Participating suppliers include Catcher Technology, Compal Electronics, Corning Incorporated, Golden Arrow, Jabil, Luxshare-ICT, Pegatron, Solway, Sunway Communication, and Wistron.

Apple earlier this year announced that all of its facilities around the world are powered by 100 percent renewable energy, a milestone achievement for the company.

To hit that goal, Apple invested in and constructed renewable energy facilities around the world, including solar arrays, wind farms, biogas fuel cells, micro-hydration generation systems, and other energy storage technologies.

Since the launch of its Supplier Clean Energy Program in 2015, 23 manufacturing partners across 10 countries have committed to powering their Apple production lines with 100 percent clean energy.

Tags: China, supplier responsibility, Environmental Responsibility, Apple environment
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Audio-Technica ATH-ANC40BT wireless noise-cancelling earbuds review: Function over form

We come by a lot of Bluetooth earbuds here at AndroidGuys, so we appreciate when manufacturers make a valiant effort to standout. This is precisely how our attention got caught in our talks with Audio Technica – renowned Japanese audio manufacturer.

The long-standing company has been keeping up with the times, and one of its latest wireless earbuds, the ATH-ANC40BT, packs quite the spec sheet.

Chiefly, there’s active noise-cancellation (ANC) tech incorporated, which is something we don’t see often in an in-ear headphone. Is the ANC40BT as promising as it sounds? We’ll cover the important details in this review.

Design

Wireless earbuds come in various shapes and sizes, from around-the-neck band to completely wire-free earpiece flavors. The ANC40BT is the former. This may not appeal to everyone, but we imagine that Audio Technica put technology in front of form when making this earbud (we’ll cover its capabilities in the next section).

Packaging includes a sizable drawstring pouch, four sizes of silicone tips, airplane adapter, microUSB charging cable, and a microUSB-to-3.5mm jack for optional wired listening.

We’ve seen neckband designs that work really well, such as with LG‘s Tone series. However, the ANC40BT very basically put together. The flexible band portion is an averagely thick, rubbery cable, which terminates with sizable plastic compartments at its ends, from where the compact earpieces simply extend via a very thin wire.

It’s a very essential design not just in form but also materials. Everything is constructed from ho-hum-feeling plastic. This isn’t to say that it’s flimsy or won’t hold up, it’s just not different in feeling than a solid $30 pair of earbuds would be. And this is a $120 headphone. We imagine the justification will come when we look at its function and sound quality.

There is a small bit of styling to note on the outward surface of the earpieces. Alongside the inset metal grills (we’re guessing that assists noise-cancellation tech) are circular metal caps. They’re attractively shiny and have Audio-Technica’s logo engraved.

Function

The ANC40BT packs a bit more within than your typical wireless earbud. The common physical controls are present like that of most. That is, a power button with accompanying status LED and three-button playback toggles.

Their locations may seem a little convoluted (all fitted around the left-hand compartment), but its all fairly intuitive to use. The volume up/down buttons are the ones closest to you, and the ANC switch is only an on/off switch. We like there being separate buttons for power/pairing and for play/pausing.

The two back volume buttons can also switch tracks with a long press, and the front play/pause button can take calls (there’s a microphone).

Charging is done via a microUSB port on the end (this port can also be used for wired audio using the supplied microUSB-to-3.5mm cable). The nearby ANC switch is concise.

The around-the-neck wear is comfy. This isn’t a compact unit all-together. You’ll really feel the equipment around your head; it doesn’t “disappear” like many alternatives. What really doesn’t help is the earpiece wires. Although they’re thin, they’re stiff, and they butt up right against the left and right side of your chin. There isn’t really anything you can do about it, unless you tape them down onto the neckband.

This also makes the ANC40BT not quite ideal for working out, as the wires rub against your face with head movement. The unit stays in place just fine, so you can work out with them if you wanted to, but we just don’t get the sense they were designed for Sport use (additionally, we don’t see any mention of water resistance).

The ear tip in-canal fit can also be a concern. Even with the largest included tips, we just couldn’t manage to get an appropriate seal. If we could push them in further, maybe, but the considerable stems about the earpieces keeps you from pushing them past a certain point. Despite not having the smallest ear canals, I always manage to find a size that works on other earbuds. But the ANC40BT’s tips are a complete no-go for me.

The included silicone ear tips.

Fortunately, the ANC system works quite well, and somewhat makes up for the compromised ear tip seal. There’s a stark reduction in ambient noise when you toggle it on. It cleans up the audio a bunch in a noisy environment, excellently isolating the music.

Like most ANC systems, it mostly targets silencing lower-end frequencies. Especially that our incomplete seal means compromised passive isolation, we hear plentiful high frequencies get through.

Overall, the system still works for an appreciably isolated experience. Just don’t expect silent levels like that of the Sony WH-1000MX2 or Bose QC 35 II (to be fair, no earbud with ANC has reached close to this level).

Sound

Audio-Technica is a brand that knows what it’s doing when it comes to audio quality. The company has a history for good reason, and holds some beloved classics like the super popular ATH-M50X. And the fact definitely shows with the ANC40BT.

The ANC40BT pairs nicely with the aptX-equipped LG G7 ThinQ.

Firstly, it did the appropriate thing for wireless earbuds in this day and age by employing the aptX wireless audio codec. Streaming music with “High” settings results in plentiful and clean details throughout.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the sound is the deep and bodied bass. It has an authoritative presence throughout (maybe a little too strong in the mid-bass for some audiophiles), without being overdone.

The mid-range isn’t as full or open as with higher-end earphones, but overall well-done for this price range. It has a smooth and natural tone, with a hint of airiness. Again, it’s not “forward”, but not a V-shaped sound signature either (more like U-shaped). We like how the upper bass and mids have clear distinction, and can be separately appreciable.

We have the same kind of quality up through the treble. Details come through punchy and clearly (though, not as crisply as you’ll get up the price chain). Extended portions can get slightly lost in the mix. This isn’t unexpected at this price-point.

We like the amount of soundstage width that the treble can utilize. Coupled with the strong bass, you can get that immersive sense that larger headphones achieve.

Regarding the low-level hiss that plagues many like headphones, the ANC40BT has very little. You’ll only notice it in silence or quiet passages of tracks; the music easily drowns it out when it gets going.

Final Thoughts

We’re left a bit torn with Audio-Technica’s ANC40BT earbuds. What they clearly have going for them is the great ANC tech and sound quality. But there’s a notable lack of finesse in the design.

The entire unit is quite bulky for a portable wireless earbud, and the wear leaves to be desired. They’re undeniably comfortable (save for the face-butting earpiece wires), and the functions work well.

Our biggest contention was our ability to get a complete in-canal seal. Audio-Technica should re-look at the earpiece/ear tip design, or at least include foam tips in the box. Though, this is a “your mileage may vary” kind of thing. The ear tips may work fine for your canals. If they do, and if you don’t mind the involved design, then the ANC40BT would be a good choice, especially if audio quality is your utmost priority.

Fitbit Versa Review

While Google continues to figure out what is going on with Wear OS, other smartwatch OEM’s have stepped up their game. This includes Fitbit, which has released two dedicated smartwatches in as many years with the Fitbit Versa and Ionic.

READ MORE: Fitbit Ionic Review

Stepping back to take a look at our Ionic review, the smartwatch garnered an overall score of 3.7/5. This was due to the subpar battery life, lack of app support, and price.

The Fitbit Versa aims to help “fix” these problems, along with the release of FitbitOS 2.0. Without diving into too much detail, the latest version of Fitbit’s software aims to add many new features, along with opening up support for onboard music and more.

Specs

Diving right into the Versa, we would be remiss without mentioning its specs. The smartwatch features a 1.34-inch display with a 300 x 300 resolution.

Underneath, there is an unknown chipset, which has 4GB of onboard storage, although only 2.5GB is usable. We also have Bluetooth 4.0, along with Wi-Fi support, which comes in handy during set up.

Other sensors include the following:

• NFC (Special Edition Only)
• 3-axis accelerometer
• 3-axis gyroscope
• Optical heart rate monitor
• Altimeter
• Ambient light
• SpO2

The only major sensor not found on the Versa is a dedicated GPS chip. Instead, that functionality will be handled by your smartphone.

For those who want to be able to go for a swim, you’ll be just fine with this selection. This is thanks to being waterproof in up to 50 meters of water.

On the battery side, Fitbit claims the Versa will last for up to 4 days. Obviously, this depends on how much work you’re making the smartwatch perform.

Build Quality

Now that the specs are out of the way, let’s take a look at build quality. As mentioned before, there is a gorgeous LCD touch-screen display, which is housed in a rectangular aluminum body.

When I first took the Versa out of its packaging, I immediately thought about the Apple Watch. In fact, there were a few times where friends asked if I got Apple’s smartwatch, and were surprised when I said no.

Around the edges of the frame, we have three different buttons, which perform different actions. The button on the left acts as your “back” button, but also is one way to view different shortcuts.

The Top and Bottom buttons also provide different shortcut options. For example, when holding the Top button for two seconds will automatically bring up your notifications.

Moving to the underside of the Versa, there are the four charging pins for Fitbit’s proprietary charger. Directly in the middle, there are the various health sensors, including the heart rate monitor.

As for the band, you are provided with a silicon band with either small or large attachments to best fit your wrist. However, there are other options available, such as the Horween Leather band, that you can purchase after-the-fact.

When it comes to the charger, Fitbit is not reinventing the wheel. Actually, I’m not quite sure what the company is doing.

The included charger acts as a general base, and you can insert your Versa by pinching the bottom of the sides. Once it has been inserted properly, the charging percentage will appear on your display.

It seems that Fitbit is afraid of switching to standard Qi charging, much like other smartwatches. Instead, the company is using its proprietary chargers, which is rather frustrating.

Software

Fitbit has obviously not needed to focus on a full-OS for its wearables. Other trackers like the Charge 2 and Alta don’t require a standard operating system.

However, with the release of the Ionic last year, Fitbit decided to make the plunge into a fully-fledged smartwatch. The Versa is sort-of an iteration of that, and launches with Fitbit OS 2.0.

This includes a proper App Store with a developer SDK for more developers to jump on board. After you reveal the “app drawer”, you are presented with a few pre-installed apps to choose from.

These include apps such as the Fitbit Coach application which will help you with various workouts. But there are others which allow you to keep track of your various workout results and more.

A recent update even brought the ability for users to read and respond to SMS messages from your wrist. Obviously, this is nothing new for those coming from Wear OS, but is a new feature for Fitbit OS.

We’re hoping to see Fitbit continue to innovate and bring new features to its smartwatches. But Fitbit OS 2.0 is a step in the right direction, now the company just needs more developers to jump on board.

Battery Life

If I had to describe the Versa’s battery-life, it would take one word – incredible. Fitbit claims that the battery will last up to four days, but I have exceeded this a few times.

Now, it’s important to note that I am not taking advantage of all of the extra workout features. Mainly just the standard step and sleep tracking, but I do receive a MASSIVE amount of notifications.

Triaging those notifications from my wrist takes its toll, along with the aforementioned tracking. However, the Versa continued to impress and never left me stranded without juice in the middle of the day.

Conclusion

Until Google releases its latest batch of smartwatches, we are left looking elsewhere for our needs. The Fitbit Versa is very likely the best option on the market, and is priced to compete.

The Versa is available from either Fitbit or Amazon for just $199 with free shipping. For those interested in the Special Edition, you’ll be looking at dropping $229.95 for NFC and a few smaller features.

Nonetheless, the Versa is a great option from a trusted brand, and you won’t have to worry about support going away. If you want to pick one of these up for yourself or a loved one, hit the button below. In the meantime, sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think.

Buy the Fitbit Versa!

Google Chrome now consumes more memory due to a new Spectre fix

Version 67 of Google’s Chrome browser for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS now includes a new security feature called Site Isolation. This new component protects web surfers against Spectre-based attacks on the internet but for a price: 10 to 13 percent more system memory consumption.

Spectre — along with Meltdown — is a design flaw in modern processors that enable hackers to gain access to data stored in memory. This data is supposedly off limits, but the method processors use to predict the outcome of their current task leaves that data exposed. Hardware and software manufacturers have scrambled to fix these flaws since their initial reveal in January.

While the typical scenario sees a hacker physically accessing a computer and running custom code to read sensitive data stored in memory, an attack can happen across the internet as well. According to Google, browsers run potentially malicious JavaScript code in the background from multiple websites and in many cases within the same process. That means a website could steal data stored in memory stemming from other websites.

Although all major web browsers include “some mitigations” to prevent Spectre-based attacks, Google believes Site Isolation is the best approach. Prior to version 67, Chrome relied on a multi-process architecture that allowed each tab to have its own web page rendering process. The problem is that many websites use frames (aka iframes) to compile different web-based components together into a single page: Components that are used across multiple sites. The page may even display cross-site pop-ups too.

That said, all of this rendering resides within a single process. But if one of those components or pop-ups include malicious JavaScript that exploits the Spectre flaw, they could read data residing in the system memory that is stored by the other components of the page. Data may include passwords, cookies, credit card numbers, and so on.

With Site Isolation, pages aren’t rendered in a single process. Instead, the website’s mainframe has its own render process while all other cross-site components have their own individual “out of process” rendering. This is why the browser’s memory consumption increased up to 13 percent.

According to Google, splitting a single page across multiple processes is a major change to how Chrome displays a single page.

“The Chrome Security team has been pursuing this for several years, independently of Spectre,” states Google’s Charlie Reis. “Site Isolation is a significant change to Chrome’s behavior under the hood, but it generally shouldn’t cause visible changes for most users or web developers.”

Although Site Isolation is baked into Chrome 67 for Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome OS, only 99 percent of those installs will actually have the feature running in the background. The remaining one percent will stay inactive as Google monitors and improves performance.

Does that mean the team will trim off Chrome’s 10 to 13 percent added memory consumption? Time will tell, and given that Chrome already gobbles memory like a kid on Halloween, the extra Spectre-based consumption could be an unwanted setback for machines with low amounts of system memory.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How Chrome and other browsers came together to protect you from Spectre
• Chrome’s desktop browser now supports web-based VR on the Oculus Rift
• Google’s Chrome desktop browser is about to receive a major facelift
• How to send webpages from Google Chrome to your Android phone
• Chrome now supports the new password-free login standard

Solar-powered nanoscale coating could defrost frozen car windows

We love cars here at Digital Trends, but we don’t love everything about them. Something that’s right at the top of every car owner’s list of things they despise about car ownership? Defrosting a vehicle’s windows on cold winter mornings.

Fortunately, researchers from ETH Zurich in Switzerland are on the case — and their solution involves some pretty darn cool tech. What they have developed is a solar-activated nanoscale-thick coating consisting of two different materials, gold and titanium dioxide. Together these materials have a unique sunlight-absorbing property, rendering them capable of defrosting frozen windows rapidly. The combined material can do this without affecting the transparency of the glass in the windows.

“Our so-called ‘metasurafaces’ can inhibit or remove frost by absorbing sunlight, a renewable energy source, and heating,” Efstratios Mitridis, a PhD candidate in the Laboratory of Thermodynamics in Emerging Technologies, told Digital Trends. “By tuning the coating thickness, we can render them transparent at the same time. These metasurfaces can be deposited on a variety of commercially important substrates, including glass and acrylics. Balancing transparency and absorption is the key to effective icing prevention and deicing for applications requiring visibility.”

The researchers have so far tested their ultra-thin absorbent nanocoating on commercial materials. However, Dr. Hadi Eghlidi, another researcher on the project, told us that commercializing the coating will pose additional challenges going forward. “[This will require] large-scale and cost-effective fabrication of the coating, a milestone which we are currently working hard to achieve,” Eghlidi said. “In parallel, we are working on new designs and materials to improve the performance of the coating — for example, to achieve more transparency or a higher temperature increase.”

ETH Zurich isn’t the only research lab working on a solution to this problem. Last year, we wrote about another innovative research project coming out of Virginia Tech, where investigators developed a special water-repellent aluminum surface that traps millions of tiny air pockets underneath a sheet of frost growing on the surface. This also speeds up the rate of thawing significantly.

A paper describing the new ETH Zurich work, titled “Metasurfaces Leveraging Solar Energy for Icephobicity,” was recently published in the journal ACS Nano.

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Apple is leaving non-Touch Bar MacBook Pros to die — and that sucks

Apple surprised the world this morning by releasing the much-anticipated update to the MacBook Pros online. It’s a minor refresh that brings 8th-gen Intel Core processors and updated keyboards to some MacBook Pro models. It’s not a game-changer, but it addressed two common complaints with the current options for some MacBook Pros.

But there’s a problem. A big problem.

Rather than refreshing the entire lineup of MacBook Pros to 8th-gen processors like every other laptop manufacturer, Apple has decided to offer the six-core update for only its top-tier laptops. That means if you want an up-to-date MacBook Pro, you’ll be spending at least $1,800 on one. That also means you’ll be paying the premium for the Touch Bar, a feature that the average MacBook user will either actively dislike or completely ignore.

Our favorite version of the MacBook Pro — the $1,300 entry-level version without the Touch Bar — has been left in the dust. Any hope that Apple would pull back on its experiment with the Touch Bar (and possibly even sell a non-Touch Bar 15-inch version) is all but lost. Because it wasn’t included in the update, that version of the MacBook Pro will probably never get touched again. It will just be sold to hapless customers looking for an affordable way of buying into the Mac ecosystem. It’s the same sad position the MacBook Air has been in for years.

The problem worsens when you consider the keyboard issues surrounding the MacBook Pro. Apple finally admitted to the problem of sticking keys by offering replacements and repairs, but it also introduced a “3rd-generation” butterfly mechanism to the refreshed MacBook Pros. These new keyboards promise to be quieter, and we’re assuming they’re less prone to breaking. Unfortunately, the lower-end MacBooks Pros are again left out of the equation.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy Apple finally brought its MacBook Pros into the modern age of six-core CPUs. It was a bit late, but I’ll chalk that up to the keyboard replacement. I’m just annoyed that Apple is once again taking advantage of entry-level Apple fans who will undoubtedly buy outdated computers because they don’t know any better. The only real hope now is that Apple actually releases the rumored $1,000 MacBook Air redesign later this year. Until then, keep saving your pennies.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Cheap plastic perfection: An ode to the MacBook that started it all
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CLAD Certification: an Insight

What is clad certification

CLAD stands for certified LabView associated developer issued by National Instruments (NI). It is basically a first level certification linked to the LabView programming. The certification covers three areas namely:

• The automated test
• Data acquisition (High Channel)
• Data logging and measurement for domain experts

The certification represents a certain level of LabView mastery. A person having this certification can utilize LabView to do the following:

• Contribute elements to projects and large Vis
• Interpret and acquire the data
• Editing of medium-sized Vis
• Developing of small Vis

How to Prepare

To prepare for this exam, the best way is to go for a ‘LabView programming experience’. The experience will allow you to apply different concepts that have been presented in core 2 and core 1 courses. Mere class attendance will not suffice. You need to undertake NI’s LabView Core 1 as well as core 2 course. You should also be having an experience of at least 6 to 9 months of utilizing LabView.

Prepare for exam using AioTestking: https://www.aiotestking.com/clad-exam-dumps.html

CLAD Exam: Logistics

Exam Format

CLAD exam consists of 42 questions. All the questions are in the form of multiple choices. You will be provided with 4 different options and you need to choose anyone. There may arise a case where you may think that 2 answers are correct, under such a scenario select the answer which you think is the best.

Exam Scoring

To clear the exam, you need to score 70% marks. The score is given on the basis of 40 answers. 2 pre-deployment questions are very much there in the exam, however, they have no impact on the overall scoring.

Scheduling

You can take CLAD exam at any testing center (PearsonVUE). You can schedule your exam from http://www.pearsonvue.com/ni/. While scheduling the exam, do not forget to specify your exam format i.e. whether you wish to give the exam using LabView 20xx or LabView NXG. The exam terminology will actually reflect the LabView editor which you will select, however, the exam content will be same. Select the LabView editor with which you are comfortable. Regardless of what editor you choose, the certification at the end of the day will be the same.

It is not allowed to use LabView or any other resource once the exam has started. CLAD exam provides you the necessary screenshots from the LabView help and the environment where appropriate. You cannot take this exam, unless you sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). The NDA says that you will not reproduce, communicate or copy any part of the exam whether electronic or verbal. You need to sign the NDA, and failure to do so will result in the exam failure.

What is tested

CLAD exam is ideal for individuals who are seeking jobs that require programmings such as domain support, automated test,and high channel count data acquisition. The majority of these jobs include processing and collecting of data in the form of signals that come from sensors. To judge the knowledge, abilities,and skills of the candidate, CLAD utilizes an NI-DAQmx system. The system was chosen because of its ability to get simulated on all the versions of LabView. Lastly, if it is possible for you to access the LabView, then in such a case, you have all the resources that are required for the preparation of the exam. You do not need to buy any specific hardware.

The exam does not test the settings which are DAQmx function-specific. The questions utilize NI-DAQmx to test skills and knowledge which is mandatory for normal data acquisition tasks such as determining operation order and calculating of sample rates etc.

What does CLAD Certification mean

Having this particular certification means that:

• You can utilize software architectures from a single Vi to Event-Driven UI handler
• You can collect data from the sensors utilizing NI Hardware
• You can utilize array functions to manipulate and extract a single channel data from a data which is multi-channeled in nature
• You can utilize loops in order to run a test more than once in order get the voltage ramp established

True Master

Getting CLAD certification makes you an expert in several different areas. Some of these areas which this exam covers are as follows:

Hardware

• 10% of the questions in the exam are covered by hardware
• Validating and acquiring a signal
• Processing of signals
• Utilization of optimum sample rates

LabView Programming Environment

• The section covers 25% of exam questions
• Move, add and delete elements
• Utilize right folders and libraries
• Try to avoid any kind of cross-linking

Data Type

• Identify the data types on panel which is on the front
• Identify the data types present on the block diagram
• Select appropriate functions, controls, data types and indicators

Order of Execution

• A normal state machine
• A UI handler which is event-driven
• Parallel loops that are without lines
• Utilizing basic functions to develop a simple visualize application

Programming Fundamentals

• This section covers 50% of the exam questions
• The section covers loops
• Utilizing the loop type effectively
• For the while loops and for loops perfectly
• The section also covers arrays

Best Practices

• The section covers SubVIs while reusing the code
• The section covers clusters, i.e. grouping of the data
• The section also covers the data type changes

Conclusion

Yes, the topic covered requires a lot of practice which means that you cannot take this exam lightly at all. If possible, try to prepare at least 6 months before the exam. It is also recommended that you should seek help from an individual who has previously given this exam and has been successful. There are a lot of forums on the internet from where you can get the relevant preparation material. Give some practice exams before you actually go for the real exam.

Make your move! And acquire this exceptional certification.

Best Google Pixel 2 XL Cases

What are the best cases for the Google Pixel 2 XL?

The Google Pixel 2 XL is a beautifully designed phone — especially if you snagged the panda/Stormtrooper Black and White edition. But as much as you’ll want to show it off, you’re also going to want to protect a phone that cost you close to $1000.

We’ve rounded up the best case options specifically for the Pixel 2 XL.

• Google Live Cases
• Google Fabric Cases
• Bellroy leather case
• Incipio Esquire Series
• Spigen Tough Armor
• Spigen Thin Fit
• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro
• Ringke Fusion
• Caseology Vault Series
• i-Blason Ares
• Vena vCommute wallet case
• Carved wooden cases
• Lifeprooof FRE case

Google Live Cases

Best for Added Features

Just like the smaller Pixel 2, Google offers its customizable Google Live Cases for the Pixel 2 XL with a personal photo or a wide range of styles curated by Google.

Maybe you’ll decide on a gorgeous satellite photo from Google Earth which also pairs with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device. Looking to add a bit more of an artistic flair to your case? Check out the Artworks Live Case and find something that matches your style.

Google has curated a great selection of cases that feature artwork, photos from space, and naturally beautiful images that are really quite stunning. Prices start around $50 depending on whether you choose a minimalist shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. Create and customize your own case via the Google Store.

See at Google Store

Google Fabric Cases

Premium Pick

If you prefer your phone case to have some texture for grip, you’re probably going to love the Google Fabric Case. It features the same fabric finish look found on other recent Google products such as the Google Home Mini.

Designed in-house by Google, you can be sure of the build quality and fit for your Pixel 2 XL. These cases offer a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free and your choice of four color combinations for $40.

See at Google Store

Bellroy leather case

Upscale Option

Another great option offered by Google itself is the Bellroy leather case. This is a premium case that combines leather, flexible polymer, and a microfibre lining on the interior to create a great case that looks great with a streamlined design to keep things sleek in your hand.

It’s available in four color choices — Black, Navy, Caramel, and Stone — and is backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy. You can get this premium leather case for your Pixel 2 XL for $45.

See at Google Store

Incipio Esquire Series

Best Value

Like the concept of the Google Fabric Case but don’t like the idea of spending $50 for it? You’ll definitely want to check out the Incipio Esquire series case.

This case is made of an impact-resistant TPU frame that will keep your phone protected, but the real eye-catching feature here is the ultra-soft fabric finish on the exterior of the case. There is a nice-sized cutout around the fingerprint sensor and camera on the back but it’s otherwise a very sleek and minimalist design.

You can get yours from Amazon for roughly $21.

See at Amazon

Spigen Tough Armor case

Best Protection

Spigen has a very solid lineup of cases for the Pixel 2 XL, but one of the more rugged and functional cases they sell is the Tough Armor style. The combination of a flexible TPU sleeve and a rugged outer shell provides great dual-layer protection for your phone, with Spigen’s air cushion technology offering support in the corners. Despite its rugged design, the Tough Armor case is still mightly slim adding just 2.5 mm of thickness.

Another great feature is the pop-out kickstand built into the shell. There are so many handy reasons to have your phone propped up, and having this feature built right into the case means you don’t need to add a pop socket or style ring. For all its durability and functionality, the Tough Armor case is just $17 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Spigen Thin Fit

Thinnest Option

It can be an issue finding a case for larger phones like the Google Pixel 2 XL that doesn’t add too much bulk to your phone. The Spigen Thin Fit case is about as minimalist as phone cases get.

Available in black, this case will match the look of the Pixel 2 XL and features precise cutouts around the fingerprint scanner and camera on the back. It’s thin enough to keep the Active Edge compatibility fully intact and yet still features Spigen’s Air Cushion technology in the corners for added drop protection.

Keep your Pixel 2 XL safe from scuffs and scratches without sacrificing the slim design with the Thin Fit case for just $12.

See at Amazon

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case

Most Resistant

When you name your phone case after the Unicorn Beetle — one of the gnarliest looking armored bugs in the natural world — you better back it up with a rugged case. Combining a polycarbonate outer shell with a flexible and shock-absorbing TPU sleeve around back, the Unicorn Beetle Pro goes an extra step further by including a built-in screen protector to provide maximum protection for your Pixel 2 XL. There’s also an optional belt clip holster if it’s convenient for you.

It’s otherwise a pretty standard design for a rugged case: beefy in the corners where it needs to be yet slim and sporty enough as to not turn your phone into a thick brick of plastic. You can get yours from Amazon starting at $18 for the black style, with three other styles available for $20.

See at Amazon

Ringke Fusion

Value Option

Looking for a reliable clear case for the Pixel 2 XL at a very reasonable price? Check out the Ringke Fusion case.

Starting at just $10 for a crystal clear version, these cases offer two layers of protection for your phone — a rugged and shock-resistant TPU bumper combined with a ridged PC panel covering the back. There’s a protective lip around the front to save the display glass from harm, and there are precise cutouts around the fingerprint sensor, camera, and USB-C charging port.

Get the clear version if you want to preserve the original look of the Pixel 2 XL, or opt to spend $11 on the Rose Gold or Smoke Black versions.

See at Amazon

Caseology Vault Series

Most Stylish

Caseology has a couple different cases available for the Pixel 2 XL. We recommend the Vault Series ($8) because it’s got a classic design. Made of flexible TPU, it features a sleek finish along the back and textured grip around the edges. It’s available in black and should look great whether you went with the Just Black or Black and White Pixel 2 XL.

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, check out the Parallax Series ($16) which offers a slim, two-piece design to keep your Pixel well-protected. It’s also available in some really cool color combinations. Or consider the Legion Series ($14), which offers a more rugged matte shell around the back of the case.

See at Amazon

i-Blason Ares

Best for Drops

If you’re looking for a solid case that provides optimum protection for your Pixel 2 XL, and you’re ok with adding a little bit of bulk to your already large phone, then i-Blason’s Ares case is the one you want. It has extra reinforcement in the corners to provide superior drop protection, has a built-in screen protector, and a transparent back so you can still enjoy the look of your phone.

Pricing starts around $18 for the black version, but you can also snag four other color combinations for around $20 apiece.

See at Amazon

Vena vCommute wallet case

Best Wallet

Vena’s sleek wallet case isn’t your typical folio-style wallet case, and it’s the perfect way to cut down on pocket carry with your Pixel 2 XL. This case features a magnetic flap on the back that covers a slot big enough for about three cards or a couple cards and some cash. There’s a raised lip in the card slot, so even if you only have on card, you can still slide it out easily.

The folding magnetic flap doubles as a kickstand so you can watch video hands-free and can be yours for just $20. If you don’t need the kickstand feature but still want a wallet case, they offer a sleeker credit card slot holder case%7B.cta.shop.nofollow&th=1) for just $12 on the same listing.

See at Amazon

Carved wooden cases

Best Wood Case

Carved has a bunch of great case options available for phones like the Pixel 2 XL, including 52 stylish pre-made option featuring a mix of cool prints and fancy cut wood designs with prices ranging from $29 to $55, along with a selection of classic wood grain cases for just $24.

Carved also allows you to create your own custom case using an online case designer. They also offer the option to get a section of a map engraved or printed onto the case. With the right eye for design, you could design a case that uses the fingerprint scanner as part of your case’s decoration.

See at Carved

Lifeproof FRE case

Best Rugged Case

I suppose you could say we’re saving the best for last. The Lifeproof FRE case is a go-to option for anyone who loves to stay connected while exploring the outdoors and never wants to worry about their phone getting wet or damaged while hiking, biking, or kayaking.

This case is designed to be form-fitting and lightweight while providing 360-degree protection that keeps all water and dust out while also providing great drop protection. It’s also designed to work with Lifeproof’s accessory mounts, which let you attach your phone to your car’s dashboard, an armband for running and hiking, and a bike mounts for riding the trails. This is marketed and sold as a premium case and that’s reflected in the price — at $89, it’s by far the most expensive case on this list. But it’s arguably the most rugged, too, so if you need a case that will live up to your rough and tumble lifestyle, this is the one.

See at Lifeproof

How will you keep your phone protected?

Are you going to be picking up a case for your Pixel 2 XL? Let us know if you’re getting one off our list or opting for a different option in the comments below!

Updated July 2018: Added the Lifeproof FRE case to our list and updated pricing info and buy links!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Samsung Galaxy Watch rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

The Galaxy Watch could be Samsung’s best and boldest smartwatch yet — here’s why.

It’s been a hot minute since Samsung released the Gear S3, and while the Gear Sport did a nice job at holding us over for a while longer, it’s time we get a proper sequel to one of 2016’s best smartwatches.

The rumor mill suggests that this year will see Samsung release the successor we’ve been longing for, but instead of a traditional Gear S4, reports are coming out that the new gadget will be called the “Galaxy Watch” and use an operating system Samsung hasn’t dabbled with since 2014.

What is the Galaxy Watch and why should you care about it? Here’s everything you need to know!

The latest Galaxy Watch news

July 10, 2018 — New logo confirms the Galaxy Watch name

Looks like that Galaxy Watch branding is the real deal.

A few short days after that name popped up for the first time, the above logo was spotted going through the Korean Intellectual Property Office — essentially confirming that Samsung’s next watch will be called the Galaxy Watch and not the Gear S4.

July 6, 2018 — Samsung’s next smartwatch might be called Galaxy Watch and use Wear OS after all

The back and forth continues! About a month after Evan Blass put the Wear OS rumors to rest, reliable Samsung tipster Ice Universe shared on Twitter that Samsung’s next smartwatch — named the Galaxy Watch — will run Wear OS after all.

Additionally, it’s also noted that the Galaxy Watch will have a 470 mAh battery, a blood pressure measurement system, and will utilize “new UX interaction” — possibly something to replace the rotating bezel we’ve had since the Gear S2.

All the big details

What’s with this talk about Wear OS?

Almost all of Samsung’s wearable products have used the company’s own Tizen operating system, but with the Galaxy Watch, that could be changing.

Back in late May, it was reported that some Samsung employees had been seen wearing Gear watches running Google’s Wear OS (previously called Android Wear). That rumor was put to rest a couple weeks later, but then on July 6, another tipster stated that the Galaxy Watch will, in fact, use Wear OS instead of Tizen.

While that may seem like a ball out of left field, this wouldn’t be unheard of for Samsung. In 2014, one of the very first Android Wear watches to come out was the Samsung Gear Live.

We’re still not entirely sure what’s going to happen here, but a Wear OS watch from Samsung would be a huge win for the platform as a whole. Google needs big names to back Wear OS, and who better to support it than one of the largest companies on the planet?

When will the Galaxy Watch be released?

Samsung’s yet to release any teasers or press invites for the Galaxy Watch, but even so, we have a couple ideas in mind as to when we’ll get our first official look at it.

The Galaxy Watch will likely be announced in August or September.

Right now, IFA 2018 seems like the most logical place for Samsung to announce its new wearable. IFA is one of the largest mobile trade shows of the year, and if this turns out to be the case, that’ll see the Galaxy Watch get announced between August 31 and September 5.

Secondly, it’s possible that the Galaxy Watch will be announced during Samsung’s Note 9 event on August 9. This seems more unlikely as the press invite shows no reference to the Galaxy Watch, and with the Note being one of Samsung’s biggest products of the year, it probably doesn’t want to have anything draw attention away from it.

How much will the Galaxy Watch cost?

Now, most importantly, let’s talk price.

As much as we loved the Gear S3, its price tag wasn’t the easiest to swallow at the time at $349. However, compared to today’s market, that’s not really unheard of.

A Series 3 Apple Watch with GPS and LTE will set you back at least $399. If you get the model without LTE, you’re still looking at a minimum of $329.

With that in mind, we’ll probably see the Galaxy Watch sell for around $300 – $350 depending on whether or not it has LTE.

That’s certainly not cheap, but if Samsung knocks it out of the park with its design and features, it should be able to hold its over (if not trump) what Apple’s currently offering.

Android Wear

• Everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0
• LG Watch Sport review
• LG Watch Style review
• These watches will get Android Wear 2.0
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!