Windows 10 May 2019 Update messed with your PC’s audio? Here’s the fix
A sound solution from Microsoft, plus a load of other bug fixes
Windows 10 May 2019 Update suffers from an annoying audio bug on some PCs, but the good news is that Microsoft has sorted this issue with its latest cumulative update for the OS – as well as a load of other problems.
Patch KB4505903 comes with a list of bug fixes, but addressing that audio glitch is actually an undocumented benefit, and was highlighted by Pete Brown, a Principal Program Manager in the Windows/PAX team focusing on tech for musicians, on Twitter (as spotted by Windows Latest).
Essentially, spikes of DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) latency bog the PC down sporadically, interfering with the playback of audio with obviously frustrating results.
As ever, the cumulative update in question will be delivered via Windows Update. Although as Brown notes, you can manually install it if you wish.
Hello, goodbye
Other fixes delivered with KB4505903 for Windows 10 May 2019 Update include the resolution of a problem whereby Windows Hello fails to work after rebooting your PC.
Some folks were hitting trouble when resuming from sleep or hibernation, being unable to change their display brightness, but that issue has also been cured.
If you’ve been plagued by colors being displayed wrongly on a 10-bit display, then that has been resolved, and several PDF-related problems with Microsoft Edge are also now history.
For the full (and rather long) list of fixes applied, you can check Microsoft’s support document here.
And as ever, there remain a few known issues with the update, including Windows Sandbox falling over with an error when you try to fire it up after the OS language has been changed during the installation of the May 2019 Update. Microsoft says it’s busy working on a solution for this.
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Two Upcoming 2020 iPhones to Feature Time-of-Flight 3D Sensing Rear Cameras
Two of the iPhones set to be released in 2020 will feature 3D sensing rear camera setups with time-of-flight (ToF) camera lenses, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who shared the info in a note to investors that was obtained by MacRumors.
A time-of-flight camera system measures the time that it takes for a laser or LED to bounce off of objects in a room, providing an accurate 3D map of the surroundings.
All three of the new iPhones are also expected to feature a front-facing camera system with Face ID, which deviates a bit from some rumors that have suggested an under-display fingerprint sensor could be coming to some 2020 iPhone models.
We predict that three new 2H20 iPhone models will all be equipped with front Face ID, and two of the new models will provide rear ToF. We estimate that shipments of iPhone models equipped with front and rear VCSEL (front structure light and rear ToF) will be 45mn units in 2020.
We’ve previously heard multiple rumors suggesting a time-of-flight camera system for the 2020 iPhones, including info from Kuo himself, but this is the first time that he’s specified that he expects the 3D sensing camera system to be available in just two of the three upcoming 2020 iPhones.
Kuo goes on to say that a rear time-of-flight camera would bolster photo quality and offer new and improved AR applications. Apple and Huawei are believed to be the “most aggressive brand vendors” supporting 5G and ToF in 2020.
The current 3D sensing capabilities used in the front-facing True Depth camera system rely on infrared cameras and a dot projector to create a 3D image, but ToF systems use lasers technology, calculating the time it takes for a laser to bounce off of surrounding objects to create a 3D image of what’s around you. ToF offers up more accurate depth perception, resulting in better placement of virtual objects, and it should offer up improved images thanks to the more advanced depth information.
Previous rumors from Bloomberg have suggested that the rear camera in Apple’s 2020 iPhones, which will use use VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) technology, will be able to scan objects up to 15 feet away, mapping out wide areas. Face ID currently works at about 25 to 50 centimeters away.
Kuo said in a prior investor’s note that implementing ToF would require 5G connectivity because Apple would want to use the feature to create a “revolutionary AR experience.” All 2020 iPhones are expected to feature 5G chips.
Rumors suggest Apple is planning to release three iPhones in 2020, but in new sizes. Apple is said to be working on 5.4 and 6.7-inch high-end iPhones with OLED displays, which would presumably be the devices to adopt the 3D-capable rear camera systems, and a lower-cost 6.1-inch model with an OLED display.
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Huawei Announces 16.1-inch MagicBook Pro Ahead of Rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro
Huawei has announced a 16.1-inch MagicBook Pro under its Honor brand ahead of the rumored and much anticipated 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The Honor MagicBook Pro features Intel quad-core Core i5/i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce MX250 discrete graphics with 2 GB of GDDR5 memory, 8 or 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB or 1 TB SSD. It also has a webcam that pops out of a keyboard key.
AnandTech notes that the laptop’s most notable feature is the rare 16.1-inch display with ultra-thin bezels.
Driven by necessity to differentiate their products from competing offerings, makers of mobile PCs are keen to adopt the latest components, and Honor will be one of the first vendors to use such 16.1-inch displays. The new size is meant to help close the gap between 15.6-inch as well as 17-inch class laptops by offering larger screen real estate in a more compact form-factor.
While the MagicBook Pro resembles a MacBook with its aluminum chassis and black keyboard, it is not ‘Pro’ laptop. The device will start at around RMB 5499 ($710 USD) in China. It’s unclear if it will be sold in the United States.
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Samsung’s Galaxy Fold to Launch in September Following Design Revisions
Samsung’s foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, is now set to launch in September after being delayed in order for Samsung to make some design changes, Samsung announced today.
The new version of the Galaxy Fold features several design and construction improvements. The top layer, which was mistakenly peeled off by some reviewers, has been tweaked to make it clear that it’s part of the display, while additional reinforcements have been added to better protect the display from external particles.
The full changes Samsung made to the Galaxy Fold are listed below:
The top protective layer of the Infinity Flex Display has been extended beyond the bezel, making it apparent that it is an integral part of the display structure and not meant to be removed.
Galaxy Fold features additional reinforcements to better protect the device from external particles while maintaining its signature foldable experience:
The top and bottom of the hinge area have been strengthened with newly added protection caps.
– Additional metal layers underneath the Infinity Flex Display have been included to reinforce the protection of the display.
– The space between the hinge and body of Galaxy Fold has been reduced.
The company says it has also been working to improve the overall Galaxy Fold user experience, optimizing more apps and services for the foldable interface.
Samsung initially planned to launch the Galaxy Fold this spring, but ended up delaying the launch after several reviewers experienced broken Galaxy Fold devices after just a few days.
Some of the reviewers mistakenly pulled off the top layer of the display as it looked like a plastic screen protector, which led to display damage. Other reviewers had screen failures, while still others saw display damage due to small particles of dust getting in between the layers of the display.
Based on the changes Samsung made to the Galaxy Fold, it sounds like each of the individual issues has been addressed, and hopefully launch versions of the Galaxy Fold will hold up better than the initial review units.
Samsung says that the Galaxy Fold will be made available to consumers starting in September in select markets, with specific launch details to be shared as a launch approaches.
Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, which will be one of the first foldable smartphones on the market, will cost $1,980 when it becomes available for purchase.
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iPhone XR Was Best Selling iPhone in U.S. in Q3 2019
Apple’s iPhone XR was the best selling iPhone in the third fiscal quarter of 2019, according to new data shared today by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP).
The iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR models accounted for 67 percent of all U.S. iPhone sales during the third quarter of 2019, with the iPhone XR alone accounting for 48 percent of sales.
The iPhone’s 48 percent share of smartphone sales during the quarter is the highest that’s been seen for an individual model since the iPhone 6 in 2015, according to CIRP.
“iPhone XR has become the dominant iPhone model,” said Josh Lowitz, CIRP Partner and Co-Founder. “Its 48% share of sales in the quarter is the highest we’ve seen for an individual model since the iPhone 6 in 2015, which shared top billing with the 6 Plus, but only had two outdated legacy models offered as alternatives. Apple set out to create a competitive model, with current features like a large screen on a midsize handset, at a price that falls near the leading Android phones. It is an easy to choose the mid-point between the expensive XS and XS Max models, and the older 7 and 8 models.”
The iPhone XR is Apple’s most affordable iPhone, priced starting at $749 in the United States. It is similar to the iPhone XS and XS Max, but offers an LCD display instead of an OLED display along with a single-lens camera instead of a dual-lens camera.
It also comes in a range of bright colors, and due to its popularity, Apple is keeping its three iPhone lineup intact for its 2019 iPhone lineup. The 2019 iPhones will include an iPhone XS successor, an iPhone XS Max successor, and an iPhone XR successor that will continue to offer an LCD display to keep costs lower.
The next-generation iPhone XR is rumored to feature new colors, more RAM (4GB, up from 3GB), faster LTE thanks to support for 4×4 MIMO, and it could also have camera improvements in the form of a new dual-lens camera setup that would likely be similar to the current dual-lens camera in the iPhone XS and XS Max.
CIRP’s research data also looked at some numbers for Apple’s various services. Among iPhone buyers during the quarter, 47 percent use paid iCloud storage, while three to six percent purchased AppleCare.
35 percent of iPhone buyers use Apple Music, while 15 to 29 percent use Apple TV, Apple Podcasts, and Apple News. Apple has several other services on the horizon which could draw in more users, including Apple TV+, its upcoming streaming service, and Apple Arcade, a gaming service that will provide access to games for a monthly fee.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 release date, price, news and leaks
Samsung’s next premium tablet
When Samsung announces the Galaxy Note 10 handsets on August 7, we’re expecting the company to also release a new tablet as successor to the Galaxy Tab S4. It’s expected to be called the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.
Why not the Galaxy Tab S5, you ask? Samsung already released the Galaxy Tab S5e, a budget version of its tablet line, but all the latest rumors point to the company skipping the Galaxy S5 for a Galaxy S6 designation.
- These are the best Android tablets
- Read our thoughts on the Galaxy Tab S4
We’d usually take pre-release leaks with a pinch of salt, but there are so many different voices saying the same thing that it make us think Samsung will skip the Tab S5 and jump straight to the S6.
Below we’ve compiled what we know so far about the upcoming Android tablet, as well as what we’d like to see when it is officially unveiled.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? Samsung’s newest high-end tablet
- When is it out? Likely early August 2019
- How much will it cost? More than the Tab S4’s $650 / £599 / AU$920
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 price and release date
We’re expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 alongside the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, which are expected to launch on August 7, 2019.
When will you be able to buy them though? We’d expect them to be available to purchase in the weeks following the launch event, although sometimes tablets take a little longer to become available.
We’ve not heard too much on pricing, however, and some of the leaks make us think this device could be far more premium than Samsung’s other devices.
As such we’d expect the Galaxy Tab S4’s initial price of $650 / £599 (around AU$920) to be trumped a bit by the Tab S6 price. Considering the iPad Pro 11 hits a four-figure amount for some variants, we may see Samsung jump up in price too.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 news, rumors and leaks
We haven’t heard that much about the Galaxy Tab S6, as we’re not 100% sure Samsung will skip the S5, so there have been a few rumors around that device – but each leak provides a lot of information.
For one, we’ve heard that the slate will have two rear cameras, which is very rare in a tablet as the devices aren’t used for photography much.
We’re not exactly sure what the secondary camera is for. The tablet could have an ultra-wide or telephoto lens for wide-angle or zoomed pictures respectively. It may even be a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for accurately judging depth, which could prove useful for augmented reality experiences.
- These are the best Android tablets
- Read our thoughts on the Galaxy Tab S4
We’d usually take pre-release leaks with a pinch of salt, but there are so many different voices saying the same thing that it make us think Samsung will skip the Tab S5 and jump straight to the S6.
Below we’ve compiled what we know so far about the upcoming Android tablet, as well as what we’d like to see when it is officially unveiled.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? Samsung’s newest high-end tablet
- When is it out? Likely early August 2019
- How much will it cost? More than the Tab S4’s $650 / £599 / AU$920
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 price and release date
We’re expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 alongside the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, which are expected to launch on August 7, 2019.
When will you be able to buy them though? We’d expect them to be available to purchase in the weeks following the launch event, although sometimes tablets take a little longer to become available.
We’ve not heard too much on pricing, however, and some of the leaks make us think this device could be far more premium than Samsung’s other devices.
As such we’d expect the Galaxy Tab S4’s initial price of $650 / £599 (around AU$920) to be trumped a bit by the Tab S6 price. Considering the iPad Pro 11 hits a four-figure amount for some variants, we may see Samsung jump up in price too.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 news, rumors and leaks
We haven’t heard that much about the Galaxy Tab S6, as we’re not 100% sure Samsung will skip the S5, so there have been a few rumors around that device – but each leak provides a lot of information.
For one, we’ve heard that the slate will have two rear cameras, which is very rare in a tablet as the devices aren’t used for photography much.
We’re not exactly sure what the secondary camera is for. The tablet could have an ultra-wide or telephoto lens for wide-angle or zoomed pictures respectively. It may even be a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for accurately judging depth, which could prove useful for augmented reality experiences.
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7 Tips to Keep Your Phone Screen Safe
Smartphones and their screens are built to be sturdy enough for constant daily use, which means they should be able to withstand against scratches, minor falls and even bumps against hard surfaces. Unfortunately, even though these screens are built to be tough, the large screens are still prone to cracked screen or other damages. If you have a cell phone and want to keep the screen safe, The Fone Guys has a few tips that will help you keep your device safe. (more…)
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How to Maintain Your Phone’s Battery
The main complaint most Smartphone users have is the shortness of their phones battery life. When cellular technology first came about, phones were mainly used for placing voice calls. However, now people do much more which can be a serious drain on the battery. Many higher-end smartphone users may find themselves recharging their phones several times a day depending on their app usage. Unfortunately, frequent recharging leads to a shorter battery life over time and can lead to the need for battery repair. (more…)
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How Should You Protect Your Smart Phone?
Is your smart phone constantly in need of screen replacements? Do you find yourself dropping your phone several times a day? Are you tired of trying to read the text on your screen through scores of scratches? The Fone Guys is here with tips to help. We have smart solutions that will help you stop scratching, cracking, or shattering your smart phone screen so you don’t have to deal with costly replacements. The best bit of advice, of course, is to try to avoid dropping it in the first place, but accidents do happen, and that’s why protection is the key. (more…)
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Top Reasons Why Your iPhone Isn’t Charging
iPhones are among the list of the world’s most commonly used pieces of technology on the market. Along with all that advanced technology come a range of complicated technical issues that put a damper on the joy of using it. One of the most common complaints among iPhone users is an issue with charging the battery. This can be due to normal wear and tear, or due to some freak accident that has affected the hardware. Regardless of the reason, when your phone doesn’t charge, you can be at a loss in terms of access to important information, emails, phone numbers and much more. Here are some of the most common reasons an iPhone may fail to charge properly and require battery repair. (more…)
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