Mount this head-up display to your helmet and project any app from your phone

When you’re out on two wheels, the last thing you need is distraction. Your bike is smaller and harder to see than a car and you’re not surrounded by a steel cage. You put yourself at risk everytime you take your eyes off the rode, whether you’re looking down to check your speed or checking over your shoulder. Smart helmets with integrated rear-view cameras and head-up displays aim to mitigate this, but what if you are attached to your current headgear? The Hudway Sight attaches to any helmet and uses a head-up display to augment your ride with a variety of aids and conveniences.

The Hudway Sight comes in two parts: A lens you mount to your helmet in front of your eyes and a “brain” that mounts to the back of your helmet that transmits information to the lens.

A tiny projector — part of the lens assembly — takes the information it receives and projects it onto the lens. The brightness automatically adjusts to environmental conditions thanks to an ambient light sensor.

The brain has a transmitter that receives information wirelessly from your smartphone and relays it to the lens, which uses waveguide optics to allow for augmented reality integration and brighter, clearer graphics. The attached battery gives the kit up to eight hours of operation.

Your phone is the real brains behind everything, serving as the control panel for navigation apps, traffic alerts, and vehicle data including speed and distance. You can also listen to your tunes and send and receive messages and calls — the device works with Bluetooth headsets — but this itself could prove a distraction, so you have to exercise caution. Virtually any app can be projected onto the Hudway Sight’s lens.

“We believe that waveguide technology has a brilliant future and, when truly adapted to mass market, will create a revolution in things and how we interact with them,” Hudway co-founder Ivan Klabukov said in a statement. “Our device is low-cost and its ease of use allows two-wheel drivers to experience the kind of augmented reality they see in sci-fi movies.”

Hudway teamed up with DigiLens, the Silicon Valley, California-based company revolutionizing AR displays through waveguide optics, and display manufacturer Young Optics.

“After very significant R&D efforts, we’ve created a waveguide display technology that is truly unrivaled with the ability to sharply see the digital information even on the brightest sunny day,” DigiLens CEO Chris Pickett said. “In the near future, we believe that all major helmet makers will integrate AR waveguide displays to make the riding experience better and safer.”

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The Asus Chromebox 2 mini PC is down to its lowest price

Get online fast.

The Asus Chromebox2-G096U mini PC is down to $197.24 on Amazon. This mini PC has been selling as high as $220 recently and regularly sells around $210. The drop to $197 is the lowest we’ve ever seen and beats out previous deals by at least a few bucks. These PCs are already priced to be as inexpensive as possible, so it’s rare for them to drop at all and any sale is a good one.

The Chromebox continues to be one of the only ways to get the Chrome OS on a desktop. If you don’t want a Chromebook laptop (or want to make use of a monitor you already have) but like having easy access to the Google ecosystem, this might be the way to go for you. The Chromebox 2 is powered by an Intel Celeron 3215U processor, 4GB RAM, and a 16GB M.2 SSD. Unlike other mini PCs, like the Intel NUC, this one is ready right out of the box as long as you have the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor) to connect to it. But also unlike those other PCs, the Chromebox cannot be expanded much. Users give it 4.1 stars based on 1,226 reviews.

See on Amazon

Android Central’s Best of E3 2018 Awards!

Sony’s lineup continues to impress, and the next year looks stuffed full of great things to play.

There are no trade shows quite like E3 in the world today. It’s a place where fans and press alike get the opportunity to play brand new games long before they are announced, as well as enjoy an in-depth look into what the big game companies have planned for the next year and change. This event is historically seen as a fight between Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony to see which company can wow players with the best presentation, and while it’s clear Sony is ending E3 with more than a few unanswered questions regarding crossplay experiences the list of upcoming games was nothing short of a spectacle.

Here’s a look at what we thought were the best things to come from E3 2018 for PlayStation 4 fans!

Kingdom Hearts 3

This game has been nearly 15 years in the making, and after everything we’ve seen leading up to E3, the hype is well-deserved. Square Enix and Disney have once again come together to bring us a magical game that brings all your favorite Disney and Pixar characters, worlds, and stories under one roof.

Kingdom Hearts 3 will feature iconic characters from franchises like Frozen, Toy Story, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Monsters Inc, Wreck-It Ralph, and a lot more. It also features a main cast consisting of Disney staples like Goofy, Donald Duck, and, of course, Mickey Mouse. They’re all rolling with a young boy named Sora to try and drive an evil force known as the Darkness from their world.

You’ll help characters fight back against the malevolent forces at work with some unique and flashy abilities at your disposal. You haven’t seen the proper dispelling of evil until you’ve seen an enemy get rocked by the tag team of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

If we know Square Enix, we know they’re going to make sure they get everything about this game right, and there’s nothing we’ve seen to date that threatens those expectations.

Kingdom Hearts 3: Everything you need to know!

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Anyone who has played a Spider-Man game, mainly when Activision still made them, will know just how badly we’ve needed this. Insomniac’s take on the franchise is the most ambitious yet, and it’s looking like the game we’ve always wanted.

Exclusive to PlayStation 4, Marvel’s Spider-Man aims to get all things Peter Parker right, whether that’s slinging and swinging with your spider webs, punching cheesy villains in the face (Rhino, Vulture, Scorpio, Martin Li, Taskmaster, and Mr. Negative, just to name a few), or romancing the lovely Mary Jane Watson. You’ll also be collecting all of the cool looking Spider-Man suits you’ve dreamed about wearing as a kid, as well as tapping into your photogenic side with a deep photo mode that the Daily Bugle would love to get their hands on.

Insomniac’s knack for fluid motion and combat certainly shines through here, and a fully original story with tons of classic Spidey villains to fight makes this one a must-have.

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Everything you need to know!

The Last of Us Part II

The sequel to 2013’s Game of the Year is on its way. The Last of Us Part II reintroduces us to series mainstays Joel and Ellie, only this time you’re playing as the cute little girl who’s not so cute and little anymore. (And Joel is way over the hill by now, too.)

It’s five full years after the events of the original game which saw the conclusion to a story about a deadly viral outbreak that turned everyone around you into cannibalistic freaks. This time, you’ll follow a more mature Ellie who has developed a bit of a mean streak and, judging by the new gameplay shown off at E3 2018, some insane combat skills. We don’t know who she’s been training with all this time, but not even Joel could do some of the things she was doing in that trailer.

Last Of Us Part II is much darker than the original, and we’re not talking about your brightness levels. Characters are gruesome, cruel, and ruthless. They’ll cut your gut open and eat your innards if they could get their hands on you. As Ellie, you just can’t let them, and she’ll have all the tools she needs to make sure of that.

Expect Last of Us Part II to offer a crafty blend of riveting storytelling, lush visuals, and insanely fun gameplay. The Last of Us Part II is looking gorgeous as ever, and the level of polish we’ve seen this early on is a true testament to Naughty Dog’s unmatchable development prowess.

The Last of Us Part II: Everything you need to know!

Beat Saber

Rock Band meets Star Wars. Sound like a fun time to you? If you aren’t sure, we’re here to tell you that it’s an extremely fun time. You’ll get a workout, jam out to some tunes, and feel like an utter boss as you cut away at seemingly endless streams of music boxes.

Beat Saber is already available for PC-based VR systems, and thanks to Sony’s heavy focus on VR gaming it’ll also soon be on its way to the PlayStation VR. If you didn’t already find something to get you into VR, we’d bet this is it.

Beat Saber: Everything you need to know

The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

Sometimes we need a break from all the guns, swords, and blood. That’s why we instantly fell in love with The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. The game is a self-contained adventure set within the Life is Strange universe. It’s actually supposed to be a teaser, of sorts, for Life is Strange 2, with the game said to house secrets and clues regarding the upcoming sequel.

You play as Chris, a 10-year-old boy who has dreams of being a superhero. Something, erm, strange happens and he gets a chance to live out his dreams.

Most exciting of all, perhaps, is that the game is 100% free. There are no extra episodes to purchase after the first one or any of those shenanigans. The decisions you make in Captain Spirit will have implications for Life is Strange 2, so that’s cool. This makes it sound more like an advertising tool than anything, but it’s the exact kind of advertising we love. And you won’t have long to wait for your chance to play it as the game will launch June 26th.

What was your favorite game at E3 2018?

There were tons of great PS4 games to behold at E3 2018. We haven’t even scratched the surface, with games like Ghosts of Tsushima, Control, Fallout 76, and more being shown that couldn’t mention here. Take a look at all the PS4 games that were announced or shown at E3 2018 and let us know which ones you’ll be picking up once they finally arrive.

Every PlayStation 4 game announced at E3 2018

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New standard finalized that allows 5G to be independently deployed

There’s still work to do, but we’re making progress.

It’s often hard to believe we’re getting closer and closer to a 5G reality, but with so much work being done on all fronts, that’s a future we’re rapidly approaching. Most recently, the 3GPP announced that it’d officially completed the Standalone standard for 5G.

This new standard will allow for independent deployment of 5G technologies, and it’s an essential part in rolling it out to the masses over the coming months and years.

Per Balázs Bertényi, 3GPP TSG RAN Chairman:

The freeze of Standalone 5G NR radio specifications represents a major milestone in the quest of the wireless industry towards realizing the holistic 5G vision. 5G NR Standalone systems not only dramatically increase the mobile broadband speeds and capacity, but also open the door for new industries beyond telecommunications that are looking to revolutionize their ecosystem through 5G.

Last December, 3GPP previously finalized the Non-Standalone standard that uses existing LTE technology to eventually spread 5G across the nation.

Current signs are pointing towards a mass 5G rollout beginning next year, while some carriers like AT&T are promising to start testing the new network by the end of this year.

What are you looking forward to the most about 5G?

Qualcomm’s simulated 5G tests show a 20x increase in download speeds over 4G

Six Fitbit employees have been charged with stealing Jawbone trade secrets

Jawbone initially sued Fitbit over the stolen data in 2015.

Fitbit, one of the world’s largest fitness-tracking/wearable companies, has found itself in hot water over a dispute that first reared its head in 2015. On June 14, six current and former employees from the company were charged with stealing trade secrets from Jawbone and giving them to Fitbit.

The six employees in question previously worked at Jawbone before moving to Fitbit, and while doing so, reportedly took more than 300,000 confidential files with them. Jawbone was a former competitor of Fitbit’s, but the company went out of business in July 2017 and is still in the liquidation process.

Jawbone initially sued Fitbit for the actions of these employees in 2015, but at that time, the suit was ruled in Fitbit’s favor. A while later in December of last year, Fitbit and Jawbone decided to settle.

In a statement released to The Verge, Fitbit said:

In a trade secret misappropriation case brought by Jawbone in the International Trade Commission in 2016 that involved these same individuals, a federal administrative law judge during a nine-day trial on the merits found that no Jawbone trade secrets were misappropriated or used in any Fitbit product, feature or technology.

It remains to be seen if the six employees will be convicted of these charges, but if they are, each could face as much as 10 years in prison.

What’s your take on all this?

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These are all the phones Samsung is releasing in 2018

Samsung does more than just the Note, you know.

If you own an Android phone, there’s a really good chance it’s got a Samsung logo on it. Samsung is the most popular Android OEM on the planet, and to achieve this, the company releases a ton of hardware every year.

Samsung’s highlight phones come from the S and Note lineups, but in between those, you’ll find a variety of mid-to-low-end gadgets, too.

To make sure you’re up to date with what Samsung’s got cooking, these are all the phones it’s releasing in 2018.

The phones that we’re still expecting

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

This August, Samsung’s expected to release its second big flagship phone for 2018 — the Galaxy Note 9.

Samsung’s Note is often a showcase for the best that the company has to offer, and this shouldn’t be any different. Early rumors are pointing to a design that’s very similar to last year’s entry, save for a slightly different layout on the back with the fingerprint sensor and dual camera setup.

The camera is said to be a big focus for Samsung with the Note 9, and after decreasing the battery capacity from the Note 7 to the Note 8, we’re happy to hear talk of the Note 9 coming with a giant 4,000 mAh battery.

Official pricing for the Galaxy Note 9 is unknown, but don’t be surprised if this one reaches beyond the $1000 marker.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 rumors: Release date, specs, price, and features!

The phones that have been released

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ were announced in February, and although the two phones have a lot in common with the S8 series, they’re still two of the best Android handsets you can buy in 2018.

Highlights for the S9 and S9+ include Samsung’s always-great Super AMOLED displays, Snapdragon 845 processor, and radically improved cameras. Both phones have a physically-changing aperture that helps out tremendously with low-light photos, but only the larger S9+ has a second telephoto camera on the back.

While the starting price for the S9 and S9+ isn’t cheap at $720 and $800, respectively, the phones’ age means you can now find a lot of deals and promotions that help to cut costs.

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+: Everything you need to know!

Samsung Galaxy A6/A6+

As much as we love the S9 and S9+, we also understand that an upwards of $700 is way too much for some people to spend on a phone. If you want a good chunk of the S9 experience at a fraction of the price, that’s where the Galaxy A6 and A6+ come into play.

Both phones are touting Super AMOLED Infinity Displays with an 18:9 aspect ratio, and while the resolution is bumped down to HD+ and FHD+ for the A6 and A6+, the panels themselves are still great.

The A6+ comes with dual 16MP + 5MP cameras and a 3,500 mAh battery while the A6 has a single 16MP lens and a 3,000 mAh unit. The phones are available now in India, with the A6 starting out at $325 and the A6+ slapped with a price tag of nearly $385.

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy J6 and J8

The Galaxy J6 and J8 were announced alongside the A6/A6+ in late-May, and as expected, are decidedly less impressive compared to their A-series counterparts.

You’ll still find a Super AMOLED Infinity Display no matter if you choose the J6 or J8, but both have a resolution of just HD+. The J6 has a single 13MP camera on the back, the J8 has dual 16MP + 5MP rear cameras, and both come equipped with Android Oreo.

The J6 starts at around $207 with the J8 going for a bit more at $281.

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy J7 and J3

Although the J6 and J8 likely won’t be coming to the U.S. anytime soon, that’s exactly where the J7 and J3 are heading!

The lower-end Galaxy J3 has a 5-inch HD screen, 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 5MP selfie camera. As for the J7, you’ll find a 5.5-inch HD display, 13MP rear camera, and 13MP camera on the front.

Although further specs for the J7 remain unknown at this point, it’s been confirmed that the J3 has the Exynos 7570 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB of storage, Android 8.0 Oreo, and a 2,600 mAh battery.

The J3 is already available on AT&T, and it carries a price of $209.

See at AT&T

Samsung Galaxy J4

The Samsung Galaxy J4 was launched in India in early June, and similar to the other J-series phones we’ve talked about so far, is yet another budget offering from Samsung.

Notable specs include a 5.5-inch HD display with the older 16:9 aspect ratio, the Exynos 7570 CPU, 2GB RAM, and 16GB of storage. If you want to spend a bit more cash, you can pick up a model that comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage.

As for the camera situation, you’re looking at a 13MP rear sensor and 5MP selfie camera. There’s also a 3,000 mAh battery.

The 2GB + 16GB model will set you back about $148 while the 3GB + 32GB variant is going for $177.

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S Light Luxury

A phone so nice they released it twice! This May, Samsung surprised us by releasing the Galaxy S Light Luxury — a rebranded and “lite” version of the 2017 Galaxy S8.

On the outside, the S Light Luxury looks nearly identical to the S8. It has an 18.5:9 Super AMOLED display that measures in at 5.8-inches with a resolution of FHD+. The back is made out of glass, the fingerprint sensor is to the right of the camera, and the Bixby button (for better or worse) is here, too.

Inside, however, Samsung swapped out the S8’s internals with a mid-range setup. You’ll find the Snapdragon 660, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of storage. The rear and front cameras are 16MP and 8MP, respectively, there’s a 3,000 mAh battery, an IP68 rating, and wireless charging.

You can buy the Galaxy S Light Luxury in China right now for around $626.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star/A9 Star Lite

Last on our list is the Samsung Galaxy A9 Star series. Composed on the A9 Star and A9 Star Lite, both phones were announced for China in early June. While the A9 Star Lite is pretty much just a rebrand of the A6+, the regular A9 Star carves its own path.

Specs wise, the A9 Star has just about everything you’d expect from a mid-range 2018 Samsung phone. There’s a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display, dual 16MP + 24MP rear cameras, 24MP selfie camera, Snapdragon 660 processor, 4GB RAM, and a pretty big 3,700 mAh battery.

Design wise, the A9 Star looks quite a bit different compared to Samsung’s other 2018 phones. The dual cameras on the back are positioned near the far left and the fingerprint sensor is placed farther up than usual. These aren’t huge changes, but when compared to the rest of Samsung’s portfolio, are pretty noticeable.

The Galaxy A9 Star costs around $570 while the A9 Star Lite goes for $310.

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HP Chromebook X2 review: Great Chromebook, better Android tablet

The first detachable Chromebook is here, and it’s more than worth your consideration.

Chromebooks — and Chrome OS as a whole — have been going through a growth spurt over the last few years. Conversely, Android tablets are still around, but it’s clear that Google is aiming for low-cost Chromebooks to take over this space. Convertible Chromebooks are already plentiful and inexpensive enough to fill this gap, but these don’t necessarily make good tablets.

Yes, you can spin them around and use them in portrait mode. Yes, Android applications on Chromebooks have come a long way — essentially feeling like native applications at this point.

But the extra weight that comes with a keyboard makes it hard to use them in tablet mode for hours and hours while you watch Netflix or read a book. And having your hand grip a keyboard deck instead of a smooth surface — as minor as this sounds — contributes to knowing you’re not actually using a tablet.

So what’s the solution? Read on.

HP Chromebook X2

Price: $599.99

Bottom line: This is the first detachable Chromebook, and it sets a high bar for competing devices.

The Good

• Lightweight in tablet mode
• Rock solid when used as a laptop
• More than powerful enough for most Chrome OS users
• Better than average battery life
• Gorgeous, vibrant display

The Bad

• No backlit keyboard
• Only 32GB of internal storage
• Higher-specced options are nowhere to be found

See at Best Buy

Acer announced (but has yet to release) the first Chrome OS tablet in March, and HP shortly followed with the first Chrome OS detachable: the HP Chromebook X2.

I’ve been using the HP Chromebook X2 as my main device since June 4, both with my personal account and the G Suite account for my day job. In this time, there has been one software update, but this was a minor bug fix update.

HP Chromebook X2 What’s included

Unlike competing devices like the Surface Pro and the iPad Pro, the Chromebook X2 includes everything you need in the box. The keyboard is attached to the screen when you remove it from the box, and the pen is packed in its own plastic packaging. Unscrew the battery housing for the pen, pop in the included AAAA battery, and start using the pen — no pairing required.

Also included is a 45-watt USB-C charger, though the X2 will gladly charge from any USB-PD charger or power bank. With a 45-watt charger, it can go from completely drained to full in about an hour and a half.

HP Chromebook X2 The insides

The Chromebook X2 is powered by a 7th generation Intel Core m3-7Y30 processor and 4GB of RAM, with 32GB of internal storage. The processor is a fanless, low-power model — perfect for Chromebooks. That storage is expandable via microSD, and you can always hook up a USB-C flash drive for portable storage. Since all of the ports are on the screen portion of the device, it’s too thin for USB-A ports. 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 are here to connect you to the net and your wireless accessories.

HP Chromebook X2 The outsides

The display is the exact same panel that’s been used in the Samsung Chromebook Plus and Pro and the Google Pixelbook. This is a 2400×1600 display — meaning it has the excellent 3:2 aspect ratio — and just like those earlier devices, the display is gorgeous. I have 20/20 vision, and I struggle to see any pixels, even when the display is close to my face. Colors are accurate and vibrant, making videos and comic art pop.

The HP Chromebook X2 next to the Google Pixelbook.

This display is surrounded by a healthy bezel — not as large as on the Pixelbook, but still enough to comfortably hold the tablet portion without accidentally touching the screen. Touch response is excellent; there’s no delay between tapping the screen and an action occurring. The reflective HP logo on the bottom bezel is a bit distracting at first, but I’ve since gotten used to it.

The side of the tablet portion is trimmed in reflective silver, while the back is stark white with a reflective HP logo. The white portion has already picked up a few faint blue marks from going into and out of my backpack, so be warned about scuffs. The keyboard is black on the bottom and blue on the top with a faux leather texture. This is the only color option currently, so if you want a different look, you’ll need to hope some company make a skin. There are two obnoxious stickers on the keyboard when first opening the device, but these are removed easily enough.

While I prefer plain designs — just see the skin on my Pixelbook — I have to say I don’t mind these colors. The design is distinct without being gaudy, and you wouldn’t confuse this for any other laptop.

HP Chromebook X2 What it’s like to use as a laptop

If you’ve ever used a Chromebook, the experience of setting up and using this will be very familiar. Even if you’ve never used a Chromebook, you’ll be able to pick up and use this without any issues. The whole unit is a bit top heavy since all of the components are inside the screen, but you’ll have no problems using it as a laptop. And I do mean a LAPtop: the hinge is stiff enough to hold the tablet portion upright, meaning you’ll be able to use it on your lap without any worry. Contrast this with the Surface Pro, which uses a kickstand for stability. The kickstand is fine on a table, less so in a lap. The hinge opens up to about 120-degrees, so you want the screen flat on a table, you’ll need to detach the screen.

The hinge is absolutely solid, making this natural to use in your lap.

The keyboard uses the same layout as every other Chromebook (minus the Pixelbook) — again making this familiar for return Chrome OS users. The keys themselves are well spaced with good travel, and after a few minutes to adjust to how much force the keys need, I was spitting out words like it was nobody’s business. The trackpad gives you enough space for navigation gestures, with great tracking and a satisfying click. There are precious few trackpads I can use without reaching for an external mouse, and the trackpad on the Chromebook X2 is one of them. The whole keyboard deck communicates with the rest of the components over the POGO pins, so no need to worry about pairing or interference from a Bluetooth connection.

This is the first Chromebook with a 7th-generation Intel Core m3 processor, but there aren’t drastic differences between that architecture and that of the 6th-generation processors. I was able to write, load up a bunch of web pages, drive an external monitor, all without any slowdowns. The Pixelbook may be a better match for those that are going to use hardcore Linux apps, but these specs will suffice for nearly every other Chromebook user.

The newer generation processors are a bit more battery efficient than previous ones, and that reflected in my use. I could comfortably get 10 to 12 hours of use from the Chromebook X2 with five or six tabs open, browsing web pages and typing up documents in Google Docs, and about 75% brightness. Video watching nets me about the same life, while the battery seems to last forever when reading books and comics. I compare this to seven or so hours of similar use on my Pixelbook, which is just low enough to necessitate a mid-day recharge.

HP Chromebook X2 What it’s like to use as a tablet

Getting rid of the weight of the keyboard goes a long way towards making this comfortable to use as a tablet.

As a detachable, the Chromebook X2 is much lighter when used as a tablet compared to every other Chromebook. The Pixelbook and Samsung Chromebook Plus and Pro weigh in at 2.4 lbs, while the screen of the HP Chromebook X2 comes in at 1.6 pounds. This may not sound like a huge difference, but after hours of comic-reading or in-bed Netflix, you’ll absolutely be able to tell a difference.

The lighter weight translates to being able to comfortably use the device as a tablet for longer periods of time. Reading books, doodling with the pen, or watching shows on Netflix are all super easy, and it’s great to be immersed in the 12.3-inch screen.

HP Chromebook X2 Other odds and ends

Both USB-C ports can be used for charging, display-out and transferring data. A USB-C port on each side is great, since it cuts down on cable clutter. The 3.5mm headphone jack is present and accounted for, and can be used for microphone input. The power button is thoughtfully placed on the top left edge, meaning you won’t accidentally press it when using the device in portrait orientation.

The cameras are… present. The camera interface on Chromebooks has improved a bit over the last year, adding the option for video recording and the ability to switch between front and rear cameras. But the camera interface on Android has grown a lot in the same time, with the addition of Motion Photos and Google Lens. You can use the Google Lens Android app, but this doesn’t present information in the camera viewfinder. Here’s hoping we see more capabilities for cameras in Chrome OS.

HP Chromebook X2 The bad parts

My main gripe with this device is that HP initially said it would have a backlit keyboard, but it doesn’t. As familiar as I am with the Chrome OS keyboard layout, I still need to look down at the keys sometimes. The lack of a backlit keyboard is a huge mark against this device, especially at this price. Both the Asus C302 and the refreshed Samsung Chromebook Pro offer a backlit keyboard for less money.

And while I’m fine with the 32GB of internal storage, others won’t be. Android apps can’t take advantage of microSD cards just yet, so this low amount of storage will be limiting for those that want to download Netflix shows offline or download large Android games.

I also wish there was an LTE option. Tethering from my phone’s Internet connection is fine, but having the option for integrated LTE would be nice to save my phone’s battery. Integrated LTE would also mean users could just open the device and get to work, rather than wait to connect to their phone or connect to unsafe public Wi-Fi points.

HP Chromebook X2 Alternatives

If you’re staying within the Chrome OS world, there aren’t any other detachables yet. If you don’t care about being able to detach this and use it as a tablet, you can either save money by buying the Samsung Chromebooks or new Acer Chromebooks, or get more power and storage with the Pixelbook.

If you’re not tied to Chrome OS, then the iPad Pro and Surface Pro are also excellent alternatives, with the iPad leaning more towards being a tablet and the Surface leaning more towards being a full laptop.

HP Chromebook X2 Should you buy it?

If you loved using high-end Android tablets like the Pixel C as an on-the-go productivity device, a detachable like this is a natural next step as high-end Android tablets fade away. A full desktop browser will go a long way to making you even more productive than a tablet could anyway, with all the Android apps you’ve been using.

If you want a Chrome OS tablet, this is the only option until Acer actually releases their tablet. Even then, this is a more complete device by including a keyboard in the box. This can be your one portable device by having the full keyboard, full desktop browser, and some productivity apps. At the same time, this can also be a great consumption device by removing the keyboard and curling up to read a book.

4.5
out of 5

Unless something comes along to drastically improve on this device (like a backlit keyboard), I can see this being my daily driver for a long time to come.

See at Best Buy

How to watch the World Cup in VR

Experience the game through your headset as if you’re there

World Cup soccer has taken over the world again, and the hype is real. Any fan who doesn’t have the ability to go the live games in person want to know what it feels like to be there and virtual reality can do that for you. By checking out any of the options below you can load the games into your headset and feel as if you are standing in the crowd just like everyone else.

Get ready to scream and cheer louder than ever before, the games are here!

BBC Sport VR 2018 FIFA World Cup app

The perspective of this VR footage is filmed from the stadium audience. You can get the full experience of being in the crowd from the comfort of your own couch! This is available for your Android, iOS, Oculus, PlayStation VR and Gear VR. BBC is allowing people to watch **all* the 2018 World Cup games for free, but this is at a first come first serve basis. It hasn’t been stated how many people will be able to watch in their app at the same time, but we do know the number is limited.

It also appears the app is only available for use from within the UK. Everyone outside of the UK are receiving regional errors when it comes time to download or launch the app. Furthermore, this app is not Daydream compatible. You can, however, tell the app you are using your cardboard and then use your Daydream headset anyway. You’ll lose the function of your controller, but you will still be able to navigate through the app.

See on Play Store
See on PlayStation Store
See on Oculus Store

Oculus Venues

This app won’t be showing all of the World Cup, but you can still get an experience of watching from the stadium for at least a few rounds. Oculus Venues also allows you to watch with other users watching in Venues. While there is a viewing solo mode, I recommend trying it out with fellow sports fans in the audience. This app works on your Oculus Go or your Gear VR and it is completely free to use!

The following games will be shown in venues

• Germany vs Mexico – June 17
• Portugal vs Morocco – June 20
• Brazil vs Costa Rica – June 22
• England vs Panama – June 24

See on Oculus

Watch the live stream in VR

Plenty of people still want to watch the games from their headset instead of their TVs or computer screens. This can make viewing the game even more comfortable because you can lay down on your bed with a headset strapped to your face and still get the same images. While the livestream for the World Cup 2018 won’t have 360-degree abilities to watch, you can still view it from any of your headsets through the YouTube app.

YouTube is live streaming the World cup here.. You won’t need to download the YouTube app for the Oculus devices because you can access the entirety of YouTube from any browser (including all VR content).

See on PlayStation Store
See on PlayStore

WSJ: Apple Expects Lower-Priced LCD Models to Represent Majority of iPhone Sales in Upcoming 2018 Lineup

Apple is widely rumored to introduce three new iPhone models in September, including a second-generation iPhone X, a larger version dubbed the iPhone X Plus, and a lower-priced but lesser-featured version.

Given the iPhone X Plus is expected to have an OLED display, like the iPhone X, it would be reasonable to assume that the majority of iPhones that Apple plans to manufacture in 2018 will be of the OLED variety. According to The Wall Street Journal, however, that might not be how things play out.

The report cites sources involved with Apple’s supply chain who claim that Apple now expects LCD models to make up the majority of iPhone sales in its upcoming lineup, expected to be released this fall.

Apple initially wanted roughly equal production of iPhone models with LCDs and OLED displays, but now plans to make more of the LCD model, referring to the rumored lower-priced, lesser-featured 6.1-inch iPhone, as it supposedly anticipates strong customer demand for the more affordable X-like model.

It’s not entirely clear if “LCD models” will include iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone SE models, which will likely remain for sale alongside the 2018 iPhones, and would certainly help tip the scale towards LCD.

The Wall Street Journal says Apple’s plans are a “sign of consumers’ sensitivity to the price of smartphones,” citing analysts who believe demand was weaker than their initial forecasts for the iPhone X “due mainly to its price tag.” The flagship device is priced from $999 in the United States.

The report adds that Apple will likely retain at least one lower-priced, LCD-based iPhone in its 2019 lineup too, rather than shift entirely to OLED, to ensure customers have an affordable option to choose from.

A report out of Korea last month said Apple will switch to OLED for all of its 2019 iPhones, a claim that some analysts had already cast doubts on.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, now with research firm TF International Securities, expects the next iPhone X to start at $800-$900, the so-called iPhone X Plus to start at $900-$1,000, and the 6.1-inch iPhone to start at $600-$700 in the United States, with orders for all three beginning in September.

Kuo has previously said the 6.1-inch iPhone will have a nearly edge to edge display, with a notch for Face ID, but with tradeoffs, including an LCD instead of OLED display, an aluminum frame rather than stainless steel, no 3D Touch, and a single-lens rather than dual-lens rear camera system.

If accurate, many customers may indeed opt for what is essentially a budget iPhone X, with a $300 to $400 cheaper price tag. That doesn’t mean the current iPhone X was too expensive, though, as in February, Apple said it was the “top selling iPhone” every week since it launched in early November.

Related Roundup: 2018 iPhonesTag: wsj.com
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Apple Teams Up With Oprah Winfrey to Create New TV Shows

Apple has formed a multi-year production partnership with Oprah Winfrey to create shows for a new video subscription service that is in the works, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Apple and Winfrey did not share details on the kind of content that she plans to create, but in a statement, Apple said it would team up with Winfrey to “create original programs.”

Apple today announced a unique, multi-year content partnership with Oprah Winfrey, the esteemed producer, actress, talk show host, philanthropist and CEO of OWN.

Together, Winfrey and Apple will create original programs that embrace her incomparable ability to connect with audiences around the world.

Winfrey’s projects will be released as part of a lineup of original content from Apple.

Apple has signed deals for dozens of original television shows, ranging from ranging from science fiction series “Amazing Stories” to podcast-based drama series “Are You Sleeping” to cartoon series “Central Park.” A full list of Apple’s TV shows can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

The first of Apple’s television shows may debut as early as 2019 and while Apple has not clarified how the shows will be distributed, today’s report from The Wall Street Journal suggests Apple is working on a streaming video service to deliver its content.

Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: Apple’s Hollywood ambitionsBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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