Google Pixel smartphones are, no doubt, high-end handsets. The Pixel 3 XL has models that break the 1,000$ price ceiling that’s reserved for the very best that high-end manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have on offer. However, aside from a small niche market, these phones never really contended with the top dogs like Samsung and Apple. It’s about to become bleaker for the current generation of Pixels. For years now, people have been speculating that the age of high-end smartphones is over. Recently, reports have surfaced to support this claim. International Data Corporation just announced that most smartphone manufacturers had a dismal Q1 for 2019. Apple suffers significant YOY numbers as they drop 30%. Samsung, on the other hand, also dropped but with a smaller 8.1%. Nevertheless, it’s one of the longest and biggest losing streaks that these manufacturers have experienced in years. These two are suffering from a high-end smartphone death which analysts blame on a combination of lack of innovation and a To put things in proper context for Google Pixels, they’re not even included in the list. They’re categorized with “others” that IDC says suffered a 21.5% drop. Google’s best effort at smartphone manufacturing, it seems, is in relative obscurity volume-wise. It’s mid to low range smartphone makers such as Vivo who made a significant leap of 24% YOY upgrade. These numbers show the current trend on the demand side that yearns for less expensive yet decent performing smartphones. This unpopularity is a shame because it’s a great value phone. It boasts top-of-the-line specs on par with other flagships, theoretically better overall performance because of vanilla Android, and a class-leading camera performance that puts some of the more expensive devices to shame. It’s gained a faithful, albeit relatively small, following for these reasons. But recently, the rumour mills have become abuzz with speculation that Google is releasing mid-range Pixel devices soon. I’ve compiled everything here: Mid-range Internals If the new Pixel devices are going to be truly mid-range and not some inbetweener like the Pocophone, the processing power is almost surely going to be the first thing to take a hit. Current mid-rangers such as the Mi A2, rock the Snapdragon 670. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the new mid-range Pixels get released with the same chipset. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This should be true for the smaller Pixel 3a while the Pixel 3a XL should have slightly improved Snapdragon 710. Although, it would also be a welcome surprise if it goes the Pocophone way. This means that yesteryear’s top-of-the-line chips on today’s mid-range phones suggesting that it can also come equipped with 835 or maybe even 845 from Snapdragon. Rumours have it that another point of compromise is going to be the storage. Today’s standards have risen to a point where you can no longer find smartphones with just 16GB of storage and 64GB is considered just enough. Pundits are saying that the Pixel 3a, in order to cut costs, will have base options of just 32GB. Hopefully, this isn’t the case because the growing use cases for smartphones have grown and that the baseline 64GB is already something that most people have adjusted to. Lastly, a point where it would be difficult to compromise would be the RAM. That’s because for a 2019 smartphone, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL already have a limited amount of it. At 4GB for the base models, it would be difficult to imagine the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL to have even less than that. Mixed Bag for Hardware One place where the current mid-range king in the Pocophone cut costs is the build quality. Instead of what’s currently on trend which is glass, they’re made out of hardened polycarbonate. That’s the fancy term for plastic. It’s expected that the new Pixels cut the same corners. This move alone can help bring its costs down by a lot. So this rumour is likely true if they’re really aiming for the $400 to $500 markers and not just the $750 consolation prices that the iPhone XR and Galaxy S10e, the budget versions of Apple’s and Samsung’s flagships. Part of the phone that has conflicting reports is the screen. If we are to look at the discussions of past smartphones, it’s without a doubt a contentious subject. The iPhone XR, for example, has been heavily criticized for using LCD instead of the current generation of smartphone screens which are OLED. Some pundits are claiming that the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will make this same sacrifice but there are also some that make the claim that they’re going to go the other way and go with OLEDs. What seems for sure though, is that it’s going to at least a 1080p resolution which is a step up from the controversial iPhone XR’s 800p resolution. So, whether OLED or LCD, you’re at least sure to have at least 440ppi which should be crisp for the rumoured 5.56-inch Pixel 3a and the 6.0-inch XL version. Class-Leading Camera as Always More than anything, Google Pixels have always been camera champs since the very first iteration. These new versions should also be the same because it’ll come equipped with the same camera hardware that the current flagship-grade Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are currently sporting. Essentially, you’ll have cameras that you can find on $1,000 phones on these budget models. For a lot of buyers, this should be a compelling feature. The question, however, is that the camera performance of the current generation Pixels is largely attributed to the software A.I. More than the camera hardware, therefore, the imaging relies a lot on the processing power. It’s interesting to see if the rumoured chipsets such as the Snapdragon 670 for the base Pixel 3a or the Snapdragon 710 for Pixel 3a XL are going to be able to produce similar results with the same hardware. Exciting Time for Mid-range Smartphones Whatever the case for the new Pixels, it cannot be denied that these are exciting times for the mid-range segment. Google’s foray into it will be, at least for consumers, a welcome development. If it all goes according to Google’s plan, the capable chipsets should be enough to tide over moderate users, the build quality should be good enough for most people, and the camera-quality should be more than enough even for even power-users. It should appeal to a wider audience. If that happens, Google shouldn’t have trouble moving these new smartphones.

Anyone who knows anything about gaming understands that gaming on a MacOS system isn't the ideal scenario. So, if you’re professionally deeply entangled in MacOS but still want to play the latest AAA titles, you’d probably want to get another Windows PC just for gaming. But not everyone has the luxury of having the budget for two separate systems. Luckily, with some tweaks, extra downloads, and a bit of subscribing, you can play the latest Windows games on a MacOS device. Provided, of course, that the hardware can handle them. Here’s a short look at the state of gaming on MacOS systems. Limited Straight Up Gaming Support There are a lot of games that are compatible with MacOS. Fortnite, for example, can run natively provided that the hardware is up to par with system requirements. So, if you have a MacBook with a Core M and no discrete GPU, you're probably not going to be able to make the most of Fortnite and other intense games. Although, it’s important that you can settle with some platformers and other less intensive games that are just as exciting and competitive. Furthermore, if you plan on playing on a MacBook, the MacBook Pro with a discrete GPU is recommended. However, you might still have to limit the visuals a little bit just to maximize framerate. Sure, 30fps on a 2K resolution is cool and playable but playing at 60fps at just 1080p would help you be more competitive. Other than that, you can also use an external graphics card if you wish. Apple’s Blackmagic eGPU can help you raise the gaming capabilities of your system even more. The only caveat is that you can't use it on previous generation systems that didn't have Thunderbolt 3. So, for those of you who think that your previous generation MacBook Air can finally handle some gaming, don’t hold your collective breaths. But, if in case you prefer PUBG over Fortnite, then this method isn’t something that you’ll be able to do. Game developers just aren’t incentivised enough to design games for Apple’s computers. Games Distribution Platforms (Steam, Origin) There aren’t a lot of games made specifically with Mac OS in mind. So, if you’re looking for something to play on your Mac device, you’d have to sift through a lot of games before you find one that you like and one that your hardware is capable of running. This is where gaming services like Steam and Origin come in. They’re more like games curation services where you can sort and categorize according to compatibility, genre, and other useful features. If you’re looking for a game to play on your Mac, these services are the best place to begin your search. However, don’t expect their full libraries to support Mac OS as only a handful of developers make games that are compatible with Apple’s OS. Game Streaming Services (GeForce Now, Google Stadia) AAA games usually get Mac support. However, their performance isn't something to write home about. Mac hardware, after all, is designed with reliability in mind with gaming performance stuck in the back burner. For these reasons, game streaming services such as GeForce Now and Google Stadia have popped up out of nowhere. It’s a relatively new concept that only gained traction once fast fibre internet services became cheaper and easier to access. It doesn’t require any sort of graphics card at all since it uses the internet to stream games. When you play a game through these services, you’re essentially playing it on the provider’s computers and you’re just merely streaming it on whatever internet-enabled device you’re using it on. This effectively eliminates compatibility issues, hardware requirements, and other things that hamper your gaming experience on a Mac. Boot Camp While technically, you can play games on an Apple computer, the fact of the matter is that Macs just aren’t made with gaming in mind. And that’s something that most Mac users are willing to live with. The temptation’s always there though. Some Mac users just couldn’t live with the fact that their gaming experience will always be diminished. Enter Boot Camp. It’s mainly a disk partitioning tool that comes with a few handy extra features. For gamers, the most important peripheral feature is the ability to install Windows on another partition of your computer’s disk. Essentially, you can use full Windows and all the gaming-related features that it comes with. For example, you can also run Windows-specific games natively with it too. PUBG, therefore, shouldn’t be a hassle to play anymore. As an added benefit, if you have an Xbox Play Anywhere subscription, games you have on that platform should be playable on your MacOS device as well. All of this, however, comes with the caveat of eating through a lot of disk space. You have two operating systems on your device after all. Limited Gaming Experience but More Than Makes Up for it In Hardware Quality and Professional Reliability Apple computers such as MacBooks and Mac Pros are all excellent devices. The MacBook Air, for example, has been a staple on coffee shop tables everywhere because of its excellent battery life and decent performance. Mac Pros, on the other hand, are favourites of filmmakers, YouTubers, and other creatives and professionals who rely on their computers for a living. However, buying an Apple computer knowing full well that it’s going to have to double as a gaming device isn’t a smart thing to do. Aside from having a limited array of games compatible with the OS, it's also going to have somewhat restrained hardware. Sure, the Vega 56 graphics cards and the other cards that they choose to put in their devices are awesome to have on a work-related project, but if you’re planning to play games with them, they’re going to feel a bit limited especially when compared to Nvidia graphics cards specifically designed for gaming. It’s also going to sting a bit to know that they’re often more expensive too. Considering that Apple computers are usually more expensive than their similarly-configured Windows counterparts, it's easy to diss Apple when it comes to gaming performance. However, if you factor in the precision-crafted body, and stellar performance when it comes to productivity applications, the trade-offs don’t seem to be too big of a deal breaker. At the end of the day, the many professionals who prefer MacOS over Windows 10 aren’t buying Macs for their gaming prowess. They’re in it for the reliability of Apple’s walled garden ecosystem.

The newest mobile phone releases such as the Galaxy S10 5G, Xiaomi 5G Mi Mix 3 are hyping up 5G connectivity but there’s an arguably more exciting connectivity upgrade on the horizon – Wi-Fi 6. While it’s true that our demand for mobile data consumption has increased over the years, we’ve exponentially consumed more data on Wi-Fi vs mobile data. For example, our home internet, our favourite café Wi-Fi, or the cowork space connectivity that we rely on, all usually deal with Wi-Fi connectivity. Often, it’s a deal breaker when these places have slow or unreliable connectivity. After all, Wi-Fi could potentially mean the difference between getting work done efficiently or not getting any work done at all. Or if you don’t rely on Wi-Fi that much to work, it’s the difference between getting a nice streaming or gaming experience and a crappy one. What’s difficult is that you can’t just pay your way to get better Wi-Fi. You have to do some heavy lifting such as a buying and configuring a better modem. That’s aside from paying for a high-bandwidth connection from your ISP. You also have to consider how many people are using Wi-Fi to get the maximum efficiency for your device. Such is the importance of this new Wi-Fi innovation. Hopefully, the next device you need to buy already has this technology built-in. Improved Throughput Speed is probably the most basic parameter of Wi-Fi connectivity. In this aspect, there’s not a lot to be excited about because the current consumer fibre internet connectivity plans have a median speed of just around 72Mbps in the American household. That’s a fraction of the current standard in Wi-Fi technology which is pegged at 3.5Gbps. Wi-Fi 6’s ability to give you around 9.6Gbps, then, shouldn’t have much bearing for you if your usage is just under the normal circumstances. However, as the 8K monitors and televisions start to become more readily available, internet speed requirements are pegged to rise soon. It’s good to be ready for these kinds of contingencies. Moreover, for enterprise users that consume a lot of data, the 3.5Gbps distributed to multiple access points such as smartphones, laptops, and other devices connected to just one router might already be a little deficient. Having the 9.5Gbps capacity available for use from just one Wi-Fi 6 enabled router should help save some money on additional routers for high-density hotspots. Better Multi-User Experience (OFDMA) Wi-Fi 5 tends to get bogged down when a lot of people are logged in to the router. Which is often why crowded places don’t even bother getting a Wi-Fi connection. But, for cafes, malls, and cowork spaces or any other crowded areas that rely on Wi-Fi connectivity to thrive, Wi-Fi 5 rears its ugly limitations as it can only support a limited number of users. These places often get an additional modem but that comes at the cost of speed and, more importantly, reliability. This is because multiple modems cause interference to each other. This is what causes lags and dropped connections in crowded networks such as your local malls. Furthermore, there’s another limitation to Wi-Fi 5 that’s not often given much attention. It can only communicate with one access point at the same exact moment. Therefore, you may experience some lag if you simultaneously ask for a refresh of a webpage on your computer and ask your smart light to change its colour. This is because Wi-Fi 5 can communicate with just one device at a time. While it can accomplish these tasks so quickly that it’s difficult to notice, it’s easy to imagine how it can get bogged down when there are a mall-full of access points giving commands simultaneously. Essentially there’s just one channel for data requests and deliveries to go through. It transfers huge amounts of data very quickly for sure but when it’s shared between multiple devices, it can get pretty cramped in there. Wi-Fi 6 could change this paradox because aside from allowing more users to simultaneously connect to it, it has the capacity to answer their data requests at the same exact time. This new orthogonal frequency-division multiple access or OFDMA essentially makes Wi-Fi congestion a thing of the past if you have a Wi-Fi 6 enabled router and device. We no longer just have a smartphone and a computer connected to our Wi-Fi these days. We also have smart lights, smart refrigerators, and other IoT devices. This makes this OFDMA feature such a welcome addition to Wi-Fi technology coming into the future. Longer Battery Life for Your Devices (TWT) Wi-Fi 6’s efficiency doesn’t only help with the speed and volume of data transferred; it also helps with lessening the battery consumption on your connected devices. Essentially, data transfers cost less power on the new Wi-Fi 6 standard. It accomplishes this by communicating with devices exactly when to put your device’s Wi-Fi radio to sleep and when to wake it. This new feature is called Target Wake-up Time and it can help your device conserve energy by turning their Wi-Fi radios on only when they’re needed. This greatly helps both smartphones and IoT devices by letting users, through the router, to schedule check-in times for specific devices rather than having their Wi-Fi radios request data constantly. Better Security Features (WPA-3) When it comes to security, Wi-Fi 6 should also come with some improvements. From a tech support standpoint, the new connectivity standard can see more and manipulate more data from the connected device so it's easier to Technically, Wi-Fi 5 can also benefit from this but Wi-Fi 6's advanced capabilities help magnify this. Aside from this, it also has WPA-3 protection. This makes it more difficult for hackers to crack network passwords. Furthermore, if ever the network becomes compromised, WPA-3 can automatically make some data less useful in getting into other access points once the network is breached. Do We Need It? Wi-Fi 5 isn’t terrible. It should be enough for the regular home even in the near future. However, Wi-Fi 6 is a much-improved version of Wi-Fi technology that’s difficult to ignore. The fact that it’s gotten to the point that Wi-Fi 6 compatible hardware are becoming cheaper by the second is also a big reason why it’s such a compelling upgrade right now. The ultimate question, however, is, “Do you need it?” The short answer is no, normal users, don’t need it yet. Will you need it in the future? That’s a huge yes. It’s only a matter of time until we all do.

I've checked around and pre-orders supposedly start at less than $600. That's not bad when you consider the price of other models and that fact that this phone is innovative for once.

This is a detailed review of Bose Sleepbuds meant to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. I'm not sure that I could wear these all night, but reviews suggest that they're comfortable.

This buyer's guide is Gizmodo's take on what works best to build the average family's smart home. Do you agree with their selections or do you think they left something out?

Samsung's fans and critics alike are comparing the recent fiasco with the Galaxy Fold with the exploding, burning batteries that haunted the Galaxy Note not long ago. Do you think Samsung can redeem itself?

I'm glad to see some improvements in VR technology, but I think there's still much that could be improved. It appears to stay charged for a while which is a big plus. It's frustrating when you're playing and learn that the battery is about to die.

Razer's dedicated fanbase pushed hard for this product to be made. After a successful campaign (which included 12 people getting toaster tattoos...?) the CEO has agreed to start designing and engineering the toaster!

Apparently the whole thing started as a joke in 2013, but fans gave the project momentum. Toaster is usually pretty boring by default; it will be cool to see a souped up version.

Can you imagine an engine that allows you to play games at the best maximum speed and quality as well as creating your own game? It sounds like a very ambitious goal to me which will only apply to a small group of people.

I think it's a problem that the battery doesn't last long and that the laptop heats up quickly while gaming. What do you think about Dell's powerhouse gaming laptop?