Technology

Huawei’s new tri-fold phone costs more than a 16-inch MacBook Pro

Published

2 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Huawei’s new tri-fold phone costs more than a 16-inch MacBook Pro

After weeks of teasing, Huawei has officially launched the world’s first dual-hinged, triple-screen foldable phone and it’s just as expensive as we feared. In China, prices for the Mate XT Ultimate Design start at 19,999 yuan (about $2,809) for the 256GB storage model — that’s roughly $300 more than a brand-new 16-inch MacBook Pro.

All models are equipped with 16GB of RAM, and two additional storage variants are available that cost 21,999 yuan (about $3,089) for 512GB and 23,999 yuan (about $3,370) for 1TB. Chinese retailer Vmall reported 3.7 million preorders before pricing was announced.

The Mate XT features an inverse dual-hinge design that folds in a “Z” shape, allowing it to be used in a variety of formats. The OLED display measures 6.4-inches when fully collapsed as a traditional single-screen device. When fully unfolded, that display increases to 10.2-inches (2,232 x 3,184) and can still be used when partially unfurled in a smaller 7.9-inch configuration.

The device comes with a 5,600mAh battery and supports 66W of wired charging or 50W wirelessly. There’s a triple camera setup located on the rear that consists of a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 12-megapixel periscope camera. The hole-punch selfie camera on the front is 8 megapixels, and located on the left-most screen when the device is fully unfolded.

We’ve reached out to Huawei to ask about availability outside of China, but we’re not holding out hope.

Technology

Apple’s bold move into AI: New iPhone 16, AirPods and watches

Published

3 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Press Room

Apple’s bold move into AI: New iPhone 16, AirPods and watches

Apple Inc. held its most significant event of the year today, where the tech giant unveiled its latest iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10 and AirPods lineup and previewed its new artificial intelligence platform, Apple Intelligence. This early Sept. 9 launch comes just ahead of other major global events, allowing Apple to seize the spotlight before the U.S. presidential debate and an important decision from the European Commission about a $14 billion tax dispute with Ireland.

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Apple event logo (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The iPhone 16 lineup

I’ve been at and reported on nearly every Apple launch since the iPod, and this is something entirely new in direction. The iPhone 16 series was the star of the show, featuring four new models: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. While the standard models will see minor upgrades in processor speed and memory, the Pro models promise more significant improvements.

iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

IS IT TIME FOR ME TO UPGRADE TO A NEW IPHONE?

iPhone gets bigger screen, thinner bezels, new cameras

With slightly larger, slimmer bezels and a new camera system, these devices are designed to attract both casual and professional users alike.

Notably, Apple is introducing a new touch-sensitive button on the Pro models for capturing photos and video, mimicking a DSLR camera’s shutter. This feature is expected to become a standout selling point for the Pro devices, alongside their enhanced AI capabilities, supported by 8 GB of memory and a faster neural engine optimized for Apple Intelligence.

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iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO SCHEDULE FREE SESSION WITH APPLE SUPPORT

Apple Intelligence: The AI push

At the heart of Monday’s event was Apple’s growing AI strategy. Apple Intelligence, which will power updates across devices, is poised to transform how users interact with their gadgets. While it’s still early days for this platform, its initial focus will be on streamlining notifications and summarizing messages. However, many features won’t fully launch until next year, highlighting the ongoing development of this AI ecosystem.

The “It’s Glowtime” theme for the event hints at a major redesign of Siri, which will be central to Apple’s AI experience. Despite its slow start, Apple Intelligence is a pivotal step in the company’s efforts to keep pace with competitors in the artificial intelligence race.

Apple Intelligence (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The iPhone 16 and its features

The launch of the iPhone 16 integrates advanced features like Apple Intelligence, which is designed to enhance the user experience while prioritizing privacy.

Performance: With its A18 chip, the iPhone 16 delivers remarkable performance, offering up to 60% faster processing compared to its predecessor, the A16 Bionic. This chip not only improves speed but also enhances battery life, allowing for up to 27 hours of video playback on the iPhone 16 Plus.

Camera innovations: The camera system has also received a substantial upgrade, featuring a 48MP Fusion camera capable of capturing stunning images with improved low-light performance. The new ultra-wide camera allows for expansive shots and intricate macro photography, making it easier than ever to capture every detail.

Action Button: The introduction of the Action button provides users with quick access to their favorite features, streamlining everyday tasks.

Focus on user privacy: Apple ensures that personal data is processed on-device, safeguarding user information from unauthorized access.

Availability and pricing: The iPhone 16 is available in five vibrant colors, starting at $799, and will be available for pre-order on Sept. 13, with official release on Sept. 20.

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iPhone 16 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Key features of the iPhone 16 Pro

The iPhone 16 Pro is designed to also integrate seamlessly with Apple Intelligence. Here are some of the standout features:

Design and display: The iPhone 16 Pro features a Grade 5 titanium design, available in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium and the new Desert Titanium. It features the thinnest borders yet, providing a larger 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display that enhances visual engagement.

Camera innovations: Equipped with a new 48MP Ultra Wide camera and advanced Camera Control, users can capture stunning photos and videos, including 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision. The phone’s four studio-quality microphones and innovative audio features elevate recording quality, making it ideal for content creators.

Performance: Powered by the A18 Pro chip, the iPhone 16 Pro delivers unparalleled performance with a faster Neural Engine and improved graphics capabilities, allowing for enhanced gaming experiences and efficient multitasking.

Battery life: The device offers a significant increase in battery life, with up to 33 hours of video playback on the Pro Max model, thanks to optimized internal design and energy-efficient processing.

Privacy and accessibility: Apple Intelligence emphasizes user privacy through on-device processing and Private Cloud Compute, ensuring that personal data remains secure. New accessibility features, such as Eye Tracking and Music Haptics, make the iPhone 16 Pro more inclusive than ever.

Pre-order and availability: Pre-orders for the iPhone 16 Pro begin on Sept. 13, with availability starting Sept. 20, starting at a price of $999 or $41.62 per month for 24 months.

iPhone 16 Pro (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

GOOGLE’S AI POWER PLAY: IS APPLE FEELING THE HEAT?

AirPods new enhanced audio and hearing health innovations

Apple has unveiled significant updates to its AirPods lineup, introducing new models and innovative features. Apple introduced two new AirPods 4 models, both featuring a refined open-ear design: AirPods 4 (standard model), priced at $129, and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, priced at $179.

These new models represent Apple’s most advanced and comfortable open-ear design to date. Powered by the H2 chip, they offer improved sound quality and new features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.

Apple also introduced the AirPods Max, which received a refresh with five new colors, including midnight, starlight, blue, purple and orange. The refresh also included USB-C charging capability for increased convenience.

The new AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max are available for pre-order starting today, with in-store availability beginning Sept. 20.

AirPods 4 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Revolutionary hearing health features for AirPods Pro 2

Apple announced groundbreaking hearing health capabilities coming to AirPods Pro 2 this fall. It includes hearing protection, which actively reduces loud, intermittent noises to prevent hearing damage, and a hearing test, which is a scientifically validated test conducted through AirPods Pro 2. Also, the AirPods Pro 2 is upgraded with clinical-grade, over-the-counter hearing aid functionality for mild to moderate hearing loss. These features will be available as a free software update in over 100 countries and regions, marking a significant step in Apple’s commitment to hearing health.

AirPods Pro 2 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

APPLE RUSHES SURPRISE IOS SECURITY UPDATE TO IPHONE AND IPAD

Apple Watch Series 10 marks a decade of wearable innovation

For the first time in two years, all Apple Watch models will receive updates, including a new entry-level Apple Watch SE, the flagship Series 10 and the Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch Series 10, available for pre-order starting Sept. 20 at a price of $399, introduces several innovative features and enhancements. It is the thinnest model yet, boasting the largest display in the Apple Watch lineup, with a wide-angle OLED screen that is brighter and easier to read from different angles.

Key health features include new sleep apnea notifications, advanced heart rate monitoring and the ability to track various fitness activities with precision. The watch also includes new sensors for water temperature and depth, making it suitable for aquatic activities. Fast charging capabilities allow for 80% battery in just 30 minutes.

The Series 10 is available in various finishes, including Jet Black aluminum and polished titanium options, and is designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing recycled materials. It also offers enhanced connectivity features, allowing you to stay connected without needing your iPhone nearby.

Apple Watch Series 10 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The new Apple Watch Ultra 2

Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a sleek black titanium case. The 49mm black titanium case is designed to withstand the harshest environments and is certified to the EN13319 standard for diving accessories. With a display brightness of 3000 nits, it boasts the brightest Apple display ever, along with WR100 water resistance and IP6X dust resistance. The customizable Action button offers precise control over your workouts, allowing you to start a session, mark a segment or move to the next interval with ease.

No matter where you are, the Ultra 2 ensures you won’t have to worry about battery life. It’s built to perform at peak conditions for longer, supporting up to 36 hours of normal use, 72 hours in Low Power Mode and up to 17 hours of outdoor workouts in Low Power Mode.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

More to come in October and beyond

Though the spotlight was on the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch, other products are in the pipeline. Apple is working on transitioning its Mac lineup to M4 chips, with updates to the MacBook Pro, Mac mini and iMac likely scheduled for a later event this fall. A new version of the iPhone SE, an upgraded AirTag and refreshed iPads are also in development with their own launches expected next year.

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Apple Intelligence (Apple) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

This event comes at a crucial time for Apple, as the company seeks to rebound from its longest sales slump in decades. With roughly 60% of Apple’s revenue tied to its device ecosystem, this latest lineup of products will not only drive sales but also encourage more spending on services, a key growth area for the company.

By introducing new AI-driven features and updates across its flagship products, Apple is positioning itself for the next era of tech innovation. The question remains whether Apple Intelligence will live up to the hype and how quickly the company can deliver on its promises. For now, all eyes are on Cupertino as Apple takes another step into the future of artificial intelligence.

Which product or feature from Apple are you most curious about and what questions do you have regarding its functionality? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Google and DOJ’s ad tech fight is all about control

Published

10 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

Google and DOJ’s ad tech fight is all about control

Google and the US Justice Department each believe the other wants too much of one thing: control.

“Control is the defining characteristic of a monopolist,” DOJ counsel Julia Tarver Wood said during opening statements in the federal government’s second antitrust trial against the search giant, which kicked off Monday in Alexandria, Virginia. To the government, Google exerts too much control over every step in the way publishers sell advertising space online and how advertisers buy it, resulting in a system that benefits Google at the expense of nearly everyone else.

“Control is the defining characteristic of a monopolist”

To Google, the government is seeking control over a successful business by making it deal with rivals on more favorable terms, disregarding the value of its investments in technology and the unique efficiencies of its integrated tools.

By the end of the trial, which is expected to last several weeks, US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema will be left to decide which side is exerting too much control — and ultimately, if Google has illegally monopolized the markets for advertising technology.

Markets is a key word, since one question raised on the first day is how many monopolies Google might actually have. (A federal court in DC says at least one, since it recently ruled Google a monopolist in search.) The DOJ is arguing that Google has monopoly power in three different ad-related markets: those for publisher ad servers (where websites hawk ad space), ad exchanges (which facilitate ad transactions), and advertiser ad networks (where advertisers go to buy ad space). They’re also arguing that Google illegally tied together its publisher ad server with its ad exchange to maintain its monopoly power.

“One monopoly is bad enough,” Wood said during opening statements. “But a trifecta of monopolies is what we have here.”

“A trifecta of monopolies is what we have here”

Google says it’s not a monopolist, and in fact there’s only one market: a two-sided market made of buyers and sellers of online ad inventory. In opening arguments, its counsel said the government is ignoring relevant Supreme Court precedent that says this is the best way to view such a market. The company also argues regulators are carving up the field with terms like “open web display advertising,” which Google calls contrived. What the government really wants here, Google claims, is to require it to deal with its rivals — something the Supreme Court has said isn’t really the job of the judicial system.

After opening statements, the DOJ began calling its first witnesses, focusing on the tools publishers use to monetize display ads. These are the ads that typically pop up at the top or the side of the page on news websites and blogs, populating through super-quick auctions that run while the page loads. During the auction, an ad exchange helps match publishers and advertisers based on things like topic and price without active intervention by a human. The process is called programmatic advertising, and it’s used by The Verge’s parent company Vox Media among many others. (Vox Media president of revenue and growth Ryan Pauley is on the list of potential witnesses but wasn’t called today.)

Google’s tools play an essential role in the process, with some of them holding about 90 percent of the market, according to the government. Google has a publisher ad server called Google Ad Manager (formerly DoubleClick for Publishers, or DFP), which helps publishers sell ad space. It operates an ad exchange, AdX, that facilitates transactions. And it owns an advertiser ad network, rounding out its trifecta of major products across different parts of the ad world.

Four industry players testified Monday, representing a publisher (Tim Wolfe, SVP of revenue at Gannett), an ad exchange (Andrew Casale, president and CEO of Index Exchange), a marketer (Joshua Lowcock, president of media at Quad), and a publisher ad network (James Avery, founder and CEO of Kevel). Across the testimonies, the government tried to establish that programmatic display advertising is not something publishers can easily substitute with other types of advertising, including direct deals with advertisers or ads on social media sites. And it introduced the idea that switching from Google tools isn’t such an easy decision, even when there might be some reason to do so.

In testimony, for instance, Wolfe and Avery both made clear that publishers are largely unwilling to switch away from Google Ad Manager. They said it’s because Google packages it with access to AdX, and losing that package deal would mean giving up large amounts of revenue — even if rivals offer to take a much smaller cut for facilitating each ad sale. Wolfe testified that when Gannett received one such offer, that reduced take rate didn’t move the needle, since it wouldn’t offset the benefits of AdX.

The ad server company Kevel started by targeting traditional publishers, but Avery says competing with Google proved impossibly hard. He recalled publishers asking how his company would replace the revenue they made from AdX, something Kevel simply couldn’t manage. After trying to engage Google twice about ways to connect Kevel’s ad server with AdX, Avery testified, his efforts were rebuffed. Kevel pivoted to facilitating things like sponsored listings for retailers instead.

Speaking from the ad exchange perspective, Casale testified that switching ad servers is a big lift at the technical level, so publishers rarely do it. Building a new one is “very complex and expensive.” In the ad exchange market, Casale said competing with Google’s AdX is “very challenging,” and in experiments, reducing fees had barely a “nominal” impact on the ability to gain more business. Because of the huge network effects it takes to get an exchange off the ground, as well as the fact that it only gets visibility into ad impressions it wins, “I can’t imagine anyone starting a new exchange today,” he said.

Google’s attorneys poked at the witnesses’ arguments and credibility during cross-examination, pointing out ways players like Avery would benefit if the court forced Google to share access to its tools. Google will call its own witnesses to counter the DOJ later in the trial.

“I can’t imagine anyone starting a new exchange today”

This trial covers very different ground from last year’s antitrust fight in the District of Columbia. But on the first day of court, both sides alluded to their earlier battle. The Department of Justice mentioned during opening statements that another court had already adjudicated the question of Google’s search monopoly, referencing a ruling Judge Amit Mehta handed down just over a month ago. And although Mehta ruled mostly against Google, the tech giant cited a piece of the ruling that went in its favor. The topic? A DOJ argument Mehta interpreted as a requirement for Google to cut deals with competitors — and, accordingly, dismissed.

Technology

5-minute phone privacy audit to stop the snoops

Published

10 hours ago

September 9, 2024

Press Room

5-minute phone privacy audit to stop the snoops

We’ve all got a load of sensitive info on our phones — texts with loved ones, banking details, passwords and family photos.

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You don’t want anyone snooping around, whether it’s an app maker on the other side of the world or the guy sitting behind you at the coffee shop. Take five minutes to run this privacy audit, and then pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Check your permissions

When you download apps, they often request a variety of permissions to access different parts of your phone — think your location, camera, microphone, contacts and text messages. Some are essential for the app to function properly (like a navigation app needing access to your location) but others are absolutely unnecessary.

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The most critical permissions to pay attention to are your phone’s location, camera and microphone. Only trust apps that have a clear, legitimate need for these permissions.

Use your common sense, too. Ask yourself: Does a shopping app really need access to my contacts? Should a photo editing app know my current location? For me, the answer is no. Granting unnecessary permissions increases your privacy exposure, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Make sure you’re keeping tabs on what you’re giving different apps access to on your phone. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

To check what permissions each app have:

Apple iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then Location Services, Camera or Microphone.
Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy controls > Permission manager.
Samsung Galaxy: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager.

You’ve probably granted permissions to apps on your computer, too, that you forgot about. Here’s how to check those while you’re at it.

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Lock down everything

Your lock screen is the first line of defense against unwanted eyes. You can use a PIN, pattern, fingerprint, facial recognition, whatever. No matter which method you choose, it’s far better than leaving your phone unsecured.

If you’re using a PIN, stay away from anything obvious like 1234, your birthday or address, or the last digits of your phone number.

Apple iPhone: Set this up via Face ID & Passcode.
Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Device lock.
Samsung Galaxy: Under Settings, look for Lock screen and AOD.

Make sure you’re setting your phone to lock itself as soon as possible. It’s an easy, foolproof way to keep prying eyes away from your sensitive info. (iStock)

You’ll also want your phone to lock as soon as possible when you’re not using it. I find around 30 seconds is the sweet spot between safety and annoyance.

Apple iPhone: Under Settings, choose Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Display and touch > Screen timeout.
Samsung Galaxy: From your settings, tap Display > Screen timeout.

Keep out strangers

The short-range transfer tech built into iOS and Android is super handy when you need to share something with a friend or relative. But you don’t want strangers pinging you with unwanted photos, videos and other files.

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Apple iPhone: Your device uses AirDrop for these types of transfers. Limit it to contacts only or turn it off altogether via Settings > General > AirDrop.
Android devices: The transfer tool here is called Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share). On a Pixel, you’ll find the sharing prefs under Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick Share. On a Galaxy, it’s under Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share.

Browse the web

Open your phone’s browser and say hello to instant tracking, unless you do something about it.

Web browsing apps are rife with instant tracking mechanisms. Fortunately, you can disable them. (Chesnot/Getty Images)

Put limits on this on your iPhone by opening Settings > Apps and tapping on Safari. Under the app’s settings, scroll to Privacy & Security and toggle on the option for Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.
For Chrome on Android, open the browser and tap the three dots (top right). From there, hit Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies.