The Most Interesting Features in Samsung's New Galaxy Note 10+ Flagship Smartphone

https://ift.tt/31Ws5g0

Samsung recently released its latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy Note 10 and the Galaxy Note 10+, which will be two of Apple's main competitors for the upcoming 2019 iPhones.

The new Galaxy Note smartphones have impressive edge-to-edge displays with pinhole camera cutouts, S Pen support, and a long list of additional features that are designed to make them stand out. In our latest YouTube video, we go hands-on with the Note 10+ to check out what Samsung has added to try to compete with the iPhone lineup.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

S Pen

iPhones don't support a stylus, and we're not expecting the Apple Pencil to work with the 2019 lineup, but Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 devices do work with a stylus called the S Pen, which has long been one of the main Note features.


The S Pen has a new look in 2019, but it's mostly the same. You can use it for taking notes, writing on the screen, sending live messages, and more. It's basically like the Apple Pencil for the iPad.


With the Galaxy Note 10 and the S Pen, handwritten notes can be turned into text, and you're also able to search through your handwritten notes. It's a feature that worked well in our testing.

AR Doodle

One major new S Pen feature that's a little bit fun and a little bit gimmicky is AR Doodle, designed to let users write text or create drawings on top of what's being viewed through the camera.

It's essentially drawing in augmented reality, which is neat, but probably not something most people are going to use on a regular basis.

3D Scanner

The larger version of the Galaxy Note 10 (the Note 10+) is equipped with an extra DepthVision camera that enables some interesting 3D scanning functionality.

Samsung on stage used this feature to scan a plush toy to make a correct, 3D digital version of it, which is what it's supposed to do. Unfortunately, in our testing, the 3D scanner is mediocre.


We couldn't get anything to scan accurately, with limbs getting cut off, designs being warped, and other problems, even when testing all kinds of lighting conditions. Maybe it'll get better in the future, but as is, this feature isn't useful.

Live Focus Video

A camera feature that is useful is the new Live Focus Video option that brings the Live Focus available in Samsung photos to the video camera, so you can adjust the depth of field while you're filming.

Zoom In Audio

Another camera feature we liked as the zoom-in audio option. When you zoom in on a subject that you're filming, the microphone is able to isolate that subject and amplify the sound, which is neat. When you zoom back out, the audio returns to normal.

DeX for macOS

Samsung devices have a feature called DeX, which is basically designed to let you dock your Samsung smartphone to a PC to turn it into a mobile workstation.

You used to need an external monitor, but with the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+, DeX works with both Mac and Windows machines. Mac users can download the DeX app for the Mac, plug the Note 10 in, and then control smartphone functions on the big screen.


On some Macs, though, the resolution is poor, which can make it a bit hard to see what you're doing.

Aura Glow Design

One of the coolest Galaxy Note 10 features is the color. Samsung is offering the Note 10 and Note 10+ in this rainbow-like shade called Aura Glow. It stands out and really catches the eye, especially when compared to the standard Silver, Space Gray, and Gold that most iPhones come in.

Fingerprint Sensor

Samsung's new smartphones use an under-display fingerprint sensor which is about as accurate as the fingerprint sensor in the S10+. It works decently, but its positioning on the screen might take some adjustment.

Battery Life

iPhone users who always feel like their devices die quickly might be jealous of the battery in the Note 10+ - it's 4,300mAh, which is massive. It can also take advantage of a 45W charger that can fast charge it from zero to full in just about an hour.

Samsung's not including a 45W charger in the box, but since it charges over USB-C, you might already have one laying around.

What do you think of Samsung's new Galaxy Note 10 smartphones? Let us know in the comments.

Tag: Samsung

This article, "The Most Interesting Features in Samsung's New Galaxy Note 10+ Flagship Smartphone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2MzQhB9

Health and Activity: What's New in iOS 13

https://ift.tt/30vPpAO

Apple added new features and new functionality to most of its built-in apps, including Health and Activity, both of which have either changed significantly or have major new features worth noting.

This guide goes over the changes that Apple made to the Health app and the Activity app in iOS 13.

Health App

Summary

Apple in iOS 13 entirely overhauled the Health app, doing away with the iOS 12 interface which featured four tabs for the "Today" calendar, "Health Data," "Sources," and "Medical ID."

The main Health interface now features just two tabs: Summary and Browse. Summary is an overview of all of your different health metrics, which are going to vary based on what health-related devices you have and how you use them.


If you have an Apple Watch, for example, you'll see data like activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, stand hours, stand minutes, steps, and tons more. Other devices, like the Beddit sleep monitor, smart scales, blood pressure monitors, and anything else that connects to the Health app can also be displayed here.

To edit what's in the "Summary" tab," tap on the "Edit" button and tap the stars next to the categories that you want to be able to see.

Highlights

The Summary app has a "Highlights" section that tells you relevant and interesting information that you might want to know like average workout minutes over the last seven days, heart rate recovery, average steps walked per day, environmental sound levels, and more.

Get More From Health

If you scroll down to the end of the Summary section in the Health app, you will see various options like registering as an organ donor along with health-related information such as why hearing health matters and understanding hearing loss. There are also links to health-related apps you might want to try.

Browse Tab

In the "Browse" tab in the Health app, you can see a breakdown of all of the available health-related categories to make it easier to find different health information and your health records if you have a doctor's office that makes records available on the iPhone.


This section also includes a search category so you can search for exactly what you're looking for.

Profile

Information like Medical ID and Sources, which was previously available through dedicated tabs in the iOS 12 Health app, is now located in a new Profile section available by tapping on your profile picture at the top of the Health app.


Your personal health details (height, weight, age, etc) are stored here, along with your Medical ID info and your organ donation choices. In this section, you can also access your health records if you have a participating health provider and you can change which apps and devices have access to your Health data.

Health Data Breakdowns

Since the Health app is no longer organized by date, it looks different when you tap into a health category like steps taken or exercise minutes.

You can still see data organized by day, week, month, or year, but it's easier to find each category that you're looking for and Apple also provides useful health summaries in these sections.


Depending on the health category, metrics like historical average, daily average, range, alerts, and more are also available.

Menstrual Cycle Tracking

iOS 13 brings a new health tracking feature for tracking menstrual cycles. It includes options for both period and fertility tracking, providing a first-party alternative to less privacy-focused period tracking apps.


It predicts when a period is expected and keeps track of period history, along with allowing for the logging and tracking of different symptoms related to both health and fertility tracking.

Noise Monitoring

Apple in iOS 13 monitors the sound level around you through a connected Series 4 Apple Watch or through connected earbuds like the EarPods, AirPods, Powerbeats Pro, and other options.

The Health app can be set to send notifications when harmful noise levels are detected, such as if you're at a concert that's too loud or are listening to music through the AirPods or other headphones that's set too loud.


In the Health app specifically, Apple provides a readout of the ambient noise you've been exposed to over time. The app lets you know if it's been too loud, and provides the average sound level in your environment over the last hour, day, week, month, and year.

Toothbrushing Time

If you have a Bluetooth-connected toothbrush that works with an iPhone app, that data can now be imported into the Health app in a new Toothbrushing category so you can see your brushing time at a glance. The Toothbrushing category tracks brushing time per day, week, month, and year.


If you don't have a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush, you can also add manual data each time that you brush your teeth.

Activity App

The Activity app in iOS 13 has a new "Trends" tab that's designed to make sure you keep up your activity levels from month to month.

Trends lets you know if your overall health trends are stable, up, or down, so if activity levels have dropped, you can make the appropriate changes.


To give you an idea of where you stand at a glance, Trends uses up or down arrows. An up arrow means your activity in a specific category is up, while a down arrow means you're trending downwards.

Trends covers Move (calories via active movement per day), Exercise minutes, Stand hours, Distance walked, and more, depending on which activities you do. Metrics like Stand Minutes per Hour, VO2MAX, Walking Pace, and Running Pace are also available, though you need enough data to activate them. These are based on walking and running workouts.


Apple says that Trends is designed to help users understand the long-term trajectory for activity, mobility, and fitness over the course of the last 90 days. Tapping on any one of the arrows in the Trends tab provides more specific information so you can see changes over time in more detail.

Apple will give you an encouraging message if your trends are up, or personalized coaching if trends are down.

New Move Achivements

The Activity app also includes some new Move achievements, with rewards for hitting Move goals 1250, 1500, 1750, and 2000 times. Previously, this maxed out at 1000.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the Health or Activity apps, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Related Roundups: iOS 13, iPadOS

This article, "Health and Activity: What's New in iOS 13" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/30v7LCf

MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Signature 2.0 Backpack From Vessel

https://ift.tt/2ZwEmKM

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Vessel to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Signature 2.0 Backpack.

Vessel makes all kinds of backpacks, briefcases, and bags, but the Signature 2.0, as the name suggests, is one of the most popular and was even named one of the top laptop bags of the year by Forbes.

Designed to be an every day backpack that can carry all of your essentials, the Signature 2.0, which is priced at $235, is sleek and compact but packed with pockets.


There's a main dual zip compartment that holds larger items, a large front exterior zip up pocket with an organizer for smaller items like your smartphone and headphones, and a padded compartment designed to fit a 15-inch laptop.


The laptop compartment also includes a slip pocket and internal mesh compartments, along with a velour-lined zippered pocket. At the side, there's an easy access vertical side pocket that's perfect for a phone, and there's yet another zip compartment at the bottom of the backpack.


Padded adjustable shoulder straps are included so it's comfortable to wear even when it's full, and with a mesh back panel, it can fit over the handle of a suitcase.


Vessel's Signature 2.0 backpack is made from a micro-suede synthetic leather, and it comes in a range of colors, including blue, black, carbon black, gray, and more. Vessel says that its synthetic leather is the best alternative to natural leather with a soft, smooth touch.


The synthetic leather is animal friendly, good for the environment, and able to hold up well over time because the structure is similar to genuine leather. As a bonus, the material is resistant to water, which is useful in poor weather.


We have two of Vessel's Signature 2.0 Backpacks to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

Vessel
The contest will run from today (August 23) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on August 30. The winners will be chosen randomly on August 30 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tag: giveaway

This article, "MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Signature 2.0 Backpack From Vessel" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2KR6xeZ

Deals Spotlight: Save With Low Prices on Apple's 2019 iMac and MacBook Pro (Starting at $1,599)

https://ift.tt/30ps2ch

Discounts on the latest iMacs remain ongoing this month, with Amazon and B&H Photo now offering a new all-time-low price on the 27-inch Retina iMac with 8GB RAM and a 1TB Fusion Drive. This model is now priced at $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00.


These retailers are also discounting Apple's new MacBook Pro, with prices also starting at $1,599.00. Both 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models are on sale, and you can find all of these markdowns in the lists below.

2019 iMac

• 3.0 GHz 6-Core, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00 ($150 off, lowest ever) [B&H]

• 
  

• 3.1 GHz 6-Core, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB - $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00 ($200 off, lowest ever) [B&H]

• 
  

• 3.7 GHz 6-Core, 8 GB RAM, 2 TB - $2,099.00, down from $2,299.00 ($200 off, lowest ever) [B&H]

2019 MacBook Pro

• 13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,599.99, down from $1,799.00 ($200 off, lowest ever) [B&H]
• 
  
• 13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00 ($200 off, lowest ever)
• 
  
• 15-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $2,099.00, down from $2,399.00 ($300 off, lowest ever) [B&H]
• 
  
• 15-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $2,449.00, down from $2,799.00 ($350 off, lowest ever)

More of the latest Apple-related sales can be found in our full Deals Roundup. This week that includes ongoing discounts on the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, Pad & Quill's new 25 percent off sitewide sale, and more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

This article, "Deals Spotlight: Save With Low Prices on Apple's 2019 iMac and MacBook Pro (Starting at $1,599)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/33ToBwD

PSA: Google Calendar Experiencing Syncing Issues With Apple Calendar

https://ift.tt/2HogBdl

Google and Apple calendars are not playing friendly right now.


As alerted to us by multiple MacRumors readers, there appears to be a syncing issue with Google Calendar and Apple's Calendar that began within the past 24 hours or so. The issue prevents Google Calendar entries from appearing in Apple's Calendar app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices.

@MacRumors have you heard anything about this? No responses from @AppleSupport or @Google but many people posting the same issue on here and forums.

— Ian Laverick (@djianlaverick) August 23, 2019

The underlying cause is unknown at this time, but anecdotal customer reports across the Google support forums and Twitter suggest that the issue is on Google's end. In any case, a fix is likely in the works.

Tag: Google Calendar

This article, "PSA: Google Calendar Experiencing Syncing Issues With Apple Calendar" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2TX1tsq

ZENS Unveils AirPower-Like Wireless Charger With 16 Coils to Charge Two Devices Anywhere on Mat

https://ift.tt/321Xkqe

Dutch brand ZENS today unveiled a wireless charging mat with 16 overlapping coils, allowing two devices to be charged anywhere on the mat.


The ZENS Liberty will be able to charge any Qi-enabled devices, with the 16 coils providing a total output of 30W, while a built-in 2.4A USB port will be able to charge an additional device. Designed with high-grade aluminum, the mat will be powered by a 45W power adapter that connects via USB-C.


Other wireless charging mats released to date have fewer coils, resulting in devices needing to be placed in specific spots on the mat to charge.

This is the closest alternative we have ever seen to Apple's canceled AirPower mat, which would have been able to charge three devices placed anywhere on the mat, including an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Of course, the ZENS mat will not have the same level of software integration with Apple devices.


Apple canceled the AirPower in March, noting that "after much effort," the mat failed to achieve its "high standards." An earlier report from Sonny Dickson claimed the AirPower would have been equipped with 21 to 24 coils, but he claimed the mat suffered from overheating and interference issues.

ZENS says the mat will be available in November for $139.99, with a limited edition version with see-through glass set to be offered for $179.99.

Tags: ZENS, AirPower

This article, "ZENS Unveils AirPower-Like Wireless Charger With 16 Coils to Charge Two Devices Anywhere on Mat" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2TYLxpu

HomePod Launches in Japan and Taiwan [Updated]

https://ift.tt/2YTvKOu

Update: On schedule, the HomePod has now launched in Japan and Taiwan.

Original story follows.

---

Apple's HomePod is set to launch in Japan and Taiwan next week, on Friday, August 23, Apple announced today. Ahead of the launch, Apple is accepting pre-orders through its online stores in Japan and Taiwan.


The HomePod is available for ¥32,800 in Japan and NT$9,900 in Taiwan, which is $10 to $15 higher than the price in the U.S. When the HomePod first launched in the United States in 2018, it was priced at $349, but the price was lowered to $299 in April of this year.

Apple announced plans to expand the HomePod to Japan and Taiwan earlier this summer, and added support for the new countries in the 12.4 software made available for the HomePod in late July.

Apple now sells the HomePod in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, China, and Hong Kong, along with Taiwan and Japan.

Related Roundup: HomePod

Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)

This article, "HomePod Launches in Japan and Taiwan [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/30t8ljS