Don’t be surprised if Netflix sounds nicer the next time you marathon a show on your Android phone. Netflix has upgraded its Android app to stream audio in xHE-AAC (Extended HE-AAC with MPEG-D DRC; yes, it’s a mouthful), promising “studio-quality” sound that’s also more consistent — that is, you should enjoy it in more places.
The new format offers a variable bitrate that can improve…
Apple support document adds new details on how iPhone 12 and MagSafe can impact pacemakers
January 25, 2021
Earlier this month, a study from the Heart Rhythm Journal indicated that the iPhone 12’s new MagSafe technology can deactivate pacemakers in certain situations. Apple has responded to these claims by updating a support document on its website with new advice for iPhone 12…
Sony is apparently bringing back the Xperia Compact this year
January 25, 2021
Small phones are likely making a comeback thanks to Apple’s iPhone 12 Mini, and as it turns out, one of the most popular is being revived, too. According to the reliable @OnLeaks, Sony is bringing back the Xperia Compact for 2021.
In a post on Voice, we get a first look…
Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD sample gallery
January 25, 2021
Tamron’s 17-70mm F2.8 III-A VC RXD is a lightweight zoom for Sony APS-C E-mount shooters. Equivalent to a 25-105mm F4 in full-frame terms, this lens handles nicely on a6000-series cameras and offers great versatility for daylight shooting. Fast to focus, it also produces nice, sharp images across the frame and focal length.
Please note that Tamron only appears to ‘bake in’…
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series apparently still lacks Android’s seamless updates feature
January 25, 2021
For years now, Android has supported the useful ability to install system updates in the background, only requiring a quick reboot to apply the changes. With monthly updates becoming the norm, it’s a great quality-of-life improvement. Samsung has been holding off on the…
Samyang adds full frame 14mm T3.1 to VDSLR MK2 line-up
January 25, 2021
Lens manufacturer Samyang has introduced a new wideangle lens to its VDSLR MK2 full frame cine series in the shape of the 14mm T3.1 VDSLR MK2. This brings to series to five lenses in total and takes the focal ranges covered to 14mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm.
Like the…
GamesBeat Decides: The best (and worst) ‘core’ Mario games
January 24, 2021
Many Mario games are some of the best pieces of digital entertainment ever created. The series seemed like an obvious choice for a new tier list-making video series … so here we are.
My cohort Jeff Grubb and I rank every game in the core Mario series. What does “core” mean? It’s whatever we say it means.
There is some logic to our process, which we explain in the video above. And, yes…
On Friday, Google announced a big redesign of the mobile Search experience. Some of those tweaks, like expanded use of the Google Sans font, are now being tested on the desktop Search results page.
The first change sees the search field always raised above the rest of the…
Formula E racing champ Antonio Felix da Costa talks 200 km/h racing and electric scooters
January 24, 2021
Portugual-born 29-year-old Antonio Felix da Costa is currently the reigning champion of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Antonio has been with the open-wheeled electric racing league since its inaugural season in 2014.
While we wait in anticipation of the 2020-21…
Google Photos for Android gets tablet-optimized interface
January 24, 2021
Back in June, Google thoroughly redesigned Photos with simpler navigation and a long-awaited map view. The revamp was most apparent on phones, but the website also saw some tweaks. Google Photos has now been optimized for Android tablets with an interface that takes better advantage of large screens.
Previously, the tablet UI was just the phone one with a bottom bar that spanned the entire…
