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tech trends

ASUS ZenFone 5 Review: What We Know So Far

Last month in Barcelona, ASUS revealed its new ZenFone 5 at MWC 2018! An addition to the ASUS ZenFone series, alongside with the ZenFone 4 and ZenFone 6, the ZenFone 5 is however nothing like its siblings. ASUS has given it a new design that has never been seen on any of the company’s products before. Some address the new smartphone as “the iPhone X clone”. Is ASUS’s new device anything more than a copy of Apple’s latest flagship? Read on to find out!

Design & Display

The ZenFone 5 is dubbed “the iPhone X clone” mainly because of its appearance. It features an edge-to-edge display with a notch at the top, exactly like the iPhone X. It won’t be surprising if people think you’ve got an iPhone X upon seeing the ZenFone 5 slide out of your pocket!

However, that doesn’t mean ASUS’s new phone is nothing eye-catching. With Full HD resolution and a 19:9 all-screen display aspect ratio, the 6.2” IPS display is beyond gorgeous. Despite the impressive screen size, the ZenFone 5 is the same size as previous ASUS devices that feature 5.5” screens. This is the result of the amazing 90% screen-to-body ratio. Together with the fact that it weighs only 155g, the new ASUS phone doesn’t feel like a large-screen device at all!

The camera placement again reminds us of the iPhone X. A dual camera module can be found at the top left corner of the glass back. An easy-to-tap fingerprint sensor is located at the centre of the back of the phone, allowing you to unlock the device effortlessly.

Camera & Battery

The dual cameras of the ASUS ZenFone 5 is one of the biggest selling point of the smartphone. Sitting alongside with the 12MP Sony IMX363 image sensor is the second 120-degree camera that makes the ZenFone 5 brilliant for taking wide-angle shots. It is perfect for fitting your large group of friends into your photos, and you won’t have any problem capturing a beautiful landscape!

As for the front-facing camera, it comes with 8MP and an aperture of f/2.0. With the facial recognition feature, you can unlock your phone without a PIN!

What makes the cameras of the ZenFone 5 even better is the AI scene detection. It identifies what you’re taking pictures of and adjusts the settings accordingly to optimise the photo quality.

The battery of ZenFone 5 stands out from the crowd thanks to its intelligent charging feature. The charging rate is automatically adjusted according to your charging habit, effectively minimising battery wear! The battery itself is rated at 3,300mAh – more than sufficient to power you through an average day!

Performance

The new ASUS phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with 4GB of RAM, which gives it enough speed to handle all sorts of tasks, including some intensive gaming! The AI Boost option in the quick settings will make sure your demanding games are played smoothly. Also, prepare yourself for the latest features of Android 8 Oreo!

Release Date & Price

The ASUS ZenFone 5 is going to be released in the UK in April. Its price is still to be confirmed, but since the ZenFone 4 started at £449, we’re expecting a similar pricing.

If you like the look of the iPhone X but prefer Android OS, the ASUS ZenFone 5 is tailor-made for you! Although it does look like a copy of Apple’s flagship, ASUS’s new smartphone is undoubtedly a solid device.

Keep track of our blog for more of the latest information on the ASUS ZenFone 5, helpful reviews and other tech related news!

March 23, 2018 0 comment

Tech News

Google’s New AI Predicts Heart Disease by Scanning Your Eyes

Scientists from Google’s health-tech division, Verily, have discovered a new method to assess heart disease risk – by staring into patients’ eyes!

Verily has developed an AI algorithm that evaluates scans of the back of a patient’s eye and collects accurate data, including the patient’s age, gender, blood pressure and whether they’re a smoker. The information can then be used to predict an individual’s risk of having a heart attack or suffering from heart disease. This method is not only easier and potentially faster than a blood test, but also almost as accurate as current leading methods!

The scientists trained the algorithm through machine learning by having it analyse a medical dataset of about 300,000 patients. The AI then detected patterns from the data and learnt to pinpoint signs in the eye scans that suggest cardiovascular risk.

It’s been proven in the testing phases that Google’s algorithm is able to acquire 70% of accuracy in identifying heart conditions. When presented with eye scans of two patients, one of whom was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease in 5 years while the other one did not, the algorithm was able to recognise the former 70% of the time. This is almost as effective as the popular but more time-consuming SCORE process, which has an accuracy of about 72% in the same test but requires a blood test.

It may sound weird to have your eyes examined in order to evaluate the health of your heart, but Verily’s new endeavour is actually based on established researches and therefore highly credible. Signs of many health issues are reflected through the condition of blood vessels at the rear interior wall of the eye. By studying the appearance of the blood vessels with cameras and microscopes, all manner of insights into cardiovascular health can be obtained.

The new AI is so much more than a new way to assess the risk of heart disease. Google is playing a leading role in establishing new AI-powered paradigms for scientific discovery. Instead of replicating existing diagnostic tools like most medical algorithms, Google’s algorithm found new ways to analyse medical data. It is possible that artificial intelligence can give completely new medical insight without human involvement.

The new algorithm will need to go through more thorough tests to make sure it’s reliable enough to be implemented in a clinical setting. We won’t be able to see AI doctors diagnosing without human assistance perhaps until decades later, but Google’s research has proved that it’s totally possible in the not-so-distant future.

Can you imagine yourself seeing an AI doctor? We look forward to seeing more ground-breaking discoveries from Google!

Keep track of our blog to keep up-to-date with the latest tech news!

March 15, 2018 0 comment

Android

What will Android P be called?

With Android Oreo still missing on a couple of flagship smartphones, the first developer review of the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, Android P, is only months away. According to “traditions”, every new version of Android is named after a dessert. Making guesses about what the next Android will be called is almost as fun as its new features! What dessert would Android P be named after? We’ve put together a list of our best guesses:

Pancake

Who doesn’t love pancakes? One of the most popular desserts in the world, the tasty treat even has an entire day dedicated to its worship. You can top it with maple syrup, banana, nutella, bacon or even fried chicken – the possibilities are endless! Appealing to the masses, the pancake can definitely help Google in promoting its next OS.

Popsicle

Android Popsicle is probably the most possible candidate for Android P! Although the word “popsicle” is mostly American, most of the world won’t find it difficult to understand its concept. This sweet, visually appealing treat won’t fail to create a positive impression for the new Android. The fact that Google has previously shown interest in brand names like Kit Kat and Oreo makes “popsicle” a more likely name of the next Android!

Pumpkin Pie

Do you know Lollipop was internally called Lemon Meringue Pie and Kit Kat was Key Lime Pie? This “pie history” makes pumpkin pie a reasonable guess for what Android P will be named after. With two Pumpkin Pie days on the calendar (October 12 and December 25), the popularity of the dessert makes it an appealing name for Google’s upcoming OS!

Peppermint

We know that peppermint is technically a plant, not a confectionary, but it won’t be hard for most people to relate it to sweets, chewing gums or after-dinner mints when hearing the word. Not only is peppermint a much-loved dessert flavour, it sounds as good as it tastes – “Android Peppermint” will be an unbeatable name for the latest Android version!

Praline

Originating in Belgium in 1912, the praline is a nuts, chocolate and sugar-based confection. It later diversifies itself into American and French varieties, offering different add-ons and hence experience. Also known as Belgian chocolates, these world-renowned treats have even become ingredients of other desserts such as chocolate brownies, puddings and mousse! Most importantly, the praline is a nice representation of the upcoming Android – the dessert and the OS are as graceful and classy as each another!

Which name do you think is the most possible for Android P? We’ll found out the answer in less than a year! For more updates on what Android P will be called, helpful reviews and other awesome tech news, keep an eye on our blog.

March 13, 2018 0 comment

MWC

MWC 2018: Latest News & Highlights So Far

MWC 2018 is well underway! The world’s most influential phone manufacturers are now gathering in Barcelona to showcase their latest innovations at one of the biggest events of the mobile industry. Interested in knowing about the intriguing gadgets the show has unveiled so far? Read on for all the latest news!

Samsung Galaxy S9 & Galaxy S9 Plus

The much-anticipated launch of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus has given MWC 2018 an exciting start! Samsung’s latest Android handsets are equipped with innovative dual-aperture camera, improved fingerprint sensors as well as thrilling new facial recognition and AR technologies. Featuring QHD + Super AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1440 x 2960, the new smartphones will deliver the crispest and clearest visuals. The US versions of the phones will include the most up-to-date Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor while the UK versions will be powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 9810 chipsets. Pre-orders are now open in Europe and will be available in the US on 2^nd March, with a global launch scheduled on 16^th March. Are you excited?!

Sony Xperia XZ2 & XZ2 Compact

The Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are possibly the most legit rivals of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. At this year’s MWC, Sony finally ditches its tired design and offers something new. The massive bezel surrounding the display on its previous devices is gone; instead, we find a stretched out 18:9 screen. This makes the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact the most modern-looking Sony phones. Apart from the increased size, the brilliant displays of the two phones are 4K HDR-ready. What’s more, the Xperia XZ2 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which makes it comparable to the new Samsung handsets! If you’re into smaller phones, you’ll want to check out the 5-inch XZ2 Compact. Prefer a bigger screen? The 5.7-inch XZ2 is tailored for you!

Nokia 8110 4G

The banana phone is back! Nokia reveals that the iconic Matrix phone, the 8110, is going to be re-released – this time with 4G! The Nokia 8110 4G features the unique curve and slider of the original, with the keypad hidden under the slider. It has a 2.4-inch curved display with QVGA resolution. Powered by a Qualcomm 205 dual-core chipset with 512MB, the 8110 4G has just enough power to become a feature phone. The Smart Feature OS offers you an updated version of the classic snake game, along with Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and Google Assistant apps! The long-lasting battery – what Nokia phones are most famous for – remains as the most remarkable feature of the banana phone. The 1500mAh battery can last up to 25 days standby from a single charge!

LG V30S ThinQ

Instead of unveiling its next flagship, LG presents us an upgraded version of the V30, the V30S ThinQ at MWC 2018. The new smartphone retains plenty of features of the original V30 but with 6GB instead of 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage and new colours – Moroccan Blue and Platinum. Assisted by AI, the camera changes shooting modes according to what you’re taking a photo of. For example, if you’re taking pictures of food, the “Dedicated Mode” will be activated, enhancing contrast and saturation. When it’s too dark, the new “Bright Mode” introduces more light into the pictures by combining megapixels to make them bigger. Although there isn’t a massive upgrade in the V30S ThinQ compared to the old V30, it is still a phone we’re going to love.

STK X2

British manufacturer STK is introducing a new member to the low-cost market – the X2! Despite its small price tag, the Android smartphone has a 5.7-inch HD+ display and a sophisticated glass and aluminium body that makes it look expensive. It also comes with STK Care, a ROM-based optimisation tool that effectively prevents slowdown over prolonged use. The phone will literally feel brand new every time you pick it up! What impresses us the most is the X2’s software department: it’s running Android 8.1 Oreo with additional support features such as a 24-hour support system an on-device diagnostic tool for troubleshooting hardware issues!

Are you enjoying MWC 2018 so far? We can’t wait to see what the rest of the exhibition is going to offer! We’ll keep you up to date with the planet’s largest mobile phone show. Stay tuned!

Keep up with all the latest product launches and tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

February 28, 2018 0 comment

Gaming

Gaming Trends of 2018: What to Expect

The beginning of 2018 brings a year of exciting opportunities ahead, and for gamers, it means another 12 months of awesome technologies and trends! The new year would not be complete for gaming maniacs without previewing upcoming news in the gaming industry over the next 12 months. Below are highlights of the fascinating gaming trends to be expected in 2018:

4K HDR

2018 will hands down offer phenomenal gaming experiences that take full advantage of HDR technology. In 2017, more games were coming with support for the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X with HDR included. Also, more PC monitors are now HDR supported. This establishes a brand new industrial standard when it comes to graphics and resolution.

Developers are hence given the best opportunity to display their work exactly the way they want it to be seen. As 4K TVs and PC monitors are becoming more popular and affordable, we’re in the perfect position to experience the most stunning visuals ever. Make sure you’re ready for the visual feast!

AR Gaming

Pokemon GO came along and completely changed our definition of gaming. Unlike VR, which constructs an immersive gaming environment within a restricted area, AR (Augmented Reality) creates a gaming experience within the gamer’s existing environment. Games are gradually becoming a physical representation in a digital world where players are allowed to fully explore via a screen. With advancement in AR across the industry as reflected in Acer’s Mixed Reality, Microsoft’s HoloLens and Apple’s ARKit, found in the latest iPhones, we’re expecting even more sensational AR games and further development in the AR technology in 2018.

VR Gaming

The past couple of years have been explosive for VR and in 2018 we’re looking forward to even more VR adoption! It is estimated that by 2025, the VR gaming market will exceed £31.61 billion. Plenty of developments are predicted, such as the introduction of new breeds of VR gaming headsets, innovation in haptic feedback and updates in cloud-based VR gaming.

No matter which we’re introduced to first, there is one thing we are sure about – VR will be bigger than ever in 2018!

Mobile Gaming

Mobile gaming occupies approximately 40% of the current video game market and it is very likely to exceed the halfway mark by 2020. In 2017, games are the most popular type of app on both Google Play and App Store. Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds, achieved 3.7 billion downloads across all its games last year. It seems that the pick-up-and-play nature of mobile gaming is turning what was once the territory of die-hard gamers into a place for casual enthusiasts. We can’t wait to see more intriguing mobile games this year!

Indie Games

While blockbusters continue to catch our attention, indie games are rising like a silently-erupting volcano. Inexpensive and with minimal additional purchases, indie games deliver a longer, more affordable gaming experience. Together with their unrestricted creativity, these games will guarantee to give the big boys a run for their money this year! The fact that gaming platforms are becoming more open to indie developers will certainly encourage more releases of indie games.

Indie games such as The Last Night, Indivisible and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night are already coming our way and will definitely make a splash in the months ahead. If you’re after a cheaper gaming outlet, keep an eye on indie games!

The gaming trends of 2018 will shape gaming experiences way better than ever, way beyond what we imagined. Looking for your perfect gaming partner? Check out our Gaming Hub!

Stay up to date with more tech news and trends at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

January 27, 2018 0 comment

Tech News

Meet Generation Alpha: The Screenagers

The millennials are the generation marketers have been trying to wrap their heads around for years, thanks to their immense buying power and their influence over different industries. While the importance of the millennial generation has been recognised, few have discovered the power of their children – Generation Alpha, especially when it comes to their impact over the world of technology. Yes, even when many of them are still feeding on baby formulas or not even born!

Who are the Alphas?

Generation Alpha, offspring of the millennials, are born from 2010 until 2025. Growing up with an iPad in their hands, they are the most technologically supplied children ever. Many of them know how to scroll before learning to walk and spend time on digital devices everyday. These “screenagers”, who have digital technology fully integrated into their lives, are shaping the technology trends like never before.

Technology Trends Set by the Alphas:

Kid-Friendly Tech Accessories

Generation Alphas are profoundly influencing their millennial parents’ buying habit on tech products. There is no surprise kid-friendly tech accessories become widely popular while the alphas are given phones and tablets as toys. Child-safe BUDDIBOX iPad Case was one of the “most wished for” items on Amazon.com at last year’s Christmas.

Apps for Kids

As smartphones and tablets are a part of the Alphas’ day-to-day life since the day they are born, educational apps tailored for the generation are among one of the most profit-making in the app store. One defining example is ABCmouse, an educational platform exclusively targeting generation Alpha, which is subscribed to by over 1 million families.

Alphas as Tech Creators

It does not make sense to question Alphas’ power to create technology when they are exposed to it like being exposed to air and water. Aside from educational apps targeting kids as the users, pioneering marketers have discovered the potential to include the Alphas as creators in the apps. Apple takes the lead by making coding available to everyone via its Swift Playgrounds iPad app. Smart construction startup Sam Labs takes the game to another level by introducing toys that allow children to learn coding and engineering basics while playing. These toys are linked to an iPad app so that kids can build systems and inventions.

Alpha Social Influencers

It is not difficult for Alphas to create influence on social media platforms at such a young age when they are growing up playing with smartphones. For example, 4-year-old fashionista Laerta has more than 526,000 followers on her Instagram account, while Charli and Ashlee, 7 and 10, of YouTube baking channel CharlisCraftyKitchen have over 800,000 subscribers and an average of 29 million monthly views. With the support of their Alpha audience who play with electronic devices everyday, it is unsurprising that these alphas’ personalities are successful on social media channels.

The Alphas are impacting the latest trends of technology in full force and influencing the consumption patterns of their millennial parents profoundly. Stay up to date with the influence of The Alphas and the new trends we’re sure to come across at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

November 23, 2017 0 comment