HMD Global 帶來了 Nokia X30 5G（上圖左）及 G60 5G 這兩款環保兼耐用的中階智慧型手機，並已在香港開售。
Google Pixel 7 Pro、Pixel 7、Pixel Watch 水貨登陸香港先達廣場
Google Pixel 7 Pro、Pixel 7 和 Pixel Watch 水貨都已經迅速抵達香港了。
Apple slapped with a $19 million fine in Brazil for not selling iPhones with a charger
Apple keeps on losing court battles in Brazil over its decision to stop shipping iPhones with a charger. The São Paulo state court has ruled against the tech giant and slapped it with a 100 million real ($19 million) fine in a lawsuit filed by the Brazilian Consumers’ Association, a group of borrowers, consumers and taxpayers. In addition, the court has ordered Apple to supply all customers in Brazil who purchased the iPhone 12 or 13 over the past couple of years with a charger, as well as to start including them with all new purchases. Apple, as you’d expect, told the news organization that it will appeal the decision.
According to Barron’s, the judge in charge of the case called the non-inclusion of chargers in phone purchases an “abusive practice” that “requires consumers to purchase a second product in order for the first to work.” Apple has been at odds with Brazilian authorities over the issue for a while now. In 2021, São Paulo consumer protection agency Procon-SP fined Apple around $2 million for removing the power adapter from the iPhone 12, telling the company that it was in violation of Brazil’s Consumer Defense Code.
This September, the country’s Ministry of Justice issued an order that bans Apple from selling iPhones that don’t come with a charger. It also fined the company another $2.38 million and ordered the cancelation of iPhone 12’s registration with Brazil’s national telecoms agency. The tech giant is also appealing that decision.
Apple stopped bundling its iPhones with power adapters back in 2020 with the release of iPhone 12. The company cited environmental concerns for removing chargers with every purchase of the device and claimed that the decision will save 861,000 tons of copper, zinc and tin. The Brazilian Ministry of Justice remained unmoved by that reasoning, telling Apple that it could help the environment in other ways, such as giving its devices USB-C support. In Europe, Apple has a couple of years to do just that after the European Parliament voted to make USB-C the common charging standard in the EU. Mobile devices like the iPhone sold in the region will have to come with USB-C charging posts by the end of 2024.
Samsung’s One UI 5 update is largely about personalization
Samsung has revealed more details about One UI 5, the updated user interface it will begin rolling out to devices later this month. Galaxy S22-series devices will be the first to get the update. The company is placing an even bigger focus on personalization, including on the lock screen. You’ll be able to select up to 15 photos and videos for the lock screen, with a different one appearing each time you turn on the display.
Alternatively, you can let Samsung handle the dynamic lock screen with a selection of curated images — you’ll see a different one each time. You can choose up to five image categories (such as dogs, cats, animals, landscapes and plants) and Samsung will refresh the collections every two weeks. You’ll also be able to tweak the wallpaper, clock style and notification pop-ups on the lock screen. Expect more color palette options to change the device-wide look of the UI and more customizable faces for Galaxy Watches.
Samsung
Samsung says it has redesigned notifications to make them more intuitive and easier to parse with a glance. There’s the promise of improved widget stacking on the home screen too. One UI 5 will also have “more defined answer and decline buttons” when you see the pop-up call display.
Speaking of calls, there’s a new feature called Bixby Text Call. You’ll be able to answer a call by typing a message and Bixby can read this to the caller. The voice assistant can convert what the caller says into text as well. This could come in handy if you’re in a noisy environment and wouldn’t be able to hear what the other person is saying. Bixby Text Call became available in Korean as part of One UI 4.1.1. An English version will arrive in early 2023.
One UI 5 will place an onus on modes and routines too. With routines, you can trigger several actions on your device based on your activities (such as starting a certain playlist when you leave home). In addition, you can have modes with custom settings for certain situations, such as when you’re sleeping, relaxing or working out. In relax mode, you might mute notifications so you can focus on watching a video or playing a game. And when it’s time for bed, perhaps turning off all sounds and reducing the screen brightness will do the trick.
Samsung
At the Samsung Developer Conference keynote, Sally Hyesoon Jeong said that your device will ask a series of simple questions to help you set modes up as you see fit. The company plans to launch modes on more devices (namely watches and tablets) in the near future
Elsewhere, Samsung is merging the “biometrics and security” and “privacy” settings from One UI 4 into a single security and privacy menu. You’ll be alerted to potential security issues and see possible solutions all on one screen.
You’ll see a new warning on the share panel if your phone believes you’re about to share an image that includes sensitive information, such as a photo of your credit card, driver’s license, Social Security card or passport. When it comes to IDs, Samsung noted that availability may vary depending on the language. At least for now, this feature will only be available when you set your system language to English (US) or Korean.
On the health front, Samsung worked with Google on a platform called Health Connect, a single set of APIs that should enable Android developers to create “richer health experiences,” Jeong said. There will be centralized privacy controls that will still enable you to sync data between various health and fitness apps.
As a result of Samsung’s partnership with Microsoft, when you set up a new Windows PC, you can use a QR code to link it to your phone. This will automatically add your mobile hotspot to your PC WiFi options. Jeong suggested that One UI 5 will deliver improved continuity across apps. You can switch from PowerPoint on phones to the desktop app and continue from where you left off, for instance. There are plans to enable similar features for non-Microsoft apps soon. Also on the productivity front, the Z Fold 4’s redesigned taskbar is coming to other Z Fold and Tab S8 devices as part of the Android 12L update. Moreover, you’ll be able to copy text from images and paste it elsewhere.
A new connected devices menu will include interoperability options for the likes of Quick Share, Smart View and Samsung DeX. Finally, you can expect easier access to a menu that will help you switch your Galaxy Buds from one device to another.
The best tablets for 2022
Following the release of the 2022 iPad Air and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 line earlier this spring, there hasn’t been a ton of movement in the tablet world. At IFA, Lenovo announced refreshed versions of the Tab P11 and P11 Pro featuring updated internals…
The Morning After: Our verdict on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro
Yes, we’ve got full reviews of Google’s new flagship phones as well as its first smartwatch. The phones fare better than the wearable, but we are on the seventh generation of Pixel smartphones, so that’s to be expected.
In addition to new software features and Tensor G2 chip, the Pixel 7 Pro gets a number of extra hardware upgrades compared to the standard Pixel 7. There’s a longer 5x telephoto zoom, and its ultra-wide cam can also take macro shots. The Pixel 7 Pro’s battery doesn’t last quite as long as its smaller, cheaper sibling, but it will easily last a day. But most importantly, priced at $899, the Pixel 7 Pro offers more for your money than most of its rivals.
Engadget
With the $599 Pixel 7, the specs and hardware haven’t changed a ton since last year’s device, but battery life is good, lasting almost 18 hours on our video rundown test. It’s also got a nicer matte finish compared to the glossy Pro. Check out our full review of both phones here.
Meanwhile, we have all the big Microsoft news, including early impressions of some new Surface PCs.
– Mat Smith
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Google Pixel Watch review
Google and Fitbit’s imperfect marriage.
Engadget
The Pixel Watch, well, just feels good. As Engadget’s Cherlynn Low puts it, it’s like a “smooth, shiny pebble.” As a smartwatch, though? The software is competent, and Fitbit’s health-tracking integrations are excellent. Unfortunately, the Pixel Watch has a relatively short battery life and a Fitbit Premium paywall barricades many health metrics. But if you’re looking for an Android-friendly wearable that feels as premium as Apple, this might be it.
Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2+ gets 11th-gen Intel chips and RTX 3060 graphics
No, you didn’t read that CPU model wrong.
Microsoft
It’s been four years since we got the Surface Studio 2, Microsoft’s flexible all-in-one PC. Now it’s time for a, er, mild upgrade. The Surface Studio 2+ is indeed significantly faster than before, thanks to Intel’s 11th-gen CPU and NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 graphics. But we’ve also spent most of this year being impressed by Intel’s terrific 12th-gen hybrid chips, which deliver vastly better performance than 11th-gen CPUs. It’s not called the Surface Studio 3 for a reason, I guess, but prices still start at $4,300.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 hands-on
Can Intel and ARM models live in harmony?
The Surface Pro 9 is pretty much what we expected: a jump up to Intel’s 12th-gen CPUs. But Microsoft surprised us with a huge shakeup for its tablet PCs. There’s also a Surface Pro 9 running a custom SQ3 ARM chip, which includes built-in 5G. Choices! Either way, you’re getting tablet PCs that can easily transform into functional laptops with their keyboard cases.
The SQ3 Arm model also has a few features the Intel version doesn’t, thanks to its neural processor. That includes some real-time enhancements to video chats, like blurring your background. According to Microsoft, it’s possible to bring those features to Intel chips when they have their own neural chips, but unfortunately, those aren’t available in Intel’s current lineup.
Scientists got lab-grown human brain cells to play ‘Pong’
But how long until they can play ‘Doom’?
Ollie Millington via Getty Images
Researchers who grew a brain cell culture in a lab claim they taught the cells to play a version of Pong. Scientists from a biotech startup called Cortical Labs say it’s the first demonstrated example of a “mini-brain” being taught to carry out goal-directed tasks. DishBrain received a strong and consistent feedback signal (effectively a form of stimulus) when the paddle hit the ball and a short, random pulse when it missed. Apparently, after playing Pong for 20 minutes, the culture improved at the game.
Roku is moving into smart home tech
It’s launching a video doorbell, cameras and smart bulbs.
Roku is expanding beyond home theater setups and into smart home devices. The initial batch of Roku Smart Home products, which it collaborated on with Wyze, includes a smart doorbell, cameras, smart bulbs, smart light strips and smart plugs. The company didn’t reveal specs for the devices in advance, but previous reports suggested they are rebadged versions of Wyze products, including Cam v3, Cam Pan V2 and Bulb Color. You’ll also be able to use the Roku Voice Remote to bring up live camera feeds on your TV. Roku didn’t offer a breakdown of pricing, but said its cameras “start below $27.”
Microsoft made a hybrid speaker and laptop hub
Listen to music (and meetings).
It’s always nice to see something beyond what we’d expect from Microsoft. Microsoft has unveiled an Audio Dock that, as the name implies, combines a speaker with a laptop hub. The design centers on an omni-directional speakerphone and includes a 60W USB-C connection for charging your computer, two regular USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 jack and a single USB-A port. The company is leaning heavily on the Audio Dock’s usefulness for meetings, whether that’s from the office or the home office. You’ll find large dedicated buttons for the microphone toggle (handy for working from home) and launching Teams. Because Microsoft.
Valve releases redesigned Steam mobile app with QR code login
You can finally say goodbye to your dated and clunky Steam mobile app. Valve has rolled out the redesigned version of its Steam mobile app for Android and iOS, which it’s been testing since at least August this year. When it was looking for beta testers for the application, the game developer said it rebuilt the app “on a new framework and modernized the design.” It has also bundled the app with new features, including the ability to log in using QR codes.
The new sign-in method gives you a way to access your Steam account without having to type in your username and password. It uses the two-factor authentication credentials stored in your phone to verify your identity. If you do use Steam’s QR sign-in method, the app will show you a confirmation page with details, such as a map with the approximate location of the device you’re signing into, after you scan the code with your phone. That way, you can be sure that you’re approving your own login attempt
If you’d rather use your username and password to log in, the app will still ask if you’d like to accept or deny the sign-in attempt. And if you want to make sure there’s no device linked to your account that shouldn’t be, you can now review and revoke access if needed in the Authorized Devices page.
The new Steam mobile app now also displays all your games in the Library. When you click on a game’s cover image in the list, you’ll find an option that lets you download the game remotely to your PC, and another that gives you the power to uninstall it. Other new features include an improved store browsing experience for mobile displays and customizable Steam notifications for sales, trades, friend requests and other categories. Based on its announcement post, Valve is also working on bringing QR sign-in to the Steam Deck and on adding the Authorized Devices page to the Steam Client and browser.
Samsung and Google are working to streamline setting up Matter smart home devices
Following the official release of the Matter protocol earlier this month, today at its annual developer conference Samsung announced a deeper partnership with Google to make it easier for consumers to set up their smart home devices.
Currently, users are often forced to choose between a specific smart home platform like Samsung’s SmartThings or the Google Home app, and trying to get these systems to work with each other can often be quite difficult. Additionally, some devices are only supported on one (but not both) platforms, which means you have to switch between ecosystems to manage all of your gadgets.
But in the future, thanks in part to Matter’s multi-admin capabilities, Samsung says it’s looking to streamline the smart home device onboarding process. For example, for SmartThing users, Samsung claims the app will notify users when it detects devices that have been already set up in the Google Home app and will then provide a simple way of syncing those devices in SmartThings (or vice versa).
This means users won’t have to manually set up gadgets one-by-one on both platforms. And once a device has been onboarded, you’ll be able to control it using both Google’s and Samsung’s smart home apps. And while there isn’t an exact timetable for when this will happen, Samsung says Matter’s multi-admin feature will roll out sometime in the “coming weeks.”
As for the rest of the SmartThings ecosystem, Samsung says Bixby is also getting deeper integration into the company’s smart home platform, which will allow developers to support a wider range of voice-based interface experiences. Meanwhile, on the security front, Samsung also announced a new blockchain-based platform called Knox Matrix that will allow eligible devices to create a “shield” designed to protect connected devices like TVs and appliances from outside hacks.
The company says Knox Matrix will employ mutli-layered mutual monitoring to prevent bad actors from gaining unauthorized access to your devices. Supported gadgets will also be able to share login info and other sensitive data directly with each other in order to simplify the login process between trusted devices. And while it’s still a bit unclear how this system will actually work in the real world, it’s nice to see Samsung thinking about ways to bolster security for a broader range of internet-connected devices that might not get regular security patches like you do on a phone or laptop.
Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro review: Still the best bargain in flagship phones
After the big move to its custom Tensor chip last year, Google is continuing its quest to use machine learning to unlock enhanced apps and features on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. While the specs and design aren’t major departures from its predecessors, the addition of smarter software, upgraded cameras for the Pixel 7 Pro, and aggressive pricing result in two of the best flagship phones for the money.
Hardware
On the outside, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have gotten a subtle makeover including a fresh range of colors and a more refined chassis. You still get Google’s signature camera bar in back which spans the width of the device. The main difference is that now it wraps seamlessly around the sides of the phone, hopefully adding a bit of durability in the process.
Similar to last year, the Pixel 7 features a matte, brushed aluminum finish while the Pixel 7 Pro gets more polished sides. But if you ask me, I kind of wish Google used the matte texture on both. Not only does it hide fingerprints better, it also makes the Pixel 7 a bit less slippery. And that’s even with Google softening the Pixel 7 Pro’s edges to be about 20 percent flatter than before.
Notably, while the size of the Pro’s display has stayed pat at 6.7-inches, the standard Pixel 7’s 6.3-inch screen is slightly smaller than the 6.4-inch panel on the Pixel 6. It’s not a huge change, but it’s just enough to make everything a bit easier to do one-handed. Especially if you don’t have huge meat claws like me.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
As for the displays themselves, just like last year (noticing a pattern?), the Pixel 7 gets a 2400 x 1080 90Hz OLED screen while the Pixel 7 Pro features a higher-res 3120 x 1440 panel with a slightly faster 120Hz refresh rate. That said, both screens look great, pumping out excellent brightness, deep blacks and lively colors. Additionally, while Google has brought face unlock back to the Pixel line, you still get an under-screen fingerprint reader. You’ll need that for more sensitive functions like online payments. And for general durability, the Pixel line has retained an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which is good for dunks up to five and a half feet deep for up to 30 minutes.
Performance
While the new Tensor G2 chip may have unlocked some enhanced machine learning capabilities, everyday performance is pretty much the same. In fact, the main Cortex X1 cores are only 50Mhz faster than last year’s silicon. That’s not to say you can’t play games or edit videos on this thing, but if you’re the kind of person who gets really jazzed up about transistor counts or teraflops, you’re better off going for a phone with one of Apple’s A-series chips or even a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
I also noticed that during the initial setup and some more intense workloads, the backs of both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro got warmer than most phones. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not toasty enough to cause anything more than some sweaty palms. And while performance was generally smooth and hiccup-free, I feel like Google’s Tensor chips just don’t have quite the same level of performance overhead as you might get from silicon in other high-end handsets.
New software and features
However, what the Pixel 7 line lacks in raw horsepower, Google makes up for with a long list of sophisticated software. One of the biggest additions is expanded functionality for the Direct My Call feature, which is designed to help you better navigate those awful automated voice menus you run into when calling big businesses. But now, by using Duplex to pre-cache options, you’ll be presented with a text-based menu as soon as you connect, instead of having to wait to hear all the choices first.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Granted, Direct My Call’s new caching abilities don’t work on smaller mom-and-pop shops. But stuff like this along with other features such as Hold For Me, the truly excellent Pixel Recorder app and the new Audio Message Transcription ability, combine to provide a really thoughtful software experience that can often save you some time and a headache or two.
Cameras
Of course, the other area where Google really flexes its ML-based powers is with its cameras. In terms of hardware, the Pixel 7 still packs a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, with the Pixel 7 Pro getting a slightly longer telephoto cam with a 5x optical zoom (up from 4x on the Pixel 6 Pro). Both phones also get the same 10.8MP front cam, which even without a true autofocus system like you get on the iPhone 14 line is more than adequate for snapping selfies.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Thanks to the Tensor G2, low-light photo processing using Night Sight is up to two times faster, and that’s a difference you can really feel. On previous Pixels, I’ve had to wait six seconds or more to shoot a pic when it’s really dark. But when you can cut that time in half, it’s a lot easier to hold the phone steady while the Pixel 7 does its thing. Face Unblur has also been improved, though the effects are subtle.
While it can be a bit hit-or-miss, the more exciting new camera feature is Photo Unblur, which can sharpen old photos, regardless of when they were taken or what camera took the shot. It’s the kind of thing that can save old photos that might otherwise be considered unsalvageable – and all you have to do is find the setting inside the Google Photos app. Take for example a shot of my wife and I at a wedding back in 2018. In the original photo, everything is soft. But after using the Photo Unblur tool, suddenly my face has definition. Though as you can see from the remaining blurriness on my wife’s face, things aren’t perfect. In another even more impressive example (not seen here), Photo Unblur removed almost all the softness in my face, so you can really see how upset I was about blowing up a giant pool floaty without the help of a pump.
For video, the big new feature is Cinematic Blur mode, which attempts to add a soft bokeh to the background of your clips to create a more film-like look. In general, the results are pretty good, though it’s not completely foolproof. Depending on the scene, you might notice some spots where that bokeh is applied unevenly or where it pops in and out as things move around, which can be a little distracting.
As for the Pixel 7 Pro, not only does it get the ability to shoot macro shots using the phone’s ultra-wide cam, it also has a longer 5x telephoto lens and improved zoom processing. Taking macro shots is as easy as moving the phone close to your subject, at which point the P7 Pro will automatically switch to macro mode. There are no buttons or settings to activate, and the results aren’t bad either.
Meanwhile for zoom shots, the Pixel 7 Pro produced a sharper image than the S22 Ultra at 5x, while also keeping it close at 10x, despite Samsung’s phone costing an extra $300 and packing a longer 10x lens. Despite Google’s improvements to Super Res Zoom, there’s only so much algorithms can do, because at 30x, it’s pretty clear the S22 Ultra has an advantage in optics.
But, for general photography, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are still in a class of their own. Compared to the S22 Ultra and the iPhone 14, the Pixel 7 line routinely captured pics with superior dynamic range. This leads to photos with more vibrant colors, less blown-out highlights and just generally sharper details. Same goes for low light, where Google’s Night Sight consistently captured more well-exposed pics with better textures and richer hues.
Battery life
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
When it comes to longevity, both phones offer solid battery life. However, the Pixel 7 delivers a pleasant surprise, because thanks to its smaller, lower-res screen, it survived a touch longer than the Pro in both benchmarks and real-world usage. On our standard video rundown test, the Pixel 7 lasted 17 hours and 54 minutes, which isn’t quite as good as the 21:17 we got from the iPhone 14 Plus, but still respectable. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro fared just a touch worse with a time of 16:42. But regardless of which phone I was using, even with moderate to heavy usage, the Pixel 7 Pro always had at least 25 percent left in the tank at the end of the day, while the standard Pixel 7 often had upwards of 30 percent still in reserve.
Charging is also largely unchanged from last year, with both phones getting 30-watt wired charging, wireless charging and support for reverse power sharing, in case you need to send some excess juice to a different device in need. The one caveat is that while wireless charging can go up to 20 watts for the Pixel 7 or 23 watts on the Pro, that’s only when using the Pixel Stand 2. If you opt for a standard Qi wireless charging, speeds top out at a less impressive 12 watts.
Wrap-up
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
When stacking Google’s latest handsets up against the competition, it’s best to tackle each phone separately. For the Pixel 7, even without much in the way of new hardware, you’re getting a phone with a great screen, even better battery life and one of the best software packages around — now with new perks like an improved Direct My Call and enhanced photo processing. But most importantly, with a starting price of just $599, it’s a way better value than the basic flagships from Apple and Samsung. The one drawback is that if you need mmWave 5G, you’ll have to go with one of the slightly more expensive $699 carrier models sold by Verizon, AT&T and others.
Meanwhile, with a price of $899, the Pixel 7 Pro is like an even more well-equipped version of the S22+ for the same money. You get a big 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a longer 5x zoom and superior camera quality. I also think the Pixel 7 Pro flat-out looks better too. That leaves stuff like an ultra-wide cam that can also shoot macros as a nice cherry on top. Also, if you don’t care about stylus support, I’d argue that the Pixel 7 Pro makes a lot more sense than the super expensive S22 Ultra. And I haven’t even touched on Google’s new and improved Real Tone processing mostly because, even though I’m biracial, both sides of my family are lacking in the melanin department, and I just haven’t had time to really put it through its paces. But regardless of which one you prefer, with the Pixel 7 line and Tensor G2, Google is really showing how a software-first approach to phone design can really shine.
Google Pixel 7 與 7 Pro 評測: 更智慧的高性價比旗艦
靠著更聰明的軟體、強化 AI 運算力的 Tensor G2 處理器、以及 Pixel 7 Pro 小部份升級的鏡頭，兩隻今年的新機應該都無疑能稱作是「更智慧的高性價比旗艦」了。