Apple tests a moving battery for haptics to remove Taptic Engine in its smartwatch

Apple has continued to improve its smartwatch portfolio over the years, with the latest one – the Apple Watch Series 6 –  adding the ability to measure blood oxygen saturation levels. However, one area where things haven’t improved much is battery life, as Apple’s latest-and-greatest usually lasts just over a full day of usage. However, the company might have a solution to fix the battery longevity on the Apple Watch by sacrificing the need for a dedicated haptic engine, or as Apple likes to call it, the Taptic Engine. 

As per a patent filed before the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) that was spotted by the folks over at Apple Insider, Apple is experimenting with a moving battery element for producing haptic feedback instead of relying on a dedicated engine that takes up crucial space. Titled Portable Electronic Device Having a Haptic Device with a Moving Battery Element, the patent suggests that a dedicated haptic engine takes up space, and then some additional space so that it can move to provide the vibration feedback. However, it can be removed to fit in a larger battery to do its job.  

READ MORE: Which Apple Watch should you buy: Series 6, Series 3, or SE?

“The haptic device may include a battery element electrically coupled to the display, a magnetic element, and a coil assembly fixed with respect to the enclosure and configured to induce an oscillatory movement of the battery element parallel to the display to produce the haptic output,” says the patent description. 

Apple’s patent describes a ‘haptic device that moves a battery element in order to produce a tactilely perceptible pulse or vibration along an exterior surface of the device.’ As expected, the haptic output will be produced in response to a touch input received by the display that results in some graphical UI change on the screen, letting users know that their touch input has been registered. 

Apple’s idea is definitely clever and might prove to be a major step towards improving the battery life of its upcoming smartwatches. However, do keep in mind that this is a patent filing we’re talking about here, which means the idea might never be implemented and fails to appear on an Apple Watch in the future. 

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Here’s your first glimpse of the upcoming Asus ROG Phone 5 gaming smartphone

Asus is gearing up to launch a new gaming-centric smartphone in the ROG Phone series – tentatively called the ROG Phone 5. While rumors have predicted a Q1 2021 launch and it also appeared in some alleged hands-on media, we might now have our first real look at the device. Ahead of its official debut, the ROG Phone 5 has received the mandatory TENAA certification in China. And to our delight, the regulatory body’s database has listed some images of the Asus offering.

A dot matrix display on the rear panel that can be customized

The core design language remains unchanged, but what really caught our attention was the ROG logo at the back. And it doesn’t look painted or glass-etched, but it appears to be backlit via small LEDs beneath a layer of glass. The implementation looks similar to what we saw on Asus’ ROG Lightning Armor Case for the ROG Phone 3, and the AnimeMatrix panel on the ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop. And if that’s the case, the lighting pattern on the ROG Phone 5’s rear panel will likely be customizable. 

The design of the camera island at the back hasn’t changed much on the ROG Phone 5 compared to its predecessor. There are two front-firing stereo speakers, while the selfie camera is situated alongside the top right corner. A minor design change is that the SIM tray has a red accent that stands out from the rest of the frame. The ROG Phone 5 also rocks a prominent Tencent branding at back, which suggests that the device shown in the picture might be a custom Tencent version that will likely remain exclusive to the Chinese market. 

Asus ROG Phone 5 will reportedly pack a 6,000mAh battery and Snapdragon 888 SoC

The TENAA listing of ROG Phone 5 also mentions a 6.78-inch display (likely a high refresh rate panel) and a huge 5,960mAh battery that will most likely be marketed as a 6,000mAh unit as per a previous leak. Plus, the device is also tipped to support 60W or 65W fast charging. Asus is expected to retain the capacitive shoulder buttons on its upcoming gaming-centric phone, which is also expected to come equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC and plenty of RAM ticking alongside. 

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Pocketnow Daily: NEW iPhone 13 Leaks: More Upgrades Than We Thought? (video)

Last chance to pre-order your Samsung Galaxy S21 with huge discounts

More Android smartphones from OnePlus, Google and more are on sale

B&H has several MacBook Pro models, Smart TVs and more on sale

Let’s begin today with deals. So, pre-orderes for the Galaxy S21 ended yesterday, but guess what, I guess that if you order today, you can still get some of those deals anyways. The Galaxy S21 5G is still starting at $99, but now with just $50 in instant credit. The S21+ now starts at $299 with $75 in instant credit as well. And finally, the S21 Ultra is available for $499 with $100 in instant credit if you buy it. Just keep in mind all of these prices are for trade-in deals so you need a device to trade in to take advantage of these. If you are planning to buy a new Galaxy and want some protection, SUPCASE is still our #1 choice. Use promo code 10POCKETNOW on Amazon to get 10% off, or use promo code POCKETNOW15 on SUPCASE.com to get your cases. Looking for an older device? Don’t worry the Z Flip is still available for $299 and the Z Fold 2 for just $1000 if you have a device to trade in. Moving on, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is available for $35 off, meaning it starts at $515 and we also have deals on the Type Cover. The OnePlus 8 Pro is still available for $200 off, leaving it at $700 from OnePlus, though yeah, kind of meh with thos S21 deals. The Google Pixel 4a 5G is still $50 off leaving it at $450. And finally, the Pixel 4 XL is available for $109 off its original price tag, leaving it at $609. We have more deals on Motorola phones, Razer accessories and more in the links below.

onor could unveil a foldable phone this year

Now let’s talk about the future of Honor. The company has actually been quite active this year after Huawei sold the brand. Today we have a new statement from the company’s CEO where he does mention that Huawei’s sanctions no longer affect them, with other reports claiming that they have allegedly made new deals with Qualcomm, MediaTek and even Google. Earlier this week we heard how they might be preparing 2 different line ups with Google Play Services but apparently, that’s not all. The company’s CEO mentions that they will soon launch a “flagship series” like the Mate and the P line ups from Huawei and even a foldable phone under the Magic branding;. Actually, a leak from Weibo claims that we should expect the first series of folding screen phones later this year. Speaking of foldables, it looks like this year they’ll probably become more mainstream, with Xiaomi reportedly working on 3, OPPO working on 1 and Samsung working on 3 as well, including a Z Flip Lite. We’ll see what we get from Honor though as, it should be good, but outer folding has proven to not be a good idea.

We could see batteries used as haptic engines in a future Apple Watch

Let’s move on to Cupertino and the Apple Watch as, it looks like the company is looking to shake things up.. You’ll get that in a second. The company just filed a new patent to the USPTO where they would make the Apple Watch thinner, by removing the haptic feedback engine. However, since the haptic feedback is so essential to the Apple Watch’s User experience, Apple plans to use the battery to take over that roll. The patent describes a “moving battery component” which will provide the haptic feedback. Now, by removing the haptic engine this might also allow for a larger battery, improving battery life in the process, unless Apple has other plans. But yeah, this is just a patent and we know that Apple is notorious for patenting stuff and never releasing it so, we’ll see what we actually end up getting with the next Apple Watch as, so far the only other rumor we’ve heard is the blood glucose monitor. Does anyone remember the days when if you wanted your Nokia phone to vibrate you needed to buy a special battery that did so? No one? I know.. I’m that old.

Samsung might soon debut its own rollable phone too

Moving back a little bit to Samsung, let’s actually talk foldables, since in the Honor segment we discussed that the company is working on 3. It seems we should expect big upgrades with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, a Z Flip 3 (3 is for the names to match) and the rumors have it that we’ll be getting a Galaxy Z Flip Lite, making foldables more affordable. But, it looks like foldables isn’t the only market Samsung plans to roll into. I know, Diego is full of puns today. Well, Samsung Display’s VP just said during an earnings call that they plan to “fortify their presence in the display market through innovative form factors such as rollable and sliding displays”. Now, he didn’t specify that these are for smartphones as, we know that Samsung Display does much more. However, we have a patent that was filed by Samsung back in 2019 that shows a smartphone screen that slides down and back into the device. Once it slides down it reveals the selfie camera and other sensors, probably for facial recognition. Of course, there’s no guarantee that we’ll be getting one of these any time soon but, with LG possibly leaving this market, would you like to see a rolling or sliding phone from Samsung?

Story of the day:

Apple is testing optical in-screen fingerprint sensor for its upcoming iPhones

iPhone 13 Pro could have a 1TB storage variant

Finally, for the hottest news today let’s talk iPhone 13, or 12S. Yes, I know Apple hasn’t done an S in 2 years, but I’m sure you understand what I mean about iterative updates. We’ve heard multiple reports that overlap so far, like the smaller notch or the on-display fingerprint scanner, as well as the 120Hz refresh rate. Now, we have a new report from IT-Home claiming that the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max could get up to 1TB of storage. Just for reference the current Pro models can go up to 512GB and Apple hasn’t added more storage in 2 generations. Yesterday, Jon Prosser also mentioned that there are some prototypes at the moment with the added storage but, it will only happen for the Pro models. He also called it 12S in the video so, interesting huh. Finally, we also got some new renders of the phone by LetsGoDigital and Concept Creator who always does a great job. These renders are for the iPhone 13 Pro and they show a very familiar design, with the boxy build and pretty much the same camera module as, we’re only expecting internal changes for the camera. Probably the biggest change from last year is the shorter notch, which won’t be narrower according to multiple reports. These renders also show yet another courageous move from Apple, with no charging port at the bottom, and we wouldn’t be surprised considering how much they’re currently pushing MagSafe. Both of these reports also mention Wi-Fi 6E integration, which we talked about a couple of days ago.
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Samsung might soon debut its own rollable phone too

After foldables, it looks the smartphone industry is slowly moving towards foldable panels. TCL set the ball rolling with its rollable phone tablet hybrid last year (though it never made it into the hands of consumers) and showcased yet another concept at CES 2021. LG has also promised to launch its own Project Explorer device will a sliding display, and Oppo has also showcased its own version as well. It now appears that Samsung is next to jump the bandwagon, as a senior Samsung Display executive has confirmed that the South Korean electronics giant is working on slideable and rollable panels.

We’ll promote our market expansion for foldable displays. In the meantime, we’ll also fortify our presence in the display market to innovative form factors such as rollable and slideable displays,” KwonYoung Choi, Senior VP of Samsung Display, said during the company’s recent earnings call. “The Company will further solidify its leadership in the OLED market and diversify applications across note PCs, tablets, and automotive,” the company wrote in its Q4 2020 earnings call announcement.

Now, it is worth noting here that the Samsung executive did not mention whether these rollable and slideable display panels will be used for smartphones or a large screen product such as TVs. But considering the fact that rollable phones from various brands are already in the pipeline and the vision is very much feasible to achieve as a mass-market device, Samsung would definitely not want to be left behind.

Plus, TVs with a rollable display have a much lesser mass-market appeal and come with an outrageous price tag. Just take the example of LG’s roll-up TV that costs somewhere around $60,000. Samsung is already the market leader when it comes to foldable phones, and right now, rollable and slideable phones look like the perfect opportunity for Samsung to flex its hardware innovation muscle and take an early lead in a nascent segment.

Source Android Authority

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You can get a new Samsung Galaxy S21 for just $75

We thought Samsung deals weren’t going to be as sweet after the pre-order period was over, but it seems that we were mistaken. You can currently get a new Samsung Galaxy S21 for just $75 if you are willing to get it locked to one of the United States’ largest carriers. However, you can get an unlocked version for $100. This will be possible if you have an eligible device to trade in, and you will also get $50 instant credits for in-store accessories and devices, a Galaxy SmartTag, and four months of YouTube Premium for free.

Now, if you want to go for the Galaxy S21 Plus, you can get an unlocked version for $300 or get yours on your favorite network for $200. You get $70 in-store credits. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is up for grabs for $400 locked, or get the unlocked version for $500. However, you must trade-in an eligible device to get these prices. The Galaxy SmartTag and the four free months of YouTube Premium are available across the board. Still, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the device that gives you back the most, as you will also get $100 Samsung Credit to spend on whatever you want, as long as you can find it in the Samsung store.

Now, you can always go for older Galaxy flagships, as last year’s Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series is also on sale. You will regularly find this device selling for $1,000 in its entry-level variant, or $1,200 if you want to go Ultra. However, with an eligible trade-in, you can get this device for as low as $450 and $750, respectively. Both devices come with 128GB storage space in their base version, and they also include four months of YouTube Premium and six months of Spotify Premium completely free. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Z Flip are also on sale, the first one can be yours for just $999.99, while Samsung Galaxy Z Flip starts at $300 with LTE-only support, or put in an extra $150 to get the 5G enabled version.

Now, Samsung phones aren’t the only ones getting interesting discounts. The OnePlus 8 is also on sale, and you can get one for just $470 after a $330 discount. This device comes with 128GB storage space, 8GB RAM, a 6.55-inch display with 90Hz refresh rates, and a triple camera setup with a 48MP main camera sensor.

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Xiaomi is suing the US government after being put on military blacklist

Earlier this month, the US government put Xiaomi on a military blacklist compiled by the US Department of Defense, seeking to ban American investment in the company and forcing existing shareholders to divest their holdings in Xiaomi by November this year. Xiaomi promptly released a statement making it clear that it is not affiliated with the Chinese military, adding that it will take an ‘appropriate course of actions to protect the interests’ of shareholders and the company as a whole. Well, that course of action is finally here, as Xiaomi has filed a lawsuit against the US government that challenges its inclusion on the military blacklist.

Xiaomi says the blacklisting will cause imminent, severe, and irreparable damage

“Xiaomi Corp. sued the U.S. Defense and Treasury departments, challenging a blacklisting that blocks American investors from buying the Chinese smartphone giant’s securities. The lawsuit came after the Defense Department determined earlier this month that China’s biggest smartphone maker was affiliated with the People’s Liberation Army,” says a Bloomberg report. Xiaomi is pursuing a court ruling to end the blacklisting and has called the move unconstitutional.

The Chinese electronics giant says it will suffer imminent, severe, and irreparable damage if the restrictions imposed by the blacklisting go into effect. However, Xiaomi is among many other Chinese brands that have recently been put on the list, with some of the renowned names being HUAWEI, drone-maker DJI, and semiconductor giant SMIC, all three of which have made it to the Entity List as well.

Xiaomi claims it is not controlled by - or affiliated with - the Chinese government or military

In its filing, Xiaomi has stressed that it is not controlled by – or affiliated with – the Chinese government or military. The company also mentioned in its original statement that it provides products and services intended for civilian and commercial use. Weighing in on the whole scenario, many experts had noted that the order might get reversed under new US President Joe Biden, and that the blacklisting lacks merits. 

“The Department is determined to highlight and counter the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Military-Civil Fusion development strategy, which supports the modernization goals of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by ensuring its access to advanced technologies and expertise acquired and developed by even those PRC companies, universities, and research programs that appear to be civilian entities,” the US Department of Defense said back then regarding the addition of new names -including Xiaomi – to the military blacklist.

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Apple is testing optical in-screen fingerprint sensor for its upcoming iPhones

In a world still struggling with a pandemic for over a year now, face masks have become a crucial item for saving lives. But they also make facial recognition systems redundant, especially those on our daily use gadgets such as smartphones, with the best example being iPhones. Well, it appears that Apple might finally pay heed to the demand of iPhone users and employ an in-screen fingerprint sensor on its smartphones. As per a report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple has been experimenting with an in-display fingerprint sensor and might bring it to its upcoming iPhones without ditching Face ID hardware.

“Apple has been working on in-screen fingerprint technology and has considered including both Touch ID and Face ID on the same device, two former Apple employees told me. While they couldn’t confirm the company’s plans, other reports, including one from Bloomberg, say Apple is testing in-screen fingerprint sensors in its next iPhone,” says the report. Interestingly analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted back in August of 2019 that the 2021 slate of iPhones will offer both Touch ID and Face ID. And earlier this month, a couple of tipsters with a solid track record mentioned that Touch ID will return on the iPhone 13 family.

Apple might offer both Face ID and Touch ID on upcoming iPhones

The latest report also cites a former Apple employee who added that the company has been experimenting with an optical in-screen fingerprint sensor, which is said to be more reliable than the ultra-sensing in-display fingerprint sensor used on Samsung’s Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 series phones developed by Qualcomm. However, iPhones will only get an in-display fingerprint sensor if they match the accuracy and speed standards Apple set with the physical Touch ID sensor that you still find on older iPhones (and a few newer models such as the iPhone SE 2020), iPads, and MacBooks.

In the past few months, there has also been speculation that Apple might use a physical side-mounted fingerprint sensor on its upcoming iPhones, just like the one we saw on the iPad Air that made its debut late last year. However, Face ID will continue to exist on iPhones as it facilitates a host of AR features such as Memojis.

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We could see batteries used as haptic engines in a future Apple Watch

Apple keeps working to improve every single one of its products. The company strives to give its users an excellent experience, great features, and fantastic products while it takes special considerations to help the environment. Some of these new ideas are good enough to become patents, and that’s exactly what we’re talking about right now. It seems that Cupertino is already looking for new ways to make future Apple Watch models thinner, and this patent explains how they could achieve it if they give another function to its batteries.

A new patent explains how Apple wishes to make its future Apple Watch models thinner. The first step would consist of removing the haptic feedback engine found in several Apple Watch models. However, this feature is crucial to achieving a satisfying user experience, and removing it may not be such a smart move. Hence, Apple could be trying to make the battery inside its smartwatches double up as a new haptic engine, as it describes a new “moving battery component” that would provide haptic feedback.

“An electronic device includes an enclosure having a transparent cover defining a touch-sensitive surface, a display positioned within the enclosure and below the transparent cover, and a haptic device configured to produce a haptic output along the touch-sensitive surface. The haptic device may include a battery element electrically coupled to the display, a magnetic element, and a coil assembly fixed with respect to the enclosure and configured to induce an oscillatory movement of the battery element parallel to the display to produce the haptic output. In other examples, the coil assembly may be coupled to the battery element and the first and second magnetic elements may be fixed with respect to the enclosure.”

Removing the haptic engine from a future Apple Watch would also allow Apple to give its users larger batteries, therefore better battery life. Whatever the case, we will have to wait and see if this patent ever makes it to a real working device, since not every patent makes it to a final product.

Source US Patent & Trademark Office

Via GSM Arena

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Netflix’s new Timer feature will keep you from binge-watching to get some sleep

I have a love-hate relationship with Netflix. I enjoy watching its content, but I also regret watching its content too much. Or to put it simply, I binge-watch with no one to stop me. And oh, I also fall asleep a lot, while episodes upon episodes of a TV show play on the screen until my tablet’s battery dies. If that sounds relatable, Netflix has a solution in the form of a new feature called Timer. And as the name makes it evidently clear, it will let you set a timer for your watching period, after which the app will automatically stop the playback.

The new feature will let users set a timer for the next 15, 30, or 45 minutes before the playback stops. There is also an option to stop it when the episode ends. While watching content, users on the Netflix app for Android will see a dedicated Timer option in the top right corner that will let them set the viewing period on a scale that begins with an ‘Off’ option, followed by the viewing period presets (15, 30, and 45 minutes) and going all the way to “Finish Show” for completing the ongoing episode.

READ MORE: Netflix will expand Shuffle Play globally so that you actually end up watching content

Netflix says the Timer feature is currently limited to the Android app, but there is no word when it will arrive on Apple devices, desktop app, web client, and TVs. However, as per a report by The Verge, Netflix is exploring bringing the feature to other platforms too. A wider release depends on how well the feature is received by users at the end of the day. On the Android app, the new Timer functionality will be available starting January 29.

It also appear that the Timer feature on Netflix app will only be accessible for adult profiles. The new tool sounds like a great option for folks who need some encouragement to stop their content watching marathon session. Or people like me, who often fall asleep watching an episode. More importantly though, it appears to be tailor-made for kids when parents want to limit their content consumption sessions to one or two episodes of a TV show via some parental controls in the app.

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Best Galaxy S21 Rugged Cases to Protect Your New Phone in 2021

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The Samsung Galaxy S21 series is already available for purchase with massive savings over at Samsung.com. Suppose you’re planning on getting one for yourself. If that’s your situation, you should also consider getting some protection for your device. Now, there are tons of cases in the market. You can find clear cases, some made out of silicone, thin options, and more. However, they won’t give you as much protection as a rugged case.

Rugged cases are designed to be tough and give your phone the best possible protection against falls, scratches, and whatever you may want to throw at it. These cases are for those users who love to practice sports, for construction workers, for anyone who is as clumsy as I am, or for anyone who doesn’t mind the added bulk, just as long as they can protect their new baby. If that’s your situation, we have great news. We have carefully selected some of the best rugged cases to keep your new Samsung Galaxy S21, so take a look and see if there’s something that catches your interest.

    SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case Designed for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

    Extreme Rugged Protection

    Multi-layered TPU and Polycarbonate materials create ultimate drop protection, and it includes a built-in Kickstand supports portrait and landscape hands-free viewing.

Our favorite case out of this selection has to be the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for the Samsung Galaxy S21. This full-body dual-layer TPU and Polycarbonate case will give your device the ultimate drop protection, as it will withstand drops of up to 20 feet. You also get a convenient kickstand that supports portrait and landscape hands-free viewing, so you can put your phone anywhere you want, and the best part is that you get all this great protection for a low price when you compare it to other rugged cases in the market.

    Official Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Rugged Protective Cover

    Samsung’s Rugged protection

    Drop-tested to military-grade standards, the Protective Standing Cover helps keep your phone safe from damage and drops, and it also comes with a built-in kickstand.

    Otterbox Galaxy S21 5G Defender Series Pro Case

    Safe and Clean protection

    The Otterbox Defender Series Pro is the rugged protective Galaxy S21 5G case that delivers advanced defense for your device, and it also integrates a silver-based antimicrobial additive to keep your device clean.

    Spigen Galaxy S21 5G Case Tough Armor

    Tough and Sleek

    The Spigen Tough Armor is packed with the latest extreme impact foam under durable layers without losing the slimness and grip. Plus, you get a built-in kickstand and raised edges to protect your phone’s camera.

    Spigen Galaxy S21 5G Case Rugged Armor

    Tough protection with style

    With the Spigen Case Rugged Armor you get a car-inspired frame for your new Galaxy device, which offers a slim and grip friendly design, as well as shock protection thanks to its Air Cushion Technology.

    ArmadilloTek Vanguard Compatible with Samsung Galaxy 21

    For Tough looks

    ArmadilloTek’s Vanguard arrives with a unibody concept and One Piece Design uses premium quality polycarbonate outer layer with an enhanced Thermoplastic to provide some of the best protection.

    Olixar Case with Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S21, 360 Full Body Heavy Duty Tough Cover

    Heavy Duty case with screen protector

    Galaxy S21 case with screen protector featuring all-in-one shock proof drop protection. You also get an Olixar branded screen protector that shields the front screen from everyday use.

Now, we can also suggest you go for Samsung’s offering, as you may be getting the best possible case for your new Samsung Galaxy S21, but be ready to pay almost twice as much as you would have to pay for our first recommendation. Just remember to check out every option before you make a final decision, and come back once in a while, as we will be updating this list as soon as we get rugged options from more case companies.

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Apple’s 27-inch iMac, the Surface Go 2 and more are on sale today

We keep on bringing you amazing deals. This time we find the mid-2020 Apple 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display over at B&H Photo Video. It comes equipped with a 3.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 512GB SSD storage, 8GB RAM, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics card for $1,849 after a $150 discount. You can get the same iMac with the same price-tag over at Amazon.

    New Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display

    Now, if you’re not looking for a desktop PC and you want something a bit lighter to carry around with you on a daily basis, we have another nice option for you. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is currently getting a $35 discount, leaving it at $515. You can also save on the Microsoft Surface Go Type Cover, which is currently getting a $30.99 discount, meaning that you can get yours for just $69.

    If you’re looking for a new monitor, you can currently get the Razer Raptor 27-inch gaming monitor for $600 after a $100 discount. This monitor comes with 144Hz refresh rates, it’s also compatible with NVIDIA G0Sync, and it comes with a solid aluminum base to set it up. However, you may also want to consider mounting your current monitor on HUANUO’s Dual Monitor Stand, which is also on sale, and you can get one for just $30 when you enter code MU2Z6ARD, which lets you save $20. This dual monitor stand will support two screens, 13-inch to 27-inch in size and 22 lbs in weight each.

    There are other options to consider if you want to free up your desk since the LG Ergo IPS UHD 4K UltraFine display is also on sale. You can get the 27-inch UHD 4K Ultrafine monitor for $500 with $99 savings, the same 27-inch display, but in QHD for $397, or get the 32-inch UHD model for $597 with $103 savings, and the 34-inch Ultrawide QHD Ergo is now selling for $597.

    Take it a step further and get yourself some excellent gaming peripherals. Razer is giving some of its best products some nice discounts. First, the Razer BlackWidow Elite Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is currently getting a $70 discount, which leaves it at just $100. The Razer Huntsman Elite Gaming Keyboard lets you save $40, meaning you can get yours for $160.

    Finally, you can also get a new gaming mouse, as the Razer Basilisk v2 Wired is $10 off, leaving it at just $70, while the Razer Basilisk Ultimate HyperSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse w/ Charging Dock is now selling for $140 after a $30 discount.

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    App Store nutrition labels aren’t always honest about data collection and tracking: Report

    With iOS 14, Apple gave a big push to privacy, asking developers to reveal the data they collect, how it is shared, and if it can be used for ad tracking. Many developers – and Facebook, in particular – were not happy, but Apple went ahead with implementing its new policy. On the surface, this seems like a great move when it comes to promoting transparency and awareness, but it appears that these app nutrition labels on App Store might not be always accurate. As per an independent investigation by The Washington Post’s Geoffrey Fowler, privacy disclosures for many apps turned out to be inaccurate and misleading. 

    “Not necessarily. I downloaded a de-stressing app called the Satisfying Slime Simulator that gets the App Store’s highest-level label for privacy. It turned out to be the wrong kind of slimy, covertly sending information — including a way to track my iPhone — to Facebook, Google and other companies,” Fowler mentioned in his report. He adds that after testing a couple dozen apps , he found that privacy claims made by more than a dozen of those apps were inaccurate. 

    Apple is apparently not verifying all nutrition labels before they go live

    Notably, the detail page of each app also mentions a disclaimer from Apple, which clearly says, “This information has not been verified by Apple.” Now, this is a tad surprising. Apple has been quite vocal about the merits of its new privacy policy updates, and how these disclosures by developers will help users make informed choices. However, if the company doesn’t independently verify the privacy disclosures made by developers, how can users trust if they are actually true? That their data is not being sold to shady advertisers? That their privacy is not being intruded on? 

    When asked about the same, an Apple spokesperson had this to say: “Apple conducts routine and ongoing audits of the information provided and we work with developers to correct any inaccuracies. Apps that fail to disclose privacy information accurately may have future app updates rejected, or in some cases, be removed from the App Store entirely if they don’t come into compliance.”

    Fowler notes that some of the apps that came with a blue checkmark – indicating that they collected no data at all – were sending the phone’s unique ID, also called Apple IDF, to third-parties such as Google and Facebook. Additionally, app nutrition labels don’t always reveal the parties that they are sharing user data with, even if they disclose it honestly. 

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    ZTE Axon 30 5G to feature 2nd-gen in-display camera

    ZTE launched its Axon 20 5G as the world’s first Under Display camera phone last year. It went on sale recently. It is a premium mid-range model. The device received overall positive response from the reviewers. However, the selfie camera quality was a problem. Now, it seems like ZTE is working to improve it. The company is gearing up to launch a second model with an Under Display camera. It will be called Axon 30 Pro 5G.

    Moreover, a tipster @TheGalox_ has now revealed the specs of the device. The ZTE Axon 30 5G is tipped to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. It could feature a 6.9-inch 1080p or 1440p display. It could feature a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone is tipped to pack a 4,700mAh battery with support for “super fast charging.” The upcoming smartphone will be the industry’s first flagship phone equipped with second-generation under-screen camera technology.

    For its ZTE Axon 20 5G, there is a dual-control chip and a unique driver circuit that solves synchronization problems of color and conventional displays when using an under-display camera. ZTE created a special matrix that optimizes pixels to improve display consistency and create a more natural transition of pixels.

    The company says that it has achieved a full view display effect while maintaining the same level of performance of the front camera by adapting a special material with high euphotic rates achieved through new organic and inorganic film, which improves light input to the front camera. Further, the smartphone also includes additional under-display technologies, including ambient light, sound, and fingerprint sensors to achieve a true full screen without hole punches. To recall, it is powered by the Snapdragon 765G SoC.

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    Signal’s new features make the switch from WhatsApp a tad more palatable

    In the wake of the massive privacy outcry over WhatsApp’s controversial policy update a few weeks ago, a user exodus to alternative instant messaging platforms has been triggered, and the two services that have reaped the benefits of the ‘awakening’ are Signal and Telegram. While the switch to Telegram was easier as it offers a ton of useful features, Signal has been a relatively barebones affair, something that the company is now trying to change in order to lure more users. The Signal app’s latest update on Android and iOS has introduced a host of new features that will make the switch from WhatsApp a tad more palatable.

    The first one is the arrival of chat wallpapers. You can choose to assign custom wallpaper for each chat, or set a universal background for all your conversations. At the moment, you can choose between twelve wallpapers with a solid color and nine chat backgrounds with a gradient color scheme. Nothing too fancy here and there isn’t much diversity either, but this is still a good start.

    Signal’s second new feature is support for animated stickers, something that the platform’s young audience will appreciate. The company is also rolling out the first animated signal sticker pack called Day by Day. You can choose to download more sticker packs or create custom stickers as well using Signal’s desktop client, details of which can be found here.

    The third new feature making its way to Signal is a new About section. As the name suggests, it will let users write something about their current mood or availability status for others to see. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, you can pick one from the seven preset status messages ranging from ‘Taking a break’ to ‘Speak freely.’ The aforementioned features started rolling out via the beta channel earlier this month. Chat backgrounds, About section, and animated stickers are now available in the app for Android and iOS via the stable channel.

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