Sabtu, 19 Oktober 2019

5 bad ways Google is copying iPhones past and present with Pixel 4 - Android Authority

Google Pixel 4 XL colors on a shelf next to Pixel 4 colors

Android Authority‘s Pixel 4

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Opinion post by

Hadlee Simons

The Google Pixel 4 series represents the next step in Google’s quest to become a successful smartphone brand. Its latest phones seem to continue the trend of delivering fast updates and cutting-edge computational photography, but it’s clear that Google wants to be the Apple of the Android world.

Behind the scenes: Google’s Pixel cameras aren’t trying to be cameras at all

Now, there’s nothing wrong with looking to Apple for inspiration. We’ve seen the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi all do this to varying degrees over the years. But it’s clear that Google has been aping plenty of bad things about iPhones past and present with its Pixel 4 series.


64GB of base storage

google one on pixel 4 Made by Google 19

One of the most obvious areas Google has likely looked to Apple for inspiration is in the paltry amount of base storage. In a time when virtually all premium flagships on the market start at 128GB of expandable storage, it’s disappointing to see the Pixel 4 and XL model offer 64GB instead. This might be forgiven if it’s an affordable flagship, but not when the phone starts at $800.

Read: Without unlimited, original quality photo backups, a 64GB Pixel 4 is ridiculous

What makes matters worse is that Google has also followed Apple by refusing to implement microSD expansion in its phones. Sure, some people might say that Google Photos, Google One, and other cloud storage options are available. But Google Photos no longer offers free original quality photo backups for Pixel phones, and 4K videos count towards the storage limit. Toss in the 2GB+ size of games today and there’s no justification for 64GB of storage in a premium flagship.


Small battery in the standard model

Pixel 4 XL ports macro 1

One of the most frequent complaints about older iPhones had to be the small batteries in the non-Plus variants. It wasn’t uncommon to hear people saying their iPhones needed to be charged twice a day — and it was undoubtedly a factor in Apple throttling devices in a bid to improve battery life.

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Unfortunately, Google has taken the same approach with its standard Pixel phones. Last year’s Pixel 3 offered a 2,915mAh battery, slightly smaller than even the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9‘s pack. But the Pixel 4 has somehow seen a decrease in capacity, to 2,800mAh. A small battery is concerning because even if the battery life is satisfactory at first, it’s only going to get worse as the battery degrades.

It’s especially galling when Apple’s most recent entry-level iPhones (namely the iPhone XR and iPhone 11) have both been lauded for their battery life. The Cupertino company learned from its mistakes, so why can’t Google after all this time?


Face Unlock only

Google Pixel 4 Face UnlockNextrift

Apple made headlines back in 2017 when it decided to ditch a fingerprint scanner in favor of 3D face unlock. Facial recognition had been done on mobile before, but they were all simple, camera-based solutions compared to Apple’s feature.

3D face unlock has since appeared on Android phones too, such as the Huawei Mate series. Google has followed by bringing the feature to the Pixel 4 series, but it pulled an Apple and ditched fingerprint authentication in favor of the feature.

Read: Facial recognition technology explained

The jury is out as to whether Google’s take on 3D face unlock is as effortless and fast as fingerprint unlocking, although the Soli radar supposedly helps matters. But it’s a little disappointing to see Google ditching fingerprint scanning completely, especially when there’s the possibility that some apps might not support face unlock yet.

A second secure biometric authentication method would also be welcome in the event that the first phone suffers from a security flaw (e.g. the Galaxy S10). Heck, the Pixel 4 face unlock reportedly works when the person is sleeping too, and it’s believed that there’s no way to toggle an eye check.


No 3.5mm port

Google Pixel 4 orange with Pixel Buds

Yes yes, this move isn’t new for the Pixel 4, as Google ditched the headphone port a year after Apple did the same with the iPhone 7 series. The search company went so far as to mock Apple for doing so at the first Pixel launch in 2016, but then dropped the port for the Pixel 2.

Editor's Pick

Is it because Google can squeeze more battery life into its phones? Looking at the current battery capacity, probably not. Or is it a case of following Apple’s lead because it realized that there was potentially money to be made by selling audio accessories? That certainly feels closer to the truth.

Google’s decision to drop the 3.5mm port on its flagships is also interesting because it’s refused to do so on the budget-focused Pixel 3a series. And for the record, the Pixel 3a has a slightly bigger battery than the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4.


Triple cameras

Pixel 4 XL camera macro 2

Apple has long insisted on a dual camera arrangement for its wares, although the iPhone 11 marks the first time that the cheapest iPhone has two rear shooters as well.

Google has insisted on using a solitary rear camera on its phones since 2016 (the same year we saw dual camera setups explode in popularity), pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the process. But 2019 sees the Pixel series finally adopt multiple cameras, albeit only two cameras rather than three as seen on this year’s iPhones and other premium flagships.

Read: Best triple camera phones — What are your options?

Google’s decision to go with a main+telephoto arrangement mimics the setup long used by iPhones. But even Apple has moved past this arrangement in favor of a triple camera setup, which means iPhones offer a more flexible camera layout. The search company addressed this decision this week, saying that “wide angle can be fun” but that it thinks telephoto zoom is more important. But why can’t we have both options, as is the case with almost every other manufacturer out there?


It’s clear that Google’s Pixel series is a vehicle for the company to showcase its software and machine learning prowess. But if Google wants to avoid a sales drop, it can’t afford to be ridiculously late to big trends (or worse, copying old trends from arch-rival Apple).

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https://www.androidauthority.com/google-copy-iphones-pixel-4-1042456/

2019-10-19 12:01:26Z
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iPhone 11 vs. iPhone XR: Which phone is the better buy for the price? - CNET

When Apple introduced its iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, it came as a surprise that its base model, the iPhone 11, started at just $699, £729 and AU $1,199  -- $50 cheaper than last year's iPhone XR when it debuted. Because of the new lineup, the company also lowered the iPhone XR's price to $599, £629 and AU$1,049. With the new price points in mind, we compare the new iPhone 11 with 2018's iPhone XR to see which phone is the better buy today. 

In short, despite the iPhone 11's better camera and more modern connectivity hardware, we prefer the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR is simply the better value and is worth saving $100 over the iPhone 11. 

Note that these products are independently chosen by our editors, based on hands-on testing. CNET may get a share of the revenue from the sale of products from the links.

Sarah Tew/CNET

With dual rear cameras, Night Mode shooting and a 12-megapixel front-facing shooter, the iPhone 11 does have more tricks up its sleeves for photos and videos. But compared to the iPhone XR, which already takes fantastic pictures and video, the advantages are slight for the extra $100 you'll pay. In addition, the iPhone 11 has a new U1 chip and Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit LTE capabilities. You will see these next-gen features in future iPhones and Android devices, so if you want to have a modern phone for the next few years, the iPhone 11 is the best bet. But because Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit LTE are not fully built-out networks yet, you won't see any immediate advantages -- another reason why we still prefer the iPhone XR. Read Apple iPhone 11 review

Josh Miller/CNET

It might have last year's processor and specs, but for the $100 you'll be saving with the iPhone XR, we think it's worth it. It has a longer-lasting battery, and it runs iOS 13 just as smoothly as the iPhone 11 on its A12 chipset. Though it doesn't have an ultrawide camera and the updated camera tech, the iPhone XR works just fine for posting photos on Instagram and social media, too. In general, if you're on a tight budget, the iPhone XR is still a great value. We'd suggest either pocketing that $100 for something else or using it to upgrade to the 128GB model and still have $50 left over. Read Apple iPhone XR review

How we tested

Design: Nearly identical and still as durable

The iPhone 11 and XR look nearly identical -- the quickest way to identify them is by the iPhone 11's extra camera and square bump. But besides that and the different color choices (the iPhone 11 comes in lavender, mint green and a pastel yellow, while the Phone XR comes in a canary yellow, coral and blue), there are no obvious differences. They are the same size and weigh the same, and the phones have the same 6.1-inch LCD display with the same resolution and pixel density.

apple-iphone-xr-vs-iphone-11-3

Besides the number of rear cameras they have, the iPhone 11 and XR look similar.

Angela Lang/CNET

We performed a series of drop tests on the iPhone 11 and XR, and both phones are quite sturdy. We dropped the iPhone 11 on its front and back on smooth concrete from 3 feet, 6 feet and 8 feet, 7 inches. On all drops, the phone's back glass and screen didn't crack. There was a small, cosmetic scratch above the camera lens from 8 feet, but the camera lens was completely fine.

When we dropped the iPhone XR last year, we dropped it on a concrete sidewalk. At waist height (about 3 feet), the phone's camera glass cracked, but the back glass survived. The screen also was unscathed. At eye-level (or around 5 feet), the iPhone XR survived a fall on its back with no new damage, but when we dropped it on its screen, the display ultimately cracked. Though that was unfortunate, the fact that the iPhone XR survived waist-high drops was still good.

Both phones are water-resistant, but the iPhone 11 has a higher IP rating of IP68 and can survive underwater at 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) for 30 minutes. The iPhone XR, meanwhile, is rated IP67 and can survive underwater to a depth of 1 meter (about 3 feet) for 30 minutes on paper. However, when we took it out on dives last year, the iPhone XR kept on ticking even after 19 minutes underwater at a depth of 5 meters (16.4 feet). Because the iPhone XR could endure more than its listed IP rating, the iPhone 11 may be able to exceed its IP68 rating as well. We haven't tested the phone's water resistance yet, but we will soon. Check back with CNET when we do.

Camera: New updates give iPhone 11 the edge

Both phones have a 12-megapixel camera, but the iPhone 11 has a second, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a new Night Mode for low-light photography. All in all, outdoor and well-lit photos on both devices look similarly vibrant, with consistent and bright coloring on both cameras. 

However, the iPhone 11 did take notably sharper photos with finer details, especially when pictures were viewed at full resolution. It also did a better job brightening up night time and dim photos with its new mode. The second ultrawide camera is useful when you want to fit more content into each frame or you want to capture more expansive scenes too. Its flash is a tad brighter as well, though we rarely use the feature. Lastly, we like that we can now take portrait photos of pets on the iPhone 11 (the iPhone XR does not recognize non-human faces for portraits, which is a drag). Soon, the iPhone 11 will also make use of a new feature called Deep Fusion, which will further improve detail and reduce image noise. 

As for video, footage on the Phone 11 has a tad better dynamic range, so lighting and exposure looks more even and natural. Video stabilization is a bit steadier as well on the standard 12-megapixel camera. But the wide-angle camera does not have optical image stabilization, and during 4K video recording you can only switch between cameras when you're filming in 30fps (though both cameras can record 60fps).

On the front, the iPhone 11 has a 12-megapixel camera while the iPhone XR has a 7-megapixel camera. While we do welcome the extra resolution of the iPhone 11, we never really had many gripes with the iPhone XR's front-facing camera, and if you're a casual selfie-taker, the iPhone XR is definitely satisfactory. The iPhone 11's front camera can also pull out for a wider point of view, record 4K video at 60fps and take slow-mo videos. But since we mostly use the front-facing camera for selfies, we didn't really find ourselves using those last two features often.

In this photo you can see the iPhone 11 captured more details in the lines and tubes of the installation.  

Lexy Savvides/CNET

With the iPhone 11's new Night Mode, the camera is able to handle low light scenes a lot better.  

Lexy Savvides/CNET

The iPhone 11 brightened up this picture and has better dynamic range.  

Lexy Savvides/CNET

iPhone 11 is faster, but XR's battery lasts longer

The iPhone 11 features Apple's newest A13 Bionic processor and a battery that the company claims to last "one hour longer" than the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR has last year's A12 chipset and a 2,942-mAh battery (this capacity isn't disclosed by Apple, but rather revealed by teardowns carried out by third parties). 

For the most part, the iPhone 11 and XR both run iOS 13 as smooth and fast as the other. When it comes to day-to-day tasks like browsing the web, firing up the camera or opening apps, we couldn't discern any speed differences. But on paper, the iPhone 11 is unquestionably the faster phone. As you can see by the benchmark results below, the newer iPhone far surpassed the iPhone XR and scored much higher on all the tests we ran.

3DMark Slingshot Unlimited

Note:

NOTE: Longer bars indicate better performance

3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited

Note:

NOTE: Longer bars indicate better performance

Geekbench v.5.0 single-core

Note:

NOTE: Longer bars indicate better performance

Geekbench v.5.0 multicore

Note:

NOTE: Longer bars indicate better performance

As for battery life, Apple claims that the iPhone 11's battery lasts longer than the iPhone XR. But when we tested it for continuous video playback on Airplane mode, the iPhone 11 clocked an average of just 15 hours and 24 minutes. While that's certainly not a bad time, the iPhone XR lasted an impressive 19 hours and 53 minutes, which isn't just impressive but was one of the longest-lasting phones we tested last year.

apple-iphone-xr-vs-iphone-11-1

iPhone XR (left) and the iPhone 11.

Angela Lang/CNET

iPhone 11 is more future-proof, but benefits come later

The iPhone 11 has a new U1 chip for "spatial awareness," according to Apple, and it helps iPhones find other iPhones more precisely when they're in close proximity. The new chip also lets you "point your iPhone toward someone else's, and AirDrop will prioritize that device so you can share files faster." Many believe that the U1 chip is actually laying the groundwork for a long-rumored Apple tile tracker.

30-iphone-11

The iPhone 11.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The iPhone 11 has Wi-Fi 6, which is the next generation of wireless networking. As CNET Senior Editor Ry Crist puts it, "Wi-Fi 6 "supports faster top transfer speeds; lets devices send more information with each individual transmission; lets routers and other access points service more devices at once; helps sensors and other wireless gadgets conserve battery power by scheduling transmissions; and facilitates better, faster performance in dense, crowded environments like airports and stadiums." But you likely won't see any perks in your iPhone 11 now. Wi-Fi 6 isn't officially certified yet, and Wi-Fi 6 routers are expensive.

The iPhone 11 has Gigabit LTE, an advanced version of 4G LTE. Gigabit LTE is really fast and can reach peak speeds of 1 gigabit per second, which is about the same speed as a landline internet connection. Apple introduced Gigabit LTE to its iPhone XS and XS Max in 2017, but the iPhone XR was oddly left out of the update. But the iPhone 11 has it, and while you likely won't reach those speeds all the time, your overall speed is going to be faster than an older phone, and you have a lot more clearance when it comes to potential speed. 

The iPhone 11 comes in a 256GB model. At $849, £879 and AU$1,449 it's more expensive, but if you take a lot of photos and shoot a lot of videos, the extra onboard storage will come in handy -- especially if you don't really use cloud storage. Currently, Apple only sells 64GB and 128GB models of the iPhone XR.

iPhone 11 vs. iPhone XR specs


iPhone 11 iPhone XR
Display size, resolution 6.1-inch LCD Liquid Retina; 1,792x828 pixels 6.1-inch LCD Retina Display; 1,792x828 pixels
Pixel density 326ppi 326ppi
Dimensions (inches) 5.94x2.98x0.33 in. 5.9x3.0x0.33 in.
Dimensions (millimeters) 150.9x75.7x8.3 mm 150.9x75.7x8.3 mm
Weight (ounces, grams) 6.84 oz.; 194g 6.8oz.; 194g
Mobile software iOS 13 iOS 12 (can update to iOS 13)
Camera 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) 12-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera 12-megapixel with Face ID 7-megapixel with Face ID
Video capture 4K 4K
Processor Apple A13 Bionic Apple A12 Bionic
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 64GB, 128GB
RAM Not disclosed Not disclosed
Expandable storage None None
Battery 3,142 mAh (not officially disclosed by Apple) 2,942 mAh (not officially disclosed by Apple)
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID) None (Face ID)
Connector Lightning Lightning
Headphone jack No No
Special features Water-resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging Water-resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD) $699 (64GB), $749 (128GB), $849 (256GB) $599 (64GB), $649 (128GB)
Price (GBP) £729 (64GB), £779 (128GB), £879 (256GB) £629 (64GB), £679 (128GB)
Price (AUD) AU$1,199 (64GB), AU$1,279 (128GB), AU$1,449 (256GB) AU$1,049 (64GB), AU$1,129 (128GB)

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https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-11-vs-xr-which-phone-better-buy-for-price/

2019-10-19 05:26:49Z
52780411999922

Jumat, 18 Oktober 2019

Samsung says fix for Galaxy 10 fingerprint flaw is coming 'next week' - Engadget

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Earlier this week Samsung confirmed that an issue regarding screen protectors allowed some of its flagship devices to be bypassed with any fingerprint. Now, the company has said it will fix the problem in a patch which may come as soon as next week.

The issue affects Samsung's flagship phone, the Galaxy S10, as well as the Note 10. When certain third-party screen protectors are installed on the devices, they can be unlocked by non-registered users. It's thought that the silicone in the screen protector causes issues with the ultrasonic sensor which reads individual fingerprints, causing false positives that allow anyone to unlock the device.

This follows an earlier issue in which the fingerprint sensors in the same devices could be fooled by a 3D-printed fingerprint.

Samsung has now created a software fix for the issue. While it readies it, the company recommends that users remove any screen covers they have installed, delete all the fingerprints from their devices and re-register their fingerprints.

"Please refrain from applying a silicone screen protecting case to your device until a software update, which is planned to be released beginning next week, has been issued and applied," Samsung advised on its website. "Thank you for your patience and we will continue to strive to provide our customers with the best possible service."

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.
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https://www.engadget.com/2019/10/18/samsung-patch-fingerprint-issue/

2019-10-18 13:22:40Z
52780409816827

Report: 'AirPods Pro' to Launch End of October with New Design, New Noise-Canceling Feature and $260 Price Tag - MacRumors

Apple's rumored next-generation noise-canceling AirPods will launch at the end of this month with a new "Pro" moniker and a price tag of around $260, claims a new Chinese-language report this morning.


According to China Economic Daily, Apple's third-generation ‌AirPods‌ will adopt a new in-ear design to support the new noise-canceling feature and enhance the listening experience. The paper claims the "Pro" suffix, which Apple recently adopted for its most expensive iPhone 11 models, will help to differentiate the new wireless earbuds from Apple's existing ‌AirPods‌ and underscores the marketing rationale justifying the higher $260 price tag.

According to a separate report on Friday from the same Chinese-language financial media outlet, the ‌AirPods‌ Pro will also feature a new metal design that increases heat dissipation. Apple ‌AirPods‌ supplier Inventec is said to be cooperating with Chinese manufacturer Lixun to undertake the new orders.

In April, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said two new ‌AirPods‌ models would likely go into mass production between the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020, with Luxshare, Goertek, and Amkor serving as primary suppliers.

Kuo also claimed one of the new ‌AirPods‌ models will feature an "all-new form factor design" and a "higher price" than the second-generation ‌AirPods‌, which cost $159 with a standard charging case and $199 with a wireless charging case. The other model is expected to be a more iterative update with the same pricing, although it's unclear what any new features would be.

Previously, the ‌AirPods‌ expected to launch later this year were thought to be the more iterative pair that Kuo refers to. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he expects the higher-priced AirPods with water resistance and noise cancelation to launch as early as 2020. However, today's report suggests they could come sooner.

According to industry sources previously cited by DigiTimes, Apple's suppliers are gearing up to assemble the next-generation ‌AirPods‌ as early as October, suggesting an updated version of the earphones could arrive in time for the holiday shopping season.

In the beta version of iOS 13.2 there's an icon showing redesigned AirPods that appear to have rubber ear tips that would likely be needed as part of a noise cancelation feature. The image is contained in the Accessibility Settings folder, suggesting the new ‌AirPods‌ will contain a new accessibility feature such as being able to use them as hearing aids, or it could be related to existing Live Listen capabilities.

No specific date has been given for when the new ‌AirPods‌ could debut, but Apple has a number of rumored pending announcements that could point toward an October media event.

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https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/18/airpods-pro-to-launch-end-of-october/

2019-10-18 09:20:00Z
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