Samsung’s China-exclusive smart flip phone comes with industry-first widest aperture camera lens

Unknown to most Samsung markets around the world, the South Korean tech company has been releasing a smart flip phone in China for the past decade. Part of the company’s W line, the phones are considered luxury devices and are priced higher and marketed as a means for raising funds for charity. The latest addition, the 10^th anniversary W2018, comes with specs that are on par with the latest Galaxy S8 and Note8 devices with one industry-leading feature: its rear camera lens. The W2018 comes with a 12-megapixel rear shooter with an aperture of f/1.5, a first for smartphones. It’s supposedly able to capture sharp photos in less light than those of its competition. When there’s enough light the phone will switch to f/2.4 aperture. And this is partnered with a 5-megapixel front camera.

Aside from this, the phone packs in two 4.2-inch displays. When the phone is closed, there’s the Full HD AMOLED screen. When you flip it open, you get a Full HD display. Feeding our nostalgia for flip phones, it has things like a directional pad and number keypad. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 64GB of RAM, Android Nougat, 64GB or 256GB storage options, and a 2,300mAh battery. An additional service for users includes various perks like concierge help at airports and subways, dedicated hotline, and free software tech support. No word on pricing and availability yet but last year’s model went for US$3,000 (around CA$3,800).

Source: The Verge

Apple and Stanford University use the Apple Watch to study irregular heart rhythms

Apple, together with Stanford University, has just launched an app designed to collect irregular heart rhythm using the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor. It’s part of the company’s Heart Study initiative the company announced back in September when it launched watchOS 4. The app, called Apple Heart Study, can detect irregular heart rates using existing Apple Watch tech. It makes use of green LED lights that flash hundreds of times per second as well as photodiodes that detect how much blood is flowing through the wrists. If it senses irregularities, it’ll send notifications to the user telling them they might be suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Launched in the US, those who choose to participate in the study are provided a free consultation with a study doctor and an electrocardiogram (EKG) patch for further observation. Apple is opening the study to users who are 22 years old or older with an Apple Watch Series 1 or later.

Source: The Verge

Windows 10 is now installed on 600 million devices

Microsoft's Windows 10 OS has reportedly been installed in 600 million devices worldwide. Windows 10, which was launched back in 2015 and geared towards PC's 2-in-1's, xBox and mobile phones has predominantly been available for free on older devices and offered as a free upgrade. Microsoft's bailing out on their mobile platform has somewhat impacted the company's initial target of seeing Windows 10 on 1 billion devices.

Windows 7 is still the dominant operating system in use with a 46% market share while Winows 10 is climbing up the rungs with 27% market share.

Netflix renews ‘Stranger Things’ for season 3

Netflix

In a move that surprises no one, Netflix has announced in a couple of tweets that the sci-fi thriller is coming back for another season. The end of the second season left room for another season to happen. Plus, the showrunners, the Duffer brothers, have been upfront about still having storylines to work on for at least two seasons. Aside from announcing the new season, there is no word yet on when this will happen but if the two seasons are anything to go by, we might see the next season before the end of 2018.

Source: GameSpot