OnePlus 7 Pro Benchmarks Leak: Fastest Android Phone Ever - Tom's Guide

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1. OnePlus 7 Pro Benchmarks Leak: Fastest Android Phone Ever  Tom's Guide
2. OnePlus 7 Pro packaging leaks confirms new Bullets Wireless 2, Warp Charge 30 car charger  9to5Google
3. OnePlus 7 Pro triple-lens camera shown off through photo samples  TechRadar
4. Pocketnow Daily: OnePlus 7 Pro official teasers, Galaxy S10 5G on fire & more (video)  PocketNow
5. OnePlus 7 & 7 Pro: Everything we know so far  9to5Google
6. View full coverage on Google News

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/oneplus-7-benchmarks-leak,news-29970.html

2019-05-01 11:38:33Z
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Pixel 3 phones aren't selling, and it's probably Verizon's fault - CNET

Google says it's sold fewer Pixel phones year over year due to fierce smartphone competition on the high end, but that probably isn't the entire story. There's a good chance that the company's agreement to make Verizon the Pixel's exclusive US carrier plays a role. 

On Monday, Ruth Porat, CFO of Google parent company Alphabet, explained declining Pixel sales due in part to "heavy promotional activity industry-wide" and "recent pressures in the premium smartphone market." Even with deep discounts, people just aren't buying Pixel phones, despite best-in-class camera performance and glowing recommendations from CNET and other outlets. 

The Pixel 3 was CNET's top Android phone of 2018. So why haven't buyers been snapping it up like hotcakes? 

There might be a few reasons for this. First, times are tough across the board. The smartphone market has been slowing down. Apple just announced that it sold fewer iPhones than it did a year ago. People are keeping their phones longer between upgrades, and prices are skyrocketing year over year. New phones are entering the market, like T-Mobile's "premium affordable" OnePlus 6T, and buyers may be holding their collective breath to see how foldable phones and 5G networks pan out in 2019. (Hint: not too great so far.)

But for the Pixel phones in particular, Verizon's exclusive backing might be almost as much of a hindrance in getting the word out as it is a benefit. Verizon is the US' largest carrier, which gives the Pixel the advantage of being discovered when buyers walk into a shop or peruse the carrier's website. 

Now playing: Watch this: Pixel 3: 6 months in

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But the Pixel is also plagued by a strong misperception that Verizon is the exclusive seller, period. In fact, you can buy the Pixel 3 phones through Google's online store for use with any US carrier, as well as Google's own hybrid Fi network. 

Limiting carrier exposure surely doesn't help get the word out, and you would think that Google would have as much clout as Apple and Samsung in getting its phones on any wireless provider it chooses.

Google's mostly-direct-to-consumer-except-for-Verizon sales model clearly isn't working, and I'm not surprised. The vast majority of people -- we're talking about well into 90% -- buy their handset from a carrier, not from a phone-maker, even one with as much pull as Google. If your carrier doesn't have a particular phone, why not just get another pretty good alternative instead?

The Pixel 3's camera is so, so good.

Angela Lang/CNET

The rumored Google Pixel 3a is said to come to T-Mobile as well as Verizon, which, if true, will put the Pixel in front of more buyers. (T-Mobile is also trying to mute Verizon's thunder with its #GetOutofTheRed campaign.) 

Leaving an exclusivity contract with AT&T for its very first iPhone helped create the boom that helped make Apple's smartphone one of the most iconic, sought-after phones in the world. Google can only hope that expanding into T-Mobile would do the same.

For Google's sake, I hope the Pixel's rumored carrier parade won't stop there.

When approached for comment, Verizon would only state, ""We don't comment on future contracts nor would we comment on sales." Google did not immediately responded to our request.

$279

CNET may get a commission from retail offers.

Google Pixel Phone and Google Pixel XL Phone

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https://www.cnet.com/news/pixel-3-phones-arent-selling-and-its-probably-verizons-fault/

2019-05-01 11:00:03Z
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Daily Deals: Oculus Quest Wireless VR Headset and Oculus Rift S Up For Preorder - IGN

Play Expert Plus Mode on Beat Saber Wirelessly with the Oculus Quest, Xbox One X Down to $349.99, Xbox Controllers for $39.99, 33% off The Division 2 for Xbox.

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By Eric Song and IGN Staff

Welcome to IGN's Daily Deals, your source for the best deals on the stuff you actually want to buy. If you buy something through this post, IGN may get a share of the sale. For more, read our Terms of Use.

We bring you the best deals we've found today on video games, hardware, electronics, and a bunch of random stuff too.Check them out here or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get the latest deals.

It's finally here! When Dan Stapleton brought in the Oculus Quest for review, I was able to personally test it out. I am a huge Beat Saber fan and I had my doubts about a completely wireless Oculus headset being able to handle the game, both performance and tracking wise. Well, let me tell you that not only is Expert + mode enabled on the Oculus Quest, the internal tracking and coverage on it is very, very similar to the Oculus Rift that I currently own and much better than the PSVR. The wireless freedom is how it was meant to be played. Of course, there are other games that are available at launch, but for me, I'm probably going to get this headset for Beat Saber alone. Some other great features on the Quest include a built-in camera so that you can see your surroundings without taking off your headset, an intuitive guardian boundary system that's much easier to use than the Rift, and Chromecast support so that you can mirror your screen to a TV so everyone else can watch.

This is the second of the two Oculus headsets that went up for preorder yesterday. We haven't been able to review this one yet but it's a tempting headset at a price that's only $50 more than the previous generation Rift. The biggest upgrade, like the Quest, is the internal "Insight" tracking system; there are no external sensors required here. Additional improvements include upgraded optics with higher resolution displays and reduced screen door effect, a redesigned halo headband that should be more comfortable and form fitting than the previous version, new Touch controllers, and less cables to hook up (only one USB and one Displayport). It's also compatible with all games from the Oculus store. For those of you who don't yet have a Rift and have a powerful PC and want all the games that the Rift has to offer, the Rift S might be the best choice.

Take $70 off the regular price. The PSVR is still the most economical way to immerse yourself in the world of high-definition VR gaming, especially when you consider the fact that the PS4 ecosystem is far, far less expensive than a gaming computer that can handle the Rift or Vive. If you do jump onto the PSVR bandwagon, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Beat Saber. It's easily the best game for the PSVR.

NEW PRICE DROP. Today you can get $150 off the Xbox One X console plus PUBG. Add $20 for NBA 2K19, or add $30 for either game and a second wireless controller. These bundles are sold through Walmart Marketplace, and the vendor (antonline) is 100% reputable.

Xbox One X:

Xbox One X with Bonus 2nd Controller:

Xbox One X with Bonus Call of Duty: Black Ops 4:

Take 33% off a brand new official Microsoft Xbox One controller. Besides being the obvious controller of choice for the Xbox console, the official controller is still inarguably my favorite PC game pad.

Use code "39AliSub6cw13"

Dell Outlet is currently offering an extra 16% off Alienware m15 and 17R5 laptops on top of the instant discounts you already save. All Dell Outlet laptops include a full 1 year Dell warranty, same as buying new.

Some examples:

This Alienware 17 laptop boasts a GeForce GTX 1070 video card that can run any game with buttery smoothness on its 17" 1080p display. The GTX 1070 is as powerful as its desktop variant, so it capable of handling a VR headset like the Rift or Vive and higher resolution external monitor.

You can get this game directly from the Microsoft Store for $20 off (originally $59.99). We thought that the Division 2 was a great game, and definitely a step up from its predecessor. If you enjoy co-op based shooters, I highly recommend you try this one out.

We rated this game an "Amazing" 9.5/10. Brandin Tyrell writes "A stylish, focused stealth-action take on the FromSoftware formula that's something amazing all its own." If you like Souls or Bloodborne at all, this game is an absolute must buy.

This is yet another action adventure hack-and-slash that we rated an "Amazing" 9.5/10. This is one of the best (if not the best) Devil May Cry game in the entire series. DMC5 definitely has a more frenetically fast-paced gameplay compared to Sekiro (more akin to Ninja Gaiden or Bayonetta).

Final Fantasy XII was one of the best FF games ever produced and now it has finally made its way to the Switch platform. The Zodiac Age edition includes remastered HD graphics and audio, an improved character levelling system, new trial mode, auto-saves, reduced load times, and more.

Read the original manga that started the whole Dragon Ball craze. This box set includes all 16 paperback volumes of the original Dragon Ball series as well as an exclusive double-sided poster and collector's booklet.

Dragon Ball Z continues after the events of Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Z introduces some of the series' most iconic antagonists, including Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.  This box set includes all 26 paperback volumes as well as an exclusive double-sided poster and collector's booklet.

This laptop sells for $1699.99 elsewhere. The Razer Blade Q is easily one of the nicest gaming laptops you can buy. It has the sleek build quality of a MacBook Pro, but with powerful gaming guts inside. Despite it's standard 15" size, it weighs only 4.4lbs and measures 0.76" thin.

According to early benchmark tests, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti performs on par with the RTX 2060, which means it could be about 1.5X faster than the GTX 1050 Ti and 10%-25% faster than the GTX 1060. But look at the other specs, will you! This beast comes equipped with the latest Intel Core i7-9750 processor, 32GB of memory, and 512GB of SSD storage.

The 2018 Apple iPad is down to its lowest price ever (25% off compared to list price). This model boasts a 9.7" Retina display, A10 Fusion 64-bit processor, dual cameras, 10-hour battery life, and Apple Pen support.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is back at the lowest price it has ever been. If you don't need the ECG or other medical capabilities of the Series 4, you'll be saving $200 by going just one generation back. The Series 3 features an aluminum case that's waterproof up to 50 meters, built-in heart rate monitor, GPS, and its small, sleek, and looks almost identical to the Series 4.

Dell has kicked off this week with a selection of 10 Vizio and LG TVs. They've discounted several well-rated current model TVs the way they always do - with a 90-day gift card that can be used on almost anything at Dell.com, including consoles, monitors, VR headsets, games, video cards, and PCs.

4K Smart HDTVs:

Premium 4K Smart HDTVs with True HDR:

Score the latest generation 40" Samsung 4K TV with Smart functionality for under $250. You even get free shipping to boot.

This is the lowest price ever for this very hiqh quality TV panel. The TCL R617 series is one of their top-end TVs and is considered to be one of the best sub-$1000 TVs on the market. If you don't care about brand names, you can save hundreds compared to a comparable premium TV from LG, Samsung, or Sony TV that matches the quality of this set. It also has Roku TV built-in.

Use code "SAVE15"

Score an RTX 2080 equipped Alienware desktop for under $1400 following the instructions below. Stock specs include an Intel Core i5-9400 6-core processor, 8GB of memory, and 1TB HDD. The only recommendation I'd make is to add in your own SSD. SSDs are much cheaper than they used to be and it doesn't void your warranty.

If you've got deep pockets, you can upgrade to the RTX 2080 Ti instead. This is the only way you'll be able to get a brand new, fully warrantied pre-built RTX 2080 Ti configuration for under $2K.

Buying the Switch, Starlink Starter Pack, and Accessory Kit separately would normally run you about $350. The Switch version of Starlink includes the Starfox character as well as the iconic Arwing starfighter, the closest thing you'll get to playing a Starfox game on the Switch.

The Sega Genesis Mini is now up for preorder with a slated release date of September 19. 40 games will be pre-loaded onto the console. All reports indicate that Sega is going to do this release right. According to our own Seth Macy, "if you have emulation worries, Sega has M2 working on the emulation for its mini console. If you're unfamiliar with M2, it handled the excellent Sega Ages Collections and also the delightful Sega 3D Classic collections for Nintendo 3DS. It would be hard to find a developer with a better pedigree to handle the software for the first-party Sega Genesis Mini."

Eric Song is IGN's deal curator and spends 25% of his pay on stuff he posts.

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https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/01/daily-deals-oculus-quest-wireless-vr-headset-and-oculus-rift-s-up-for-preorder

2019-05-01 09:04:29Z
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Huawei ahead of Apple in Q1 2019 smartphone shipments - CNBC

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business, speaks as he presents the P30 series smartphone during a launch event in Paris.

Marlene Awaad | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Apple and Samsung reported slowing smartphone sales in the first quarter of this year, but Chinese tech giant Huawei is bucking the trend in a big way.

Huawei's smartphone shipments surged 50% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, while Apple iPhone shipments tumbled 30%, according to new data published Tuesday by research firm IDC. Samsung shipments dropped 8% year-on-year.

The new figures show Huawei capturing a 19% share of the global smartphone market, its highest percentage ever. IDC said the Chinese firm is "now within striking distance" of Samsung at the top of the global market, surging past Apple as the world's second-largest smartphone seller.

"This new ranking of Samsung, Huawei, and Apple is very likely what we'll see when 2019 is all said and done," IDC Program Vice President Ryan Reith said in the report.

Huawei first surpassed Apple in market share in 2018, but the first quarter's figures show a much wider spread between the two tech giants than previously reported. IDC attributed Huawei's growth to a "well-rounded portfolio targeting all segments from low to high."

Apple's iPhone sales have been hit by weak demand in China and longer replacement cycles. Apple CEO Tim Cook was upbeat in his assessment of the Chinese market on Tuesday, but the company still reported a 22% drop in revenues in the region for its March quarter.

Separate data published Tuesday by research firm Canalys showed Huawei capturing 34% of the Chinese smartphone market, an increase in shipments of 41% from the year before. The firm said Huawei has gained ground among Chinese consumers by increasing its investments in brick-and-mortar stores and penetrating further into China's rural areas.

Huawei's consumer business has shown impressive growth, especially in its premium smartphone division, despite heightened global scrutiny of the firm. U.S. officials have advised Americans not to use products or services from Huawei and have pressured allies to ban the company's 5G telecommunications equipment, saying there is a security risk that the technology could enable Chinese spying.

Huawei has repeatedly denied that it would engage in any form of espionage or provide data to the Chinese government. Some experts are skeptical of these assurances, pointing to Chinese laws that allegedly require companies to assist the country in intelligence gathering if Beijing requests it.

In a note published Tuesday, Shobhit Srivastava, research analyst at Counterpoint, said Huawei's growth in the smartphone market is especially notable since it does not have a significant presence in the U.S. Srivastava said Huawei has been able to surpass Apple because of the "pace of its innovations," adding it was the first company to introduce features like reverse wireless charging.

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https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/01/huawei-ahead-of-apple-in-q1-2019-smartphone-shipments.html

2019-05-01 07:21:57Z
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Valve's VR Index Controllers include 87 sensors to track your fingers and hands - PC Gamer

Valve's Index Controllers have a lot of sensors. The second half of its new Valve Index VR system, each controller uses a whopping 87 sensors, including optical, motion, capacitive and force sensors. All the better to detect what each of your fingers is doing, letting you pick up and drop objects, throw things around or even just squeeze without needing to press any buttons. 

According to Valve, not only does the finger tracking promise to increase immersion, it also opens up more ways for players to communicate non-verbally in multiplayer. I like the sound of that especially. I don't want to talk to people, but it would be very handy to be able to make more subtle gestures. And not just rude ones. It'll be interesting to see if they're precise enough for sign language users. 

With the dynamic sensor and pad assignment, finger tracking can be adjusted for different hand sizes, and Valve says the controllers have been designed for long-term comfort. Even the strap looks incredibly comfy. It's adjustable and uses anti-microbial tech fabric, which apparently means that they're more durable and less likely to get smelly if you sweat all over them after leaping around your living room for three hours. You could even stretch it to seven hours, as that's how long a charge should last.

Valve's not yet unveiled the roster of new VR games that will be able to take advantage of their potential, so it's a good thing they're backwards compatible. As well as the sensors, they've got a track button, thumbsticks, triggers and everything else required for VR games with more traditional control schemes. The controllers will also work with first and second generation base stations, just like the headset, as well as the HTC Vive. 

They sound very promising, though the cost means you're going to want to be pretty certain you'll get plenty of use out of them. The Index Controllers will set you back $279/£259 for a pair, or you can get them in a bundle with the headset for $999/£919. 

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https://www.pcgamer.com/valves-vr-index-controllers-include-87-sensors-to-track-your-fingers-and-hands/

2019-04-30 17:00:00Z
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Amazon knocks $300 off Apple's latest iPad Pros, delivering new record low prices - AppleInsider

  Fresh markdows are in this Tuesday at Amazon, with Late 2018 11-inch iPad Pros falling to new record low prices. Save up to $300 instantly while supplies last.

The new, lower prices reflect an additional $25 to $100 discount on select models, with overall prices on the latest iPad Pros starting at $674.99. In addition to savings on tablets, Amazon is also issuing steep price cuts on MacBook Pros and even budget-friendly iPads. For a complete rundown of the latest offers, be sure to check out Amazon's Apple deals page, as well as our own Apple Price Guide, with the latter offering price comparison shopping across top Apple authorized resellers.

Brand-new markdowns

Plus save $125 to $200 on other 11" iPad Pros

12.9" iPad Pros (Late 2018) are also on sale

$999 13" MacBook Pros

Additional Apple Deals

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running a handful of additional exclusive promotions this month on Apple hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in discounts on AppleCare, software and accessories. These deals are as follows:

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https://appleinsider.com/articles/19/04/30/amazon-knocks-300-off-apples-latest-ipad-pros-delivering-new-record-low-prices

2019-04-30 14:54:00Z
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Garmin refreshes its line of Forerunner GPS watches with five new models - The Verge

Garmin is updating its line of Forerunner GPS running watches today with an entirely new lineup of watches, ranging from the entry-level $199.99 Forerunner 45 to the $599.99 Forerunner 945, which is meant for professional athletes.

The Forerunner 45 (and 45S, which is a smaller version of the 45) have gotten the biggest visual changes of the lineup. They have the same round watchface as the pricier models in the Forerunner lineup, along with some new tracking features for planning exercises throughout the day and support for Garmin’s Coach function. Like all of Garmin’s Forerunner watches, there’s a built-in heart rate sensor and onboard GPS.

The 245 (and 245 Music, which is the same as the 245, but with the option to locally store up to 500 songs) is an updated version of the 235, and it gets newly added support for stress and sleep tracking, more sports to track, and an updated UI. It also adds a pulse oximeter sensor for even more fitness data.

Lastly, there’s the new Forerunner 945, the $599.99 flagship of the lineup. The 945 adds a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen absorption, Garmin Pay for contactless purchases, and full-color maps for navigating while out running. It can store up to 1,000 songs locally (from compatible services like Spotify or Deezer), and there’s a new tool for analyzing past workout history to improve future training. Garmin promises up to two weeks of battery life in smartwatch mode, up to 36 hours in GPS mode, and up to 10 hours with both GPS and music active.

The Forerunner 45 models will be available later in May. The Forerunner 245, Forerunner 245 Music, and Forerunner 945 are available now.

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https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/4/30/18523783/garmin-forerunner-gps-watches-45-245-945-updates-pulse-running

2019-04-30 15:15:15Z
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