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Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs the competition

Samsung’s Galaxy Note series is often held up as the pinnacle of phablet devices and now the Galaxy Note 7 has arrived with yet another selection of high-end specifications and new features. While not as heavily contested as the sub-5.5-inch flagship segment, there’s still plenty of consumer demand for large powerful smartphones. So let’s see how the Galaxy Note 7’s specifications stack up against some of the best in the field.

Samsung trips up on the Galaxy Note 10's build

As reported by The Verge today, Samsung published a video on YouTube two days ago (seen below) about the Galaxy Note 10’s stainless steel frame. Here’s the problem with that: the frame isn’t made out of stainless steel. “Stainless steel and glass meld seamlessly to minimize bezel,” said the video’s narrator. According to SamMobile, even Samsung’s website mentions stainless steel for the Galaxy Note 10’s frame. However, Samsung didn’t say a word about the phone’s build materials in any of its press releases or Wednesday’s Unpacked event.

The iPM Smart Home Power Strip makes all of your electronics ‘smart’

The iPM Smart Home Power Strip isn’t the most rock and roll deal you’re going to see from AAPicks this week, but it’s one of the best value. It’s also an essential piece of kit for the smartest of smart homes. The smart strip already had a 60 percent sale saving on the retail price, and with our exclusive Android Authority promo code, you’ll pay just $17.99. The smart strip is compatible with Alexa and Google Home.

Turing scraps Appassionato and TCL deal, promises wild devices instead

TL;DR Turing quietly canceled the Appassionato. The partnership with TCL dissolved in September 2017. CEO Syl Chao teased a new batch of implausible devices. Turing has canceled the Appassionato, the latest in a series of phones that the company announced and never delivered. In an email to Android Authority, Turing Robotic Industries CEO Syl Chao said the Appassionato was scrapped because it didn’t “align with mainstream trends.” Specifically, the $1099 phone lacked a narrow-bezel, 18:9 display and an up-to-date processor (it featured a Snapdragon 821 chip).

Google looks to give Chrome a fresh coat of Material Design paint

TL;DR Google is testing a Material Design refresh in the latest Canary developer builds of Chrome. The redesign makes UI elements more rounded, though the changes are not significant. The rounded corners fall in line with Google’s potential redesigns for other apps. Google remains tight-lipped about its future design direction, but the company is testing a Material Design design refresh of its Chrome web browser. According to 9to5Google, you can enable the design refresh in version 68 of Chrome Canary for Windows.

New Ecovacs 'ultra-premium' X1 vacuums include built-in voice control

TL;DR Ecovacs is launching its Deebot X1 series of “ultra-premium” robot vacuums beginning in March. The Deebot X1 Omni includes both vacuum and mop functions, a built-in voice assistant, and automatic cleaning and emptying at its dock. Cheaper X1 Turbo and X1 Plus models omit the emptying and cleaning functions, respectively. While iRobot’s Roomba brand is practically synonymous with robot vacuums, there’s plenty of competition out there. Ecovacs, in particular, seems poised to challenge iRobot’s best with the Deebot X1 line, led by the flagship X1 Omni.

Nvidia RTX Studio program helps creatives find the right laptop

For the past few years, companies like Nvidia, Intel, and Razer have been working together to produce thin and light notebooks with desktop-class performance. Overall, the initiative has been a success. Where you once needed a beefy 10-pound laptop to edit video proficiently, you can now do so on a thin and light machine that is just as portable as it is powerful. Today, Nvidia is attempting to make it even easier for creatives to find laptops that are made for their line of work with the all-new Nvidia RTX Studio program.

Sony Xperia 1 announced, alongside 2 mid-rangers

/review/sony-xperia-xz1/ Sony today announced the Sony Xperia 1 flagship, alongside the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus mid-rangers. Sony hopes the three devices appeal to people who want modern looks and powerful performance. Taking a new direction Sony is going all in with the 21:9 aspect ratio. All three of its latest phones adopt this screen shape in part, says Sony, because more creators are publishing 21:9 content. Sony points to how major video providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Sony Pictures are shifting to the 21:9 aspect ratio.

Alleged pictures of the Verizon HTC One (2014) surface in Ebay listing

Earlier today, we reported on new details regarding the all-new HTC One’s specs, alongside pictures of a dummy unit of the device that had surfaced in an Ebay auction listing. Now it appears that an unopened Verizon retail package has also hit the web. The pictures come courtesy of a second Ebay auction for what is allegedly a full retail version of the Verizon HTC One (2014), which ended earlier today at a price of $499.

Best note-taking apps for Android

Technology has developed rapidly over the course of the last few years, paving a way for innovation and establishing itself on a pedestal. Gone are the days when bringing a sticky note or a pad with you helped you to keep track of your tasks and assignments. Now, you just need your device and you’ll never miss those important dates again. Because our devices are vital to our everyday lives, the Google Play Store is absolutely brimming with note-taking apps.