My riding companions ask me what type of ride I want to go on.
"Aggressive or casual?"
This is my first time on Zero's new SF/R motorcycle (starting at $18,995). It's a new design for the company. The motor is new. The controller unit and operating system are new. Even the display is new. Plus, I'll be riding on roads I've never even seen. I reply "casual" but 20 minutes in, I wish I had said "aggressive."
Zero has been building electric motorcycles for 13 years. In that time they've gone from putting out less-than-optimal vehicles with electric powertrains bolted in, to great bikes that just happen to be electrified.
In the past few years, the company has had a predictable roadmap. Every 12 months it would upgrade the motors and extend the range of its line up. The bikes continued to look about the same while the guts were improved. But the SF/R is something different and it's more than just its design.
While riding in the mountains above Santa Cruz, California I'm impressed by just how smooth the acceleration is. You twist the accelerator and it responds with the expected torque of an electric motor, but the system has been polished. It doesn't take away from the experience of riding an electric bike. If anything it makes it better.
That has to do with Zero's Cypher III operating system and Bosch's Motorcycle Stability Control. But it's more than just acceleration, it also controls how the bike reacts to different road surfaces and riding styles. It's taken its riding to another level. The motorcycle maker even added a Rain mode to the bike. A first for its lineup and a welcome sight for anyone that rides daily and has to deal with precipitation. During my tests with cornering, gravel, and a light smattering of rain, the bike tackled those obstacles and replied with grace.
What's great is that none of this takes away from the almost instant speed of riding a Zero motorcycle. The SR/F has 140-foot-pounds of torque and 110 horsepower. So when you twist that grip, you're moving fast. Very fast.
And that's what I wanted from my ride. After 20 minutes, I realized how quickly I was able to get a feel for it and I began to wonder while linking turns through the woods if it would seem weird to pass my companions. The seating position (31 inches) was a little low for someone of my height, but Zero plans on offering a seat that raises that about an inch. For shorter riders, a seat will be available that lowers the height about three-quarters of an inch.
After a few hours on the SR/F, I was still ready for more riding and so was the bike. The motorcycle has a city range of 161 miles and highway range of 99 miles. Throw on the optional Power Pack and Zero says the bike will go up to 200 miles between charges. The SR/F is also the first Zero to come with a Level 2 charger standard. You know, the kind you find in electric cars. It'll support charging speeds up to 3kW standard and 6kW if you pony up for the Premium model that includes heated grips, aluminum bar ends and a fly screen starting at $20,995.
Regardless of which model you ride, the bike comes with the new color 5-inch TFT LCD display. It's easier to read than the monochrome display on its other bikes and even in bright sunlight and with polarized sunglasses on, I had no trouble with visibility. In addition to looking better, the bike also has a wireless connection (free for the first two years). It supports over the air updates and can be used to find the bike and control the powertrain and stability control with the companion app.
Then we come to the design and frankly, it's a looker. The company has deviated from its previous design language with something outstanding. The design team wanted to highlight that it was an electric motorcycle going so far as accenting the motor. It's a "naked" bike that'll be at home next to Ducatis and Aprillas.
The SR/F looks great and rides even better. With that, the argument for electric bikes just got stronger. It's a more refined motorcycle from a company that continues to impress with its offerings. This new bike is an evolutionary jump in its history and hopefully next time I'm on it, I can get a bit more aggressive.
Like 5G phones, foldable phones are undeniably on the rise. Back in February, the trend stole the show at MWC 2019 as many phone makers announced their plans for foldable phones. With one flexible device already available to buy and a couple of others expected this year, phones with foldable displays aren't far-off concepts any longer. Everyone from big-name Samsung and lesser-known brands including Huawei, to unknown startups like Royole, are ready to inject a much-needed jolt into the industry.
In addition, Google's committed to providing Android support for foldable designs, so we can expect even more phone companies to get involved with the trend. (Given some of its own patent filings that recently came to light, it may even release a foldable phone of its own.)
If you're struggling to keep up with which companies have announced plans, filed a patent or are simply rumored to jump on the bandwagon, read CNET's who's-who guide to foldable phones.
Originally published Jan. 26, 2019 Update, April 13: Added information about Galaxy Fold preorder.
Samsung Galaxy Fold: Preorder starts April 15, available April 26
The Samsung Galaxy Fold.
Samsung
As the biggest tech company to throw its hat into the ring, many were eager to learn about the Galaxy Fold at Samsung Unpacked and it didn't disappoint. When closed, the Fold has a secondary 4.6-inch display that serves as its "cover," with all the usual features you'd expect on a phone. When you're ready for something bigger, the Fold opens up like a book to a 7.3-inch tablet.
To get the phone, you first need to place a reservation for the Galaxy Fold when you register online to receive more information from Samsung. (Unfortunately, the UK site does not yet have a Fold page.In Australia, click "pre-register now" on this page.) You then need to preorder the device, which starts Monday, April 15. The Fold will be available in the US on April 26 and costs a pretty penny at $1,980 (about £1,500 or AU$2,800).
To achieve the phone's design with no visible line across the screen, the Fold has what the company calls an Infinity Flex Display. Essentially made out of a fancy plastic material, the screen can flex and fold hundreds of times without breaking. With the help of Google's OS, apps will switch smoothly between display sizes as well.
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The Fold also has six cameras. On the back, there's the same triple-camera setup as the Galaxy S10 and on the front a single 10-megapixel camera. In tablet form, there are two additional cameras inside: a selfie camera and an 8-megapixel depth camera.
But that's not the end of it. Samsung is said to be developing two more foldable phones, according to Bloomberg. Citing people familiar with the company's plans, Bloomberg reported that one phone will fold vertically, while the other will fold inward instead of outwardly like the Fold.
Huawei Mate X: Available 'mid-2019'
The Huawei Mate X.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Jumping on the trends of foldable phones and 5G, Huawei's new phone has both. The Mate X has a 6.6-inch display when folded closed and an 8-inch OLED screen when you flip it open. And it features 5G connectivity that's said to be four times faster than 4G, a 4,500-mAh battery and three rear cameras.
Similar to the Fold, it'll also be very pricey at 2,299 euros, or about $2,600, £2,000 or AU$3,660. However, at its MWC keynote event when Huawei first announced the phone, the company hinted that cheaper models may be coming down the pipeline.
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Royole FlexPai: Available now
The Royole Flexpai.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Developed by a startup headquartered in Fremont, California, the Royole Flexpai was the first flexible phone to debut, in October 2018. The phone has a plastic, 7.8-inch AMOLED screen and it's already on sale. You'll pay $1,318 (£1,209) for the 6GB of RAM and 128GB variant. And it's $1,469 (£1,349) for the 8GB of RAM and 256GB version. (Australian prices weren't released, but they convert to about AU$2,180 and AU$2,440, respectively.)
The FlexPai runs an OS called Water that's layered on top of Google Android 9.0. Whichever way you choose to hold or bend the device, the screen adjusts to its many different orientations and viewing options. Though rough around the edges when we first got our hands on it, the FlexPai gave us one of the first solid glimpses of what the future of foldable phones will hold.
Motorola: Confirmed
Images from a design patent filed by Motorola in 2017. The filing went public in December.
Photo illustration by Ian Knighton/CNET
Ever since its patent application file went public in December 2017, rumors began circulating that Motorola, which Lenovo acquired in 2014, would resurrect the popular Motorola Razr phone with a folding-screen. Later, a company exec at Motorola confirmed something was coming down the pipeline, likely in the summer.
The Razr reboot will supposedly cost $1,500 on Verizon. Refreshing the phone would be a smart move on Motorola. Since its original launch in 2004, the beloved phone has gained an iconic status for its sleek design, thin profile and various color options at the time.
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TCL: Confirmed, coming in 2020
Several of TCL's upcoming foldable devices.
Shara Tibken/CNET
Mostly known for its affordable televisions, Chinese tech company TCL is working on a number of foldable devices, which include two tablets, two phones and a cuff-like phone you wear around your wrist. Despite not being a household name in the US, you may know TCL better through other brands it owns, namely BlackBerry, Alcatel and Palm.
The upcoming devices all have flexble AMOLED displays that can bend because of what TCL calls a DragonHinge. Patented by the company, the hinge enables the screens to fold both inward and outward. TCL estimates that its first foldable phone will be available in 2020 and that it could cost less than $1,000 -- making it significantly cheaper than the Galaxy Fold.
Xiaomi Dual Flex or Mix Flex.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi Dual Flex or Mix Flex: Confirmed
In January, Chinese phone maker Xiaomi introduced its new foldable phone on the social media platform Weibo. Unlike previous phones we've seen, which have only one bend down the middle, Xiaomi's phone folds down into thirds, with both sides folding down.
Xiaomi co-founder and president Bin Lin said this form factor is "practical and beautiful" and that it "perfectly merges the experience of a tablet and a phone." No specs or pricing information were given, but Xiaomi is currently taking votes on two possible names: Dual Flex or Mix Flex.
Nubia Alpha: Confirmed
The Nubia Alpha.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Nubia, an associate company of Chinese phone-maker ZTE, is taking the concept of a foldable phone one step further with its Nubia Alpha. Introduced at MWC, the Alpha is unique in that it's a phone that wraps around a user's wrist, similar to a smartwatch. It features a flexible 4.01-inch display, gesture controls and a water-resistant design.
This isn't the first time we've seen a phone that looks like the Alpha. In 2016, Lenovo had a concept device called CPlus, which had a 4.26-inch display that you bent over your wrist. But the Alpha isn't a concept -- though Nubia didn't release any pricing or availability dates, it will make the Alpha commercially available to users.
Apple: Rumored, with patent application
An updated patent by Apple shows various ways it could use a flexible or folding display.
Apple/USPTO
In February, Apple once again updated its patent application for a clamshell phone with a foldable display and body. The filings have been ongoing since Apple's first one eight years ago, in 2011. Since then, rumors of a flexible iPhone reignite with every new updated document, which have been filed in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
According to the filings, the phone "may have a flexible portion that allows the device to be folded." But keeping with its usual style, Apple has remained mum on details. So far, nothing has come to fruition with any of these patents in the public eye, and there hasn't been any info on what this device might be (and if it will even be a phone at all) or a timeline to expect such products.
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Google: Rumored, with patent application
We already know that Google plans to support foldable phones with its Android OS platform. But in December 2018, the tech giant filed a patent application for a foldable device. While this doesn't officially confirm that the company is launching a foldable phone, it's at least considering the option. The patent is for a "foldable display of a computing device and includes a back stiffening layer, a transparent front-plate layer, a transparent cover window layer, and an OLED display layer disposed between the back stiffening layer and the transparent frontplate layer."
Google's patent application included several sketches of a potential foldable device.
Google
Lenovo's CPlus concept phone.
Jessica Dolcourt/CNET
Lenovo: Rumored, with patent application
As mentioned before, Lenovo introduced the concept CPlus phone in 2016, which could bend and wrap around your wrist like the Nubia Alpha. While it was just a concept phone back then, Lenovo has been making inroads to release a real foldable phone to the masses. Last July it filed a patent application for a "portable information device" with a "foldable configuration."
LG: Rumored
The non-bending V50 with its non-bending second-screen attachment.
Katie Collins/CNET
Back in 2014, LG launched the G Flex, a phone with a curved screen. More recently at CES 2019, it showed off a rollable TV that will be on sale later this year. We know that LG has the technology in the works for a flexible phone and the company is said to be working on one.
For now, we have no idea what the phone will look like, how much it will cost or when it will arrive. There were rumors that LG would introduce one at CES, but that turned out to be a false alarm. And later at MWC, LG had an accessory that added a second screen to its LG V50 phone, but unfortunately none of the devices fold.
Back in February, Samsung unleashed the next generation of smartphones with its new flagship: Galaxy Fold. The announcement sent shock waves through the mobile phone industry, with many of Samsung's competitors wishing they had designed such a radical product first. Now, a legion of loyal fans are champing at the bit to get their hands on the Fold.
Unlike any big-name phone before it, the Galaxy Fold is a true convertible product -- able to go from phone to tablet and back in a snap with its unique folding hinge. According to Samsung, engineers worked for years to get the design just right for consumers. In fact, they tested each phone thousands of times to make sure they could withstand daily use.
For those of you who want to own a piece of the future today, I have good news. The phone became available for preorder reservations starting April 12. With official preorders beginning on April 15. What do you need to do to get on the list? I'll give you the rundown.
How to preorder the Galaxy Fold
The hype surrounding the Galaxy Fold is intense, so hopeful buyers will want to get their names on the list before supplies run dry. Beginning April 12, you'll be able to make a reservation for a preorder spot by registering for more information on Samsung's website. Click on "Reserve Now" in the upper right-hand corner to reach the reservation page, which will have you fill out some basic forms and agree to receive emails from Samsung.
After completing the form, you should receive an email from Samsung with additional steps to preorder the device. You're not obligated to buy the device if you're reserving a spot, but the company does hold your place in line. The official preorder day starts on April 15, so make sure you're on the list before then. The demand is incredibly high, so expect spots to fill up quickly.
When is the Galaxy Fold release date?
The Galaxy Fold is officially on display and for sale April 26. The phone is exclusively carried by AT&T and T-Mobile, with their stores and select Best Buy and Samsung Experience stores having the phone in stock. Verizon fans, sadly, will have to wait until the exclusive carrier deal expires in a few years or purchase an unlocked device at full retail price.
That price, by the way, starts at $1,980. Yikes!
I guess it makes sense, though, if you consider how much technology you're getting in a single device. The phone opens up into a 7.3 inch tablet that is capable of wireless charging, running three apps at once, and even accessing 5G networks in the more expensive models.
If this phone is a must-buy gadget for you, don't hesitate. Samsung is stressing that supplies are extremely limited. Putting your name on the list is the best way to ensure that you're the owner of the world's first foldable smartphone flagship.
Kim's Take: Should you buy a foldable smartphone?
It takes a lot to impress tech customers. So far this year, the foldable smartphone is generating a ton of excitement. And why not? A radical new phone design hasn’t appeared in years. The largest smartphone manufacturers – Samsung, Apple and the Chinese company Huawei – they’re all in a race to bring you the foldable phone. Is this new form factor worth it?
Facebook accidentally added some "easter egg" labels on tens of thousands of Oculus Touch controllers, including such phrases as "Big Brother is Watching" and "This Space For Rent."
Nate Mitchell, co-founder of Oculus and head of VR product at Facebook, took to Twitter to explain this issue and said that while he does "appreciate easter eggs, these were inappropriate and should have been removed."
These labels made it onto the internal hardware of the Oculus Touch VR controllers, with final production hardware saying "This Space For Rent" and "The Masons Were Here." Some dev kits were sent out, which were non-consumer units, and included the phrases "Big Brother is Watching" and "Hi iFixit! We See You!"
Mitchell confirmed that while these labels were included, the "integrity and functionality of the hardware were not compromised, and [they] fixed [the] process so this won't happen again."
Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who would hide the phrase "I Can't Wait to Play Vader Immortal" on these controllers. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst.
If you’re an early buyer of the Oculus Quest or Oculus Rift S headset, you may get a hidden message in your motion controllers. Oculus executive Nate Mitchell tweeted today that the phrases “This Space For Rent” and “The Masons Were Here” had been printed on components for “tens of thousands” of Touch controllers. The Easter eggs were only supposed to appear on prototypes, but Mitchell says they “accidentally made it onto the internal hardware for tens of thousands of Touch controllers.”
“While I appreciate Easter eggs, these were inappropriate and should have been removed. The integrity and functionality of the hardware were not compromised, and we’ve fixed our process so this won’t happen again,” Mitchell tweeted. He added that a small number of development kits included the messages “Big Brother is Watching” or “Hi iFixit! We See You!” — referring to the prominent hardware repair site. These supposedly don’t appear in any consumer devices.
The messages on final production hardware say “This Space For Rent” & “ The Masons Were Here. ” A few dev kits shipped with “ Big Brother is Watching ” and “Hi iFixit! We See You! ” but those were limited to non-consumer units. [2/3] pic.twitter.com/po1qyQ10Um
Business Insider reported on the tweets earlier today, but outside of Mitchell’s apology, this is the first we’ve heard of the messages. And a spokesperson from Oculus parent company Facebook confirmed that he’s talking about controllers for the upcoming Quest and Rift S — not the original Touch controllers that shipped in 2016. Those new headsets are supposed to come out within the next month, and Oculus apparently discovered the messages once they’d already been incorporated into some consumer hardware.
Facebook is constantly fighting accusations of spying on its users, so including secret conspiratorial messages inside a hardware product is probably not the greatest idea. But it’s distinctly one of the funnier and more innocuous things that a Facebook executive has apologized for lately.
