NEXT flagship device from Samsung could be full of power, but might also break your budget too.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - could this be Samsung's next powerhouse device?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 could be set to be the company's dearest handset to date, according to reports that suggest a huge price tag could be coming.
Reports have claimed that the upcoming phablet could start at an eye-watering €849 (£715), significantly more that many of the other competing devices on the market today.
This includes the company's existing flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S7 edge, which is currently available on Samsung's online store for £639.
This is also far more than the iPhone 6S Plus, Apple's top device, which is available to buy for £539 from the company.
Samsung is hoping for great things from the Galaxy Note 7
Sources speaking to Sammobile said that a price drop is likely soon after release, but that this high initial cost will put off many customers.
However those who choose to shell out that amount of money, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 does look like it will provide a huge step up from current devices.
This includes possibly featuring an entirely new build of Google's Android software, which was spotted in a benchmarking test last week.
The as-yet-unknown 'Android 6.1' does not fit in with any current Android naming or release structure, as Google has confirmed that the next version of Android, version 7.0, will be named Nougat.
Also set for the Galaxy Note 7 is a powerful Samsung Galaxy Exynos 8893 chipset and 4GB of RAM.
The device will also do away with a fingerprint scanner, replacing it with an iris scanner that looks into your eyes to unlock your phone, and can also give access to protected apps, files, folders, and documents.
Another rumour claims that the Galaxy Note 7 will come with some amazing new translation features.
The new Dictionary and Speaking services will let users quickly translate words from one language to another, as well as finally introduce a reliable text-to-speech functionality.
SAMSUNG looks set to unveil its new Galaxy Note 7 in August and it could include some super-powered software.
UPDATE: Samsung's next smartphone could include a mystery new feature
Samsung has already produced the best smartphone of the year with the launch of its awesome Galaxy S7 edge.
Now the Korean tech giant looks set to unveil another flagship phone which could include a mystery new feature.
The Galaxy Note 7 is likely to be unveiled next month and rumours are rife that this smartphone could be Samsung's fastest to date.
Reports have claimed that a brand new version of Google’s Android software could be specially installed on the device, giving it a super-powered advantage over rival smartphones.
That’s according to a leaked benchmark listing spotted on hardware database Geekbench, which seemed to suggest the device is running software identified as “Android 6.1”.
What's strange about this software is it's never existed before with Google saying that its next version of Android Nougat will be have the code 7.0.
LEAK: This picture may show how Samsung's Note 7 will look
Even the device used in the Geekbench test is a mystery, as it appears to contain several pieces of hardware from previous Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to build a hybrid Note 7.
The device used in the tests conformed to many of the rumoured expectations for the Galaxy Note 7, including a powerful Samsung Galaxy Exynos 8893 chipset and 4GB of RAM.
REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy S7 is the best phone of 2016
Earlier this week, several official-looking renders of the Galaxy Note 7 were revealed on Twitter.
The pictures show a polished-looking device that bears a strong resemblance to Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S7, which was released back in March.
The Galaxy Note 7 will also do away with a fingerprint scanner, replacing it with an iris scanner that looks into your eyes to unlock your phone, and can also give access to protected apps, files, folders, and documents.
SMARTPHONE maker reveals it might have to hike prices after the UK votes to leave the EU.
RISE: The OnePlus 3 is facing a major price hike after Brexit vote
Brexit has already caused markets to crash and the pound to fall to a 30-year low – now it looks like tech fans could face higher prices.
One of the globe's leading budget smartphone makers has warned customers in the UK that prices may soon have to rise.
OnePlus has taken the tech world by storm with its cheap flagship-killing smartphones but things could be about to change.
The firm's latest OnePlus 3 handset has just gone in sale and is already recieving rave reviews.
But OnePlus is warning that the worrying downward trend of the pound may make it difficult to maintain their current pricing structure in the UK
In statement to Daily Star Online OnePlus said: “The UK is one of the most important markets for OnePlus.
“So given the uncertainty following the unexpected Brexit developments, we wanted to explain how this might affect our business in the near future.
“We’ve always strived to create the best product and deliver them to customers at a reasonable price. However, the worrying downward trend of the GBP may make it difficult to maintain our current pricing structure in the UK.
“Our margins have always been thin, and our expenses are mainly in USD.
“This being the case, sudden drops such as the one that the Pound has recently experienced could have a direct impact on our prices.
Other tech brands including Apple and Samsung are yet to speak out about Brexit but other prices could rise in the future.
In another shock, stats have shown that last Thursday's vote meant Brits searched for Brexit over breasts.
In fact, the amount of people searching for Britain leaving the EU was almost double that of pornography.
A Twitter post revealed the incredible statistic with Brexit also beating football in the top searches.
Abolishing European roaming charges was scheduled for next year - but that could be in doubt following the UK's exit from the EU
Mobile phone users elsewhere in Europe are looking forward to the complete removal of roaming charges across the continent in June 2017.
But now Britain has voted to leave the EU , it is unclear whether British people travelling to the continent will enjoy the same benefit.
Speaking to the BBC before the referendum, minister for the digital economy Ed Vaizey said: "roughly a million Brits stay the night in Europe every day, and they spend around £350m a year on roaming charges,"
"So by realising these changes, we're going to save British consumers millions of pounds a year."
Ed Vaizey MP has spoken of the benefits of scrapping European roaming charges
Roaming charges are imposed when a mobile phone connects to an operator based abroad. The roaming fees are paid on top of your existing call charges.
On April 30 this year, existing roaming charges were reduced, with fees for outgoing and incoming calls, data and texts capped.
The tables below shows you the limits that mobile operators currently have to adhere to.
The limits are based on Euro figures excluding VAT, so the cost in Sterling is subject to changes in both exchange rates and VAT rates.
Maximum charges in EU from April 30th, 2016 until June 15th, 2017
Limit in € ex VAT
Limit in £ inc VAT
Call mins sent/received
€0.05/€0.05
£0.05
Texts sent
€0.02
£0.02
MB of data
€0.05
£0.05
The controls imposed by the EU on mobile phone operators were introduced under an EU regulation and are not incorporated into UK law.
Using your phone abroad might become more expensive - or it might not
The existing reduction in roaming charges remains in place following the vote on Thursday, but in the future things may change.
"They might stay, or they might not stay," Mr Vaizey said before the vote.
Now the UK has decided to exit, the European Union's controls on roaming charges will presumably, at some point, cease to apply.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com said: "Mobile users may be concerned that roaming protections put in place by the European Commission may now be undone but whether roaming rates will rise again is a question for the networks.
"We hope that pricing remains consistent for consumers, so they can continue to use their mobile with confidence wherever they travel to in the EU."
When asked this morning about the future of the fees, a government spokesman said that: "Nothing will change overnight as a result of this decision."
They also sought to reassure travellers, saying that the government was "committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for the British people now that decision has been made."
What do the networks say?
Some mobile phone operators we contacted emphasised that the high level of uncertainty prevents them from predicting the future of roaming charges in Europe.
Speaking for Vodafone, Jane Frapwell said: "The political and economic consequences of the UK's withdrawal from the EU are for others to consider now that the UK electorate has reached its decision."
"In terms of the implications for Vodafone, each of our country businesses operates as a standalone entity able to adapt to a wide range of local conditions."
"It’s far too early to comment on specifics but, as we said before the referendum, we remain committed to supporting our UK customers regardless of the outcome, now and in the future."
This was echoed by a spokesperson for O2: "We can’t predict what may happen in the future. We will continue to offer competitive prices to our customers who use their mobile device when they travel overseas."
A BT spokesperson provides some hope for British consumers, they said the EE network has "no plans to change our pricing as a result of the EU referendum , including our roaming charges."
So, for the most part it appears to be a "wait and see" approach as to whether or not it's going to cost you more to use your phone abroad.
A new Samsung patent has revealed a foldable phone with a flexible OLED screen
A new patent filed by Samsung has revealed the company is working on a foldable smartphone.
However, rather than using a clamshell design like the Motorola Razr , Samsung's new design looks like a normal smartphone that can be folded when not in use.
The new design owes its acrobatics to one of Samsung’s flexible OLED screens and, according to Patently Mobile , the new technology has improved leaps and bounds over the last year.
When folded in half, the patent shows a port connector which would presumably be used for charging.
That suggests the new phone could have no exposed ports when in use – potentially making it very water resistant.
Along with the phone, the patent also shows what looks like a charging cradle, though it only appears to work when the phone is folded in half.
Samsung has been threatening to make a flexible mobile device for a while now, and even released the rather cringe-worthy video below in way back in 2014, showing just how flexible screens could be used.
This patent shows that Samsung is still keen on the idea, and is gradually preparing to take it to market.
Who is phone this for?
It's easy to dismiss this patent as a solution to a problem that doesn't exist, but Samsung may just be onto something.
Lots us want larger-screened phones, but we lack the pocket size to carry them around - one of the reasons many people choose a standard iPhone 6 over a 6 Plus .
If Samsung can give us a gorgeous, large, OLED screen, and then put it in a package that’ll easily fit in our back pockets, it’s on to a winner.
OnePlus is giving 30 users the chance to receive its next phone before its June 14 release date
OnePlus
Tech enthusiasts are used to getting their hands on gadgets as soon as they're released. Now, OnePlus is going a step further by giving fans the chance to review its OnePlus 3 a month before it goes on sale.
In a project titled 'The Lab', 30 users will receive the phone before its rumoured June 14 release date to "put the new flagship to the test".
At the time of writing, more than 9,000 people have applied to test the phone.
OnePlus said it is an attempt to "give a voice" to fans who "use OnePlus products on a daily basis".
"We're enlisting the help of the community to provide fair, honest, crowd-sourced feedback on the OnePlus 3", the company wrote.
Specifications for the phone, rumoured to be released in mid-June, have already been revealed, suggesting the OnePlus 3 will weigh 160g, with a 5.5-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixels touchscreen display. The phone is also reported as having a 16MP camera, with geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama and an HD mode.
OnePlus is no stranger to exclusivity – a previous model, the OnePlus 2, was met with a huge waiting list and a pre-reserve list of more than 1.6 million people.
"The reason we created an invite-only system is because we want to control the risks the best we can, to control production, quality, quantity," CEO Pete Lau told WIRED in August 2015.
"It's not like normal marketing - if you have a good product, you'll want to introduce it to a friend. So the OnePlus 2 is like a product based on friends saying, 'Come on, that's good, go buy it.' This approach throws tradition away."
Anyone can apply to test the phone, with an application process involving a 500-word essay on "why you believe you should review the phone".
With such a close release date, the experiment is likely to be a PR effort rather than a genuine attempt to crowdsource opinion and improve the product, although OnePlus said all reviews will be published in full.
If you want a chance to review the phone, you can apply here
Microsoft needs to fix battery life, screen and app issues if Windows 10 tablets are to successfully compete on the same footing as Android or the iPad
Tablets like the Samsung TabPro S have the potential to be solid iPad rivals, but Windows 10’s lack of apps, control and poor handling of great screens are holding them back
If you’re after a tablet in 2016 you broadly speaking have three choices: Android, Apple’s iPad or Microsoft’s Windows 10 tablets.
While the first two are mobile born and bred, spawned from smartphone operating systems, Windows 10 comes from the other side of computing - the traditional desktop.
So-called two-in-one PCs, which are half tablet, half laptop, with the ability to transform in some fashion between the two, are about the only sector of PCs and tablets that’s growing. They seem like the perfect combination between a tablet and a computer without having to buy two devices.
Manufacturers such as Microsoft, Samsung and Huawei have are starting to make hardware that’s up to scratch with the best of Google and Apple. The Samsung TabPro S , which triggered this article, is a well built, snappy and attractive tablet. As a PC it is a great thin and light laptop replacement, but while Microsoft has made huge leaps with Windows 10’s look and feel there are still some big things holding its tablets back.
Some problems Microsoft can and should do something about, others aren’t that easy to fix.
The app gap
The Windows Store appears to be a second-class citizen in the eyes of developers. What third-party apps are there aren’t updated.
People talk about the “app gap” between Android and iOS – there are more tablet-specific apps for Apple’s iPad than there are for Android tablets – but Windows 10 is miles behind both of them.
I’m not talking about the sheer number of apps. Having the right apps available is much better than having many shoddy ones. I’m also not talking about the availability of Windows desktop apps, which is Microsoft’s ace in the hole compared to machines running Android or iOS.
It is the third-party apps that make using a tablet fun and enjoyable that Windows 10 lacks. The classic example is video consumption apps. Netflix is available in the Windows Store, as is All 4 and Demand 5, which is good, but the BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and Amazon Prime video are not. To access those services you’re forced back into the browser and a desktop-like experience.
The same hit-and-miss selection extends to almost all other app areas. There’s a Facebook app, but no Instagram one, a Kindle app, but no ComiXology or Marvel Unlimited. When it comes to music apps you’re forced to use Windows desktop apps from Spotify, iTunes and others in the browser.
When there are apps they aren’t updated in line with apps on other platforms - for example the Twitter app still hasn’t gotten built-in Giphy support.
And while desktop apps are great when using a Windows device as a laptop, they’re just not a good experience on a touchscreen tablet.
Blurry mess
The desktop app situation is made worse by Microsoft’s poor handling of high-resolution screens. Five years ago a high resolution display provided increased screen real estate by making everything tiny. Today the density of screens has increased so that text, images and icons look pin-sharp, not microscopic in size.
Windows Store apps scale fine with crisp text on the good-looking screens tablets such as the Samsung TabPro S have. But Windows desktop apps often look like blurry mess, simply magnified without increasing the pixel density. It’s a very poor experience, particularly on a tablet. It makes me actively avoid using desktop Windows apps, but it’s almost impossible to exclude them all in favour of Windows Store apps because of the app gap.
Battery death
A day’s working battery from the TabPro S is great, but standby battery life can be woeful. You end up seeing this screen a lot, even with Windows 10’s ‘battery saver’ feature enabled.
Apps and resolutions aside, the real big flaw for Windows 10 tablets is battery life. I’m not talking about active use battery life - I got a full day of work without plugging in the TabPro S - but standby time.
When you hit the power button to put an iPad or Android tablet running Marshmallow to sleep you can be sure when you come back a day later that it’ll still have charge. Time and time again I’ve put Windows 10 tablets to sleep over night only to find them dead by the morning.
Microsoft’s built-in battery saver mode helps, but Windows 10 needs much tighter control over the power state of the device when asleep, particularly when users expect an instant-on response when coming back to their tablets.
Both Android and iOS excel here. The iPad Pro lasts a week on standby, as does Google’s Pixel C. I’m lucky if I managed to get a day of standby out of the TabPro S , which has one of the longest battery lives of any Windows 10 tablet I have tested.
The tablet market is waning, 2-in-1s are rising and with them the use of Windows 10 on tablets. Microsoft has an excellent opportunity to claim back some share of the mobile market, but it needs to work hard to crush the problems and narrow the app gap. Windows 10 tablets could be amazing, and while the hardware is getting there, the software isn’t right now.
IF YOU'RE heading to Glastonbury this year there's some very good news.
SPEEDS: EE is upgrading its network at this year's Glastonbury festival
135,000 revellers will descend on a field in Somerset next month and along with some top music acts they should also be treated to some of the fastest mobile speeds in the UK.
EE has just announced that it's tripling the capacity of the UK’s biggest temporary 4G network which is currently being built at Glastonbury.
The UK network is expecting to have to cope with its customers munching through 15 terabytes of data over the course of the five days.
This mind-boggling amount of data is the equivalent of downloading Adele’s hit single Hello three million times.
SUPER-FAST: EE is tripling the amount of 4G masts at Glastonbury
To cope with the data demand, EE has added a sixth mobile site this year, and tripled the amount of mobile airwaves for customers to use.
And, for the first time ever, customers will also be able to make calls on the EE 4G network with EE’s launch of ‘4G Calling’.
Speaking about the investment Spencer McHugh, Director of Brand at EE, said: “People in the UK are using their mobiles more than ever before to share cherished experiences.
"2016 has already seen 4G data usage increase by at least 40% at other major events year on year and this trend shows no sign of slowing down.
"Each year social media feeds all over the world are flooded with images and videos of Glastonbury Festival so, in anticipation of the huge demand we expect to see at Worthy Farm this June, we’ve tripled our 4G capacity thanks to a number of new innovative network technologies.
There is speculation that the Taiwanese company that makes much of Apple’s metal casing would lose out
Imagination supplies the graphics technology for the iPhone
Apple is gearing up to make an iPhone made almost entirely out of glass, according to one of its biggest suppliers.
The company will look to differentiate itself by dropping the metal that it is currently constructed out of, according to the firm that makes much of that same metal.
Many rumours have suggested that the phone set to be released later this year – likely the iPhone 7 – will appear mostly similar to the existing 6 and 6s. But in 2017, the company is expected to completely re-design the phone, bringing in new screen technologies and an entirely new look.
That rumour had led to some speculation among local suppliers that the Taiwanese company that makes much of Apple’s metal casing would lose business to the ones that make its glass screen covers. But Allen Horng, CEO of Catcher Technology, said that the company will still be able to supply products to some of the phones – while apparently confirming that Apple will bring in the glass design.
“As far as I know, only one [iPhone] model will adopt glass casing next year,” Mr Horng said after the annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. “I don't think this move will have an impact on Catcher's revenue as glass casing still needs a durable metal frame which requires advanced processing technology and would not be cheaper than the current model.”
Google Chrome to stop backspace being a ‘back’ button
Google Chrome is finally going to stop people from accidentally deleting everything they’ve been doing.
A future version of the app will stop the backspace button from also functioning as a “back” button, helping avoid people accidentally pressing it and so destroying everything they’ve done on that site.
The feature has already been rolled out in some experimental versions of the app, and has upset some users. Developers have said that the feature is only being partly enabled for now, in case there is “sufficient outcry” and it needs to be rolled back.
Future Macs to be unlocked with fingerprint sensor
People will very soon be able to unlock their computer remotely.
Upcoming versions of Mac OS X will be able to tell when a person’s phone is near the computer and then use its TouchID fingerprint sensor to unlock it, according to MacRumors.
That update could be announced in June, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. It’s likely to be a part of the new version of Mac OS X, called 10.12, which will be made available to the public in the autumn.
Facebook home page could be split apart
Facebook is testing potentially the biggest change to its news feed since it launched.
The site is planning to split the feeds up into separate topics, according to screenshots that seem to show versions of the new look being tested.
Some users are already seeing their news feed divided up into categories. Those can include topics like TV and movies, music or travel.
People who have the new feeds are instructed to add different subtopics into those particular feeds. So if a person has a “TV & Movies” feed, for instance, they’ll be given the option to tick all of the films they like and Facebook will show stories and posts that are about those topics.
Incredible device can be worn like a very expensive bangle or held flat like a normal mobile phone
Bendy smartphone will go on sale this year (but it's not made by the company you're expecting)
A Chinese firm is preparing to release the world's first bendy mobile phone.
Samsung was expected to be the first firm to release a pliable phone , but it looks like it'll be pipped to the post by the Moxi Group.
According to Bloomberg , the company will ship 100,000 units of its devices this year, which will cost 5,000 yuan (£522).
Initially, the gizmo will only feature black and white screens but a colour version is likely to come afterwards.
If the bendable gadget sells well in the People's Republic, then it could be sold in the rest of the world.
"Black and white phones are much easier to make," said Chongsheng Yu, executive vice president of Moxi.
Samsung was expected to release the world's first bendy mobile
"The colour model power usage is also much higher than that of the black and white unit. We’ll sell in China and if there’s demand overseas, we’ll look into it."
The movable phone uses graphene technology to enable its wibbly wobbly ways.
Its processor and battery are stuffed in one side of the gadget, which means its free to bend into a circular shape.
The phone will use an advanced version of e-ink, which many people will be familiar with from Amazon's Kindle.
FLAGSHIP MacBook Pro laptop looks set to feature better screen, fingerprint sensor and new touch technology.
REFRESH: Apple's MacBook Pro looks set to get a major upgrade
Apple’s MacBook Pro range hasn’t had a refresh in over a year, but that looks set to change.
Rumours are suggesting Apple’s flagship laptop is going to get an exciting overhaul in the coming months with a new design and plenty of bonus features.
According to a report from KGI Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo, Apple fans will see a number of new additions on the next MacBook Pro.
These include a thinner, lighter design and a Touch ID fingerprint scanner for better security.
NEW: Apple recently updated its MacBook range of laptops
But that’s not all as the new MacBook Pro may also feature an OLED display touch bar which will replace the function keys at the top of the keyboard.
Like the current range the Pro will land on laps with a 13 and 15-inch display and could also feature USB-C ports similar to those found on the new MacBook.
Kuo says these are the "most significant upgrade ever undertaken by Apple" and are planned for the fourth quarter of 2016.
Apple is also likely to unveil its new software features at its yearly developers conference next month.
WWDC opens its doors on June 13th with a big announcement for its mobile platform also expected.
MOTOROLA could be about to resurrect one of its most iconic flip phones, the Motorola Razr.
The Motorola Razr could be about to make a surprise return to pockets across the globe
The Motorola Razr could be about to make a surprise return to pockets across the globe.
First launched back in 2004, more than 100 million Razr flip phones were sold worldwide.
In a pre-iPhone world, the Motorola Razr became the best-selling clamshell phone during its four-years on sale.
Now a brand-new Razr phone could be on its way.
A teaser trailer has been posted on YouTube that shows a group of college students enjoying using their Motorola Razrs.
The short advertisement ends with the date of Lenovo's Tech World event, which kickstarts on June 9th 2016.
Lenovo bought Motorola from Google back in 2014.
Lenovo bought Motorola from Google back in 2014
Whether the technology firm is planning to relaunch a smarter Razr flip phone remains to be seen.
Lenovo-owned Motorola released refreshed their smartphone line-up, introducing new models of the best-selling Moto X and Moto G.
The fourth-generation Moto G (stylised as Moto G4) now boasts a 5.5-inch full HD display, 13 megapixel camera, large 3000 mAh battery and blazing-fast octa-core processor.
Alongside the Moto G, Motorola launched a new Plus model with all of the same features as Moto G4, but with an improved 16 megapixel camera and fingerprint scanner for additional security.
Motorola is also expected to unveil their new flagship Moto X smartphone next month.
Android Pay is set to rival Apple's "tap and pay" service
SMARTPHONES replacing wallets took another step towards reality yesterday as Google launched its mobile payments system in the UK.
Android Pay is Google’s answer to it arch rival Apple’s “tap and pay” service which came to the UK last July.
It signals a major boost to the mobile payments industry, as Android smartphones - such as those by Samsung, Sony and Huawei - account for more than half of mobile phones sold in the UK.
With the two biggest tech firms having a mobile wallet, experts say it is only a matter of time before phones take over the role of people’s wallets - having already become users’ cameras, diaries, sat nav device and music players.
The technology works in a similar way to Apple Pay - allowing users to load their Visa and MasterCard credit or debit card details on to a smartphone equipped with a so-called Near-Field Communication chip.
Android Pay from Google is a rival to Apple's "tap and pay" service
Apple Pay was launched in the UK last July
Customers will be able to use their phones to make contactless payments in a similar way to using a contactless card.
Users can make transactions up to £30 without unlocking their phone.
They just tap it on the card reader.
For transactions higher than £30, you need to approve it using your normal security method - such as unlock code or fingerprint.
It works anywhere with a contactless card terminal, so Brits with Android phones can use it at stores like Boots, Starbucks and Waitrose and pay for the Tube, bus and train with Transport for London.
It can also be used in apps including JD Sports, Deliveroo and YPlan.
To start using Android Pay you’ll need to download the Android Pay app on Google Play and have an eligible MasterCard or Visa credit or debit card from one of the supported banks, such as Bank of Scotland, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, M&S Bank, MBNA and Nationwide Building Society.
Do tablets and smartphones make us dumber rather than smarter?
Smartphones and iPads really do shorten attention spans, a new study warned.
The multi-media devices are changing how the human brain works - making it harder for us to fully understand information.
Reading screens on tablets and phones makes users focus on a few concrete details rather than the big picture.
Seeing the bigger picture is important because it involves flexible reasoning, creativity, judgement and logical problem solving.
The findings presented at a conference for human-computer interaction serve as a wake-up call to how digital media is harming our ability to use abstract thought.
Classrooms are increasingly becoming digital as work is done on computers rather than in notebooks.
The study found more than 300 participants recruited for four tests performed better at comprehension and problem solving when they read information on print-outs rather than digital platforms.
Professor Geoff Kaufman, of Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, said: "There has been a great deal of research on how digital platforms might be affecting attention, distractibility and mindfulness and these studies build on this work by focusing on a relatively understudied construct.
"Given psychologists have shown construal levels can vastly impact outcomes such as self-esteem and goal pursuit it's crucial to recognise the role digitisation of information might be having on this important aspect of cognition."
Scientists said the human brain processes written information better than that on a screen
Construal levels are the fundamental amount of concreteness versus abstractness people use in perceiving and interpreting behaviours, events and other informational stimuli.
The researchers wanted to know if processing the same information on a digital versus non-digital platform would affect this.
Reading material and other content was published using the same print size and format in both versions with volunteers aged 20 to 24 years.
Participants were asked to do a series of tasks including filling in a form, reading a short story and comparing different car models - either on paper or on a computer screen.
Those given print-outs paper were much better at understanding the whole material while those using computers remembered particular details.
In a comprehension test about a short story those who had read it in print fared far better in questions about the story's inferences and broader narrative while those who had read the digital document retained more information about minor details.
When evaluating the specifications of four fictional cars, 66% of those who had read the comparison on paper could correctly say which was the best model, against 43% of those who had read it on a computer.
For the abstract questions participants using the non-digital platform scored higher on average with 66% correct as compared to those using the digital platform - 48%
On the concrete questions participants using the digital platform scored better with 73 per cent correct as compared to 58 per cent correct.
The study on digital versus non-digital platforms was prompted by earlier research which revealed players of the digital version of the public health strategy game "POX: Save the People" were more inclined to respond with localised solutions rather than looking at the big picture.
Professor Mary Flanagan, of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, said: "Compared to the widespread acceptance of digital devices as evidenced by millions of apps, ubiquitous smartphones and the distribution of iPads in schools, surprisingly few studies exist about how digital tools affect our understanding - our cognition.
"Knowing the affordances of digital technologies can help us design better software.
"Sometimes it's beneficial to foster abstract thinking and as we know more we can design to overcome the tendencies - or deficits - inherent in digital devices."
The research is being presented at the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) CHI (Computer-Human Intyeraction) '16 conference in San Jose in California.
Imagined appearance: This might be what the iPhone 7 looks like - but it's not out 'til September
The iPhone 7 rumour mill has been churning for some time, and one of the most persistent rumours is that Apple may drop the iconic Home button on its next device.
Now a new leak has reinforced these rumours, with supply chain sources in China telling DigiTimes that the iPhone 7 will have a touch-sensitive digital button instead of the traditional physical button.
Another Chinese website called Storm reports that the virtual home button will have the same haptic feedback motors used in the MacBook's trackpad to create the illusion of a Home button, even if it's really just a flat capacitive surface.
Apple's home button has been included on every single iPhone since the first one appeared in 2007. Many users have become accustomed to hitting it at any point to return to the homescreen.
However, many Android smartphones from the likes of Samsung, Sony, HTC and LG have soft-touch software keys are displayed as part of the operating system, letting the user go home from any menu or app.
Designers around the world have been speculating about what Apple has planned, and one artist, Marek Weidlich , has created an intriguing concept.
Weidlich has turned the entire front of the futuristic smartphone into a screen - leaving no home button or any visible bezel.
Is this what the iPhone 7 will look like without a Home button?
"I focused on simple design language which is very important for Apple," Weidlich said. "I designed a curved display without a bezel, and equipped with a software home button."
Another concept by industrial designer Herman Haidin envisions an iPhone made from a material known as "liquidmetal", which is tougher and more water-resistant than typical aluminium.
In the concept, Haidin envisions the iPhone 7 as a mere 3mm thick with a body formed of glass and liquidmetal.
In order to get to this level of thinness, the concept ditches bulky ports such as the Lightning charging port and the 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as the physical Home button.
Amazing 'liquidmetal' iPhone 7 concept shows what Apple's next-generation smartphone could look like
The reports in DigiTimes and Storm both also reinforce rumours that the iPhone 7 will be dust and waterproof. Apple is also widely rumoured to be ditching the headphone jack with the iPhone 7, and introducing a dual-lens camera.
The rumours come ahead of Apple's second quarter financial results tonight, where the company is expected to announce the first ever drop in iPhone sales.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that Apple may be planning to push its next major iPhone launch to 2017.
Kuo said that the iPhone 7, expected to be released in September, will lack "many attractive selling points" and could be remarkably similar to the iPhone 6 and 6S.
However, the following iPhone, released in 2017, will be completely redesigned with an all-glass enclosure and curved OLED display.
NEW: The Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 is the latest 2-in-1 computer to be unveiled
Microsoft could have a challenger to its Surface Pro range of tablets.
The US tech firm has witnessed huge success in this growing market and now Acer wants a piece of the action.
The Taiwanese company has just unveiled its latest 2-in-1 tablet/laptop called the Switch Alpha 12.
Featuring a 12-inch touch display and detachable keyboard this new device will bring a versatile Windows 10 experience to users.
The new Switch Alpha 12 is also the industry’s first fanless 2-in-1 notebook to use a 6th Generation Intel CoreTM i7, Core i5 or Core i3 processor.
VERSATILE: The new Switch Alpha features a removable keyboard
LAPTOP: The kickstand which can be adjusted to any angle up to 165 degrees
Other features include an anodised aluminium chassis, 8-hour battery life and kickstand which can be adjusted to any angle up to 165 degrees.
Unlike many other tech firms, Acer is throwing in the full-sized qwerty keyboard as part of the main price.
Microsoft and Apple both charge extra if you want to turn their tablets into fully functioning laptops.
The Switch Alpha 12 will arrive in the UK this summer.
Prices in the US and Europe have been revealed with it costing $599 and in €699 respectively.
UK prices are yet to be announced but expect to pay around £550 for this latest gadget.
Acer has also just unveiled its latest gaming PC and it comes with a unique accessory – its very own custom made suitcase.
The Predator G1 is the ultimate PC for gamers and supports a full size NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, 6th Generation Intel Core processors and up to 64GB DDR4 memory for supremely smooth gameplay.
Employees cheer before the launch of Apple Inc. iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7 inch at the company's Omotesando store on March 31, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan
The 'S' releases have become routine and widely-expected – but they might be about to stop
The next iPhone will be part of a “replacement” cycle that will be followed by a “mega upgrade” next year, according to a new report.
The iPhone 7 is expected to look mostly like the existing iPhone 6 and 6s. But then it will be followed straight away by the iPhone 8, which will mark a huge step away from previous handsets, according to Mark Moskowitz, an analyst at Barclays.
Apple has set a generally accepted rhythm for its iPhone releases, with each major update being followed by a phone that has internal improvements but the same look, and tacks S on the end of the phone’s name. But the new releases could throw out that rhythm entirely.
When the iPhone 7 is released, in September, it will be more like another S phone, according to Barclays. It will include a range of tweaks – such as the removal of the headphone jack, and the addition of a dual-lens camera – but will look largely similar to the existing phones.
That will then be followed straight away by the iPhone 8, the following year, the new report claims. That will be a “mega cycle” upgrade, as opposed to the 7’s “incremental” one, the report claims.
That chimes with similar reports in the past that have claimed that the 7 might only have minimal changes – and then be followed by a phone that might include new screen technology and might be made entirely out of glass, according to often reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
POWER: The new Predator G1 Desktop comes with its own suitcase
Acer has just unveiled its latest gaming PC and it comes with a unique accessory – its very own custom made suitcase.
If you're lucky enough to be one of the first 1,000 people to order this power-packed PC, you'll get the limited edition case thrown in for free.
And the reason why you need a suitcase for a desktop PC?
Acer says it's all down to the fact this mega machine is fully VR ready and you're bound to want to take it on its travels to show off this new form of virtual gaming to friends and family.
To make this PC the ultimate for gamers, the Predator G1 supports a full size NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, 6th Generation Intel Core processors and up to 64GB DDR4 memory for supremely smooth gameplay.
POWER: The Acer Predator G1 is the ultimate gaming PC
The Predator G1 also offers massive storage, including up to a 4TB hard disk drive or a 512GB solid state drive, while a USB 3.1 Type-C Gen. 2 port adds huge expandability and fast data transfer.
And all this power has been squeezed into a compact 16-litre body making this one of the smallest desktops on the market.
Speaking about the new PC Frank Soqui, general manager, Desktop Enthusiast Group, Intel Corp, said: “The growing popularity of eSports coupled with the new compute intensive usage models like 4K gaming, game streaming and Virtual Reality put PCs right at the heart of the gaming revolution.
"The 6th gen Intel Core based Acer Predator gaming systems will provide the enthusiasts and mainstream gamers the compute horsepower for the most immersive gaming experience,”
IN A SHELL: The Predator has its own suitcase
NEW: Aspire Switch Alpha 12 features a detachable keyboard
Acer also announced a host of other products at a major event in New York with the firm showing off a new longer-lasting smartphone, laptops and super-powerful gaming laptop.
Tablet fans will also be pleased to know that a new 2-in-1 device is on its way in the coming months.
The new Aspire Switch Alpha 12 features a detachable keyboard similar to Microsoft's Surface Pro 4.
This Windows 10 powered machine also features fanless design and has a 6th Generation Intel CoreTM i7 processor.
The iPhone SE is the latest device to join Apple’s fleet of hugely popular phones.
With a diddy 4-inch display this new device is the smallest in the range but don’t be fooled by its looks as the SE might be mini but this thing is mighty.
Daily Star Online has taken the iPhone SE for a spin and here’s our ultimate verdict.
DEJA VU: The SE features the same design as the ageing iPhone 5s
From the outside it’s unlikely the iPhone SE is going to win any awards for design innovation.
This new device from Apple is a mirror image of the ageing iPhone 5s and if having the latest gadget in your pocket is what makes you tick, this phone might not be for you.
However, the SE is still a fabulous smartphone and, as with all of Apple’s products, if you buy one you’ll get a device that is solid, beautifully built and made to last.
There’s also a bonus of its smaller form factor as the SE is much easier to handle than some of Apple’s bigger devices.
This makes it by far the best phone for emailing or surfing the web one-handed.
But, if you’ve ventured away from smaller phones you might find the SE takes some getting used to.
Everything feels a bit cramped on this pocket-sized smartphone and, if you want the ultimate mobile experience, Apple’s 6s and 6s Plus bring a much richer experience.
That said, if want a small phone you shouldn’t look anywhere else.
Apple’s pixel-packed Retina display is thing of beauty with content looking bright, crisp and crystal clear.
As well as this great screen, photography fans are also treated to Apple’s flagship 12-megapixel iSight snapper and the results are superb.
MINI: The SE brings back one handed web surfing
Pictures are sharp, vibrant and incredibly detailed – continuing Apple’s tradition of great smartphone cameras.
The SE not only takes great still images but can also snap Live Photos which come to life when you touch the display and the iSight camera also has the ability to shoot video in Ultra HD 4K.
For your selfies there’s a 1.2-megapixel FaceTime HD camera which even includes Apple’s Retina display flash.
This front-facing snapper does the job but is not quite in the same league as the 5-megapixel camera that features on the flagship 6s and 6s Plus.
If you’re a power user you’ll be pleased to know that Apple has tucked their new A9 processor inside the SE and boy, this thing is fast.
The SE breezes through daily tasks and, with a speed that’s three times faster than the 5s, brings an experience that is absolutely first class.
Even memory-hungry gaming is stutter-free and between GarageBand and 4K editing on iMovie – we’ve really struggled to find anything the SE can’t cope with.
HAPPY SNAPS: The iPhone SE features an awesome 12-megapixel camera
POWER: The SE gets its power from the mighty A9 processor
For a small phone battery life is also impressive.
With a full charge you’ll easily get a days use out the SE and if things do run low the SE includes a Low Power Mode which squeezes extra juice out of the battery.
iPhone SE users also get a fingerprint scanner, fast WiFi and the ability to pay at the tills with Apple Pay.
All of these features are great but perhaps the best thing about the SE is its price.
The iPhone SE is Apple’s cheapest ever iPhone at launch, landing in your hand for under £370.
Contract prices also start at a very reasonable £26 per month which finally makes owing an iPhone with flagship specs affordable.
ON DISPLAY: iPhone fans get a superb 4-inch Retina display
VERDICT:
There’s no question the iPhone SE is great little phone.
It looks good, has a stunning Retina display and exceptional rear camera.
Powered by Apple’s latest A9 processor it’s also blisteringly fast and is an absolute joy to use.
If you want a small iPhone you’re not going to find anything better than the SE but if you're looking for the ultimate iPhone experience, you might be better with a 6s or 6s Plus.
We’ve enjoyed our time with the SE but have missed the bigger display found on Apple's flagship range.
However, the SE now makes owning an iPhone much more affordable and that’s why millions of Apple fans are going to love it.
