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Latest by Andy Boxall

Huawei EMUI

Huawei’s new software and chip combo is designed to make the Mate 20 fly

Huawei has announced EMUI 9.0, a new version of its software based on Google's Android 9.0 Pie, that will come installed on the new Mate 20 smartphone. It's designed to make the new phone very fast, so we took a deeper look at what makes it special, and to understand what it takes to create a smartphone user interface.
belkin trueclear pro review

Belkin’s special machine puts an end to one hateful aspect of phone ownership

No-one wants to fit a screen protector to their phone, as it's always a pain. Belkin wants to make it much easier to do this with a special machine you'll find in Apple Stores and network partners. We tried it to see if it can cure the pain of fitting a screen protector.
line things news ifa 2018

Use your messaging app to control your smart home with Line Things

Controlling your smart home usually means a multitude of apps and different notifications. Messaging app Line wants to bring all this under its control, making life easier and more familiar, with Line Things, an Internet of Things control platform it plans to launch in 2019. We saw an early demonstration.
Huawei Watch 2 Sport review

Huawei still in on smartwatches, working to make them better

Huawei CEO Richard Yu says that despite the company not releasing a smartwatch for more than a year, it's still very interested in wearables, and is working to solve the worst aspects about them. This includes making batteries last longer, increasing usefulness, and adding in more A.I. features.
Huawei Mate 20 Lite review

Huawei Mate 20 Lite hands-on review

The Mate 20 Lite is supposed to be a teaser ahead of the Mate 20 Pro release in the near future, giving us an indication of how much work will go into making the Pro model a winner. This leaves the Mate 20 Lite as an in-between device, with some strong features; but a definite similarity to other phones we’ve seen recently. Here’s what it’s like.
huawei ai cube smart speaker news ifa hands on 10

There is nothing even slightly cube-like about the Huawei AI Cube smart speaker

Huawei has announced a smart speaker. It's called the AI Cube, but confusingly, it isn't shaped like a cube at all. It doesn't use Google Assistant either, and instead has Amazon Alexa inside, along with space for a 4G LTE SIM card. It's not the first time Huawei has used Alexa in a smart device.

The Huawei P20: Here’s everything you need to know

Huawei has announced its newest flagship smartphone, the Huawei P20. There are three different versions of the device available: the P20 Pro, the P20, and Porsche Design Huawei Mate RS. Here are all of the details that we have about the Huawei P20. All three phones are available now.
huawei kirin 980 news

Huawei’s new Kirin 980 chip is so fast, it can probably slow down time

Huawei has announced the Kirin 980 mobile processor, which promises a considerable increase in speed and efficiency over not only the old Kirin 970, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 as well. The good news is we won't have to wait long to try it out, as the new chip will debut in the Huawei Mate 20 in October.
OnePlus 5T AptX HD

New aptX bundle understands what you’re listening to, chooses the best settings

Qualcomm has announced a new version of AptX, its Bluetooth audio codec, which cleverly bundles together standard aptX, aptX HD, and low latency into one, then dynamically picks the best settings depending on what you're listening to. It's called aptX Adaptive, and here's what you need to know.
Marshall Kilburn II review

Marshall Kilburn II hands-on review

You’ll have to speak up, because we’ve been testing the Marshall Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker -- and it’s shockingly loud. Designed not just for indoors use, this speaker has a battery inside that makes it ideal for outdoor use too. Aside from the volume, how does the Kilburn II sound and perform?
honor play blue and pink models front

Honor Play review

Honor claims the Honor Play is crazy. Crazy because it has artificial intelligence, and crazy because it has some special software tweaks that make playing games at max power its speciality. Big, bold claims, but can a phone that costs relatively little ever live up to them? We’ve been using one to find out.
honor play ai camera lenses

The Honor Play is the phone for gamers who don’t have deep pockets

Are you a mobile gaming addict, but don't want to pay the sky-high prices commanded by most gaming smartphones? If so, the new Honor Play may be the device you've been waiting for. It features a game-enhancing feature called GPU Turbo and a lot more, all at a price that's going to be a lot less than other devices.
diesel on full guard 2 5 news face

Diesel’s neon-soaked On Full Guard 2.5 is a Vegas marquee on your wrist

Diesel has launched its second touchscreen smartwatch with Wear OS. It's called the On Full Guard 2.5, and no, you didn't miss version 2.0. Diesel feels the advances made in tech and design warrant the substantial version jump. We spoke to Diesel to find out more about the changes.
audio technica ifa 2018 news ath sport7tw

Audio-Technica’s first true wireless in-ears lead exciting new announcements

Audio-Technica announced a large selection of new headphones, with a focus on Bluetooth technology. The headline products are AT's first true wireless in-ears. It has launched a pair for every day, and for sports wear. These are joined by three other Bluetooth headphones, and a high quality wired pair.
porsche design huawei mate rs huawei logo

Australia bans the use of Huawei 5G network technology

The Australian government has expanded its network security rules to effectively ban Chinese company Huawei from its future 5G network. Huawei says it is a world leader in 5G technology, and calls the decision extremely disappointing for consumers. It has operated in Australia for the past 15 years.
pocophone f1 by xiaomi review feat

Pocophone F1 by Xiaomi review

Pocophone? Who? It’s fine that you don’t know the name, but we’re here to tell you it’s worth changing that, as the Pocophone F1 — its first phone — is very exciting, as it takes the OnePlus model of creating high performance, great looking phones for a reasonable price, then refines the formula more. The result is an even cheaper phone, but still with ultra-desirable specs. Here’s what it’s like.
pocophone f1 news top

The amazing $300 Pocophone F1 is so fast, it uses water inside to keep cool

Pocophone is a new smartphone brand and its first phone is the Pocophone F1. It's exciting because not only does it have flagship phone specs, it costs less than most other high-end phones. This is partly due to a partnership between Pocophone and Xiaomi, and also thanks to some clever design decisions.
gatwick airport vodafone travel problems whiteboard news

Airport’s low-tech solution to digital chaos involves the humble whiteboard

A U.K. airport has suffered a major computer error, caused by data connection problems, which has stopped flight boards from showing crucial passenger information including flight gate numbers. The solution is wonderfully low-tech, proving the old ways of doing things still have a place.
mission workshop radian ipad

iPad battery explosion prompts Apple Store evacuation in Amsterdam

An iPad battery exploded in an Apple Store over the weekend, causing breathing issues for staff members, and requiring the fire brigade and an ambulance to attend, though no serious injuries were reported. The incident took place in Amsterdam, and is at least the third such explosion to be reported in 2018.

Crazybaby’s Air 1S true wireless earbuds won’t make you look like a dork

Crazybaby has launched the Air 1S true wireless earbuds, offering considerable connectivity improvements over previous models while retaining the sleek style and supreme comfort. They won't break the bank either. Here's what you need to know about the Crazybaby Air 1S earbuds, and how they sound.
samsung paul scott galaxy note interview 9 future feat 2

What do golden retrievers and Samsung Note 9 owners have in common? Loyalty

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Note 9, which it says appeals to very different people to those who would buy the very similar Galaxy S9 Plus. Rumors spread the Note 9 may be the last of its kind, so we spoke to Samsung about the productivity device's future, and what separates buyers.
oppo find x review feat

Oppo Find X review

Is the Oppo Find X the most beautiful smartphone we’ve ever seen? We think it’s right up there, but because it’s an import-only phone, you’ll have to put in some effort to get one. Is it worth going the extra mile? We’ve been using this design powerhouse to find out if it’s one you should buy.
samsung exynos modem 5100 news

Trust us, you need to pay attention to Samsung’s new mobile modem

Samsung has announced the Exynos Modem 5100 chip, which usually would not be very exciting, but this one is different. It's Samsung's first 5G modem that will likely connect future mobile devices to the super-fast, forthcoming new network. The company teases how capable it will be with some high-speed stats.
tag heuer premier league watch face

Tag Heuer shoots, scores with new Premier League Wear OS watch face

Tag Heuer has released a special, exclusive Wear OS watch face for its Connected Modular smartwatches, celebrating its continued association with England's Premier League. The watch face will provide up-to-date game data, including goals scored, on your favorite teams throughout the 2018-2019 season.
best and worst features android 9 pie pixel 2

The best and worst features of Android 9.0 Pie

Android 9.0 Pie is here, and we've been exploring it to find the best and the worst new features. There's plenty to love, from the Digital Wellbeing app and faster updates to some frustrations including the new gesture control system. Here's what we love and hate about Android 9.0 Pie.
galaxy note s pen is pointless samsung 8 schedule

What’s the point of the Note’s S Pen? Samsung needs to find one or kill it

The Galaxy Note 9’s announcement will bring with it another S Pen stylus, a feature only the artistic will get excited about, and the majority of Note owners likely don’t use. Samsung should be embarrassed about its lack of use, and we’re hoping the Note 9’s stylus includes new features for everyone. If not, why bother including it?
greater change app news

A QR code may change the way we donate money to the homeless

An entrepreneur has developed an app that makes donating money much easier, and more transparent, in a world where carrying cash is becoming less common. Greater Change helps people give money to the homeless, without the need to have cash, and to understand where the money will go.
pizza hut dilly plate robot news

When it comes to bringing you a slice, Pizza Hut’s new robot can’t be topped

Pizza Hut has added a robotic staff member to one of its restaurants in South Korea, where it will bring pizza to hungry customers. It's not the first time the chain has worked with robots, and the company that developed the bot has greater plans, seeing the placement as a learning experience for more service robots.
oneplus 5 tips and tricks dash charge

The EU is pushing for standardized phone chargers again

The European Commission will launch a new investigation into the massive amount of charger waste seen in the region each year, by encouraging manufacturers to use a common phone charger. It has been pushing for change since 2009, but considers the efforts already made unsatisfactory.
Moto G6 vs Nokia 7 Plus vs Honor 7X Camera Shootout

Moto G6 vs Nokia 7 Plus vs Honor 7X camera shootout

Speed is everything when you want to take a photo of a special, unlikely to be repeated situation. However, even if you’re fast enough to capture the moment, the resulting photo needs to live up to expectations. We test the cameras on the Moto G6 against the Nokia 7 Plus and the Honor 7X. Which reasonably priced phone will win the day?
fossil q explorist hr venture news close face

Fossil’s sexy smartwatches let you watch your heart skip a beat

Fossil has announced two new smartwatches that cure a pain point of older models, by including a heart rate sensor, NFC, GPS, and water resistance. The Q Explorist HR is for larger wrists, while the Q Venture HR is for smaller ones. Here's everything you need to know about Fossil's stylish new wearables.
lg q8 news

LG wants to make sure you know it has a phone with a stylus too

LG has announced the LG Q8, a midrange smartphone with a stylus for taking note and doodling away on the screen. The phone only shares its name with the Q8 from last year, breaking away with a look and a style all of its own. It's actually a version of an existing phone, and here's what you need to know about it.
realme smartphone brand news 1 phone top

Following trailblazer OnePlus, Realme becomes a real smartphone brand

While it's not unusual to hear about a new smartphone company, Realme is worth noting because its path to existence follows another successful and exciting brand quite closely. Realme, like OnePlus, has been founded by a former Oppo vice president, and has already released its first device.
gatebox digital human smart home release news gtbx 100

Google Home too boring? You want Gatebox’s cute virtual character in your life

Do you want to share your life with a virtual character? If so, then your dream is closer to reality due to the impending release of Gatebox. Like Alexa, it will control your smart home; but the character that lives inside the Gatebox has the ability to recognize, interact, and even celebrate with you.