Nokia 6 – it’s not what we’ve been waiting for

As expected, HMD Global introduced its first new smartphone Nokia 6. For many brands, Nokia is something warm and tube from the distant 2000s. There was a time when the company had a leading position in the market and produced dozens of different phone models. But the wrong strategy for the development and use of outdated Symbian platform only Nokia «kill», and Microsoft has absorbed the remnants of the company. It seemed that this was the end, and we never see the devices under this brand. After many rumors and leaks, HMD Global finally returned to the market and showed his first long-awaited product.

I do not consider myself a staunch fans of Nokia, but at the time I was not a phone of their production. After absorption by Microsoft, I did not believe in the return of the Finnish brand. Even the appearance of a very interesting tablet Nokia N1 does not become an indicator for me. And now, we have the phone based on Android 7.0 with the name of new smartphone Nokia 6. What are the successor the next game fans feelings?

Smartphone Outside is nostalgic memories. The back cover is very similar to what we have seen in the Lumia and the cost of models. But the obverse is more like a mixture of OnePlus and Meizu.

Here it is located a 5.5-inch IPS-screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels. two soft keys and a manual with the built-in fingerprint scanner is under it. All this is placed under protective 2,5D-glass Gorilla Glass 3.

The base body is made of anodized aluminum in black. It has two plastic separator antennas that are painted in the body color. For this is a big plus, it looks laconically.

But the specifications are not as good as we would like. It uses eight-budget Snapdragon 430 is paired with 4GB of RAM standard LPPDDR 3. Why does the phone have established such a simple processor – is unclear? And the combination of it with an impressive amount of RAM looks strange.

Nokia 6 will be available in the same versions – with 64 GB of internal storage. But there is a bonus in the form of a connector for microSD cards up to 128 GB. Battery capacity is standard for the class – 3000 mAh, but the charge and sync connector is outdated. Instead of the increasingly popular USB Type-C, using conventional micro-USB.

For music lovers, the phone is set amplifier NXP TFA9891 rare and is now 3.5 mm headphone jack. In addition, it has a pair of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It is interesting to check what is behind all these names.

The main camera there is only one. Developers decided not to experiment and placed on the rear panel 16-megapixel module with autofocus and phase F / 2.0 aperture. Front camera 8 megapixels with the wide-angle lens for the group selfie. No statements about the outstanding PhotoChances was not, so we can expect a typical result for this price segment.

Speaking of price. If for a moment forget about the dozens of Chinese companies is $ 250 for a phone – it is a normal price. Yes, there is a budget processor, and there are no proprietary chips, but the phone itself looks very nice in appearance. But only for the same amount you can buy a much more productive Chinese. And the fact that at the moment the phone will only be available in the Chinese market further reduces the attractiveness of the Nokia 6, because the device is not completely adapted for our market.

As a result, we get a new smartphone Nokia 6 that plays on our feelings and familiar name for $ 250 more than anything interesting we do not offer. I want to believe that the company will surprise us in 2017, but at the moment, it is absolutely not what we have been waiting for.

Title: Nokia 6 – it’s not what we’ve been waiting for
Updated: 2017-01-09
Author: Dan Green

http://nsmartphone.com/new-smartphone-nokia-6-specs-test/

Top 6 laptops with the best aspect ratio and frame size

Everyone wants to have the laptop screen was larger, and the laptop itself while remaining compact and lightweight. Increasing the screen size by reducing the scope just helps to reduce the size of a laptop area, and even more – so a 13-inch laptop with a narrow framework fits perfectly to the body the usual 12-inch device. Nsmartphone decided to evaluate by calculation, in any modern Top 6 laptops frame around the screen is really very narrow.

We decided not to reinvent the wheel again and again calculated for the top models of the ratio of the display area to the area of the Top 6 laptops on the same principle, which had already calculated the figure for smartphones. Besides laptops themselves more square, meaning that our calculations in this case closest to reality.

APPLE MACBOOK PRO 15″

Both the updated MacBook Pro included in our Top 6 laptops, and 15-inch version soon appeared in the first place – its screen takes 81.8% of the area of the entire surface of the laptop, and this is not the only advantage of the laptop. The screen is 15.4 “in the updated version made even brighter, more contrasting, it became more colors. But the most interesting innovation, in our opinion – a Touch Bar, the touch panel in place of the upper keyboard row, which is very useful in some scenarios, the use of a laptop. The panel helps the cause of Siri, rewind the video and to perform a number of manipulations for which previously had to carry a mouse around the screen. Given the already convenient trackpad, which was twice as much, then the mouse does not need. The user can choose the configuration of the Touch Bar with or without it.

The design of the new MacBook Pro is perfect – laptops to get even thinner (15.5 mm) and light (1.83 kg). Inside, the most productive laptop Apple -4-core Intel Core i7 processor with a clock speed of 2.6 / 2.7 / 2.9 GHz, 16 GB of RAM and SSD-drive capacity of 256 GB to 2 TB.

The main thing that disturbs the majority of users of both versions of the MacBook Pro – the absence of the usual ports. The 15-inch model is equipped with four ports Thunderbolt 3 with a capacity of 40 Gbit / s and is fully compatible with USB Type-C. In addition to the laptop just have to buy adapters, preferably with a complete set of inputs and outputs. By the way, now the wire USB-C at the end of the MagSafe there, and how many laptops will be killed because of not time the power cord – is anyone’s guess. On the other hand, the autonomy of more than 9 hours allows you to charge the device once a day.

DELL XPS 13

“The smallest notebook in the world with a unique, virtually frameless display InfinityEdge” – so to position the model Dell XPS 13, which is updated every year. This is undoubtedly a good laptop and a permanent participant in all collections, the most compact laptops, but also last year’s model did not pass in our top 6 for dimensions. But the new version (model 9360) by decreasing the body width up to 200 mm at once fell to the second place of the hit parade – the screen surface she occupies 80.2% of the front panel. Due to the narrow framework (by 5.2 mm) laptop with a 13.3-inch display fit into the case of the 12-inch conventional laptop. And if you compare the size of a 13-inch MacBook Air, as does the manufacturer, the Dell XPS 13 has turned out really less.

The laptop is also very thin – the thickness ranging from 9 mm at the thinnest point to 15 mm. Dell XPS 13 – a good solution for travel: with them you will have a full-fledged laptop weighing 1.18 kg (1.27 kg for models with touchscreen), so even with autonomy for more than 11 hours.

To display no complaints with a resolution 3200h1800 pixels, clear and brilliant, he was a good, in addition to the older version of the touch screen. Any modification and without touch screen with Full-HD resolution. The front panel with the side of the screen is covered with protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass, and in combination with the narrow limits of minimalist design and looks beautiful it bluntly. “Under the hood” of the novelty – the processors of the 7th generation of Intel Core i5-7200U and i7-7500U and 8 or 16 GB of RAM. HDMI and VGA output at the laptop there, but there are two USB 3.0 and connector Thunderbolt 3. From unusual – the location of the camera on the left below the display.

APPLE MACBOOK PRO 13″

Updated MacBook Pro with the display of 13.3 “was also in our selection, but on the third place. We will not list all the features of the model – they are already mentioned above. According to its size 13-inch model is only slightly more than MacBook Air 13 “: 14.9 mm thickness and 1.37 kg weight – along with 10 hours of battery life this is an excellent application for portability.

The model is equipped, depending on the configuration of two or four ports Thunderbolt 3, inside 2-core Intel Core i5 / i7 processor with a clock frequency of 2 to 3.3 GHz and 8-16 GB of RAM.

APPLE MACBOOK

So, it turned out that exactly half of our Top 6 laptops take Apple products. Released this year, “simply» MacBook has an aspect ratio of the screen size and the housing area of 75.8%. MacBook does not become thinner than its predecessor, has not received the new ports and to keep the same screen -. Retina 12 “with a resolution of 2304h1400 pix, added only new color Rose Gold shell. However, the laptop got Intel processor generation Skylake and faster flash drive: Speed increased by about 15-20%, and to work with large files has become more comfortable.

The device weighing less than 1 kg, you can carry around all the time, and it will then be a full-fledged assistant – that contribute to a good autonomy (more than the 1 hour), passive cooling components, complete OS. However, the thin body does not include a large number of connectors – on everything about everything, including charging, there are only one USB Type-C and a 3.5mm mini jack, and users need to resent the adapter again. Today it is the lightest and the thinnest Apple notebook, but that actually have to carry around with the MacBook 12-inch, we have already told in his review.

MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK

It seems that Microsoft came to the conclusion that the tablet Surface can not replace a laptop for one hundred percent, and decided to release a full-fledged laptop, the MacBook Pro as a competitor. However, on our hit parade, Surface Book is on the 4th place is its screen occupies 74.9% of the housing.

The most noticeable feature of the Surface Book – is the ability to tilt the screen up to an angle of 180 ° and precisely adjust the angle of inclination, this loop has a notch hinge. In addition, the notebook is classified as “Transformers” – the screen is “detachable” from the docking station with a keyboard and turns into a tablet. For these features Surface Book pays a wide gap that is formed between the screen and the keyboard when closed – there is great accumulated dust.

A few words about the compactness of which is worth mentioning. Thickness Block screen – 7.7 mm, the entire notebook – from 13 to 22.8 mm, the full weight of the device is 1,516 kg, the body is made not of aluminum but of a lightweight magnesium alloy. Mode video playback Microsoft promises up to 12 hours.

13.5-inch screen might initially seem too high – Microsoft chose for him the aspect ratio of 3: 2instead of the more familiar to us 16: 9 or 16:10. In other words, when watching movies on it, be ready for the black bars on top and bottom, but it will be more convenient to work on the order of the documents. In terms of the choice of wide configurations: in the stuffing used Intel Core i5 and i7 processors of the sixth generation, 8 or 16 GB of RAM and SSD capacity of 128, 256, 512 GB or 1 TB. With ports of the situation, it is better than Apple – there is an SD card slot, port Surface Connect, 2xUSB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort and a headphone jack, located separately on the screen unit. The notebook comes with a stylus silver Surface Pen, which can be fixed on the screen thanks to a magnet.

XIAOMI MI NOTEBOOK AIR

How would Apple Xiaomi nor inspired ideas, the Chinese 13-inch model was only in the last place in our top 6? The boxes around the screen are really thin, the company notes that the display occupies 80.1% of the area of the closed notebook, according to our calculations, the same screen with the specified dimensions is obtained just 74.3% – to a record should be a little more to try. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air was very concise in terms of design, but stylish – aluminum, safety glass on the screen, the same thin frame. The notebook uses Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM DDR4 standard, set the drive to 256 GB and the possibility of installation of a second SSD. The result is a good workhorse that will cope with everyday tasks, especially if you do not have the extra couple of hundred thousand.

Other parameters also give quite a decent Top 6 laptops – the screen used in the IPS-matrix of 1920×1080 pixels, the battery holds a charge up to 9.5 hours in a mixed mode, the large touchpad with multitouch support, a comfortable backlit keyboard, pre-installed Windows 10. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air more. bulky in size, then the prototype, although its weight is only 1.28 kg. But the ends do not fit only USB Type-C for charging, but the two USB 3.0 ports and HDMI-out.

http://nsmartphone.com/top-6-laptops-best-ratio-frame-size/

Microsoft introduced the world’s first universal translator for smartphones and computers

Microsoft officially introduced the first universal translator for smartphones in the world. Similar features are supported by Skype and Google Translate, but the software company boasts several key advantages. Microsoft Translate is capable of performing real-time translation of the conversation up to 100 people. The program can work not only smartphones but also tablets and computers. So every participant in the conversation can speak in their own language and understand what they say everyone else.

Microsoft Translator is designed to give you useful at all opportunities situations that you may encounter while traveling, according to PhoneArena. The new version of the software has the potential to facilitate the work of tourist guides around the world. The company specified that the Translator can work with text messages and group chats. Microsoft has created a special website, which can use it directly from the web browser and is available on the website of Microsoft.

It is expected that within a few days we can download mobile applications on Microsoft Translator for Android and iOS. The company believes that this is the easiest and most convenient way to overcome language barriers wherever we travel. If you are someone who travels often Microsoft Translator is the best solution for you. The company will continue to updates first universal translator for smartphones and computers to improve further its work.

http://nsmartphone.com/microsoft-universal-translator-for-smartphones/

What are Microsoft’s plans for virtual and augmented reality

Microsoft has prepared ambitious plans for its participation in the segment of virtual and augmented reality, reports Engadget. The main tool of the company Microsoft plans for the future for the purpose will be HoloLens glasses and platform Windows Holographic.

WHAT ARE THE MICROSOFT PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

The platform will allow companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo and others to develop and offer their virtual reality, which are fully compatible with Windows 10. Microsoft has set a target these glasses can cost no more than $ 300. However, users will need to have enough powerful computers. The minimum requirements are Intel Core i5 processor with Hyperthreading, 8GB RAM, USB 3.0, HDMI or DisplayPort with support for resolution 2880h1440 minimum of 90Hz. Video card must be at least Intel HD Graphics 620 and is compatible with DirectX 12.

Microsoft plans to make packages and software tools that programmers to more easily develop applications and games for virtual reality. The company sees these glasses as middle class and equivalent competitors Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. Furthermore, Microsoft plans the virtual reality and high-end dual independent displays with 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh everyone.

Parallel Microsoft plans to increase its focus on glasses HoloLens. The company wants them to begin to sell well in China, hoping to get permission in the first half of next year. Microsoft still does not exclude the option HoloLens to be produced and marketed by partner companies.

Trend step in the plan is a Microsoft Project Evo. It is developed by Intel. Its aim is to unite the many functions and services into a common platform that offers support for 4K games, mixed reality, Windows Hello, etc. So consumers will know that they have the latest originator and will wonder if their new computer supports one or the other service. This means that next year could occur the first laptops that support the VR.

http://nsmartphone.com/microsoft-plans-for-the-future/

Microsoft ended the MS-DOS Command Prompt

Microsoft has already actively worked on the next big update to Windows 10. One of the biggest changes that will go unnoticed to most people is the end of MS-DOS Command Prompt, reports Computerworld.

MS-DOS platform of 36 years, which is the basis of Windows since its establishment. It was not created by Paul Allen and Bill Gates, but they obtain it for about 50,000 in 1981 and then further developed in order to IBM. Today it exists in Windows 10 and older versions named Command Prompt and can be activated through the release of cmd.exe.

In the latest test version of Windows 10, however, has a new console. It says PowerShell and actually is 10 years from the beginning was conceived as the successor to DOS. So far, however, no priority. With the new update of Windows 10, which is expected in the spring, PowerShell will have priority over the Command Prompt and users will explicitly have to change the settings of Windows, if you want to use the old system .

PowerShell is already quite popular among system administrators. As such, Microsoft believes that the time is right  to swap the priorities between PowerShell and Command Prompt, which is the first major step towards the final end of MS-DOS Command Prompt.

http://nsmartphone.com/ms-dos-command-prompt/

First look: Microsoft Surface Studio – Windows PC for Mac lovers

Yes, its high-quality display and an intriguing set of peripherals will definitely attract attention, but it’s more a workstation than a home PC. Its price is prohibitive, and accessories – not the best, the best, but at the soulful Microsoft Surface Studio, perhaps the coolest display, which only installed in the computer class “all-in-one.”

The soulful Microsoft Surface Studio aggressively broke into the territory that belonged only to Apple – it combines elegant design, as well as a huge, beautiful display and, of course, an incredibly high price. We were able to examine live the first desktop PC from Microsoft soon after his presentation, which was held on Wednesday morning. That’s what caught my eye during a demonstration.

Although the specification of new items is somewhat behind the most advanced computers, in fact, the system was fast and responsive. The base configuration for $ 2999 installed Intel Core i5 processor is the sixth generation (Skylake), graphics card nVidia GeForce GTX 965M with 2 GB of memory, the hybrid drive capacity of 1 TB, and 8 GB of RAM. The most expensive model costs $ 4199 and is already working on a Core i7 processor, the sixth generation, has 32 GB of RAM, as well as GTX980M graphics card with 2 TB of disk storage.

THE FIRST THING THAT GETS HOLD OF YOUR ATTENTION – IT’S A FANTASTIC DISPLAY

What we like most about the soulful Microsoft Surface Studio – is the transformation of the device from a simple workstation literally an easel for creativity and sharing of content. A pair of hinges delicately holds a massive 28-inch display with a resolution of PixelSense 4500 x 3000, allowing you to change its position from almost vertical to almost horizontal (by which is understood the angle just 20 degrees). The display itself can work with color settings Adobe sRGB and DCI-P3, and each matrix is individually color calibrated. If the computer case is a drawback is the lack of any other positioning functions. That is, you will not find any way to raise it above, except that the back it a book or a special stand

Although the soulful Microsoft Surface Studio is designed to work, we did find one nice aspect of the work: the display is so large, and resolution – high enough so that you can work with 4 different windows in each of the corners of the screen. Of course, you can do it with any display that is connected to a PC with Windows 10. But the space that provides screen Surface Studio, does this approach really practical and does not require to compromise with visualization.

Surface Studio is equipped with a standard stylus Surface Pen, as well as an updated Microsoft Sculpt mouse and keyboard brand, made in gray, as well as the computer itself. These peripheral devices, however, are not ideal (do not worry – you can replace them with your own mouse and keyboard). The mouse is made flatter, but this is important only if you prefer a relief model. We also hoped that the keyboard is a bit more like the Surface Book, and not on a removable keyboard tablet Surface. Therefore, both devices look like cheap plastic holders, set in a luxury car.

MICROSOFT SURFACE STUDIO MOUSE

Dial, however, it does look intriguing. Optional accessory for $ 99 adds keyboard and mouse and allows quick access to pre-create a shortcut while having a view of a hockey puck.

Although Surface Studio does not have the modular functionality that was included in the patent application, the desktop-tablet has a 5-megapixel front camera and dual microphones. And that’s why the voice call to the assistant Windows 10 (Hey, Cortana!) Worked surprisingly well, despite the abundance of people talking in the demonstration room. But the camera, unfortunately, we were not able to assess.

And we do not believe in loyalty to Microsoft decision to postpone the expansion of the port in the base unit. In fact, Microsoft just took Surface Hub and attach it to a standard motherboard, enclosed in plastic. As a result, there is 4 port Studio USB 3.0, they are located in the base itself, but the look back, making any connection device currently torment. The computer also has an SD card reader and headphone jack cards, but both of them, of course, again, are back. Unlike the Surface tablet, the device does not have the USB port on the side of the screen, and we it will be sorely missed. Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11ac complete set of interfaces Surface Studio.

What, the soulful Microsoft Surface Studio – it really is an amazing device, and we can not wait until we are able to take it on a long test. But most people do not need such a gadget. Microsoft definitely targeting the creative community, which usually prefers to Macintosh computers. And it’s very interesting how many people actually dare to make the transition, and the decision to buy from Redmond.

http://nsmartphone.com/soulful-microsoft-surface-studio/