Technology - Google News

Exclusive: Is this the first sign of a budget Samsung foldable phone? - SamMobile
Google’s Pixel Buds get new transcribe mode, attention alerts, and sharing detection - The Verge
Razer made a dull keyboard and mouse for working from home - Engadget

Exclusive: Is this the first sign of a budget Samsung foldable phone? - SamMobile

Posted: 20 Aug 2020 08:32 AM PDT

Samsung is going to release its third foldable smartphone next month but none of the devices that it has released so far can be categorized as "budget." The lowest you can pay for one of its foldable smartphones right now is $1,380. Then again, the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip does have high-end specs and the world's first ultra-thin glass display.

Budget foldable smartphones are obviously the dream and at some point in the future, there might come a day when this dream becomes a reality. However, there are already some whispers about a potential budget foldable phone. If priced below $1,000, such a device would be relatively cheaper than the cheapest foldable right now which costs as much as a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Samsung's budget foldable could be a clamshell

We are hearing that Samsung has a new device in the pipeline and it might be a foldable smartphone. It bears model number SM-F415. Those of you who keep an eye on Samsung model numbers would already know that the "F" is what Samsung has been using for its Galaxy Z series handsets. It has used the SM-F900, SM-F700 and SM-F916 model numbers for the Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2 respectively.

Details are extremely limited at this time but we're told that it's going to be available with 64/128GB storage options and in black, green and blue colors. We can't throw our weight behind the source of this information just yet as even though all of this sounds plausible, the evidence is largely circumstantial at best.

It's no secret that Samsung plans on releasing more foldable smartphones in the future and it wouldn't be surprising if a budget handset is on the cards as well. A budget clamshell foldable could be possible since it wouldn't need a big cover display as the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Samsung could also go with mid-range specs to further trim the price. The foldable display and the hinge will be expensive components nonetheless as a compromise on durability will simply not fly.

Bringing the price down will enable more customers to take a chance on foldable phones. There may be many potential customers for this device if it's priced between $600-700, for example. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. We'll keep our ear to the ground for this device, hopefully it's going to end up seeing the light of day.

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Google’s Pixel Buds get new transcribe mode, attention alerts, and sharing detection - The Verge

Posted: 20 Aug 2020 08:00 AM PDT

Google is adding a number of new features to its Pixel Buds today — and also addressing the cutout / disconnect issues that some early buyers have experienced. The latest firmware update should decrease "instances of cut-outs during calls" and have "better auto-recovery when one or both earbuds lose connection." A new transcribe mode is designed to translate long speeches directly into your ears, which is ideal for if you're listening to a lecture or speech where a single person is speaking in a language you don't understand. The Pixel Buds have always supported a translation feature, but this transcribe mode is designed for one-way translation instead of conversations back and forth, and it's a more discrete way to translate using the Buds. It will be available initially for French, German, Italian, and Spanish translation into English.

Alongside the new transcribe mode, Google is also adding some more audio options. A new bass boost mode enhances the bass you hear from the Pixel Buds. This pairs well with a better sharing detection feature, which now allows Pixel Buds users to share a single earbud with someone and have individual volume control over each earbud.

Google is also launching a new Pixel Buds experimental feature today. Attention Alerts are designed to alert Pixel Buds users of important events happening around them while they're listening to music. If a baby cries nearby or an emergency vehicle passes by with its siren on, the Pixel Buds will automatically lower the volume temporarily so you can hear what's happening around you.

If you're someone who frequently misplaces your Pixel Buds, Google is also improving the ability to find them. While you can already ring the earbuds to find them, you can also now see their last known location on a map. Google Assistant is also getting some improvements on the Pixel Buds. You can now ask "how much battery life do I have left on my earbuds?" and Assistant will answer. You can also enable or disable the Pixel Buds' touch controls through Google Assistant.

All of these new features are rolling out to Google's Pixel Buds today.

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Razer made a dull keyboard and mouse for working from home - Engadget

Posted: 20 Aug 2020 08:55 AM PDT

Razer has taken a small step sideways with its latest peripherals. The company's perhaps best known for its gaming accessories. This time around, it has built a keyboard and mouse intended for office work (or, you know, working from home, as many of us are for the foreseeable future).

The Pro Type keyboard uses Razer's orange mechanical switches — while it'll have a clicky feel, it should be quieter than many other gaming keyboards. The keys are backlit with white LEDs and should be durable for up to 80 million keystrokes. They also have a soft-touch coating, which Razer included for "all-day typing comfort." The $140 keyboard has wireless and Bluetooth connectivity for up to four devices, along with programmable keys that offer macro recording.

As for the Pro Click mouse, Razer worked with ergonomic device maker Humanscale to make it comfortable for all-day use. It's designed to keep your wrist at a neutral 30-degree angle to minimize the risk of developing conditions such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Its palm, thumb and pinky supports should also help support your hand and reduce strain.

The $100 Pro Click has eight programmable buttons, and multi-host Bluetooth connectivity for four devices. Razer says the battery should run for over 400 hours on a single charge, and that the mouse will be durable for up to 50 million clicks.

The Productivity Suite also includes a Pro Glide surface (aka a mouse pad), which has a cushioned, micro-weave cloth surface. That costs $10.

Of course, you could quite easily fire up Microsoft Flight Simulator after your work day and play it using these. But since they don't have the flashiest of designs, at least they won't look super out of place if your colleagues catch a glimpse of them on your next Zoom call. The products are available from Razer's website today, and you can buy them through authorized resellers starting August 27th.

In this article: pro type keyboard, keyboard, peripherals, pro click mouse, mouse pad, mouse, pro click, hardware, mousepad, razer, pro type, accessories, news, gear

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