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phone

Microsoft Andromeda: pocketable Surface

Yes, that’s right! Microsoft is working on a pocket-folding Surface tablet which will be ‘new and disruptive’. This device will be foldable and offer users dual touchscreens and the ability to make voice calls and send texts, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy X.

There has been a great buzz about this project by Microsoft, and its name is “Andromeda.”. It is rumoured the device will be similar to a pocket journal and can be opened and closed like an actual notebook, and fit into a pocket. This new and innovative device will actually go to blur the lines between the personal computer and mobile device. According to Microsoft, this new pocketable surface device contains everything that makes it the most innovative technology of the coming years. The factors like; new efficient hardware, the software will get the most pleasuring experience of versatility and easiness of computing in hands.

Features & Design

The design of this new innovative computing device will be complemented by the Surface Pen-Like stylus, which is rumoured to match the 3D style of the concept images.

As you can see in the image, the device has a book-like hinge which constitutes dual screens that are filling out into a full tablet. Well, if we talk about the recent report by Microsoft, then the company is experimenting with the ARM chips, but still, the device could stand out on Qualcomm and Intel Platforms. In simple words, in the coming days, we can expect a mixed kind of reality handset in the market.

Touchscreen

Well, nothing is fully confirmed yet about the unreleased pocket-folding device, but the rumours has shown that Microsoft actually wants to create a device with two different displays. The company is not manufacturing a flexible screen, but an innovative hinge design for multiple tasking.

Source: Engadget

Device OS

Furthermore, Microsoft is working on the Windows Core OS; it is a new modular version that will help in operating Andromeda. A full version of Windows 10 which will be optimised for all form factors.

So, till now the designers have already imagined the Andromeda with amazing foldable display, features, and factors. But everything is rumored until the release of the new mobile device. In other words, we can say Microsoft wants to invent some new product category whose primary idea will come down to a “Hinged Dual Screen Device”.

This upcoming device will be Microsoft’s long awaited “re-entry” into the smartphone market, although positioning itself within enterprises, schools and prosumers/creators market where volumes are low.

Price and release date

Finally, what you’ve been waiting for, the price and release date! According to sources, it has been predicted that Andromeda will be positioned as a premium device, with the pricing to correlate to this which could cost around $1000, if not more.

Microsoft originally planned to announce the release of the device October this year, but sources tell us that now Microsoft has delayed the launch till 2019 due to being unable to complete the Windows Core OS in time for launch this year. Fortunately, this will allow them to make improvements and fine-tune the device.

What are your thoughts on a foldable phone? We’re excited to see what will unfold of this new game changer in the smartphone market!

Keep up to date on the latest Microsoft news here!

August 16, 2018 0 comment

Reviews

LG Q6 Review

Key features:

Processor: QUALCOMM Snapdragon 435 / 1.4GHz Octa Core Processor
Memory: 3GB RAM, 32GB Storage
Display: 5.5-inch 18:9 FHD+ FullVision Display (2160 x 1080 / 442ppi)
Camera: 5MP Wide Angle Front Camera + 13MP Rear
Operating System: Android 7.1.1 Nougat

Summed up, the LG Q6 the mini version of the LG G6. If you’re after a bargain, it’s a great mid-range phone with FullVision display and a 13MP rear-facing camera. LG is aiming towards the mainstream market with their new Q series. The Q6 can easily be mistaken for LG’s flagship G6 phone from its sleek appearance, and it also features an impressive taller FullVision display. So if you’re looking to purchase the LG Q6, here’s a roundup of what you need to know, so keep reading!

Here is a quick glance of the LG Q6:

FullVision Display and Camera

The standout features of the LG Q6 are its 5.5″ IPS Full HD+ FullVision display and the camera, so if taking selfies is your main priority with a smartphone, this one’s for you! Multimedia fans will love the Q6 as it has a generous 5.5” FullVision display, and is unique in comparison to other phones with the tall 18:9 display.

Love watching movies or playing games on your phone? The LG Q6 screen has 2160 x 1080 screen resolution so it provides a much more engaging user experience. The display and camera features are great; however, it’s missing the 2K display that the LG G6 has. Nonetheless, still a strong contender in the smartphone market with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor and face recognition feature that not many phones possess today.

Design

The extremely slim borders of the screen and thin bezel mean that the Q6 is one of the most comfortable smartphones to use with just one hand. The rounded display replicates the LG G6, and gives the phone a sleek appearance. The 7000 series aluminum frame is impressive and incredibly strong, as well as having a beautiful ergonomic design and sturdy build – features usually seen on more high-end smartphones.

Instead of the fingerprint sensor LG has included a face recognition feature in the Q6, however, this feature has mixed reviews on whether it’s secure enough (as seen with the iPhone X). LG included ‘Advanced Face Recognition’ too, which is more secure as the phone won’t be unlocked with a picture of your face, but it’ll take longer to unlock your phone using this.

LG says: “The slimmer 69.3mm width makes the LG Q6 totally comfortable to touch, use, and hold. The flat display surface and optimized bezel reduce annoying accidental touches, frequent with curved displays”.

Performance & Battery life

The 3000mAh battery is great considering it’s a mid-range phone and is likely to last you a day’s use, however, if you’re a Snapchat addict, it’ll be pretty low by the end of the day. It would take a full hour to reach approximately 73% battery charge, so make sure if you’ve got evening plans to keep the phone on charge while getting ready and the phone will be ready with full charge for rest of your night out!

The LG Q6 runs with a smooth user interface and it’s great for multitasking with different apps. It’s also a great device for gaming on-the-go as there’s no faltering animations, however, as with many phones, a full gaming session may get the metal frame of the Q6 fairly heated. LG even included a useful ‘Game battery saver’ that reduces the resolution to save power so you won’t need to worry about your phone dying when you’re on the go!

The president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, Juno Cho, stated;

“The LG Q6 is a blend of premium features, great performance and attractive pricing, a combination that is extremely important to us as we look at the way consumers are using smartphones around the world.

The Q series is our way of getting the superb experiences with the essence of the LG’s premium line-ups to more consumers’ hands and pockets.”

Our Verdict:

Overall, the LG Q6 is an impressive device and stands out more because of its sleek design and display, so even a few years down the line, the LG Q6 will still look modern. Likewise, we picture the unique 18:9 screen ratio becoming a popular feature in the future of smartphones, so this mid-priced range android phone is worth the money in the long run. Innovative features at value price? Yes, please! You can get your hands on the LG Q6 here are Laptop Outlet today. The LQ Q6 perfectly combines portability with powerful software, with the help of an impressive Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor. Did we mention the minimal bezel screen? This clever touch makes the Q6 a winner in the mid-range smartphone market.

For more updates on latest releases, top picks, helpful reviews and other tech news- visit our Laptop Outlet blog.

September 19, 2017 0 comment

Apple

The iPhone X: The 10th Anniversary Of The iPhone

Apple was very secretive about the 10^th anniversary of the iPhone, while rumours spread like wild fire; suspense only heightened as the launch day finally came. To clear up any confusion, it was a surprise to the masses that Apple actually released three phones; the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X. The iPhone X has stolen the limelight to say the least. So what exactly is it? Well, there were whispers that the iPhone X was the same as the iPhone 8, but was just given a little more attention and a different name to highlight the milestone age of the iPhone turning 10; this evidently isn’t the case. This little stunner of a phone has tongues wagging and jaws dropping, so read on to see what all the excitement is about!

Appearance & No Home Button

(Source: Apple)

The assumption that the home button would be removed had been bouncing around and it was put into motion with the iPhone X, but not the 8 or 8 Plus. Whilst this feature is being heavily praised for improving the aesthetics of the phone, it has indeed been seen before (LG G6) and the Samsung Galaxy range seem to be heading in that direction as pioneers of the curved edges and somewhat infinity screens. Although, we can’t deny this is a rather stunning phone. The removal of the home button enhances the slick and chic look that Apple is ever so loved and famous for. Available in silver and space grey, they’re very easy on the eye to say the least, but we couldn’t help but feel that there’s something missing- the iPhone X in black.

Face ID

Abandoning the infamous home button means ditching the finger print scanner that unlocked previous iPhone models. So Apple is kicking up the fancy tech features a notch and have now introduced face scanner ID. The security feature utilises the front camera (obviously), mapping out facial features and recognising them in order to unlock the phone. However, at Apple’s latest convention in LA when demonstrating the face ID scanner for the first time ever, live and on camera, it unfortunately didn’t work on the first attempt. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was the phone, we’re not sure. Apple don’t really make mistakes, so chances are it was a one off or a little bad luck- but we’ll know for sure when the phone is available to the public. A rather cool feature (quite well presented on their website if you’re interested) is how the facial recognition technology adapts and learns of changing facial features over time, like growing a beard, wearing hats/scarves that may potentially cover your face or recognising different expressions.

Camera

(Source: Apple)

The camera is the same as its predecessor- the iPhone 7. It has a 12MP wide-angle dual camera, plus some extra features. Portrait mode for selfies is a great feature if you’re brave enough to snap your face in high def. The artistically blurred background gives the impression of DSLR quality without the hassle of carrying a clunky camera around. Portrait lighting lets you manipulate photos with ease, no apps, or transfers to your computer to use Photoshop.

Wireless Charging

(Source: Telegraph)

So this feature is pretty cool, there’s no fiddling with wires, you simply place it on the dock. Also the infamous Apple charging cable that always breaks will hopefully be left behind. You can charge your phone, watch and earphones; all at the same time too! We have only one little query, so the charging cable is gone, why keep the Apple port, why not bring the normal earphone jack back? It’s just a little unnecessary now seeing as the port has no purpose other than earphones, that you either buy from Apple, or have to buy an adapter for if you use your own.

AR & Animoji

(Source: The Verge)

The ASUS ZenFone AR was the first phone with built in augmented reality and virtual reality, and it seems Apple have jumped on the bandwagon too. Apple introduced Animoji this year, which is a dynamic cartoon emoji that moves and speaks based on your actual face motions.

Animoji utilises augmented reality to enable you to transfer your facial expressions to your choice of emoji- pretty cool right? TrueDepth camera can decipher and analyse over 50 muscular movements to make an emoji of your choice mimic your expression (choice of 12 emojis)

Price

Now, this is where most people’s draw drop in shock and start to think the iPhone 8 is probably a better purchase. The 64GB model is priced at just £1 short of a grand- £999. The 256GB model is £1149. Smartphones just as good and capable are half the price, but this phone is definitely not for everyone. The premium feel features and of course, price makes this phone more of an accessory and luxury item.

So there you have it, the key features of the 10^th anniversary iPhone X! We hope we’ve given you further insight to some of the phone’s cool features and helped you come to a decision if you were in the midst of contemplating; to buy or not to buy? For more latest tech news and releases, helpful top picks and reviews- visit our blog.

The iPhone X not for you? Check out our range of mobile phones here.

September 14, 2017 0 comment

Guides

Top Tech Essentials For Students

Starting university soon? It’s a big change, but here at Laptop Outlet we’re here to help! Between buying pot and pans and trying to find recipes for stuff that’ll take no more than 10 minutes to cook, tech is another hurdle to climb over. In the comfort of your house everything is there, but what exactly do you need and what isn’t a necessity? We’re here to walk you through the top tech essentials for students!

Laptops

First and foremost, quite possibly the most important- a laptop! Having a budget and limited room in halls, this will be your go-to device for everything, whether it’s ordering cheap take-out, doing research, writing up essays, gaming or watching films. We suggest you look into your course requirements and avoid making any hasty decisions. If your course requires more power-consuming and demanding software (graphic design, film, digital art etc) we suggest you go for a powerful processor- perhaps an i7 Intel processor. Alongside this, you’ll probably need a device with a higher than usual RAM and storage space, and most definitely more advanced graphics. So check what your area of study requires. What do you need? If you like to game and watch films, look into a laptop that is an all-rounder- great for work and play purposes.

Key points to consider before buying:

Preference (Brand, style, hybrid or laptop, touchscreen or not)
Course requirements (power-draining software?)
Study purposes only or entertainment too?
How much do you store on your laptop? How much storage space do you need?
Price, what’s your budget?
Portability, do you plan to travel with your laptop or work on the go?
Aesthetics, do you want something that looks good?
Student discount? Certain stores and brands do this. (Student Beans & Uni Days)
Check with your university to see if you’re eligible for funding or if you can be provided with a laptop during term time (e.g. low income household, disability allowance, grant).

Speakers

Part of the university experience is the social aspect. Whether it’s a chilled night with friends, getting ready for a night out, flat party or just jamming to your favourite tunes while cooking- a speaker is a must have. With loads to choose from, some are as cheap as a tenner! Depending on your needs pick something suited to your lifestyle.

Key points to consider:

Portability? Do you want/need to take them out the house or not?
How loud you like to listen to music?
Price & brand
Do you need Bluetooth/wireless speakers?
Do you want a multi-functional speaker? Perhaps one with a radio?

Printer

Now this is an optional one. With tech advancement having been so great in the past decade, universities have jumped on the bandwagon of high-tech! So much of your work may be handed in electronically, so check with your course/module leader. If you’re a fan of typing up notes and printing them out when exam period hits, then consider investing in one. Or perhaps art and photography students might need to print pictures out? See if it’s an essential, if not don’t make the unnecessary purchase (that money could be used on cheap Chinese food!). Alongside this, all universities offer a printing service, it’s usually well priced; often 10p per A4 page.

Key points to consider:

How large of a printer do you need? (A4 or larger?)
Price & brand
Wireless?
Do you have space for it?
Is it essential for your course or could you manage with university printing?
Photo printer so you stick them up in your room as decoration or to remember your favourite uni moments?

Smartphone

Other than the obvious purpose of communication, you’ll be surprised how much your smartphone can help with education. Listening to audiobook can save you a tonne of time and money; they’re cheaper than physical copies and you can get through an entire book so much quicker. Something for all your necessary apps, space to snap photos through freshers and music. You might even need to use your phone for quickly looking over notes before a big test or organising your time and writing up to-do lists. Keep up to date with social media, with university events, needing Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to connect with people; do you have a phone that can handle all of that?

Key points to consider:

Price & brand
Storage – What you’ll use it for? (music, photos, notes, recording lectures, photography etc)
Social Media
Screen size – Will you be using it to read lecture notes on or simply as a means of communication?

Portable Charger

It may seem like something unnecessary but if you need your phone all day and are used to constantly being on it- that combined with a full day of lectures could leave you with a dead battery. Something small and mighty can provide you with that extra power your phone needs to get through the day. However, this item isn’t a must-have for everyone, but do grab it if you need it!

Key points to consider:

Is it a necessity?
How long can your phone last?
Your lecture schedule- if you have time between classes you can easily charge in a coffee shop or back at your room.

USB

Believe it or not, this little guy might be your life saver at times. With last minute cramming and looming deadlines you can never anticipate when your laptop will crash, so saving your work on one of these little guys as you go along could prevent the loss of your essay on the Third Reich. If you’re working in the library, some students find online storage a hassle, so just save your work on this little guy and head on back to the flat, pop it in your laptop and resume work.

Key points to consider:

How much storage you need.
Price & brand
Whether you think you need it or not, make sure you have one to be on the safe side!

Microsoft Office

A must-have for every student! Whether it’s essay writing or group presentation, this is a must have. Check with your university as they often offer this to students free or at a reduced price.

Anti-Virus Software

As much as it may seem like a cost you’d rather avoid, this is absolutely essential. A virus could render your device obsolete and completely wreck it. Having had work and entertainment stored on your laptop, perhaps important passwords too, it’s absolutely vital you protect your device. Do you really want to lose your assignment 10 hours before a deadline? Alongside this, whilst Netflix is affordable, many choose to use the not so safe and legal websites to stream films and shows that come with a higher risk of such threats, so be prepared!

So there you have it, our student tech essentials for university! We hope we’ve armed you with some good knowledge too. If you weren’t sure on what you needed, hopefully you know or have an idea now! We offer up to 15% off with Student Beans on selected student items, so check it out!

For more helpful guides, top picks and tech related news- visit our blog.

August 25, 2017 0 comment

Reviews

Apple iPhone 8 release date, news and rumours

The much loved brand Apple, infamous for its leading technology with products ranging from phones and tablets to laptops, now has us awaiting the launch of their newest phone; the iPhone 8. Alongside this release, we expect to see the release of an iPhone 7S and an iPhone 7S Plus; so the pressure is on to create 3 new phones. But back to the Apple iPhone 8! We’ve been laboriously searching and seeking to find out what the next generation iPhone will have, so read on to find out more about the Apple iPhone 8!

Screen & Display

If you thought the 6 Plus or 7 was big, you’re in for a surprise. The iPhone 8 is expected to have a 5.8 inch screen, with a sensory/usable screen of 5.15 inches. The framing seen around the screen on various models seems to have been abandoned with various blueprint and dummy model leaks. With the framing removed, we’re expecting to see the introduction of an infinity screen or something of a similar appearance. There may be framing along the top of the phone, however none on the sides or bottom; alongside a more elongated shape. If this is true, we see Apple abandoning their signature look that is ever so loved and recognised, and also bearing uncanny resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy 8 which is bound to cause a stir.

(Source: Techradar.com)

We’re expecting some major improvements in screen quality and all round to be fair, as Apple is celebrating a decade of the iPhone, we’re expecting bigger and better than ever before. From our research, we won’t be disappointed in screen quality. There was immense excitement in regards to the picture and screen quality of the iPhone 7, with its 1080 x 1920 resolution, but the new Apple iPhone 8 will have an estimated 2800 x 1342 screen resolution, giving us sharper visuals than any of its predecessors. To increase resolution and screen quality, Apple also plan on using pixel “doubling” and “tripling”.

A 3D touch feature is expected to be added to the display screen and is approximated to cost 2-2.5 times more than the previous generations screen feature costs. The Economic Daily News states the iPhone 7 roughly cost $7- $9, whereas the iPhone 8 will cost between $18- $22; all of which has been confirmed by the supplier TPK Holdings.

Alongside this, we see a major upgrade in screen features with the introduction of OLED (organic light- emitting diode). We know it’s a mouthful and sounds very complex, but we’re going to break it down for you. A layer of film will be inserted into the phone screen, this film is electroluminescent so emits light in response to an electrical current. In simple words, it’s going to make screen visuals a lot brighter and more vivid. This type of technology is mainly found in TV and computer screens, but Apple being the leading and innovative brand they are, hope to bring this advanced technology to the palm of your hands by introducing them to phones. However, this layer of film is very delicate and requires glass to be bonded on either side, so again increases the costs. Goldman Sachs, multinational finance company states this feature will add $35 to the overall manufacturing cost. It has also been reported that the outside display and exterior has now been confirmed, so from the various leaked designs floating on the web, we have a pretty clear idea of the new phone’s appearance.

Other rumoured features include the dimension being 143.5mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm, instead of aluminium there’ll be a curved glass back, or the entire phone exterior will be coated with glass, whilst the inner framing will still be metal.

(Source: mirror.co.uk)

No Home Button/ Security

The infinity screen will be accompanied with the abandonment of the home button, which has received both praise and backlash. The fingerprint security feature will still be included, but will be integrated into the screen. This feature is the earliest and most widely reported feature, so we expect it to be almost definite. There has also been recurring talk of a rear fingerprint security scanner, which seems a little strange and unnecessary. Alternatively, the numerous changes to the rear and front camera also spur on rumours of facial recognition as a security feature. However, sources suggest there is more evidence for the integrated fingerprint scanner, rather than facial recognition due to numerous technological setbacks.

Camera & Memory

The new Apple iPhone 8 will see a different type of battery to its predecessor. The new battery should enable 30% larger capacity and improvement on various other features, the cost is estimated to be $75- $80. There seems to be a running theme of increased costs here, no doubt racking up the overall cost of the phone.

We expect to see changes and improvements on both the rear and front camera. There are rumoured to be dual lenses on either side which are vertically aligned, alongside a built-in iris scanner with the camera. There are also whispers of a collaboration between Apple and LG to create 3D photographing, as well as an augmented reality feature. There hasn’t been a great deal of detail released on these speculated features, but we’re curious to see what happens!

(Source: macrumours.com)

Charging

With portable chargers taking the tech world by storm, it was imminent and only a matter of time imminent that wireless charging would be introduced; a rumour constantly surrounding speculation of the new iPhone. There have been rumours or a charging slip or case, enabling speedy charging wherever you are and on the go with ease. However, it’s likely that this will not be included with the purchase of the phone, a normal cable charger will be included and the wireless charger will be an accessory to be bought separately.

Release Date & Price

The first release date was stated to be in the latter half of 2017, around September, however it seems as though delay is definite. Duetsche Bank state this to be likely due to numerous technical challenges and component shortages. This has also been confirmed by various other sources, as the question is no longer “will it be delayed?”, but more so “how long will it be delayed?”. But fear not, it can’t be delayed for long as various stores are allowing customers to pre-register for the iPhone 8, so we won’t be waiting for too long.

Now, the price. As you’ve probably picked up through the article, Apple are determined to release a premium phone for its 10^th anniversary, inevitably raising the price. The estimated price has been placed at $1000/ £785. The price alone has received major criticism, as it’s the most expensive phone yet, which raises questions as to how well sales will do upon release. The latest generation of the MacBook Pro saw a huge increase in price but sales were not affected, most likely due to brand and product loyalty; will it be the same for the new iPhone 8? According to CEO, Tim Cook, iPhone 7 sales dropped once blueprints and dummy models of the iPhone 8 was released. Either way, we’re excited to see what Apple brings out!

For more information on the new Apple iPhone 8, helpful reviews and other tech related news keep track of our blog.

June 23, 2017 0 comment