HyperDrive USB-C Hub for 2018 iPad Pro Adds Ports for 4K HDMI, Headphones, SD Card, and More
Accessory company Hyper today announced the HyperDrive USB-C Hub for the 2018 iPad Pro. Apple’s latest iPad Pro is the first of the company’s tablets to include USB-C (replacing the Lightning port), allowing support for third-party USB-C accessories like Hyper’s new device.
The HyperDrive for iPad Pro adds six total ports to the tablet: 4K HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, Micro SD card slot, USB-A 3.0, and USB-C Power Delivery. Hyper explains that the accessory features a replaceable C-shape grip that holds the USB-C hub securely onto the iPad Pro.
The device is available in Space Gray and Silver, to match the iPad Pro’s colors, and it will work with both 11-inch and 12.9-inch models with and without the Smart Keyboard Folio. The company says that the HyperDrive for iPad Pro will be available in December for $49 for customers who sign up to be notified on its website. Otherwise, the device will run for $99.99.
Related Roundup: iPad ProBuyer’s Guide: 11″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Loses Trillion Dollar Company Status Due to 10% Slide on Stock Market Since Thursday
AAPL has dipped below the $200 mark at times today, and is down around 10 percent since Apple’s earnings report last week, resulting in the company losing its trillion dollar valuation in terms of market capitalization. As of writing, Apple has a market cap of around $950 billion based on its latest share count.
Apple on Thursday reported revenue of $62.9 billion during the fourth quarter of its 2018 fiscal year, an all-time record for the July-September period, but the good news was overshadowed by Apple’s revelation that it will no longer disclose iPhone, iPad, and Mac sales on a unit basis starting next quarter.
The news has sparked concerns among some analysts and investors that Apple may have something to hide, as iPhone unit sales in particular were essentially flat last quarter and could begin to decline in upcoming quarters.
Apple’s financial chief Luca Maestri said unit sales are “not particularly relevant for our company at this point,” as they are “not necessarily representative of the underlying strength of our business.” He added that Apple may provide qualitative commentary related to unit sales if the info is valuable to investors.
AAPL is also being dragged down by a questionable report claiming Apple has informed its suppliers to halt plans for additional production lines dedicated to the iPhone XR due to “disappointing demand” for the smartphone.
Not everyone believes Apple’s decision to stop reporting unit sales is a bad one. Apple bull Brian White at Monness Crespi Hardt believes the change “makes perfect sense” as Apple’s success is “increasingly driven by an ecosystem of product and services on Planet Apple,” including rising ASPs.
Apple analyst Gene Munster of Loup Ventures also believes the change will be “a good thing for Apple investors,” as “the new reporting method will force the Street to think about Apple’s business as a stable and growing service, which should yield a higher earnings multiple in the long run.”
AAPL is currently hovering around $199-$201 on the intraday market, down from a closing price of $222.22 on Thursday.
Tag: AAPL
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Debuts New Single Tour and Double Tour Hermès Apple Watch Bands
Apple this morning added two Apple Watch Hermès Bands to its online store, introducing Double Tour and Single Tour bands in a new three-color Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée configuration.
The Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée bands are similar to the other three color bands that Apple introduced alongside new Apple Watch Series 4 Hermès models in September, but in red, yellow, and pink.
Apple’s Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée Swift Leather Double Tour band, priced at $489, is designed to work with all 38 and 40mm Apple Watch models.
The Amber/Capucine/Rose Azalée Swift Leather Single Tour band, priced at $339, is compatible with all 42 and 44mm Apple Watch models.
Both of the new Hermès bands can be purchased from the online Apple Store and should be in retail locations soon. Single Tour and Double Tour Hermès bands in additional colorways are also available at the same price points.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.1 to Solve watchOS 5.1 Bricking Issue
Following the release of watchOS 5.1 last Tuesday morning, some Apple Watch Series 4 owners began complaining that the update had bricked their watches, leaving the devices stuck at the Apple logo.
The complaints led Apple to pull the watchOS 5.1 update to avoid further incidents, and it’s been unavailable since Tuesday afternoon.
As of today, Apple has released an updated version of watchOS, watchOS 5.1.1, that fixes the bug that caused some Apple Watch devices to be rendered non-functional.
Not all Apple Watch owners who downloaded the original watchOS 5.1 update were impacted by the bug, but those who were will need to contact Apple as Apple has been sending out replacement Apple Watches. Non-functional Apple Watches need to be repaired by Apple and won’t be fixable with the new watchOS 5.1.1 update.
watchOS 5.1 introduced several new features to the watchOS operating system. It brought support for Group FaceTime in an audio-only capacity, allowing Apple Watch owners to join in on group calls, and it introduced support for more than 70 new emoji characters like face with hearts, red hair, gray hair, curly hair, super heroes, kangaroo, peacock, parrot, lobster, cupcake, mango, and more.
The update also included a new full-screen “Color” watch face option for the Apple Watch Series 4 models, with users able to choose between dozens of shades. There’s also a filled-in circular option for older Apple Watch models that joins the standard Color clock face.
Fall detection was improved, two bugs that could prevent Walkie-Talkie from working were addressed, and an issue that could cause some Activity awards not to show up properly was resolved.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums
Driverless cars can only take you so far. This is how smarter cities are being built
Tel Aviv, Israel Ilan Shacham/Getty Images
In the sunny climes of Tel Aviv, Israel, the Smart Mobility Summit, held from October 29 to 30, brought together city administrators from across the globe, research institutions, major car companies, and stealthy startups. They all came not just for the balmy weather but to exchange ideas and discuss new innovations. Digital Trends was there, too. Here are some of the highlights – companies, agencies, and other entities with goals of making our cities smarter, and how they plan to do it.
Small companies, big ideas
Cities across the globe are installing technology to gather data in the hopes of saving money, becoming cleaner, reducing traffic, and improving urban life. In Digital Trends’ Smart Cities series, we’ll examine how smart cities deal with everything from energy management, to disaster preparedness, to public safety, and what it all means for you.
There were the established players at the Smart Mobility Summit – from Ford and GM to Nissan and Honda, and MIT to the U.S. Department of Energy — and then there were newcomers like Tactile Mobility, which was at the conference discussing ways of advancing the progress and safety of future autonomous vehicles, while helping cities become smarter in the process.
Tactile, a company with offices in Israel, Germany, and the U.S., has developed software that culls data from the advanced driver assistance systems of cars (like electronic stability control) and makes precise determinations about the status of the vehicle, such as the exact grip level of its tires at any point in time.
“We do the analysis, not the driving action,” explained Tactile CEO Amit Nisenbaum, in an interview with Digital Trends. “And we can track a vehicle over time.” It’s that function that enables the company to also create something Nisenbaum called the “surface DNA” of a road, determining current road conditions, including locations of potholes and other road maintenance issues — all from data collected automatically as cars cruise around the city. The technology could not only help create safer roads, but also alert drivers on where to avoid and municipalities on what needs repairing.
Map of Haifa, Israel Tactile
Tactile has already conducted two demonstrations for municipalities — in Haifa, Israel and Singapore — to show what can be accomplished simply by enabling the technology on municipal government vehicles used by departments like the city parking authority.
5G will be the communications standard of smart cities
Also on hand at the Smart Mobility Summit were major auto systems suppliers, including Continental. The company has expanded its vision beyond making complex electronics for car companies and acquired firms like the car-focused cyber security company Argus. Continental has also been working with more municipalities, such as Columbus, Ohio, and its smart intersections where traffic sensors and lights can communicate with cars and the city’s infrastructure.
“We’re working with [dedicated short-range communications],” said Werner Koestler, a senior VP of mobility services strategy at Continental. “But we believe more in 5G.” Koestler pointed to China as a major proponent of the next-generation 5G cellular services that will also deliver car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications.
Learn how Honda and Marysville, Ohio are developing smart intersections using dedicated short range communications (DSRC) and 5G.
City planners on the challenges of building smart cities
City planners and administrators were on hand, sharing insights and goals. Some towns see smart city initiatives as a way to rejuvenate their municipalities.
“We needed to attract innovative companies, and to do that we needed an environment where bureaucracy is low,” said Paola Pisano, head of the innovation department for the city of Torino in Italy. She cited examples such as allowing tests of drone-based services and autonomous vehicles.
There are multiple and varied municipal agendas and goals. Consequently, it can be difficult to change government regulations.
Indeed, the city started testing AVs last February on a pre-approved 35-kilometer (approximately 22 miles) circuit of public city streets. Pisano said that it was also critical for cities to share information, including with other government efforts, so Torino has formed a partnership with nearby Modena, which is better known as the home of Ferrari and Lamborghini.
“Mobility is much more than moving people from A to B,” said Rikesh Shah, head of commercial innovation at Transport for London, in England, emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach.
There are multiple and varied municipal agendas and goals, Shah said, from health issues to managing growth and urban sprawl. Consequently, it can be difficult to change government regulations. Still, cities like London already have years of experience in autonomous transportation, such as 36 driverless trains in the city.
Public comment and public awareness programs were also seen as intrinsic to the success of many smart — or just smarter — city projects. Pisano noted that Torino has a rapidly aging population, with needs that will be different from younger towns.
C-V2X radio technology is state-of-the-art cellular technology designed to extend vehicle’s ability to see, hear and communicate further down the road, even at blind intersections. Continental AG
“So you have to involve citizens in the changes, ask them where they want a ride sharing station, and where they want a charging station,” she explained.
Shah also noted that freely releasing information from new programs is critical to promoting smart city initiatives. Making London’s transportation data available, such as the timing of bus arrivals, has led to the creation of 700 apps from private developers, he said.
Implement now, or wait and see?
Cities also don’t have to rush to be first, according to Michael Lee Sherwood, the director of technology and information for Las Vegas, Nevada. Sherwood pointed out that it took the city years to adopt a policy that would allow ride-hailing services, like Lyft and Uber, to operate in Las Vegas. It’s taking a similar cautious approach to electric scooters.
That approach seemed wise, given that the host city for the summit has become overrun with the silent scooters. Pedestrians complain that e-scooters are jamming sidewalks, drivers have been vociferous about the new road hazards they present, and people all over Tel Aviv have complained about riders simply dumping rental e-scooters, like those from Bird, at random on paths and sidewalks. (Lime plans to launch its service in Tel Aviv soon.)
Innovation just for innovation’s sake is not the way to proceed.
So, Israel has found itself scrambling to catch up and rein in the disruptive effects of e-scooters, as well as the tremendously popular e-bikes. The country’s ministry of transportation recently had new regulations approved that include mandatory registration and licenses for electric bicycles, training courses, and imposing helmet requirements. Israel’s road safety authority said that 16 people have been killed on e-bikes so far in 2018, already double the number of such fatalities in all of last year.
Slowing down and developing a long-term view can be critical to a project’s success, said Transport for London’s Shah.
“It’s not a four-year plan,” Shah said. “You need a 20-to-30-year plan and vision.” He noted that the city’s combined smart city efforts are aimed at reaching zero carbon emissions, but not until 2041.
“We are now building parking garages with the ramps on the outside of the main structure, in anticipation of a future where we won’t need as much parking and can then re-purpose the garages as residential properties, just by tearing off the outer ramps,” said Las Vegas’ Sherwood
In spite of such efforts and foresight, not all changes are welcome. London, for example, has become the poster child for congestion pricing. Cars entering and leaving the urban center during certain daytime hours are charged an extra toll for entering heavily congested areas. It has not been a popular program with everyone and has received mixed success in other cities. Shah admitted that a critical part of getting people to accept such changes is to offer “good alternatives,” like efficient and reasonably priced public transportation.
Las Vegas’ Sherwood agreed that innovation just for innovation’s sake is not the way to proceed. City’s have to take a wider smart city view.
“We have to always think about how we connect all walks of life to transportation,” Sherwood said.
Editors’ Recommendations
- With cameras that know dogs from Dodges, Honda is making intersections safer
- Lyft’s first app-based scooter service rolls into Denver
- Boxy shuttles, not cars, will be people’s first taste of autonomous vehicles
- How autonomous ridesharing will reshape our cars, cities, and lives
- Cars that talk to each other are coming soon, and could save thousands of lives
Should you buy the OnePlus 6T?
Best answer: If you already have a OnePlus 6 or even a 5T, you probably don’t need to upgrade just yet, but for anyone else looking for a new flagship-tier phone, the OnePlus 6T is an excellent choice.
OnePlus: OnePlus 6T ($549)
Who’s the OnePlus 6T for?
OnePlus has always touted its devices as “flagship killers,” offering top-tier performance and specs at a much lower price than the competition. While other phones like the Galaxy Note 9 and iPhone X climb past the $1,000 mark, the OnePlus 6T stays below $600, even for the upgraded model, and boasts a Snapdragon 845 chipset and up to 8GB of RAM.
The 6T is for people who want a flagship Android experience and don’t mind compromising a bit to reach a much lower price. You won’t get water resistance or wireless charging, nor are the cameras quite up to par with more expensive phones like the Note 9 and Pixel 3. In exchange, you get one of the cleanest forms of Android — arguably better than even Google’s own software experience — along with a sleek, futuristic design and blazing fast performance.
What if I already have an older OnePlus device?
If you’re already rocking a OnePlus 6 or even a 5T, then don’t worry. The overall experience of the OnePlus 6T is almost unchanged, save for a few minor improvements like the smaller notch, larger battery, and in-display fingerprint sensor. Given the company’s semiannual release cycle, the OnePlus 6T isn’t really meant for OnePlus 6 users, and some of the 6T’s newer features like Nightscape are even being made available for older devices.
The 6T is for people who want a flagship Android experience and don’t mind compromising for the lower price.
If, however, you’re coming from a OnePlus 5 or older, this is a great time to upgrade, especially if you’re already a T-Mobile customer or have been considering switching. T-Mobile is running an excellent trade-in deal, giving $300 in monthly bill credits, along with the upfront trade-in value, for any previous OnePlus device, and that includes the OnePlus One.
Buy the 6T if you’re a Verizon user who’s been longing after a OnePlus phone
The 6T is an extremely significant launch for OnePlus, not just because it’s being sold in stores in the U.S. through T-Mobile, but because it’s the first OnePlus device to finally support Verizon’s CDMA network. While Verizon won’t carry it officially, you can buy a 6T directly from OnePlus and pop in a Verizon SIM with full network support.
Our pick
OnePlus 6T
$549 at OnePlus
Unbeatable for the price
The OnePlus 6T is easily the best flagship-tier phone under $600, combining clean and fast software with futuristic features like an in-display fingerprint sensor. Unless you already have a recent OnePlus device, it’s more than likely worth buying.
Watch your favorite shows in 4K with the $49 Roku Streaming Stick+
An affordable way to stream in 4K.
Add 4K streaming to your daily routine with the Roku Streaming Stick+ for just $49 at Amazon. This Roku media streaming device regularly sells closer to $60, and we haven’t seen it drop this low since May.
Roku’s Streaming Stick+ is an affordable way to get 4K streaming on your existing 4K TV. Simply connect it to your TV’s HDMI port and hook it up to your Wi-Fi and you’ll be all set to stream from services you know and love like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube and many more.
As well as an upgraded viewing experience, the Streaming Stick+ offers 4-times the wireless range than the previous-gen model making it suitable for use with TVs in rooms further from your router. There’s also an included Voice Remote that not only controls input for the Roku but also your TV’s power and volume so you don’t have to manage multiple remotes.
For a complete guid to all of Roku’s products and capabilities, check out CordCutters’ review of the Roku lineup in 2018.
See at Amazon
The Pixel 3 should have had face unlock as an example for OEMs to follow
Face unlock is a mess on Android right now. Google could have fixed that.
Google’s Pixel 3 and 3 XL are easily the two best Android phones you can buy right now. They have gorgeous AMOLED displays, deliver a phenomenal software experience, and provide the best camera package currently available in a smartphone. Add that together with wireless charging, a fast fingerprint sensor, and proper water resistance, and you end up with one hell of a value proposition.
The Pixel 3 series isn’t perfect, however, and one of its biggest omissions is a face unlock system. This is something we’ve seen other OEMs dabble with, ranging from Samsung to Honor, but for whatever reason, Google chose to completely sit this one out.
The Pixel 3 straight up ignores that face unlock is a thing.
The lack of face unlock may not seem like that big of a deal when looking at the Pixel 3 on its own, but when you consider that the Pixel series still serves as an example of what Google thinks Android phones should look and feel like, it becomes a much bigger problem.
Face unlock exists in the Android world but in a messy, non-organized manner. Samsung has its own version that uses a combination of iris scanning and facial recognition. OnePlus’s face unlock isn’t very secure, but works blazingly fast using just the front-facing camera. Some phones like the Oppo Find X rely solely on facial recognition and have ditched the fingerprint sensor entirely.
Some of these work really well while others could still use some time in the oven, but no matter how they perform, they all share one thing in common — they’re mostly useless once you’ve moved past the lock screen. If you want to use your face to log into a password manager, banking app, or anything else, you’re probably going to be out of luck. Samsung does have something called Samsung Pass that can use your fingerprint or face/irises to log into an app, but the support for it is so minimal that it doesn’t really matter (not to mention that it only works on Samsung phones).
Face ID is still the best face unlock platform the market’s seen — and it’s only going to get better.
That’s all to say that while face unlock does exist on Android, its implementation is sorely lacking. We’ve yet to see anything that even comes close to Face ID on the iPhone, but that’s not so much the fault of Samsung, OnePlus, and other OEMs as it is Google’s.
With Android 9 Pie, one of the new features is something called BiometricPrompt API. Here’s what Google had to say about it on the Android Developers Blog:
Starting in Android P, developers can use the BiometricPrompt API to integrate biometric authentication into their apps in a device and biometric agnostic way. BiometricPrompt only exposes strong modalities, so developers can be assured of a consistent level of security across all devices their application runs on.
In other words, this API makes it easier than ever for developers to offer biometric authentication with their apps for both fingerprint sensors and face unlock systems. Not only that, it cuts out the hard work for devs and provides a clear standard for what facial unlock data qualifies as strong enough for use beyond the lock screen.
The software is in place with Android Pie for Google to finally deliver something that can compete with Face ID, and if Google had created a secure facial unlock system on the Pixel 3 + 3 XL that other OEMs could model on their own phones, we’d be looking at a future where every Android phone can ship with the ability to use your face for unlocking it, logging into apps, and authenticating payments.
Instead, Google simply ignored that face unlock is a thing and stuck with the tried-and-true fingerprint sensor — giving other OEMs no clear example to follow for another year when it comes to facial recognition.
In-display sensors are the current hotness in Android biometrics. They’re fine.
I don’t expect fingerprint sensors to die out anytime soon, and looking at devices like the OnePlus 6T, it’s evident that we’re only going to see more phones that go the route of using slow optical in-display sensor. I’m fine with those sticking around for the interim, but it’s time Google makes a concentrated effort on pushing a streamlined facial unlock system and perfecting it to the same level (if not better) than Face ID.
That’s something that simply needs to happen if we want to keep pushing forward towards a future with no bezels. Here’s to hoping Google addresses this with the Pixel 4.
Google Pixel 3 review: Fewer features make for incredible phones
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL review
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Everything you need to know!
- Google Pixel 3 vs. Pixel 3 XL: Which should you buy?
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications
- Join our Pixel 3 forums
Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi
How are you liking Android Pie on the Pixel 3?
Android 9 Pie shines on the Pixel 3 + 3 XL.
We’ve been messing around with Android 9 Pie since March when the first Developer Preview landed, but all those months later, this version of our favorite OS has evolved into something really special.
Pie is one of the biggest changes we’ve seen to Android in quite a few updates, and just like past Nexuses and Pixels before it, the Pixel 3 is the best phone to use if you want the ultimate Pie experience.
According to some Pixel 3 owners, this is what they’ve got to say about the overall software package.
psteve2005
11-03-2018 02:38 PM“
Pie on my Pixel 3 has been faultless so far. I’m not keen on the gestures compared to what I’ve seen of OnePlus and the iPhone, but hopefully this will change in time.
Reply
DMP89145
11-03-2018 02:46 PM“
YAH!
I am a big proponent of 9.0 on Pixel 3. IMO, it is Google at it’s best yet. I’ll start with the heart of the device Google Assistant. I’m a big user of GA as a main pillar of the device to handle a lot of the navigation of my daily use. Couple that with the simple and clean interface that 9.0 provides and you have a powerful and effecient OS.
To me, 9.0 highlights Google’s strength in…
Reply
bhatech
11-03-2018 04:32 PM“
I always love new platform updates (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows etc). I do love the design language evolve in Android Pie and additional things like adaptive battery, digital well being etc. I love gesture navigation on iOS and honestly I don’t mind the gesture navigation on Pie as well. Most of them complain about requiring to get two swipes to get to app drawer on app launcher. Guess what I…
Reply
11-04-2018 12:12 AM“
Gestures are terribly implemented, the recent apps page is generally less useful and slower to use, adaptive battery too aggressively kills background apps, and the digital well-being “beta” feature is useless. Who’s idea was it to make an app to constantly track your usage of other apps? Like, “Oh, you use apps too much? Let’s make an app that gives you a bunch of statistics for you to…
Reply
What about you? How are you liking Android Pie on the Pixel 3?
Join the conversation in the forums!
Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL review
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Everything you need to know!
- Google Pixel 3 vs. Pixel 3 XL: Which should you buy?
- Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications
- Join our Pixel 3 forums
Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi
Samsung begins teasing its upcoming foldable phone
This will be the next big thing … at some point.
The mobile industry has been tracking this rumored Samsung “Galaxy X” prototype phone for several months, gradually pushing back the supposed launch timeline for what’s apparently to be a successor to the general “Galaxy S” line. But even so, we’re still struggling for details on what this supposed Galaxy X with a foldable display will be. Here’s the latest information.
The latest Galaxy X news
November 5, 2018 — Samsung begins teasing its upcoming foldable phone
They did it. They finally did it! After years of endless back and forth rumors, Samsung’s officially begun marketing for its upcoming foldable phone.
If you take a look at Samsung Mobile’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, you’ll see that the profile picture has been changed to show the Samsung logo folded underneath itself — obviously hinting at the foldable Galaxy X smartphone.
It’s still unclear when exactly the Galaxy X will be announced, but a report from late last week claimed we’d learn more about the phone at Samsung’s developer conference that’s taking place on November 7 and 8.
October 12, 2018 — Samsung’s foldable phone will basically be a pocketable tablet
The folks at CNET recently had a chance to speak with DJ Koh (Samsung’s head of mobile) about the upcoming Galaxy X, and during their conversation, Koh offered some further details about what we can expect from the upcoming foldable phone.
Per CNET’s article:
DJ Koh, CEO of Samsung’s mobile business, said you’ll be able to use the device as a tablet with multitasking capability before being able to fold it up into a more portable phone.
We’ve been expecting that the Galaxy X will offer more screen real estate compared to traditional phones, so it’ll be interesting to see how close of a tablet experience it really is able to offer.
The Galaxy X is still scheduled to arrive at some point before 2018 is over, so stay tuned.
September 4, 2018 — Samsung confirms a folding phone will be launched this year
While there’s been no doubt that Samsung’s working on a foldable smartphone, one detail we haven’t had a definite answer on is when the thing will be released. That’s now changing, however, as the company’s CEO of its mobile division — DJ Kohn — confirmed to CNBC that a folding phone will launch at some point this year.
Koh told CNBC that “it’s time to deliver” and that Samsung has “nearly concluded” its development of the phone. We’re still uncertain how exactly the foldable nature will be implemented, but during IFA in Berlin, Kohn went on record saying:
You can use most of the uses … on foldable status. But when you need to browse or see something, then you may need to unfold it. But even unfolded, what kind of benefit does that give compared to the tablet? If the unfolded experience is the same as the tablet, why would they (consumers) buy it? So every device, every feature, every innovation should have a meaningful message to our end customer. So when the end customer uses it, they think ‘wow, this is the reason Samsung made it’.
July 18, 2018 — Galaxy X reported to fold in the shape of a wallet, might cost over $1,500
A report from The Wall Street Journal surfaced this morning outlining a few key details we can expect from the Galaxy X. When describing the design of the phone, part of the report notes that:
The screen can be folded in half, like a wallet, these people said. When folded, the exterior of the phone boasts a small display bar on the front and cameras in the back, they added.
Furthermore, it’s said that the Galaxy X has a screen that measures in at 7-inches diagonally.
As for pricing and availability, WSJ notes that the Galaxy X has “taken on a greater sense of urgency in recent months” and that its price tag could reach well beyond $1,500. The phone’s expected to be released at some point in early 2019.
All the big details
Some background on Galaxy X rumors
No, you didn’t miss an announcement — Samsung didn’t have anything public to say about the Galaxy X (if that is its real name) at CES 2018. But as many companies do, Samsung took the opportunity of having so many high-up industry people together to show off what it’s working on to partners. According to The Investor, this year that included the Galaxy X. The device in question has a 7.3-inch display that can fold in the middle — multiple versions were shown, with different capabilities such as folding both inwards and outwards.
The inward-folding model (protecting the screen when closed) is reportedly the design with the most traction at the moment. The outward-folding one, on the other hand, includes “more advanced next-generation technology,” whatever that entails. The rest of the specs of the phone aren’t yet known, and considering how far out we are from a potential release — reportedly as late as early 2019 — those can and will change between now and then.
How will a ‘foldable’ phone actually work?
Samsung has of course been putting curved panels in production phones since the Galaxy Note Edge that eventually spawned into a phenomenon that has become a hallmark of Samsung’s high-end devices. The company has been experimenting with bendable OLED panels for years, going so far as to show them off publicly as technology demonstrations. But the question is whether it could make devices with displays that could be actively bent or folded thousands of times as a regular part of use. The display would have to be very robust, but then you also have the issue of what covers the display panel — typical Gorilla Glass wouldn’t do the trick.
LetsGoDigital has worked up renderings based on reports and patent filings that show the Galaxy X as a vertical-orientation phone, but with a hinge mechanism built into the sides of the phone. The phone would be rigid (and what looks to be extremely tall as well) when the display is extended and flat, but you could pull the top and bottom apart to expose the hinge to then bend while the screen follows suit.
Further renders show the phone while closed, which leaves a gap around the hinge portion not unlike a Microsoft Surface Book laptop. Large internal components would of course split between the top and bottom halves of the phone by the hinge.
Early rumors pointed to a Galaxy X with a hinge and two displays, but now we’re talking about just one panel.
Early rumors of the Galaxy X pointed to some sort of announcement or teaser as early as late 2017, which obviously didn’t happen. But those same rumors questioned whether the Galaxy X was truly a “bendable” phone with a single screen, or simply a hinged device with two distinct panels — like the ZTE Axon M, for example. It seems now that Samsung’s going to attempt a full-on single bendable display. Other rumors also had indicated Samsung had a more tablet-shaped device with this bendable display technology in place, and that may still be on the table in different future devices, but in terms of the “Galaxy X” it looks to be a traditional vertical phone orientation.
When it will be announced
During IFA 2018 over in Berlin, Samsung’s mobile division CEO — DJ Koh — confirmed that a foldable smartphone will be launched before the year is over.
Koh teased that we may learn more information during the Samsung Developer Conference in November, but it’s still unclear when this year the phone will actually go up for purchase.
Update August 2018: Updated with a new statement from Samsung about the Galaxy X’s launch.
AIVAnet 