To start, the two are engineered in totally different ways. SSDs are built using a non-volatile storage technology called NAND flash and it doesn’t need power to retain data.

Since the mid-1950s, computers have used HDDs which are based on magnetic spinning platters. They use moving heads that read and write data to the spinning platters or disks. HDDs are mechanical devices with many moving parts and are more prone to mechanical failures and failures due to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, shock, and vibration.

If you bought a laptop or desktop PC anytime in the last few years, you almost certainly have a solid-state drive (SSD) as your computer’s primary boot drive. You can rest assured that you’re using the best storage technology available today. However, there’s an alternative for your secondary-storage needs: the long-familiar hard disk drive (HDD). In general, an HDD will be much slower than an SSD because it uses a vastly different, older storage technology—a spinning platter instead of memory cells. As a result, HDDs have nowadays been reduced to a secondary role in the consumer storage market.We can think of a few compelling reasons, though, that you’d still want an HDD, especially when buying an external drive for data backups or in a desktop PC with more than one drive. If you’re considering buying or upgrading one of these, you’ll need to understand the differences between SSDs and HDDs. We’ll walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each so you can decide which one to choose.

The post Difference Between SSD vs. HDD first appeared on Power Play.

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s comfortable fit, quality sound, and clever AI features make them compelling for Samsung phone users, though their noise cancellation isn’t quite as strong as similarly priced competitors.

Pros

• Excellent audio quality
• Above-average noise cancellation
• Sleek software
• Comfortable
• Stylish design
  

  Cons

  • Battery life is merely fine
  • High-resolution playback limited to only Samsung phones

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Specs

  Type	In-Canal
  Wireless	yes
  True Wireless	yes
  Connection Type	Bluetooth
  Water/Sweat-Resistant	yes
  Active Noise Cancellation	yes

Samsung’s top-of-the-line Galaxy Buds 3 Pro make a change for the better by adopting the stem-style design of the AirPods Pro. Highlights of the $249.99 noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds include a snug fit, nuanced sound quality with exceptional clarity, and above-average protection against dust and water. However, their limited codec support for non-Samsung Android phones and underwhelming battery life mean they fall short of our Editors’ Choice award. Our top honors go to the $249 AirPods Pro for their seamless Apple device support, the $299 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for their unbeatable active noise cancellation (ANC), and the $299.99 Sony WF-1000XM5 for better codec options. If you have a Samsung phone and find the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s AI features appealing, however, they’re definitely worth considering.

Design: Angular Stems and a More Comfortable Fit

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro have a stem-style design. Samsung notes several reasons for the switch from previous models, including improvements to comfort and weight distribution. I’m a fan of this change since the stem allows for a smaller in-ear component, better microphone placement, and more convenient touch-control surfaces. I also concur that these earphones are more comfortable than their predecessors. The three included sets of silicone eartips the box further ensure you achieve a secure fit.

I appreciate Samsung’s effort to differentiate the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro from obvious alternatives like the AirPods Pro. For instance, the earphones are available in both white or silver (the model I tested). The latter’s finish looks quite nice, and I like that it extends to the case. Additionally, the stem on the earbuds is angular rather than smooth. It took some time for me to adjust to this shape, but it does result in two flat control surfaces rather than one. These surfaces require a bit more pressure to operate than those for the AirPods Pro, but it’s easy enough to adjust to this change.

Each earpiece has two drivers: a 10.5mm dynamic driver and a 6.1mm planar driver that enhances the high-end. Together, they deliver a frequency response of 20Hz-40kHz. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4, the AAC, SBC, and SSC codecs, and Google Fast Pair. That last codec option, Samsung Seamless Codec, supports 24-bit/96kHz playback. However, it’s proprietary to Samsung phones, and I would have preferred the more widespread LDAC option for hi-res playback on other Android devices. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones offer both LDAC and multipoint connectivity with up to two devices, another omission from the Buds 3 Pro.

An IP57 rating means the earpieces are reasonably dust-resistant and can survive submersion in water at depths of up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. They aren’t meant for underwater use, but you don’t have to fret if you drop them in the sink or if you work up lots of sweat during exercise. This is a better rating than you get with most noise-cancelling alternatives, but the IP68-rated Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earphones are a better bet at $229 if you want the ultimate in durability.

Since the charging case doesn’t have an IP rating, you need to dry the earpieces off before you place them inside. The case is portable and only slightly larger than that of the AirPods Pro. Its lid is transparent, so you can see the earbuds and their LEDs when they are inside. I’m nitpicking a little, but I found that the earpieces’ long, triangular stems made them slightly inconvenient to slot inside. As for charging, you get a USB-C port for the included USB-C-to-USB-C charging cable and wireless charging support.

Samsung says the earbuds should last up to 6 hours per charge with ANC on and that the case holds an extra 20 hours of battery life. Your real-world results are likely to vary depending on your typical listening volume level and codec choice. For comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds provide up to 8 hours per charge with ANC on and pull another 24 hours from their charging case.

Software Experience: Full-Featured With Some AI Tricks

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro work best with Samsung phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 6. They work with non-Samsung Android phones, too, albeit with some limitations. You can’t download the Samsung Wear app on an iOS device at all, though you can always just connect them as standard Bluetooth headphones if you don’t mind losing the ability to customize the experience.

Samsung phones should immediately recognize the earbuds once you open the lid of the charging case. You then set them up and control them via the Galaxy Wear app. This is the same app that’s required to manage Samsung’s other wearables, such as the Galaxy Watch Ultra

From the Wear app, you can choose between several noise modes (Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive, Ambient Sound, and Off) and adjust some options. The app has a nine-band EQ that allows you to customize the audio to your preference. An optional Adaptive Equalizer tool uses AI to adjust the sound based on how the earphones sit within your ears.

The earbuds also bring some AI-based features to other apps on Samsung devices. The Interpreter app, for instance, can play translated speech from you through your phone’s speakers and relay translated words from another party through the earbuds in its Conversation mode. Meanwhile, Listening mode can send translated speech from videos and lectures through the earbuds. These features worked decently well in testing, though speech can sound unnatural at times.

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The post samsung galaxy buds 3 pro review first appeared on Power Play.

what’s new in One UI 7.0.

Updated Icons

Samsung is introducing a completely new set of icons with One UI 7.0. The company is revamping all stock app icons, including Dialer, Contacts, Settings, Camera, Gallery, Browser, Theme, and more. These icons depart from the traditional Android Material Design aesthetic.

The icons now incorporate gradients and shadows, giving them a 3D look. Additionally, they appear more rounded. The redesign extends to widgets as well, which now closely resemble those found on iOS 18.

All-new Camera UI

Perhaps one of the most noticeable UI changes has been made to the camera app. Leaked screenshots reveal that all major controls, including camera modes, quick controls, and zoom shortcuts, have been relocated to the bottom for easier access. Other shooting modes have been either added to a horizontal bar or a pop-up menu. This redesigned interface seems to blend elements from camera apps found on other major Android skins.

More Rounded UI Elements

Samsung seems to be embracing more rounded elements throughout the UI. Settings, Quick Actions, Notifications, and other components now feature softer edges. This approach seamlessly complements the redesigned icons.

Samsung’s own Dynamic Island

One UI 7.0 brings Samsung’s take on the Dynamic Island. There is a pill for system apps that has a similar animation to the Dynamic Island. Unlike iOS where the island is placed in the center, Samsung has chosen to keep the app pills on the left side of the notification area. You can see the app pill in action in this video below.

Smoother Animations

We have heard reports of One UI 7.0 builds featuring more fluid animations on par with iOS and OPPO’s ColorOS. Our sources have confirmed these claims. However, as these findings are based on early software builds, the experience may change in subsequent updates.

Task continuity

This is a significant change primarily focused on enhancing the Samsung ecosystem and bringing it closer to iOS. One UI 7 will enable Galaxy users to seamlessly continue calls and video calls across devices. This means you could answer a call on your Galaxy smartphone and transfer it to your Galaxy Tab or TV with a simple gesture.

This app continuity will be available across all Galaxy devices, allowing users to not only transfer calls but also share cameras and storage.

Two-page Notification panel

This is perhaps the most controversial change in One UI 7.0. Samsung has adopted a design approach similar to Apple and Xiaomi by implementing a multi-page notification panel. This means separate dropdowns for notifications and quick settings, with notifications on the left and quick settings on the right.

More changes on the horizon

What we’ve covered here are just superficial UI changes. With One UI 7, Samsung is adopting a new identity that blends elements of Xiaomi’s HyperOS and iOS. Some of these changes are welcome, while others might be controversial. This is an early build, and significant alterations could occur before the final stable release.

Source

The post Samsung one UI 7.0 Features & Changes first appeared on Power Play.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2

specs

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: design

At first glance, the Galaxy Watch Ultra seems like a big departure from Samsung’s typical round design. Its square body immediately brings Apple’s iconic smartwatch designs to mind, but Samsung has actually taken a hybrid approach here.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra may have a square body, but that’s where the similarities to the Apple Watch Ultra both begin and end. Samsung hasn’t embraced a square display to go along with the new design. Instead, it’s a traditional round watch face, and those who look beyond the realm of smartwatches will recognize its inspiration from other sources like Bell & Ross and Tag Heuer — not to mention its eerie similarity to the Hermès H08. It’s perhaps ironic that Hermès is a longtime partner of Apple on luxury Apple Watch editions, but it also has nothing to offer in the Apple Watch Ultra space.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes in slightly smaller than the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with a 47mm casing versus Apple’s bulkier 49mm casing, but that’s also a byproduct of a somewhat more stylish design. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a wearable that makes a big and bold statement, but fashionable it’s not. The Galaxy Watch Ultra may have a slightly more polarizing design, but its similarity to other luxury brands is unmistakable, giving it a certain panache that Apple’s wearable lacks.

Nevertheless, when it comes to raw design specs, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 does have one significant edge over the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. While both wearables are rated for 10 atmospheres (10ATM) of water pressure, which equals a depth of 100 meters, only the Apple Watch Ultra is certified for diving, with an EN13319 rating for use as a dive computer and for recreational scuba diving at depths of up to 40 meters.

That’s significant because despite being able to handle up to 100 meters of water pressure, Samsung says in the fine print that the Galaxy Watch Ultra is only suitable for “shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean.” That’s consistent with its 10ATM rating, which is designed only for swimming, snorkeling, or high-speed water sports like surfing and water skiing. That 10ATM designation means 100 meters of still water, and all bets are off when you exert extra pressure on it.

While it’s less relevant in light of the 10ATM rating, the Galaxy Watch Ultra also features an IP68 rating that matches Samsung’s higher-end smartphones. It’s fully dust-resistant and can withstand immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. Instead of an IP water-resistance rating, Apple hangs its hat on its 10ATM and EN13319 ratings, giving the Apple Watch Ultra only an IP6X for the same level of protection against dust and other small particles. However, unlike IP68/IPX8, the 10ATM rating covers salt water, so ocean swimming won’t be a problem. Both wearables are also tested to MIL-STD-810H for altitude, extreme temperatures, humidity, immersion, freezing and thawing, salt and fog, and shock and vibration.

The band attachment system is also worth mentioning here, as Samsung has done something slightly unusual with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Rather than slanting downward toward the wrist, the bands connect at an angle parallel to the case, which makes the Watch sit a bit more awkwardly on the wrist. More significantly, the bands attach with a new dynamic lug system that’s unique to the Galaxy Watch Ultra. This will limit you to bands made specifically for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, leaving it out of the vibrant ecosystem of bands for every other Galaxy Watch model.

By comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra is compatible with every 42/44/45mm Apple Watch band released since the original 2015 Apple Watch. Some smaller bands may look a bit strange against the bulkier Apple Watch Ultra, but they’ll attach just fine.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: display

Samsung’s and Apple’s Ultra wearables are more evenly matched in display quality. The Apple Watch Ultra features a slightly larger screen, with a diagonal length of 1.94 inches, compared to the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s 1.5-inch screen, but the latter makes up for that with a higher resolution, putting both roughly on par in terms of pixel density — 335 pixels per inch (ppi) for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 versus 320 ppi for the Galaxy Watch Ultra.

That’s not a difference anyone will notice with the naked eye. Tthe Apple Watch has a rectangular 410 x 502 display with 205,820 pixels, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s round 480 x 480 display only has 180,956 pixels as it has no corners to fill.

Both displays are plenty bright, reaching up to 3,000 nits of peak outdoor brightness. That should get you through even the sunniest outdoor adventures without any difficulty. Samsung has also embraced Apple’s red Night Mode, which is easier on the eyes in the dark and won’t affect your night vision on a camping trip or evening hike.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: performance

Samsung has given its wearables a nice performance boost this year by adopting a new five-core Exynos W1000 chip that promises to be about 3x faster and 30% more power-efficient than last year’s Exynos W930.

It’s the first leap we’ve seen among Samsung’s watches in a while and should translate to a much smoother and more responsive user experience that will likely be more on par with the Apple Watch Ultra.

Apple’s watches have always run with buttery smoothness — we’ve often referred to them as the “gold standard for smartwatch performance” — with no lag at all. While last year’s Galaxy Watch 6 was fine on its own, the difference in performance was apparent when you compared them side by side. While the current Apple Watch Ultra is powered by Apple’s latest S9 chip that remains ahead of the pack, we expect the Exynos W1000 to close that gap significantly.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: software and features

Samsung’s decision to stick with a circular display was probably a wise choice, considering that the Ultra runs the same Wear OS and One UI Watch software as the rest of the Galaxy Watch family. Trying to adapt that for a square screen would have been a can of worms that we’re sure Samsung didn’t want to open.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of the first smartwatches to adopt Wear OS 5 and One UI 6 Watch. The latest Wear OS promises some nice efficiency improvements, as well as support for a new Watch Face Format that should provide more flexibility for third-party developers, translating to even more customization for Galaxy smartwatches.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 ships with Apple’s watchOS 10, in which Apple introduced some of its own significant design changes last year. However, it remains familiar enough that anyone who’s ever used an Apple Watch should feel right at home. As with the iPhone, customizability is not Apple’s priority, so you’ll be limited to the built-in watch faces that Apple offers — although there are plenty to choose from.

Perhaps the most significant software change in the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the addition of Samsung’s Galaxy AI features. These use deeper AI-powered analysis of health and fitness data to summarize how your health is impacting your daily life — known as an Energy Score — and offer recommendations and coaching on how to improve things.

Despite Apple’s recent foray into Apple Intelligence, it’s not going there with the Apple Watch yet. Apple’s AI will be limited to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and there’s no word on when it’s coming to the company’s wearables.

For software updates, Samsung is now promising four major Wear OS and One UI updates. Apple doesn’t make specific promises here, but it typically supports its wearables with watchOS updates for at least as long.

Lastly, it’s worth remembering that the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra both require a paired smartphone of a similar flavor. For Samsung’s watch, that can be nearly any Android 11 smartphone, although it works best with recent Galaxy S series or Galaxy Z series models. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains an Apple-only affair and requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: battery life and charging

Efficiency improvements in Exynos W1000 and Wear OS 5 should help both of this year’s Galaxy Watch models achieve longer runtimes, but the Galaxy Watch Ultra takes that to new heights with a larger 590mAh battery and two power-saving models that could see it last for up to 100 hours between charges.

That’s if you go all the way into the standard power-saving mode, which shuts down the always-on display, wake-up gestures, background processes, and network and GPS services. You can also get up to 80 hours by turning off the always-on display or 60 hours during regular operation with always-on enabled. We’ll have to put it through its paces to see how the real-world performance aligns with Samsung’s promises, but we were pretty impressed with last year’s Galaxy Watch 6, so we have high hopes that the Galaxy Watch Ultra will deliver here.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a similar low-power mode that can provide up to 72 hours of battery life in a pinch, assuming you have your paired iPhone nearby to handle the cellular connection. That 72 hours of runtime assumes 60 hours of that is connecting to the internet via Bluetooth to your iPhone, plus 360 time checks, 360 notifications, 180 minutes of app use, and two 60-minute workouts with music playback.

Apple’s low-power mode disables the always-on display and background health measurements for heart rate and blood oxygen, which also means you won’t get notifications for irregular heart rhythms or high/low heart rates. In normal mode, you can expect 36 hours of battery life, based on 80 time checks, 180 notifications, 90 minutes of app use, and a single 60-minute workout with music. This also assumes you only use the LTE connection for eight of those 36 hours.

Both wearables support wireless fast charging via the adapters that come in the box. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 can go from dead to an 80% charge in about an hour; Samsung doesn’t say anything about the charging times for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but we expect it to be similar.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: fitness and health tracking

Samsung’s smartwatches have always been at the leading edge regarding health features, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra is no exception. This year, the Galaxy Watch lineup has distinguished itself by offering the first sleep apnea monitoring technology to be De Novo approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), beating Apple to the punch on a feature that so far has only been rumored to be coming to the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra.

Sleep apnea monitoring is an extension of Samsung’s sleep tracking features, which have been a staple of the Galaxy Watch lineup for the past few years. However, this year, Samsung has added a more advanced AI algorithm for sleep analysis that should provide more accurate results. This feeds into the Sleep Apnea feature, which can proactively detect potential signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. As with the health features in any consumer wearable, this isn’t a substitute for a diagnosis by a medical professional, but it can indicate that you should get yourself checked out.

Naturally, Samsung also continues to enhance its BioActive Sensor year over year, which means the Galaxy Watch Ultra can glean even more accurate readings for things like heart rate, muscle and fat mass, body water, body fat, and basal metabolic rate (BMR). There isn’t anything new here compared to prior Galaxy Watch models, but the numbers you get should be more precise.

On the fitness side, the Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a new Race mode that lets you compete against yourself by comparing your current performance against previous outdoor running and cycling workouts along the same route. The Functional Threshold Power (FTP) feature provides AI-powered metrics to help cyclists measure their maximum cycling power.

While the Apple Watch Ultra 2 packs in similarly advanced health features, Apple has slowed down a bit over the past couple of years. The last hardware health feature to come to its wearable was a body temperature sensor in the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 and the original Apple Watch Ultra. Their 2023 successors didn’t add new hardware, although watchOS 10 brought cycling performance metrics and new hiking features to the wearable, including topographic maps and a Race Route feature akin to Samsung’s.

Apple’s Health features don’t provide the same comprehensive bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) profile of your body, so you’ll have to rely on other hardware. However, there’s a built-in ECG with comprehensive heart health tracking, including high, low, and irregular heart rhythm notifications, plus sleep tracking that includes respiratory rate and blood oxygen measurements (although the blood oxygen sensor is currently inactive on new U.S. models due to an ongoing patent dispute).

One area where the Apple Watch Ultra remains more “ultra” than Samsung’s nascent competitor is in outdoor hiking and diving activities. As we mentioned earlier, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is not suitable for deepwater swimming at all, while the Apple Watch Ultra is not only EN13319-certified for recreational scuba diving, but also includes a built-in depth gauge and water temperature sensor. A built-in Depth app provides basic readings and is accurate to plus or minus one meter. For those more serious about diving, Apple has partnered with Huish Outdoors to create the Oceanic+ app, which turns the Apple Watch Ultra into a fully functional dive computer.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also has some more established features for hikers, including detailed topographic maps for over 1,000 national and regional parks in the U.S. that show nearly every trail and point of interest, along with information like length and photos of trails so you can plan your hiking expedition. A Backtrack feature lets you easily find your way back to your point of origin or get back onto your route if you’ve strayed too far from the beaten path, and also shows you the last spots where you had full cellular service or emergency SOS calling so you can get back to coverage when you’re out in the wild.

Samsung added a similar Track Back feature to the Galaxy Watch Pro 5, and while it’s been exclusive to that model, it’s not surprising to see it’s made a comeback in the Galaxy Watch Ultra. However, it felt a bit niche and poorly fleshed out on the earlier model, so we’re reserving judgment until we’ve had time to see what Samsung has done with it.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: price and availability

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in a single model that sells for $650, although you can get it in your choice of Titanium Silver, Titanium Gray, or Titanium White, with Marine, Trail, or Peakform bands. It went up for preorder on July 10, but you won’t be able to get your hands on one until July 24. That’s when the first preorders should arrive and when it will go on sale at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Samsung is also running a promotion to give you an extra Trail Band if you purchase directly from its website.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $799 and can be purchased directly from Apple or at most other electronics retailers. The only color option is natural titanium, but you can choose from Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean watch bands, each of which is available in three colors.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2: verdict

At the end of the day, your choice between these two excellent smartwatches will be dictated by the ecosystem you live in since you can’t use a Galaxy Watch with an iPhone or use an Apple Watch with an Android device. However, if you’re an outdoor adventure enthusiast who’s on the fence about switching to the other side, Apple’s and Samsung’s Ultra wearables may be enough to tip the scales. If we were to compare the two in a few words, Samsung’s wearable comes out ahead in health monitoring, while Apple’s excels at outdoor fitness exploits.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s first legitimate attempt at a rugged adventure smartwatch, and it’s an impressive one. Samsung hasn’t so much copied the Apple Watch Ultra as it’s learned from it. The design similarities are superficial at best, and the Galaxy Watch Ultra still has its own unique style that sets it apart not only from Apple’s wearables, but also from the rest of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch family. It’s something entirely new and unique in the world of Wear OS smartwatches, and we don’t think Samsung fans will be disappointed with what it offers.

Nevertheless, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still stands out as the true extreme smartwatch. The aesthetic alone signals its purposeful design, which is all about utility and durability and not fashion. That’s backed up by its ability to handle deepwater diving and  be taken out onto wilderness trails with a greater degree of confidence. We’re also on the second generation of Apple Watch Ultra and will likely see the third appear in the next few weeks, so it’s a more mature product that’s had time to evolve and find a solid footing.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 first appeared on Power Play.

Deadpool & Wolverine fans are itching to find out how they can win or buy the newly-released Deadpool Xbox controller.

Deadpool Xbox Controller & Console Revealed

Two Xbox X (formerly Twitter) accounts revealed information about a special collaboration for Deadpool-inspired Xbox console and controllers.

The controllers use the classic red color from Deadpool’s costume along with a couple of the straps seen on his leg around the controller handles. Also included is a small Deadpool logo on one of the handles.

The defining feature is the backside though, which is clearly meant to resemble a pair of supple butt cheeks.

This allows fans to get a little handsy with one of the most NSFW characters in all of comics, providing an interesting feel while holding the controller.

The post came with the following caption

“It’s actually perfectly ergonomic Introducing the Cheeky Controller designed by Deadpool. Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool and Wolverine,’ in theaters July 26.”

This image was shared by the Deadpool Canada X account:

The official Xbox account shared a look at a new console embracing the Deadpool theme, which comes with a set of the aforementioned controllers as well.

The console replicates the chest area of Deadpool’s costume down to the belt with the character’s logo. It also includes a strap from the shoulder, leading to a pair of katanas hanging off the back.

That post came with the following caption:

“Make his finest asset yours Follow & Repost with #XboxCheekyControllerSweepstakes for a chance to win a custom Xbox Series X console & 2 Cheeky Controllers designed by Deadpool.‌ Ages 18+. Ends 8/11/24. Rules: http://xbx.lv/4cxoA4B

Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool and Wolverine,’ in theaters July 26”

The full image of the console and controllers together can be seen below:

How To Get Deadpool Controller & Console

Unfortunately, the Deadpool controller and console are not available for fans to buy in stores or online at this time. However, Xbox is currently running a sweepstakes for fans to get the chance to win them.

To enter, all fans need to do is have an X account, follow the Xbox account, and repost one of the designated promotional posts with the hashtag “#xboxcheekycontrollersweepstakes” during the entry period.

The contest started at 6 a.m. PT on July 17 and will be open until 8 p.m. PT on August 11.

The winner receives an Xbox Series X Console inspired by the movie, two custom Deadpool controllers, and a console stand.

The post Deadpool Xbox Controller How To Buy It & Can You Win It first appeared on Power Play.

Today’s Smartphones are more powerful than ever — and more expensive. With high-end models like the Iphone 15 Pro Max starting at $1,200 and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra going for $1,300, opting for a next-generation mobile phone is a major commitment.

As the costs of these devices rise, it gets more difficult to rationalize buying them, especially when there are more affordable cell phones that give these premium gadgets a run for their money. But what if your top-of-the-line smartphone could double as your computer?

With Samsung DeX, you can transform a Galaxy phone or tablet into a computer by simply plugging it into a monitor. You can also wirelessly connect Galaxy phones or tablets to certain TVs to use DeX.

My monitor looks like its plugged into a laptop, but it’s all coming from the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Since I use an iPhone, I had no idea this feature even existed until recently. The first time I tried it, my mind was blown. My monitor looked like it was plugged into a laptop, but it was all coming from the S24 Ultra. Still, I wasn’t sure if it could do everything my laptop could do, and I was determined to find out. So I ditched my MacBook for the day to see if the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Samsung DeX could replace it.

DeX just makes sense

It felt weird to go to the office without my laptop. But it ended up being so nice to only carry the (roughly half-pound) S24 Ultra instead of my nearly five-pound MacBook Pro. I also loved that I could just connect the S24 Ultra to my Dell monitor at the office and control everything with the wireless Apple keyboard and mouse I already had. The fact that you can plug and play like this is, in my humble opinion, a big part of the beauty of the Samsung DeX.

As I worked, I noticed so many details about DeX that impressed me. For example, when I plug the S24 Ultra into my monitor, a four-panel screen appears on the phone. At first I wasn’t sure what it was for, but I eventually realized it was a trackpad I could use to move the cursor on the monitor. So if you don’t have a mouse, no problem. You can just use the phone itself. (Check out the video above to see how this works.)

Another cool detail is that you can still use your phone as a separate device even as it’s acting as your computer in DeX mode. So I could be, for example, editing a photo on my monitor while simultaneously using the S24 Ultra to do something totally different,

Ultimately, the more I used DeX, the more I realized it just makes sense. For instance, I always attend meetings with my laptop to take notes and pull up current projects. So when I couldn’t bring it to my one-on-one with my manager, I felt like I was showing up empty-handed. But in reality, everything I needed was (literally) in the palm of my hand. DeX closes the gap between phone and computer, so I wasn’t missing out by only being able to bring the S24 Ultra. It had the same information on it as the “computer” I was typing on minutes before with DeX. I was able to unplug the phone from my monitor, easily take notes and open my projects during the meeting, and then plug the S24 Ultra back into my monitor to keep working on those projects after the meeting. The transition from DeX mode, to phone, and back to DeX mode is seamless. It’s genius.

But how well can DeX actually handle all of my daily tasks? A lot of my days are spent testing products and scripting videos, and this was one of those days. I was, of course, trying out DeX, looking up any questions I had on Google Chrome and organizing my thoughts in Google Docs. I was also using Zoom and Slack to stay connected to everyone.

Using these applications in DeX mode was pretty similar to using them on my MacBook. Still, I did encounter a few hiccups that are worth noting if you’re thinking of trying DeX. Or if you’re a DeX expert — DeXpert? — maybe you can answer some of my questions.

Say goodbye to the Chrome bookmarks bar

I’m an avid bookmarks bar user, so it pains me to say you can’t have one in Chrome on DeX. But you can have one in the Samsung Internet app, and for that reason alone, I would switch browsers if I didn’t need to use Chrome to log into certain work accounts.

Copying links also looks different in Chrome on DeX. You can’t click on a link to highlight it in the address bar and then go about copying and pasting it as you would in Chrome on a laptop. If you try to click on a link in DeX mode, it disappears. Instead, you have to click on the link, then click on the little icon to the right of it to copy it to your clipboard.

Can DeX replace my laptop?

So let’s return to the big question — can the S24 Ultra and, more specifically, Samsung DeX, replace my laptop? 90% of the time, yes. That being said, 10% of the time when I’m doing photo and video editing, no. But I’m so impressed that DeX can handle the bulk of my job. I will absolutely be bringing it into the office when I’m scripting and don’t want to carry a heavy bag, or am meeting up with friends after work and don’t want to lug my laptop around San Francisco.

I know that a day with DeX only scratches the surface of things. I’m sure I’ll continue to encounter little hiccups and discover more things I love about it. This whole experiment is also making me have an identity crisis. Like I said, I’m an iPhone girl but I am pretty impressed by what Samsung can do. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll switch over. Never say never. It would definitely make me feel better about the hefty amount I’ve come to spend on smartphones.

Zoom and Slack look a little different, too

When I first tried Zoom on DeX, my video appeared in portrait orientation instead of landscape, even though the S24 Ultra sat horizontally on my desk. But I turned the phone vertically and then horizontally again and my video finally switched to landscape. So the orientation was a little wonky at first, but it was easy to fix. Still, my video wasn’t perfect, but that’s because of my own DeX setup. I had a Zoom call with CNET’s Abrar Al-Heeti and Sean Booker, and the S24 Ultra was perched too low on my desk, so I was never really looking at them.

It’s probably a good idea to get a stand (or even a monitor mount) to raise the S24 Ultra so the camera is closer to my eyeline as I take Zoom calls. Additionally, when I sent a message in the chat, it took up the entire screen, which was a little clunky. And I couldn’t figure out how to switch from speaker to gallery mode so I could see everyone (that is, all two people) on the call at once.

Slack on DeX looks a lot like it does on my laptop, although it doesn’t have the sidebar with all of my recent messages where I can easily send a new one even if I’m in another conversation, which I did miss. And this is very specific, but I also missed being able to see who reacted to a message by hovering over the reaction. As far as I could tell, there’s no way to see who’s reacted to a message in Slack on DeX.

Admittedly, these are all very minor notes. None of them created any major disturbances in my workflow, which is what’s important. So I’d say DeX worked well for running the applications I use 90% of the time.

But that last 10% of the time I used two other applications — Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop. And while these aren’t available on DeX, Adobe Premiere Rush and Photoshop Express are. So I tried those. And — spoiler alert — I wasn’t as lucky with these apps.

Premiere Rush and Photoshop Express on DeX have so much potential

I like to think of Premiere Rush as a more accessible version of Premiere Pro. The interface is a lot simpler, you can use it on desktop and mobile (Pro is only available for desktop), and it’s free (Pro starts at $23 a month for individual users).

I do love Premiere Pro for the gamut of tools it offers. But most of the time, I’m doing pretty simple video editing anyway (i.e. trimming vlog clips like the ones in the video above), so I was hopeful that Rush on DeX could work for that. And at first, I was feeling good about it. I could easily make cuts in the middle of a video and trim clips down. I could even color-correct my footage. But the app kept abruptly closing on me every 30 seconds or so, which is sad because Rush on DeX seemed like it would’ve been able to handle the video editing I do for work.

I use Photoshop for simple image edits, like placing photos side by side, as well as adding borders and text to them. (Fun fact: I edited a lot of the photos you see in this article on Photoshop, including the ones below.) So I was curious whether I could use Photoshop Express, a free mobile photo editing app, for this kind of thing on DeX. But unfortunately, I can’t. While I could add text, I couldn’t find a way to put photos side by side or customize the borders around them like I do in Photoshop. But even though I can’t use this app for exactly what I do for work, I did have a lot of fun with what it can do. For example, I used it to put the overlays on the images below. (I would’ve had photos like these all over my Facebook if I had this app in middle school and am highly considering uploading one to my Instagram feed today).

I don’t know if I should be saying this to Samsung or Adobe but one of you — or both of you — please make Photoshop and Premiere Pro available on DeX. It would take these already impressive products to the next level.

Source

The post I Tried to Replace My Laptop With a Galaxy S24 Ultra first appeared on Power Play.

According to 9to5Google, it would be called TV Streamer and would have a set-top box design rather than an oval dongle. The remote would also get slightly redesigned but will keep its oval form.

Back in April,  revealed that Google is working on a sequel to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) from 2020. 9to5Google can now report that this upcoming device will be the “Google TV Streamer.”

Google is ditching the compact dongle form factor that plugs into your TV and remains out of sight.

The Google TV Streamer looks like it will be similar in size to a Pixel Tablet Charging Speaker Dock but more slanted. It has two cables coming out of the back; likely, one is the HDMI, and the other is the power cord. It may or may not have some display or touch capabilities; the source has no word on such features.

The remote might look the same, but the difference is now the volume keys are on the top rather than on the side. The Home key is now color-coded instead of the voice input key.

The voice button is now coming with a regular microphone image, instead of the Assistant logo, which is an understandable move as Google is working on merging its own AI engine, Gemini, with Assistant across all devices.

The Input/Source key is also getting changed – there is now a Magic symbol, which is likely to allow users to reprogram it to one of a few functions, including device inputs or app shortcuts.

Google is having a major event on August 13, when the new Pixel 9 phones will be unveiled. We also might see the TV Streamer get introduced, but we have to wait for further confirmation.

Source

The post Google’s next streaming player what comes after Chromecast first appeared on Power Play.

Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year’s lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account.

Larger Displays

Biggest Ever iPhones

This year’s iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be getting Bigger Display sizes. increasing to 6.27– and 6.86-inches, respectively. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The new display sizes would be the largest ever for the iPhone.

Vertical Camera Layout

iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Plus

Apple’s iPhone 16 base models will feature a vertical camera arrangement  with a pill-shaped raised surface, instead of a diagonal camera arrangement like the iPhone 15. The new camera bump features two separate camera rings for the Wide and Ultra Wide cameras. The vertical camera layout is expected to enable Spatial Video recording, which is currently limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Battery Changes

All iPhone 16 Models

One rumor suggests the ‌iPhone 16‌ and iPhone 16 Pro Max will feature larger batteries than their predecessors, but the ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus may have reduced capacity. The iPhone 16 is said to have a 6% increase over the iPhone 15, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max gaining a 5% increase. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Plus is rumored to have a 9% reduction in capacity. On the other hand, Apple could also potentially use stacked battery technology to increase energy density and prolong lifespan across the lineup.

Capture Button

New Camera Capabilities

All iPhone 16 models will have a new Capture Button dedicated to triggering image or video capture. The button will add features like the ability to zoom in and out by swiping left and right on the button, focus on a subject with a light press, and activate a recording with a more forceful press. The Capture Button will be located on the bottom right side of the ‌iPhone 16, and will take the place of the mmWave antenna on U.S. ‌iPhone‌ models, with the antenna relocating to the left side of the device below the volume and Action button

Ultra Wide Lens Upgrade

iPhone 16 Pro & iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature an upgraded 48 megapixel Ultra Wide camera lens which should allow it to capture more light, resulting in improved photos when shooting in 0.5× mode, especially in low-light environments. This also means that iPhone 16 Pro models should be able to shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos in Ultra Wide mode. These photos retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility, and can be printed at large sizes. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is also rumored to boast a bigger main camera thanks to an advanced custom 48-megapixel Sony IMX903 sensor.

Super Telephoto Camera

iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max could be the first to feature a super telephoto periscope camera for dramatically increased optical zoom. “Super” or “ultra” telephoto usually describes cameras with a focal length of over 300mm. The current telephoto lens is equivalent to a 77mm lens, so if accurate, there could be a notable increase in zoom capabilities. Super telephoto cameras are often used for sports and wild animal photography, but the extremely soft backgrounds they create also make them useful for portrait photography, providing there is enough distance between the subject and the photographer.

Faster Wi-Fi Support

Wi-Fi 6E & Wi-Fi 7

Apple’s 2024 iPhone Pro models are expected to get Wi-Fi 7 in the Pro models enabling data transfer over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously. This should result in faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity. With technologies such as 4K QAM, Wi-Fi 7 is also expected to offer peak data transfer speeds of over 40 Gbps, a 4× increase over Wi-Fi 6E. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E which works with the 6 GHz band, enabling faster wireless speeds and reduced signal interference.

New A18 Series Chips

All iPhone 16 Models

Apple’s  next-generation A18 Pro chip is expected to be manufactured with TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process, known as N3E. All four iPhone 16 models will be equipped with A18-branded chips, according to rumors, but Apple could still differentiate between the standard models and the Pro models, even giving the chips separate A18 and A18 Pro names. It makes sense for all four ‌iPhone 16‌ models to have the same A18 chip because of the Apple Intelligence features set to debut in iOS 18. Apple Intelligence requires a high-powered chip for the AI features to run on-device. At this time, only the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max are able to use Apple Intelligence.

5G Qualcomm Modem

iPhone 16 Pro & iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple is expected to use Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 modem in this year’s Pro and Pro Max models. The Snapdragon X75 includes improved carrier aggregation and other technology advancements for faster 5G download and upload speeds compared to the X70, which is used in iPhone 15 models. The modem’s combined mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G transceiver also takes up 25% less circuit board space, and is said to use up to 20% less power. The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are expected to retain the Snapdragon X70 modem.

Tetraprism Lens

iPhone 16 Pro

Both iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature 5x optical zoom, which is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple’s tetraprism lens system has a “folded” design that allows it to fit inside the smartphone, enabling up to 5x optical zoom and up to 25x digital zoom. In contrast, the current smaller iPhone 15 Pro is limited to up to 3x optical zoom, which is in line with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Micro-Lens Technology

More Efficient OLED

Apple is said to be weighing up the use of micro-lens technology to maintain or increase the brightness of OLED displays on next year’s iPhone 16 models while potentially reducing their power consumption. MLA works by using a uniform pattern of billions of lenses inside the panel that reduces internal reflections. These lenses turn the path of light reflected backwards from the inside of the panel towards the screen, which can serve either to increase perceived brightness while maintaining the same level of power consumption, or maintain brightness levels while consuming less power compared to conventional OLED panels at the same luminance.

Action Button non pro series

iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 15 Pro models include an Action Button, and in 2024, the Action Button is expected to be expanded to the standard iPhone 16 models. The Action Button used across the iPhone 16 lineup will be identical to the iPhone 15 Pro Action Button. The Action button, which replaces the traditional mute switch, can perform multiple functions such as activating the Flashlight, turning on the Camera, launching a Shortcut, enabling or disabling a Focus mode, using Translate, turning on/off Silent Mode, and more.

40W Fast Charging and 20W MagSafe

Both iPhone 16 Pro Models

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will support 40W wired fast charging and 20W MagSafe charging, according to a rumor. Right now, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models are capable of up to 27W peak charging speeds with an appropriate USB-C power adapter, while official MagSafe chargers from Apple and authorized third parties can wirelessly charge the iPhone 15 models at up to 15W. The charging boost is expected to balance and improve the problem of increasing charging time caused by the increase in battery capacity.

New Thermal Design

Reduced Heat

Apple is rumored to be working on a graphene thermal system for the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup, while the ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro models could add metal battery casings to reduce overheating. Graphene has high thermal conductivity, surpassing that of copper, which is currently used in iPhone heat-sinks. Apple has been filing patents related to using graphene for thermal management for some time. The move could be in response to widely encountered overheating issues experienced with the iPhone 15 Pro, which Apple addressed through a software update.

Expanded Storage

Both iPhone 16 Pro Models

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available with double the maximum storage capacity as the iPhone 15 Pro models, increasing from 1TB to 2TB, according to one rumor. The move is said to be a result of Apple’s switch to higher-density Quad-Level Cell (QLC) NAND flash for higher storage models. Apple’s use of QLC NAND could allow Apple to fit more storage into a smaller space and it is less expensive than Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND, which current iPhones use. On the downside, QLC has comparatively slower read and write speeds.

Increased Ram Memory

iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 Plus

Apple’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models have been rumored to both feature 8GB of RAM, an increase over the 6GB of RAM in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. More working memory should equate to improved performance for multitasking on the iPhone. Apple has hinted. that plenty of RAM is required for Apple Intelligence features, so it is perhaps no coincidence that all devices in the iPhone 16 lineup will have at least 8GB of RAM.

Ultra-Thin Bezel Technology

Maximized Display Size

Apple plans to maximize the display size on the iPhone 16 series by using a new ultra-thin bezel technology, according to one rumor. Apple will use Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology to minimize the bezel at the bottom of the display. BRS achieves this by rolling up the internal copper wiring into a more compact package. Apple reportedly plans to apply the borderless display technology to all four iPhone 16 models, but the Pro models will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the screen border thinness of even its latest iPhone 15 Pro devices.

New Colors

All iPhone 16 Models

The iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max are expected to be available in black, white or silver, gray or “Natural Titanium,” and rose. This suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro’s Blue Titanium option will be discontinued and replaced with a new rose color. Meanwhile, the ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus is said to be coming in black, green, pink, blue, and white. Compared to the iPhone 15, this means that white will replace yellow, with the other colors remaining the same.

The post iPhone 16 Series Details Leak Everything We Know first appeared on Power Play.

Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 2nd Gen is an improved version of the Mi Box s

As for the design, apart from the change of the logo on the top cover, nothing has changed. It’s still a compact streaming box, measuring 95.25 x 95.25 x 16.7mm and weighing 147g. However, the specification and features offered by the 2nd generation Mi Box S are worth attention. First of all, inside we find the already well-known SoC (Quad-core Arm Cortex-A55 processor 2.0 GHz with ARM-G31 MP2 GPU) that supports up to 4K @60fps AV1, VP9, HEVC decoding with HDR10/10+ and HLG. In addition, the new Xiaomi streaming Box supports Dolby Vision Dolby, Dolby Atmos, and DTS-HD.

The improved Xiaomi TV Box is a certified Google, Netflix and Prime Video streaming player. It also offers support for other streaming services with up to 4K display. Compared to the previous version which had built-in Android TV 9.0. Xiaomi TV Box S runs on Google TV based on Android TV 11 OS.

Still inside we find 2GB RAM DDR4 and unfortunately only 8GB eMMC storage. In addition, the streaming player supports Dual-Band 802.11ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2. As before, the device does not have RJ45 Ethernet. The interfaces it has are HDMI 2.0a, USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack, and DC jack.

Xiaomi Google TV Streaming player comes with Bluetooth and IR remote control. The refreshed remote control received several key buttons for Netflix, Youtube, Prime Video and Apps. In addition, we will find a button for Xiaomi TV+ (IPTV) and Google Assistant.

Google TV operating system and Bluetooth controller with voice commands

Among the functions, we must mention support 4K resolution (2160p). However, this is supplemented in this case by the support of standards Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, dts-HD a HDR10 +. This will be especially appreciated by lovers of multimedia entertainment and movies.

In addition, a new operating system is also available GoogleTV. As well as integrated Chromecast (content sharing) whether support for voice commands via Google Now (via the microphone on the control). In terms of connectivity, a USB-A port is available (2.0), HDMI port (2.0), 3,5 mm audio connector and DC connector for connecting to the network.

The sales package of this product includes the smart TV box itself with the label Xiaomi Mi TV Box 2nd generation, together with original accessories from the manufacturer. This constitutes the mains supply (EU Plug, 220-240 V / 50-60 Hz), HDMI cable to connect to your TV, remote control with voice control. As well as a brief instruction manual, traditionally in English.

How do you like this practical smart TV box from the company’s workshop? Xiaomi? If you have any other questions about the integrated components or the selling price, feel free to write them to us below in the discussion under the article.

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The post Xiaomi Mi TV Box S 2nd generation Leaks & specifications first appeared on Power Play.