Microsoft Announces Permanent Store Closures
In an announcement that may surprise a few (and impact fewer), Microsoft announced today that it will be closing all retail stores.
Gear Bits
Visualizing the COVID-19 Death Toll, and Why It’s Not the Flu
At Gear Diary, we like our readers. We think you’re awesome people, and not just because, for some strange reason, you put up with our eclectic ramblings. So we’d like to please, please, please remind you to keep safe this summer and continue to take COVID-19 seriously.
TCL 10L and 10 Pro Go On Sale, and They Pick up Some Updates
TCL has made a big splash with its new TCL 10 Pro and 10L phones, putting top quality screens and hardware into budget-friendly devices. They’re proving they are serious about this new market by rolling out a new maintenance release, tweaking some features, and even sweetening those already low prices with some carrier deals!
Lenovo Leverages Internet of Things to Help Offices with COVID-19
Lenovo is all about giving companies the tools to be productive, and that includes keeping people safe when they get back to work. They’re rolling out what they call Think IoT Back to Work Solutions. Basically, Lenovo will deliver an ecosystem of hardware and software that makes it safer to return to the office in the new COVID-19 world.
Ford Brings Back the Mustang Mach 1 for 2021
After a 17-year hiatus, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 fastback coupe is back to make its world premiere. The track-ready 480 horsepower limited-edition Mach 1 will come in either a six-speed manual transmission from Ford Performance or 10-speed automatic transmission.
Qualcomm Brings 5G to the Masses with Their New Snapdragon Chips!
It seems like we’ve been talking about it forever, but 5G is finally picking up steam and being rolled out on a massive scale. The true test of any new connectivity feature, whether it is wifi, Bluetooth, NFC, or 5G, is when it leaps from flagship feature to everyday option, and Qualcomm is taking 5G much closer with their new Snapdragon 690.
Lenovo and Verizon Leap into the Future with the Flex 5G 2-in-1
If there’s one thing the COVID-19 lockdown has taught us (besides washing your hands, not breathing close to others, and listening to science), it’s that connectivity matters now more than ever. The new reality of working outside the office regularly couldn’t have happened 15 years ago. Lenovo and Verizon are taking that connectivity to the next level with their Lenovo Flex 5G PC.
Lenovo Leans into Linux Workstations
Linux may not be the first operating system that springs to mind for the average user, but it has plenty of ardent fans. According to Lenovo’s citations, 2.87% of computer users are opting for Linux, which may not sound like much, but imagine if the entire population of Washington State switched to Linux en masse. Yea, there’s a market there, and Lenovo doesn’t want it left behind.
The 21.5″ Lenovo Smart Frame Will Be Pre-Selling on Indiegogo; Here’s How You Can Get 50% Off
The Lenovo Smart Frame was one of my favorites new products announced at CES this year. Styled like a professionally matted portrait, the 21.5″ Smart Frame uses AI to curate your photo collection and build custom digital collages. A smartphone app will be available with hundreds of artworks that can be displayed on your Smart Frame, but you can also load your own photos. You can use hand gestures to play, pause, or continue the displayed photos or videos.
MediaTek Brings 5G Affordability with the New MediaTek Dimensity 820 Chip
Back in the day when 4G was just becoming a thing, the initial phones that were released all had a major flaw —the battery would drain almost as soon as the phones came off the charger. MediaTek knows that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and so energy efficiency plus power and affordability are all on the menu with the new MediaTek Dimensity 820 chip.
MediaTek Makes Sure Your Phone’s Engine Keeps up with New Features
Do you know what kind of engine is in your car? It’s ok if you don’t; most people don’t pay attention to what makes their car run, they’re just glad it does. The same goes for your smartphone’s internal processor. The phone does its thing, and you’re happy. Just know that MediaTek is on it with constantly improving processors, including the new Helio G85.
Star Wars “The Rise of Skywalker” Arrives on Disney+ for #MayThe4th
Star Wars fans feeling saddened that the Clone Wars series finale arrives on May 4th are getting an early surprise: Disney+ will be launching The Rise of Skywalker that very same day!
Help Settle Anxiety and Manage Panic Attacks with 45 Days of Free Premium Access to Rootd
We’re all going through the pandemic together, yet in many ways, many of us have never felt more alone. Money worries, employment woes, health fears, cabin fever, and anger at this situation, in general, can result in irrational arguments with your partner or other quarantine-mates, angst, malaise, a general sense of depression, and anxiety attacks. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Rootd wants to help.
Xfinity Has Easter Eggs You Can Collect and Open from Your Couch
If you’re looking for ways to keep yourself and your quarantine-mates entertained while waiting out the pandemic, and if you live in an area with Comcast Xfinity services, you should check out the Easter eggs they’ve hidden that you can access right now with the Xfinity Voice Remote.
Protect Your AirPod Pros with Nomad’s Latest Case
If you have a pair of Airpod Pros, you know that white case can get dinged up in your pocket or bag easily. So why not protect your $250 investment with a case from one of the most reputable case makers today, Nomad?
Here’s Your Sign: Free COVID-19 Coronavirus Signs and Posters to Download and Print
These are some strange and trying times that we all find ourselves in, and the last thing we should be worrying about right now is paying for signs that might help make things clearer for others who show up at our homes or essential businesses. Plum Grove is making all of its coronavirus COVID-19 poster art files free to download for print and distribution.
Streaming Guide and Show-tracking App Reelgood Comes to Android!
More than two years ago, I wrote about the new service called Reelgood that had launched to help you track shows and movies across a wide array of streaming services. Since that time Reelgood has quietly gotten better, providing notifications of new episodes of your tracked shows, adding new services, and just refining the experience in general.
Vivint Helps Protect Packages with Vivint Doorbell Pro
Vivint products have made my home much smarter and more secure. The company keeps innovating, recently announcing the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro. “Customers want us to do more than just record and report crime—they expect us to help prevent it,” said Matt Mahar, vice president of cameras at Vivint Smart Home.
Fender Adds Stratocaster Model to American Acoustasonic Series
Fender announced the American Acoustasonic Telecaster which sold out at launch in January 2019. They have now added a Stratocaster model to the lineup. It takes what was so popular with the initial model and mixes it with the original Stratocaster electric bringing a new genre-blending tool.
Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Makes Pretend Reality Even Better Than the Real World
Virtual reality has gone from sci-fi to living rooms, though sadly we aren’t yet at Holodecks. However, we’re getting closer, thanks to the innovations of companies like Qualcomm, which is rolling out the Snapdragon XR2 Platform. It may not sound exciting, but don’t let the dry name fool you — it’s a reference design for eXtended Reality, aka better virtual reality!
MediaTek Brings Performance and Speed to Mid Tier Smartphones with the Helio G Line
You probably don’t give much thought to the chips powering your devices, beyond whether everything runs quickly and smoothly. The reality is that a tiny piece of silicon and circuitry is what determines if your camera launches quickly, if you can watch Netflix smoothly, and of course, your ability to catch ’em all in Pokemon Go.
