While we've known for a while now that Apple is working on a Tile-like tracking device, what hasn't been clear is how the company plans to differentiate the product beyond its usual ecosystem tie-ins. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a solid track record on rumors, and claims the answer is a technology called ultra-wideband (UWB) that will allow the tags to perform better than currently-available competition.
With the help of Bluetooth LE, current tags can help a person pinpoint the location of an item to an area of about 16 feet. With UWB, by contrast, that area is narrowed down to less than a third thanks to the fact the technology allows two compatible devices to precisely calculate the time it takes for a signal to travel between them.
As with any communication protocol, the limitation of this new standard is that both devices need to feature the tech. According to a previous report from Kuo, all three 2019 iPhones will feature UWB. Unfortunately, that leaves out all current iPhone owners.
Kuo's latest note doesn't say anything about how existing iPhones will connect with Apple's new tracker, but a likely answer is that they'll fall back on Bluetooth LE. Moving forward, Apple is likely to integrate the protocol into its other devices, with AirPods as an obvious candidate. There, the tech could make a significant difference when you're forced to find a lost Pod in the dark crevices of an MTA subway station.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Apple will stream its Sept. 10 event on YouTube -- a first for the iPhone maker.
Apple
Want to attend Apple's annual fall event next week where it will likely announce the iPhone 11 but didn't receive one of the coveted invitations? No worries, because the company is going to stream the Sept. 10 event on YouTube.
Apple quietly posted a YouTube page on Friday inviting people to tune in to the event, at which the company is expected to announce three new phone models, replacing the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR with the rumored iPhone 11, 11 Max/11 Pro and 11R. Other products and services are also expected to be announced.
The page invites users to "join us for an Apple special event live from the Steve Jobs Theater on September 10 at 10 a.m. PDT."
Apple has been gradually expanding the broadcasting reach of its product reveals. Keynotes have long been available on Apple.com, and last year the company streamed its fall "Gather Round" event on Twitter. But its presence on YouTube is a first.
CNET will have a livestream before, during and after the keynote out of our New York office. Join Senior Editor Bridget Carey, Senior Editor Iyaz Akhtar and Editor at Large Jeff Bakalar at 9 a.m. PT before the event to hear their insightful hopes for Apple day 2019. You can watch directly below.
Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
As we await Huawei’s Mate 30 launch later this month, the company has revealed a “new” redesigned P30 Pro. Unlike the existing P30 Pro, it comes in a two-tone matte and glossy finish, in either blue or lavender. While the design is new, this P30 Pro also comes with Android 10 preinstalled, which is a clever way for Huawei to launch a “new” device with Google’s latest Android operating system.
Just like the existing P30 Pro, these new color options have Huawei’s Kirin 980 processor inside. Huawei also launched its latest Kirin 990 chip today, with a built-in 5G modem. This processor will power the new Mate 30 when it’s unveiled later this month, and it’s certainly going to be an interesting launch to watch. Google revealed last month that Huawei’s Mate 30 won’t be able to ship with Google’s apps and services on board, which means the device isn’t certified for Google Play Store access. That leaves Huawei in the position of having to ship the Mate 30 without access to Google’s key apps outside of China. We’ll find out exactly what’s going to happen when Huawei launches the Mate 30 on September 19th.
The White House previously banned US companies (like Google) from doing business with Huawei, and the phone maker was granted a three-month extension from the US Commerce Department back in May to provide software updates to existing devices. This was extended again to November 19th, but again only covering existing handsets. It looks like until the ban is fully resolved, Huawei will be left having to cleverly redesign existing devices with the latest software updates to keep markets like Europe and the US interested in handsets that still have Google Play access.
Huawei could have had this modest redesign for the P30 Pro in the works for months, but the timing suggests it’s an interesting work around for the ban on new Android devices. Huawei hasn’t given exact pricing or availability for this updated P30 Pro, but the company has revealed its latest EMUI10 update (based on Android 10) and it will be available in beta this month.
The big problem with 5G — or one of the big problems — is that it's suffering the same issues LTE had when it first landed: It only works in a few markets, and most phones don't support it. Worse, the few devices that do support it use external modems which aren't built into the chipset, and like the early LTE phones, that means issues like decreased battery life. Thankfully, new chipsets with 5G supportbuilt-in are on the way, with Qualcomm announcing its own earlier this year. Today at IFA, Qualcomm has further revealed that the promised chip will be landing in products as early as the beginning of next year, with more 6-, 7-, and 8-series chipsets getting built-in 5G support next year, too.
Initially, Qualcomm expected it could take until the middle of next year for phones using its upcoming 5G 7-series chipset to land, but that schedule has moved up. Already twelve hardware partners including Oppo, HMD Global, and Motorola have promised to release devices that use it — and Qualcomm even says we'll see some of them land in North America.
Better, the company is also bringing 5G integration across its higher-end lineup next year, covering at least some upcoming 6-, 7-, and 8-series devices. While we don't usually see the 7-series stuff here in the 'states, the 6-series chips are a mid-range staple, making appearances in devices such as the Pixel 3a and Moto G7. The latest 8-series chip, on the other hand, always ends up being the default for flagships in a given generation. Bringing 5G support to those series of chips could mean a mid-range and flagship blitz of 5G next year.
Qualcomm has also announced that it's rebranding its 5G solutions to make it a bit easier for consumers to follow the details. Up until now, 5G-savvy customers have had to keep track of modem names, RF transceivers, and antenna solutions to stay in the know. It gets complicated, knowing which bits are required for mmWave vs. "sub-6" 5G, or different standards and frequencies.
Now, none of that matters: Qualcomm is rebadging its complete end-to-end solutions as "5G Modem RF Systems," starting with the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem RF System. You may already be familiar with the X55, it's the modem expected to power the upcoming 5G Note10 models (though the current Verizon version uses the older X50). The new name will be an indicator that a phone uses Qualcomm's tech end-to-end from the modem to the antenna assemblies. We also asked if that meant Qualcomm would require that OEMs license or buy the entire end-to-end solution to use any part of it, and were told that isn't the case, "bundling" like that won't be forced on OEMs (this time).
The company is also really excited about a new mmWave antenna module for the X55. It doesn't really matter for phones, this is just for "fixed-wireless use," think hotspots and home broadband. It does promise up to 1.7km of range in rural areas and 1.1km in denser urban environments, though, which is more than we would have expected for mmWave. It could ultimately make a dent in gigabit ISP rollouts (assuming there aren't any buildings to block line of sight).
So, want to know why you might actually end up with a 5G phone next year? Because it will be more than just a novelty stuck in a handful of expensive phones. Thanks to these new upcoming chipsets, you'll see a whole lot more devices in a range of prices land with 5G support — hell, you might even end up buying one without caring (or maybe even knowing) that it has 5G.
There are phones that bend, pack in a ton of cameras and even flip up. Although most of them won't deliver the same clout as the upcoming iPhone 11 or Google Pixel 4, seeing these devices gives us a window into where phones are going next. And it shows what you can get for your money today, no matter where you might live.
Here are the best of the bunch we saw at the show. Most will go on sale shortly, or launch by October. Some are concept designs to intrigue future-you.
The saga is now in its next chapter. Samsung seems to have scaled back its Galaxy Fold ambitions, cancelling preorders to start again fresh, and cutting the blue and green color choices that it paraded around at launch. Silver and black will be your only options now.
Now playing:Watch this:
Every way Samsung improved the Galaxy Fold
LG G8X thumbs its nose at foldables with a Dual Screen case
Foldable phones are one thing, but LG has a different approach that will still give you two screens when you want them, and the option to carry around a smaller phone when you prefer to streamline. The LG G8X with Dual Screen transforms a high-end phone into a feature-packed dual-screen experience with a case that matches the G8X's 6.4-inch screen.
You'll be able to do everything, from multitasking with two separate apps on two separate screens to playing games with a game pad you can create and customize yourself. Imagine watching a video on one screen while texting on the other, or using one of the two displays to preview your face for a selfie. There's software to adjust selfie lighting while you take your portrait, and a neat tool to capture a screenshot of both screens and automatically attach it to a message.
A dual-screen device can be bulky. But being able to remove the G8X through a USB-C connection and use it like any other phone makes it more familiar to people who want to be on the cutting --but perhaps not bleeding -- edge of "foldable" devices.
Now playing:Watch this:
LG G8X phone lets you pick two screens or one
3:43
$450 quad-camera phone with a satin glass back
The Motorola One Zoom gives you three interesting things to mull over as you take in the wonderful purple, bronze or gray backings. First, the backings themselves, which are made from a matte glass finish.
They're super smooth to run your hand over, perhaps a bit slippery, but they keep fingerprint grease to a minimum. That's good news -- fingerprints are a hard truth that puts a damper on a lot of glass backings for people who opt to skip the case.
More important are the four cameras on the back, which include a 48-megapixel shooter with dedicated night mode, and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Motorola really goes for it here, offering camera features that you see in phones that cost twice the price.
Finally, there's the price itself. $450 is a truly midrange price that's aggressively competitive. And the One Zoom aims to bring you tremendous value for the cost. This is a phone we're keeping a sharp eye on.
Now playing:Watch this:
Motorola Zoom has premium cameras at half the price
The Galaxy A90 5G isn't cheap by any definition, but for 749 euros (about $825, £670 or AU$1,210), it'll cost $500 less than Samsung's other 5G phones when it launches in October. The 6.7-inch device has three cameras on the back, including a 48-megapixel shooter, and a big 4,500-mAh battery.
For early adopters seeking 5G as soon as possible, the A90 5G signals that the sky-high price barrier to 5G can and will settle. You may need to make a few compromises to get it, but the phone's specs are solid, and the large screen, camera and battery combo still project a premium air.
Compared to the $1,300 Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G and the even-pricier Galaxy Fold 5G, the Galaxy A90 5G is a bargain. (The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G and Oppo Reno 5G are direct competitors, too.)
The Galaxy A90 5G is Samsung's first attempt to make 5G speeds more affordable.
Chris Monroe/CNET
First phone from a new phone brand
TCL isn't a known phone brand... yet. But it does have a long history of selling phones under the Alcatel name. It also licenses BlackBerry and even Palm names. Yet the company, known best for its excellent, affordable TVs, is trying to do something new. It's launching the first phone under the TCL name, the TCL Plex. The Plex looks a fair bit like Samsung's Galaxy S10, but for less.
TCL sees this midrange phone as its inaugural step in establishing itself as a consumer electronics brand that leverages screen greatness across a range of products. Like Samsung and LG, it wants to build a unified brand you can trust with multiple aspects of your digital life, from your phone and TV to a smart watch, tablet or smart home appliance.
The Plex is such an interesting play less for its package of extremely affordable specs and more because of its role in being first. It's too early to say if TCL will be a success, but with the Plex, it intends to try.
The TCL Plex channels the Samsung Galaxy S10, for less.
Jessica Dolcourt/CNET
Foldable concept phones
The TCL Plex isn't the company's only move. Concept designs such as a wallet-shaped foldable phone and a curve-screen design with a display that wraps around the sides are two directions TCL could go in to wow you as it develops its mobile presence. A completely buttonless phone fused from two pieces of glass -- with no ports, either -- is another bold experiment that TCL's tinkering with.
Huawei unveiled a new 5G processor for its mobile devices Friday, taking aim at competitors like Qualcomm and showing it will continue to bolster its chip technology amid political headwinds.
The Chinese tech giant showed off the new Kirin 990 5G chip at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin. Huawei said the processor will power its upcoming flagship smartphone called the Mate 30, which will be released later this month in a bid to rival Apple's expected new iPhones.
Huawei's announcement highlights the company's ambitions to take control of its supply chain amid political pressure from the U.S. Earlier this year, Huawei was put on a U.S. entity list that limits its ability to buy and license technology from American companies. The Chinese firm currently relies on American businesses for components in its devices like laptops and smartphones.
The Kirin 990 is an all-in-one artificial intelligence and 5G chip, which is also available in a 4G version. Huawei said the 7 nanometer chips are faster and more energy efficient than rivals' 5G processors, like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855. Seven nanometer technology is the latest in the semiconductor industry and allows for smaller components that are more powerful and energy efficient than their predecessors.
"Kirin 990 reaffirms Huawei's chip and 5G ambition and will be an important factor in lowering the price of Huawei 5G devices," said Geoff Blaber, an analyst at CCS Insight, in an email to CNBC. "However, chipset progress does little to address the broader limitations caused by its U.S. entity listing. Qualcomm remains in pole position in taking 5G across a diverse range of devices and price points."
Huawei's Mate 30 smartphone will be unveiled at a September 19 event in Munich. But the launch could be marred by the fact that the U.S. entity list restrictions mean Huawei won't be able to license Google services. Huawei will look to use an open-source version of the Android operating system instead, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told CNBC last week. In addition, the company will still push ahead with an international launch of the device, the source said.
Tech companies like Huawei and Samsung are also increasingly developing more of their own chip technology to control costs and production amid slowing smartphone sales. Earlier this year, Apple bought Intel's wireless chip unit for $1 billion in a move analysts saw as a play to develop its own 5G chips.
5G wireless networks promise to speed up download times and enable devices to communicate more quickly between each other. So far, 5G's rollout has been limited in countries around the world. Samsung and Huawei, the two biggest smartphone sellers in the world, released their first 5G devices this year. Analysts expect Apple will release a 5G iPhone in 2020.
AirPods competitor
Huawei also released an updated version of its competitor to Apple's AirPods: the FreeBuds 3. The wireless earbuds will be powered by a new Huawei bluetooth chip called the Kirin A1.
Sales in Apple's wearables category which includes AirPods have surged in recent quarters, and Huawei looks like it wants a slice of that growth. The FreeBuds 3 will come in two colors: white and black. The company did not immediately disclose pricing and availability.
Google’s new Pixel 4 series is weeks away from becoming official and we’re seeing leaks pouring in from all corners of the internet. Just yesterday, we caught a glimpse of the Pixel 4 strutting its stuff in a short hands-on video.
Now, XDA-Developers has dug through the Android 10 source code to find evidence that the Pixel 4 series will indeed sport a 90Hz display. This could be a welcome change for Pixel users who have thus far been stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.
According to the source code, developers will have an option to check if their apps run at 90Hz on the Pixel 4 phones. A comment in the Android 10 source code further reveals that a switch to toggle 90Hz “should only be available to P19 devices” (i.e. the 2019 Pixel phones).
A 90Hz refresh rate should enable smoother scrolling and UI transitions on the new Pixels compared to their predecessors (provided that the processor can keep up). Although the difference might not be immediately visible to the untrained eye, the overall experience of using apps should be more fluid on a 90Hz display. This is because 90Hz refreshes visuals 90 times per second compared to 60 times per second on 60Hz displays.
Editor's Pick
Best phones with in-display fingerprint scanners (August 2019)
Phones with in-display fingerprint sensors first appeared in the beginning of 2018, and the technology was rather unpolished at the time. We've seen some notable strides since then though, as in-display sensors become faster and …
Smartphone OEMs have been upping display refresh rates lately, with one of the most prominent examples out there being the OnePlus 7 Pro and its 90Hz display. Some devices, like the Asus ROG Phone 2 and Razer Phone 2, up the ante even further with a 120Hz display refresh rate.
Apart from a faster display refresh rate, the Pixel 4 series is expected to bump up the screen resolution as well. The smaller Pixel 4 is expected to feature a 2,280 x 1,080 resolution, compared to the Pixel 3’s 2,160 x 1,080 resolution. Meanwhile, the larger Pixel 4 XL could come with a 3,040 x 1,440 screen, up from Pixel 3 XL’s 2,960 x 1,440 resolution.
You can check out all the latest Pixel 4 rumors and leaks in our dedicated rumor hub at the previous link. Would you buy a phone purely for a higher refresh rate? Give us your thoughts below.
