News
Next high-end Motorola phone could be similar to LG G5
Will we see another modular phone in 2016?
Well, if there’s any truth to rumors surrounding Motorola’s next premium smartphone, then the answer is a clear yes. The Moto X refresh is said to follow in the footsteps of the LG G5, which is the first to eschew traditional approaches to smartphone design in favor of a modular build to augment its capabilities.
Unlike the G5, however, Motorola’s upcoming Android phone will likely make use of connection pins and magnets that allow modular accessories to snap onto the back panel, as opposed to LG’s use of a swappable base. These add-ons could come in the form of a camera grip, a stereo speaker, or a battery pack, to name a few, though nothing has been confirmed so far.
But if reports are accurate — and we think they are — Motorola could have another winner in its hands. LG’s G5 has been met with well-deserved enthusiasm from critics and consumers alike, despite its flawed take on a modular smartphone.
Obviously, it helps that the 2016 Moto X may feature a metal exterior and some serious specs to complement its departure from plastic construction. Screenshots of a benchmark run on the phone suggest it will have a top-tier Snapdragon 820 chip, accompanied by 4GB of RAM, putting it on a par with today’s Android heavyweights.
The Moto X is expected to show up alongside other Motorola and Lenovo products on June 9 at the Lenovo Tech World 2016 event in San Francisco.
[irp posts=”10980″ name=”Moto G5, G5 Plus: capable and cost-efficient”]
Source: Droid Life
Image credit: HellomotoHK
Doomscrolling is the greatest enemy to everyone’s productivity today. The temptation to keep on scrolling for hours is an ever-present temptation. Taking a very strong stance against the phenomenon, the European Commission is now investigating TikTok for having an addictive interface.
Via Politico, Brussels is now prodding TikTok to change its interface. Very technically, the European Commission is not out to get doomscrolling, specifically. However, the major changes that they want to introduce “disabling infinite scrolling, setting strict screen time breaks, and changing its recommender systems.”
App addiction is a persistent problem today. Besides concerned parents, governments around the world have been trying to regulate addiction, especially when it comes to children. The European Commission, as is apparent from this new initiative, is at the forefront of preventing addiction.
Though the target is explicitly TikTok right now, changing addictive interfaces will also affect other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X. Most platforms nowadays thrive on encouraging users to keep scrolling through more content.
Right now, TikTok isn’t set to change just yet. However, the report states that the European Commission is willing to work with platforms for a better, non-addictive interface. It’s less abrasive than the region’s recent privacy initiatives, which requires users to verify their age before accessing mature content.
Laptops
Are you ready for a more colorful MacBook?
Apple is experimenting with quirkier colorway options for the MacBook.
In recent years, Apple has relented on limiting the colors of its devices to only the more premium-looking options. Users can now pick quirkier colors for their iPhones, highlighted currently by the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. Soon, the same splashes of color might make its way to the MacBook lineup.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing different colorway options for its upcoming entry-level MacBook. The unannounced lineup might come in pink, light yellow, light green, and blue.
It’s a big change for MacBooks. Currently, the only “quirky” option that users can get is the MacBook Air’s Sky Blue, which honestly looks more silvery than blue. Other than that, the MacBook simply seesaws from different shades of gold, silver, and black.
To be fair, the upcoming MacBook will still have the traditional colorways of the current lineup. Additionally, it’s unclear whether Apple will ultimately include all its experimental colors into the final lineup.
Reportedly, the new lineup will cost somewhere between US$ 699 to US$ 799. Of course, the lower price tag will come at the expense of some specs. Although, it should still be good if we’re talking about an entry-level laptop.
It’s even more interesting if it’s hinting at the return of truly colorful options but for the notebook. The iMac already got a similar renaissance back in 2024, which mimics the classic computer’s colorful history.
SEE ALSO: M5 MacBook Pro review
Brands getting banned are commonplace in today’s tech landscape. These usually happen because of geopolitical reasons, especially if it’s in the United States. In Europe, brands sometimes get banned for anticompetition reasons. Today, however, a commonly used codec, HEVC, is at the center of a controversy that has led to the banning of ASUS and Acer in Germany. Even crazier, Nokia is involved.
For context, Nokia owns several patents for video codecs. One of those codecs, HEVC (or High-Efficiency Video Coding) is ubiquitous in every PC, which means that every PC maker must purchase a license to include the codec in their machines. It’s an essential these days, so it’s unusual for ASUS and Acer to miss it.
In Germany, where licensing is stricter, both companies were found guilty of infringing the patent, as reported by German outlet Hardwareluxx. As a result, ASUS and Acer must stop selling PC and laptop sales until they obtain a license from Nokia.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean that the two brands have disappeared from the country. Third-party retailers can still sell their remaining stock. However, the companies cannot import or sell any new stock, pending a conclusion to the issue.
Naturally, the easiest fix is to just buy the license. Hisense, another company that found itself in the same mire, bought a license last month. Either ASUS and Acer are running into more technical issues, or they just didn’t feel the license was worth it for a single market.
SEE ALSO: ASUS is leaving the smartphone industry
-
Gaming2 weeks agoPlayStation, LE SSERAFIM Chaewon team for the ‘Love of Play’ campaign
-
News6 days agoTECNO will showcase the CAMON 50 and POVA 8 series at MWC 2026
-
Accessories2 weeks agoSony WF-1000XM6 was accidentally leaked online
-
Reviews2 weeks agonubia V80 Max: Long battery, marginal upgrades, casual budget phone
-
Gaming2 weeks agoZenless Zone Zero Version 2.6 launches February 6 with idol group debut
-
Laptops1 week agoTECNO MEGABOOK K16s 13th review: No-frills beneath those grills
-
Gaming2 weeks agoMy Hero Academia: All’s Justice: A familiar Final War, made playable
-
Gaming2 weeks agoNew Civilization VII update will address everyone’s biggest issue

