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mardi 7 décembre 2021

Google TV adds over 300 free live TV channels with Pluto TV integration

In September we learned that Google was in talks with several ad-supported streaming channels providers to bring free live TV channels to its platform. Today the search giant announced that it has struck deal with Pluto TV, adding yet another live TV option to Google TV’s “Live” tab.

In a new blog post (via Protocol), Google revealed that it’s joining forces with ViacomCBS-owned Pluto TV to bring over 300 free live TV channels to the Chromecast with Google TV stick and smart TVs running Google TV. Once the integration is live, Google TV users will be able to access free channels from the “Live” tab. In addition, users will also see live TV recommendations in the “For You” tab.

Pluto TV streaming Mean Girls

“Starting today, we’re partnering with Pluto TV so you can access more than 300 free live TV channels on Google TV. Visit the Live tab to see what’s on now or check out the Free Live TV recommendations in the For You tab. This new integration with Pluto TV will be available on all Google TV devices in the coming weeks,” Google wrote in a blog post.

The Pluto TV integration will be rolling out to all Google TV devices in the US “in the coming weeks.”

Google TV’s Live tab originally only worked with YouTube TV but Google later added support for Sling TV and Philo, giving users more ways to access live TV channels. Pluto TV is the first free service to be added to the Live tab as Sling TV, Philo, and YouTube TV all require paid subscriptions.

Google TV isn’t the first TV platform to provide free streaming channels, mind you. Samsung, Roku, Amazon, and LG have long offered such free channels on their platforms.

In addition to the Pluto TV integration, Google is also offering six months of Peacock Premium for free to all Google TV users in the US. To claim the offer, subscribe to Peacock Premium through the promotional banner on the “For You” tab.

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Latest Pixel Buds A-Series update brings a few new features

Google is rolling out a firmware update to its affordable TWS earbuds — the Pixel Buds A-Series. The update brings several new features to the earbuds, including a Bass slider in the companion app, a Loudness compensation toggle, and more.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Review: Buy it for the convenience, not just for the sound

According to 9to5Google, the Pixel Buds A-Series firmware update started rolling out to users alongside the latest Pixel Feature Drop. It adds a new slider in the Pixel Buds companion app that lets you adjust the bass from -1 to +4. Google claims that the new slider gives users access to “twice the bass range” on devices running Android 6.0 and above. The update also includes a new Loudness compensation toggle in the Sound settings that helps you tune and improve the bass and treble at lower volume levels.

Furthermore, the update brings improved device switching capabilities to the Pixel Buds A-Series. This allows users to “search and connect to the second to last connected device when undocked from the charging case, if the last connected host device is unavailable.” In addition, the update packs general bug fixes and stability improvements for the TWS earbuds.

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series firmware update (version 3.223.0) has already started rolling out and it should reach all users “over the coming days.” It’s worth mentioning that Google hasn’t released a similar update for the 2nd-generation Pixel Buds, though.

Do you own a Pixel Buds A-Series? Have you received the latest firmware update? Let us know in the comments section below.

In case you missed it, you can learn more about all the new features included in the December 2021 Pixel Feature Drop by checking out our recent coverage.

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lundi 6 décembre 2021

OnePlus launches its Red Cable Club rewards program in Europe

OnePlus has launched Red Cable Club in Europe. Launched two years ago, the Red Cable Club is a rewards program that offers exclusive benefits and handy discounts on OnePlus phones and other products. The program so far has been exclusive to the Indian market, but at last, the company is finally bringing it to Europe.

Red Cable Club in Europe has quite different benefits from what’s available in India. The membership program offers a 2-10% discount on smartphones, a 10-50% discount on the OnePlus Watch and OnePlus Buds Pro, up to 20% off on accessories like cases, cables & power adapters, and free shipping. However, these benefits are only applicable to purchases made via OnePlus.com and OnePlus Store.

OnePlus Red Cable Club sign up page

There are four membership tiers: Explorer, Insider, Elite, and Supreme:

  • Explorer (0-349): 2% on Phones, 10% on Accessories & IoT
  • Insider (350-999): 5% on Phones, 20% on Accessories & IoT
  • Elite (1000 – 4999): 8% on Phones, 30% on Accessories & IoT
  • Supreme (5000 and above): 10% on Phones, 50% on Accessories & IoT

If you want to become a Red Cable Club member, you can sign up for a free account here. When you purchase something on OnePlus.com or take part in engagement activities across OnePlus platforms you’ll earn Growth Values. Earning more Growth Values unlocks higher membership tiers and thus even more benefits and discounts.

Alongside the Red Cable Club announcement, the company also teased an upcoming audio product for the European market.

OnePlus will be bringing multiple additional benefits to European Red Cable Club members, including securing early access to buy the next premium OnePlus audio product in early December.

While OnePlus didn’t go into detail about this next premium audio product, it could be referring to the OnePlus Buds Z2 earbuds that were launched in China two months ago. The new earbuds come with an updated design, Active Noise Cancellation, Dolby Atmos support, IP55 rating, and up to 35 hours of battery life.

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Unlocking the bootloader no longer kills the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s cameras

Shortly after the Galaxy Z Fold 3 landed in the hands of developers on our forums, we learned that Samsung had added yet another roadblock for aftermarket development to the device. XDA Senior Members 白い熊 and ianmacd found that unlocking the device’s bootloader disabled its cameras, preventing them from using all camera-related features. At the time, we weren’t sure why Samsung would go to such lengths to prevent users from modding their own devices, but the company now seems to have backtracked on this implementation.

According to XDA Senior Member exocetdj, Samsung has addressed this issue in the second One UI 4 beta release for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 (firmware version ZUKA), and all camera functions continue to work after unlocking the bootloader on this version of the software. exocetdj has also isolated the file that can be modified to fix the camera issue on the first One UI 4 beta release, but hasn’t shared any details to prevent users from accidentally breaking their phones by flashing it on an Android 11 release.

If you own a Galaxy Z Fold 3 and want to unlock its bootloader for whatever reason, you can now do so on the second or third One UI 4 beta releases without breaking camera functionality. However, the issue only seems to be resolved in certain regional variants of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 (model numbers F926B and F926N), so we recommend that you proceed with caution.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
    The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is Samsung's latest and greatest foldable phone. It brings several improvements over the previous model, including high refresh rate displays, an under-screen camera, and top-of-the-line hardware.

Now that this extra roadblock has been removed, advanced users and enthusiasts will be able to unlock the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s bootloader and root the device to unleash its true potential. We also expect third-party development for the device to ramp up on our forums.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 XDA Forums

Do you own a Galaxy Z Fold 3? Will you be unlocking its bootloader now that Samsung has addressed the camera issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

H/T: Mishaal Rahman

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December 2021 Android security updates now rolling out to select Pixel phones

We’re now in the final stretch of 2021, with the holiday season in full swing, and now Google has a gift for anyone using an Android device. The latest Android security patch is now available, and while it should start arriving on third-party devices soon, it’s rolling out now to select Pixel phones. This is the second security update to arrive for Android 12, and the Google Pixel 6 series will be getting it a week later alongside this month’s Pixel feature drop.

December 2021 Android Security Update Bulletin

The December 2021 Android Security Bulletin can be viewed here, and it outlines a total of 18 vulnerabilities in the Android Framework and system components and a total of 30 vulnerabilities in the kernel and vendor components. The CVE numbers, type of vulnerability, threat severity, and affected OS version/component are listed in the tables published by Google. Nearly all of the vulnerabilities in the Android Framework and system components have been addressed with the security update to the 2021-12-05 patch level, while the vulnerabilities in the kernel and closed-source vendor components have been addressed with the 2021-11-05 patch level, except for one kernel component fix. The 2021-11-06 patch level addresses a singular kernel vulnerability. For more information on how the monthly Android security update process works, we recommend reading our explainer available here.

Pixel Update Bulletin/Functional Update

The November security update with patch level 2021-11-05 is rolling out for the Pixel 3a series, Pixel 4 series, Pixel 4a series, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, and the newly released Pixel 6 series. The Pixel-specific update addresses a few additional vulnerabilities in the kernel, Pixel software, and both open and closed-source Qualcomm components, the details of which can be viewed here.

  • Global:
    • Pixel 3a (XL): SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 4 (XL): SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 4a: SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 4a (5G): SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 5: SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 5a (5G): SQ1A.211205.008
    • Pixel 6: N/A
    • Pixel 6 Pro: N/A
  • VzW & VzW MVNOs
    • Pixel 3a (XL): N/A
    • Pixel 4 (XL): N/A
    • Pixel 4a: N/A
    • Pixel 4a (5G): N/A
    • Pixel 5: N/A
    • Pixel 5a (5G): N/A
    • Pixel 6: N/A
    • Pixel 6 Pro: N/A
  • Telstra, Optus, Vodafone AU
    • Pixel 4 (XL): N/A
    • Pixel 4a: N/A
    • Pixel 4a (5G): N/A
    • Pixel 5: N/A

If you don’t want to wait for Google to push the update to you, you can manually flash it to your device using either the OTA files (if you’re on the previous update already) or the factory images (if you’re behind on updates, or want to switch back to the stock ROM). The links to both options are below. We’ll be sure to update this article with more build numbers as we get them.

Pixel Factory Images | Pixel OTA Images

This article was written with additional input from Corbin Davenport

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Google’s latest Pixel Feature Drop brings Pixel 6 features to older phones

Google has rolled out new features to Pixel phones outside of the usual Android OS updates for years, but more recently, the company has started calling them “Feature Drops.” Feature drops are released every three months, typically with a security patch, and the last one came in the form of the Android 12 platform update. Before that, the most recent feature drop arrived in June and added Astrophotography videos in the camera application, Locked Folder support in Google Photos (which is now rolling out to non-Pixel phones, too), car crash detection, and other changes. Now another Feature Drop has arrived with the December 2021 security patch, which brings some Google Pixel 6 functionality alongside completely new features to all currently-supported Pixel phones.

The main addition in the December Pixel Feature Drop is Quick Tap to Snap, which was exclusive to the Pixel 6 series, but is now available for the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a. This allows you to double-tap the back of your phone to quickly open Snapchat’s viewfinder. Snapchat is also adding a special “Pixel Face” filter exclusively for Pixel phones. If you don’t care for Snapchat, you can use Tasker to change the gesture to perform a different action.

Google has also added a new “Conversation” mode to Sound Amplifier, which uses on-device machine learning to block out surrounding noise. The Sound Amplifier app is available on the Play Store for non-Pixel devices, but while it’s in early access, Conversation mode is exclusively available to Pixel phone owners. Just like on the Pixel 6 series, you can now manually activate Now Playing with a new search button on the lock screen, if it doesn’t activate automatically.

Now Playing on Pixel Sound Amplifier app Conversation mode

The December Feature Drop also enables Ultra-wideband support on the Pixel 6 Pro (which only benefits Nearby Share for now), car crash detection in Taiwan, Italy, and France, a new option for adjusting the Google Assistant button’s activation duration, and support in the Recorder app for German, French, and Japanese.

Google says the Feature Drop is rolling out today for the Pixel 3a series, Pixel 4 series, and Pixel 5a series. If you have a new Pixel 6 series device, however, then you’ll have to wait. Google says that the update will arrive next week for the Pixel 6 series.

Sound Amplifier (Free, Google Play) →

This article was written with additional input from Adam Conway

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Download: OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro receive stable Android 12 with OxygenOS 12 update

The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are two fantastic devices that have been released this year, and we’ve been waiting for quite a while to see what the company does when it comes to the OxygenOS-ColorOS merger. While it’s pretty clear that the Android 12 previews for both devices were based on ColorOS, they still retain the look and feel of OxygenOS — for now. With that said, OnePlus appears to be rolling out a stable build of Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 series for some users now, and we have some of the download links already.

OnePlus Android 12 Tracker: Here are all the official OxygenOS 12 beta builds to download and install

The highlights of OxygenOS 12, other than the rebase to Android 12, are a few new quality of life features and improvements, such as the always-accessible Shelf from the notifications bar. Since this is the stable release, we expect this to roll out to all users over the coming week, unless any major bugs are spotted. You can wait for your device to get picked up on the staged rollout, or you can sideload the update using the download links provided below. The next major update for the OnePlus 9 series will ship the unified operating system that combines the best of both OxygenOS and ColorOS, and that operating system will also ship on the next OnePlus flagship.

OnePlus 9 XDA Forums || OnePlus 9 Pro XDA Forums

Users have already received the OTA and have installed it, and it looks similar to the Android 12 developer preview that we’ve already seen before. OnePlus has yet to officially announce the update on its forums, but we expect the company to soon.

Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 pro on the launcher Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 pro on the launcher app drawer Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 pro on the OnePlus Shelf Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 pro on the OnePlus Shelf Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 Pro quick settings Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 Pro settings

The complete changelog is below.

Changelog for OxygenOS 12 stable update based on Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro

  • System
    • Optimized desktop icons with improved textures, by using a design inspired by brand-new materials and uniting lights and layers
  • Dark mode
    • Dark mode now supports three adjustable levels, bringing a more personalized and comfortable user experience
  • Shelf
    • New additional style options for Cards, making data contents more visual and easier to read
    • Newly added Earphone Control Card with Bluetooth earphone one-click adjustment
    • Newly added access to OnePlus Scout in Shelf, allowing you to search multiple contents on your phone, including Apps, Settings, Media Data, etc
    • Newly added OnePlus Watch Card in Shelf, to easily glance at your health stats
  • Work-Life Balance
    • Work-Life Balance feature is now available to all users, allowing you to effortlessly switch between Work and Life mode via quick settings
    • WLB 2.0 now supports automatic Work/Life mode switching, based on specific locations, Wi-Fi network, and time, also bringing customized App notification profiles according to the personalization
  • Gallery
    • Gallery now allows you to switch between different layouts with a two-finger pinch gesture, intelligently recognizing the best-quality pictures, and cropping the thumbnail based on the content, making the gallery layout more pleasing
      Canvas AOD
  • Canvas AOD
    • Canvas AOD brings you new diverse styles of lines and colors, for a more personalized lock screen experience with inspiring visuals
    • Newly added multiple brushes and strokes and support for color adjustment
    • Optimized software algorithm and improved face recognition to better identify the features and skin color of different figures

Download: Stable OxygenOS 12 update based on Android 12

You can download the update and sideload it onto your phone. Download the appropriate package for your phone, go to Settings > System > System Updates, and then click on the top-right icon and select “Local Upgrade” option. From there, select the update package that you have downloaded and proceed. We’ll be sure to update this with more links as we receive them.

OnePlus 9

OnePlus 9 Pro

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links, and thanks to Telegram user @JishnuSur for the screenshots!

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Pixel 6 owners are reportedly facing connectivity issues due to an Android 12 bug

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are Google’s best phones yet. Both phones feature a unique design, Google’s in-house Tensor chip, powerful camera hardware, and a feature-packed software experience. Although the Pixel 6 series has earned rave reviews from critics, end users aren’t having too much fun with Google’s latest and greatest it seems. The new lineup has been subject to numerous bugs and issues over the last few weeks, with users reporting issues like the slower fingerprint scanner, ghost dialing, and incompatibility with DJI cameras and drones. Now, it appears some Pixel 6 users are also having connectivity issues.

According to reports on Reddit and Google forums (via 9to5Google), many Pixel 6 users are affected by a connectivity bug that leaves the phone without a cellular network. In some cases, the phone would just randomly lose the mobile network and display a “no SIM” or “no service” error in the top left of the lock screen. While in other cases, the phone registers the SIM but shows an exclamation sign in the signal bar. The issue gets resolved when you perform a reboot but since it seems to happen intermittently multiple times a day, we can only imagine how irritating it must be for users.

The connectivity bug definitely seems to be software-related as similar issues have also been spotted on the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a after upgrading to Android 12. However, for the most part, the issue seems to be more widespread among the Pixel 6 series.

    Google Pixel 6
    The Pixel 6 packs Google's own Tensor chip, a unique design, and flagship cameras.

While Google has yet to roll out a fix for this bug, some users seem to have found a temporary solution. It requires disabling Google’s Adaptive Connectivity feature from within the device Settings.

    Google Pixel 6 Pro
    The Pixel 6 Pro, the larger sibling, features the same design and the Tensor chip but carries an extra telephoto camera.

A phone randomly losing cellular connectivity multiple times a day is definitely a serious issue and we hope Google will address it at the earliest.

Have you been facing any connectivity issues on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro as of late? Let us know in the comments below.

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WhatsApp focuses on privacy in latest update, introduces new Disappearing Messages additions

Instant messaging (IM) services have changed the way we communicate and socialize with people. In real life, people don’t record every word they say to others in a conversation. However, the digital world leaves behind us a trail that is sometimes challenging to clear. When something is posted online, it’ll likely always exist on some server or hard drive somewhere. Even if a user “permanently deletes” it, there’s a high possibility that a private copy of it is still stored — online or offline. To help reduce the digital trace we leave behind, WhatsApp introduced Disappearing Messages and view-once media months ago. The company is now taking it further by adding an option to make messages disappear by default. That’s in addition to new, multiple timer durations for the feature.

WhatsApp announced in a blog post that it’s bringing new additions to its Disappearing Messages feature. This tool doesn’t stop people from taking screenshots of conversations or storing them elsewhere — outside the app. It only automatically deletes the messages from WhatsApp after a certain period of time. Initially, users could only set the duration to 7 days. The company is now rolling out two new durations to choose from — 24 hours and 90 days.

In addition to the new durations, WhatsApp is also allowing users to enable the feature for all new chats by default, including groups. At first, you could only enable the feature in a chat manually. By toggling default Disappearing Messages, you won’t have to turn the feature on with each of your contacts. Again, this feature doesn’t stop people from keeping records of the chat. It only limits what others can view from your chat history if they gain physical access to your device. The changes are rolling out to iOS and Android users gradually. If you don’t see them yet, make sure your app is up to date, and be patient until they become available to you.

Do you use the Disappearing Messages feature? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Microsoft’s OneDrive finally supports syncing on ARM devices

Yes, you read that right. Microsoft has finally added support for OneDrive file sync on ARM-powered PCs, which includes both Windows-based ARM devices and Apple Silicon Macs. If you have the OneDrive app for Windows or macOS, that means you can now sync files on your PC with the cloud so you can access them from anywhere without manually uploading them. You should also be able to get the latest version of a file automatically downloaded to your PC if you’ve chosen to keep it in sync.

File syncing has been a thing for OneDrive for a very long time, and most PCs already supported it. However, most PCs use Intel or AMD processors, and until recently, ARM PCs were pretty much non-existent.

However, considering Microsoft released its first ARM-based device two years ago, you might have expected this capability to come a little sooner, particularly for Windows. Still, it’s finally here, though it’s in preview for now. If you want to try the sync feature on ARM devices, you’ll need to head into the OneDrive app’s settings and enable the option to get pre-release Microsoft builds of OneDrive, and the capability should roll out to you in the next week.

This is another step in making ARM-based devices more legitimate experiences, especially on Windows, where they’re still not on par with Intel or AMD devices on many levels. Windows 11 already made some strides in this regard, adding support for x64 emulation on ARM, with Microsoft also making it possible for developers to adapt parts of their apps piecemeal so they can gradually adopt native ARM technologies.

Windows on ARM devices are also set to get a significant boost in the first half of 2022 thanks to the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, which promises a massive 85% performance improvement over the current generation. You can read about our early experiences with that chip using the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Reference Design.

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The best webcams you can buy in 2022

In the past year and a half, we’ve been spending a lot more time at home. In-person meetings and gatherings have often been replaced by virtual get-togethers, and it’s become more important than ever to have a good webcam. However, the PC market hasn’t necessarily followed. Be it the result of shrinking bezels or the simple belief that users don’t care about webcam quality, even some of the best laptops still have bad cameras. Sometimes they’re horribly placed, and sometimes they’re just not there at all. If you’re in need of a camera upgrade, we’ve rounded up some of the best webcams you can buy today.

As usual, we’re going to cover a few different categories to help you find something that fits your needs and your budget. Whether you’re looking to get a super cheap webcam or a very high-end one, we’ve got options for you.

Navigate this article:

Best overall: Logitech C920S

Logitech C920S Pro HD webcam

Surprising as it may seem, this webcam from many years ago is still in the spotlight today. There’s good reason for it, too. It handles live video and recordings at 1080p and 30fps, and it features dual microphones for stereo audio capture. The 78-degree field of view isn’t super wide, but if you’re usually alone on camera, it should do just fine. It has autofocus and light correction to adapt to different situations, and there’s even a built-in privacy shutter, which is always nice to have.

You can also use Logitech’s Capture app to adjust camera settings on Windows or macOS, but the camera will also work with Chrome OS. Of course, this isn’t the pinnacle of image quality, but considering its official price tag of $69.99, it’s really good. It will certainly be better than any laptop webcam you’re using right now.

    Logitech C920S Pro HD Webcam
    The Logitech C920S is a fantastic webcam for its price range. Offering 1080p video support, autofocus and light correction, it's great for almost any environment. It's relatively affordable, too.

Also great: Microsoft Modern Webcam

Microsoft Modern Webcam

If you want something a little more recent, Microsoft recently launched the Microsoft Modern Webcam, and this is also a great choice. It’s another 1080p camera, and it costs the same as the Logitech C920s, but it’s packing some modern features like HDR and True Look, which can help you look your best under different lighting conditions. It also has auto focus, so you should look clear at any distance from the camera.

The webcam includes a built-in privacy shutter so you can block unwanted attention, and the camera actually integrates with Microsoft Teams, so if you close the shutter, it turns your video off altogether instead of showing a black image. The opposite also happens if you uncover the camera during a Teams call, too. The camera also has a mounting system that can be used on a laptop, a desktop monitor, or a dedicated stand, you have options for how you want to set up, too.

In terms of compatibility, the Microsoft Modern Webcam will work on any Windows version from Windows 8 onward, as well as macOS 10.15 or newer. However, some features are only available on Windows.

    Microsoft Modern Webcam
    The Microsoft Modern Webcam is a modern 1080p camera with HDR support and certified for use with Teams.

Best webcam with a ring light: Razer Kiyo

Razer Kiyo

If you’re used to hosting live streams in dark rooms, it can be difficult to have a camera that captures you well in the dark. The Razer Kiyo addresses that issues by building a ring light around the camera, so your face is always well lit. That light intensity can be easily adjusted by rotating the dial on the camera, so you can customize it to fit your setup and stay comfortable. As for the design, the Razer Kiyo is foldable so you can more easily store it and take it with you on the road.

The camera can record at up to 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps. The lower resolution and higher framerate are ideal if you’re streaming games, with the game taking up most of the screen. You can customize various image settings with Razer Synapse, and using the app is definitely recommended. You can switch between auto and manual focus, color balance, and more. It also allows you to get firmware updates, which Razer has released to improve the image quality and add more options.

    Razer Kiyo
    The Razer Kiyo is a capable streaming camera with a built-in ring light that makes it ideal if you like streaming in dark rooms or at night. You can tweak various settings using Razer Synapse so you always look your best.

Best 4K webcam: Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Dell UltraSharp Webcam
If quality is your top priority, you’re not going to find a better webcam than the Dell UltraSharp Webcam. For one thing, it’s a 4K webcam, which is just a very high resolution, higher than most streaming services or meeting apps will support right now, really. Still, that gets you incredible quality, and Dell is using a Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor, which means you’ll still get a very clear picture in dim environments. It supports HDR too, so detail is clear in both light and dark areas of the image.

On top of being a regular camera, the Dell UltraSharp also supports Windows Hello, so you can use it to unlock your PC hands-free. If you’re worried about privacy, it comes with a lens cover that attaches magnetically to the camera so it’s easy to place it and remove it as needed.

The Dell UltraSharp has a 90-degree field of view, which is pretty wide, but you can also change it depending on your use. It can go as low as 65°, which is perfect if you want your face to be the sole focus of the video feed. On top of that, it uses AI to keep you in the frame if you move around, making it easier for people to stay focused on you.

It also includes features like autofocus and automatic white balance so colors look good as the lighting changes. It’s hard to go wrong with this one, even if the $200 price tag is a little steep. Another great option if you want a high-end 4K camera is the Logitech Brio, which may be easier to find at a discount since it’s a slightly older model.

    Dell UltraSharp Webcam
    The Dell UltraSharp offers the best image quality of any webcam you can get today. It supports up to 4K videos and it uses a Sony STARVIS sensor that makes it suitable for very dim environments as well as daytime. Add features like smart framing, autofocus, and auto white balance, and it's hard to ask for much more.

Best USB Type-C webcam: Logitech StreamCam

Logitech StreamCam

As USB Type-C becomes more widely adopted, some laptops are starting to ship without USB Type-A ports, as is the case of the Dell XPS 13 or Apple’s MacBooks, which only have Thunderbolt. If you want a webcam you can use without adapters, the Logitech StreamCam is a solid option.

Actually, it’s just a great camera overall — it supports 1080p video at 60fps, which is great. It’s not 4K, but most meeting software or streaming apps don’t support that resolution anyway. It has some versatility, too — you can rotate the camera 90 degrees to record vertical video if you need it.

It has other benefits too, like smart autofocus with face tracking and auto exposure. Plus, you can tweak settings using the Logitech Capture app, which gives you some extra capabilities for streaming and recording. It’s a really solid camera, and with the USB Type-C connector, you’re future-proofing yourself, since we might see more and more laptops ditch USB Type-A ports over time.

    Logitech StreamCam
    The Logitech StreamCam is a great webcam that supports 1080p video at 60fps, and it includes features like smart autofocus and auto exposure. It also gives you the option to easily rotate the camera to record vertical videos, and the use of USB Type-C makes it a great option for modern laptops without USB Type-A ports.

Best wide-angle: Anker PowerConf C300

Anker PowerConf C3000

All the options we’ve covered so far are pretty good if you’re alone participating in meetings or streaming, but what if you want more people in the frame? The Anker PowerConf C300 has a very wide 115° field of view, so multiple people can show up together. If you’re alone though, you can adjust the field of view with the AnkerWork software, plus the webcam uses AI framing to keep you centered in the frame as you move.

As for image quality, the Anker PowerConf supports 1080p video at 60fps, and it comes with some AI features to help it adapt to different scenarios. AI lighting can improve image quality in dim environments, while AI colors can perfect the color balance in the image. The webcam also supports HDR and autofocus, though there’s no option for manual focus if you want it.

Another benefit of the Anker PowerConf is its flexibility. The monitor mount has multiple hinges to adjust the angle of the camera, and you can also swivel it at 300° so it can be pointed wherever you need it to be.

    Anker PowerConf C300
    The Anker PowerConf C300 is a great webcam if you're participating in calls with a big group thanks to its wide field-of-view. However, you can adjust it, and it features solid webcam quality at 1080p and 60fps, along with some smart features to improve image quality.

Cheap Windows Hello: Lenovo 500 Full HD USB Webcam

Lenovo 500 Full HD Webcam

If you’re looking to add Windows Hello facial recognition to your setup, this Lenovo webcam is a great and affordable option. In addition to the IR camera, it has a regular 1080p webcam that supports 30fps video, and it has a 75° field-of-view. You can adjust the camera’s angle to adjust it to your setup, but there isn’t much more to it.

It’s a fairly basic camera, but it has solid video quality, and adding Windows Hello is already a big deal for this price. Plus, it’ll probably look better than most webcam laptops, and it’s fairly cheap. If your laptop doesn’t have a webcam at all, this is an option worth looking into.

    Lenovo 500 Full HD Webcam
    The Lenovo 500 Full HD Webcam is fairly basic as a regular webcam, but it has a big feature -- Windows Hello facial recognition. Considering its price tag, it's a great option for adding facial recognition to your setup, especially if you don't have a webcam at all.

Affordable with a ring light: Angetube 967

Angetube 967

A ring light can be useful, but the Razer Kiyo isn’t the most affordable webcam out there. If you want something a little more affordable, this webcam from Angetube has a built-in ring light too, and you can choose between three brightness levels.

It’s actually packing a few useful features; it has autofocus, face retouch, and background replacement, which might be useful during a stream or meeting. The camera itself supports 1080p video at 30fps per second, and also includes two microphones with noise cancellation. It might not be on the same level as Razer’s offering, but it’s also significantly cheaper.

    Angetube 967
    The Angetube 867 webcam is a solid option if you want a webcam with a built-in ring light for darker environments. The light can be set to three different levels, and the camera supports 1080p video at 30fps.

Cheap starter webcam: Wansview 1080p Webcam

Wansview 1080p webcam

Our last option is for the most budget-conscious users out there. This camera from Walfront is very cheap, but it still supports Full HD (1080p) video at 30 frames per second. It has dual microphones for capturing audio, and it’ll work with almost any device.

The webcam has an adjustable head so you can get a better angle for your calls, and you can rotate the lens to change to focus manually if you need to. It also touts low-light correction, though at this price, you probably shouldn’t expect any miracles. Still, it’s better than not having a camera and a solid place to start if you only do meetings every now and then.

    Wansview 1080p webcam
    This Wansview webcam is a solid option for first-time buyers or occasional webcam users. It supports 1080p video at 30 frames per second and has manual focus controls. Plus, two microphones for audio capture.

With these options, you should be ready to choose something that suits your needs. When choosing a webcam, you’ll want to consider your budget, how often you use it, and what you use it for. If you’re usually in well-lit environments, the Logitech C920s and Microsoft Modern Webcam are two fantastic choices because they’re relatively affordable and offer great quality for most use cases. But some options like the Razer Kiyo might be ideal if you’re in darker rooms. If you use your webcam all the time and need the very best quality, it may be worth investing in a premium webcam like the Dell UltraSharp.

If you’re buying a webcam and you’re streaming or in meetings while traveling, you may want to get a laptop that stays connected wherever you go. We have a roundup of the best 5G laptops you can get right now, so you don’t have to rely on Wi-Fi all the time.

The post The best webcams you can buy in 2022 appeared first on xda-developers.



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Here are the best 4G LTE laptops you can buy in 2022

Nowadays, the market is flooded with fantastic laptops that can do everything you want and then some. There are lots of devices out there, and you’re usually spoiled for choice. However, if you want a laptop that can stay connected on the road, your options are a bit more limited. Laptops with 4G or even 5G are starting to become more prominent, but they’re still not that common. That doesn’t mean you don’t have options, and we’ve rounded up some of the best 4G laptops you can buy.

Having a laptop with 4G is a bigger deal than you might think initially. First, of course, you can stay connected pretty much anywhere you go. If you’re on a train or the back of a car, you can still get work done with 4G connectivity. But even if you’re more stationary, like at a train station, a 4G laptop can help you browse the internet more securely. Public Wi-Fi networks are prime targets for security risks, so you really don’t want your personal data flowing through them.

4G connectivity in a laptop usually comes at a premium though, so you have to be ready to spend a little extra money. However, there are some affordable options that include 4G support, and you should still be able to find something that fits your budget.

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Best overall 4G laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga

Front view of ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga on bench

Lenovo’s ThinkPad family has been a mainstay for business users for years, but with ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga, the company tried to do something different while retaining what makes the ThinkPad family special. Suffice it to say it succeeded, and this is one of the very best convertible laptops – and laptops in general –  you can buy today, especially with 4G support.

Let’s start with performance – the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga comes with the latest 11th-generation Intel Core processors up to an Intel Core i7-1180G7 with vPro technology. These are Intel’s low-power CPUs (often called the Y series), which help this laptop be as thin as it is, but they still deliver great performance that’s not too far off from typical laptop processors, and they also still include Iris Xe graphics. On top of that, you can configure it with up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so you’re going to get great performance across the board and plenty of space for your files.

The display on the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is also fantastic. It’s a 13.5-inch panel, and it comes in the tall 3:2 aspect ratio. This is still somewhat uncommon in Lenovo laptops, but this taller screen means you get more vertical space and more surface area for text and UI elements. That’s great for reading and editing documents or Excel spreadsheets, for example. This is also a very sharp display, coming in 2256 x 1504 resolution, which is the only configuration available. That’s the sweet spot for a display of this size, so there’s no reason why you’d need anything else anyway. Plus, it supports Dolby Vision, up to 450 nits of brightness, and touch and pen support.

One potential downside of this laptop – though that’s something we still see a lot of – is the webcam, which is only 720p resolution. This is still the standard for most laptops, so it’s not surprising to see here. On the bright side, the camera includes facial recognition support for Windows Hello, and there’s a fingerprint reader on this laptop, too. This way, you can log in in the most convenient way possible.

The design is one of the coolest things about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga. It retains classic elements of the ThnkPad family, like the red accents, the pointing stick on the keyboard and the buttons above the trackpad, but it’s wrapped in a modern shell. The lid is made from a blend of carbon fiber and titanium, while the base uses aluminum and magnesium for a premium feel and a bit of a dual-tone look, even though the laptop is only one color. This is also an incredibly thin device, measuring just 11.5mm, and it weighs just 2.54lbs, so it’s extremely portable.

Ports may be a limitation here depending on your setup. The ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga has two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, and that’s it. Thunderbolt 4 support means you can connect just about anything you want using a Thunderbolt dock, plus external GPUs or displays. But it does mean you’ll need that dock or some sort of adapter to use anything like USB Type-A ports or more traditional display outputs. This is a capable setup, but it requires some preparation.

On the topic of connectivity, of course, the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga comes with optional 4G support, courtesy of a Fibocom L850-GL modem. This delivers LTE Cat9 speeds, with up to 450Mbps downloads and 50Mbps uploads, and it costs about $112 to add to your configuration (though prices vary). There’s also the option for a Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem, which adds another $119 to the price.

This is undoubtedly one of the best laptops out there today, and if you need 4G connectivity, this is one of the best ways to get it.

    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga
    The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a modern business convertible with an incredibly thin design and iconic ThinkPad features, plus high-end performance and a great screen.

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Best 15-inch 4G laptop: Dell Latitude 7520

Dell Latitude 7520

Most laptops that come with 4G cellular connectivity tend to have smaller screens, but for some of us, that’s just a bit too small. I personally prefer 15-inch displays most of the time, and if you agree, then the Dell Latitude 7520 might be the option for you.

Performance-wise, the Latitude 7520 is everything you’d expect from a business laptop. It comes with Intel’s Tiger Lake processors up to an Intel Core i7-1185G7 with support for vPro. Unlike the laptop above, this is a 15W processor, so it’s going to be faster, and it can hold its top speed for a while longer. It also includes Intel Iris Xe graphics. In addition to the powerful processors, you can get the Latitude 7520 with up to 16GB of RAM (there’s an option for 32GB, but it can’t be combined with LTE support), plus 1TB of storage.

The Dell Latitude 7520 also has a solid display, though it’s somewhat limited by the inclusion of 4G support. If you want to have cellular connectivity, you’re stuck with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel without touch support, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it could be better. This display also maxes out at 250 nits of brightness, so using it outdoors won’t be ideal, but it’s fine for indoor use. This is also a 16:9 display, which is the most common aspect ratio, but some users may prefer a taller screen.

One upside to the Dell Latitude 75220 is the webcam, which is actually a Full HD sensor, promising better image quality for meetings and video calls. Many laptops still come with lower-resolution cameras, so this is great to see. In addition to the higher resolution, this camera also includes facial recognition support for Windows Hello, plus a privacy shutter if you’re worried about being spied on. You can also add a fingerprint reader if you prefer that method of logging in.

In terms of the design, the Latitude 7520 is fairly standard. It has a carbon fiber build (some models may also be made of aluminum), and it’s a typical clamshell laptop. It’s 17.5mm thick and it weighs 3.37lbs, which isn’t heavy, but it’s also not one of the lightest laptops you’ll find. It’s still very portable, though, so you can travel with it without much of an issue.

Where it truly excels is the port selection. In true business laptop fashion, the Dell Latitude 7520 includes a wide selection of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a microSD card reader, a headphone jack, and an optional Smart Card reader. That covers all the wired connectivity needs you might have, and it’s a solid selection overall. There isn’t much to complain about here.

Rounding out the connectivity, you get support for LTE connectivity thanks to an optional Qualcomm Snapdragon X20 modem. Despite using the same modem, some models support LTE Cat9 speeds, while others can go up to LTE Cat16, which can deliver up to 1Gbps download speeds and around 150Mbps upload speeds. LTE Cat9 support costs around $139 (at writing time), while upgrading to Cat16 adds an extra $70.

While some aspects aren’t ideal, if you need a 4G laptop with a 15-inch display, the Dell Latitude 7520 is one of your best options.

    Dell latitude 7520
    The Dell Latitude 7520 is a classic 15-inch clamshell with high-end specs and a wide range of ports.

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Best business clamshell: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

Front view of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

Most laptops that come with 4G cellular network support are business laptops, and Lenovo is one of the most prominent names in this space. As such, it’s no surprise to see the company make another appearance on this list with the great ThinkPad X1 Carbon. This is one of Lenovo’s longest-standing products, but the latest iteration is modern where it counts.

Starting with performance, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes with the latest Intel Core laptop processors up to a Core i7-1185G7, which is similar to other laptops on this list. This processor support vPro, which means it has extra security features and slightly better performance than typical consumer laptops, and it also includes Iris Xe graphics. In addition to that, you can configure it with up to 32GB of RAM, which is more than you’ll probably ever need in day-to-day use. Finally, it comes with up to 1TB of SSD for all your files.

Moving on to the display, the latest iteration of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon modernized the laptop with a taller screen in the 16:10 aspect ratio. This isn’t quite as tall as a 3:2 display, but it’s taller than 16:10, and that’s already a boost to productivity compared to a traditional laptop screen. The base configuration includes a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) and you have upgrade options like adding touch support or a privacy screen. If you don’t care about that, there’s also an option for an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) panel, which is incredibly sharp, plus it supports HDR.

Above the display is a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter, which isn’t quite ad high of a resolution as we’d like to see. Of course, as we’ve mentioned, this is still very common, so it’s not at all surprising to see. The webcam can be configured with an IR camera for Windows Hello support, and you can also add human presence detection, so the laptop can go to sleep when you move away and wake up when you approach it to make it easier to get back to work. A fingerprint reader is also included by default.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon’s design is one of the most iconic in the business world, and it’s pretty much all here with the latest model. It’s black with red accents, and elements like the pointing stick on the keyboard and buttons above the trackpad are all here. However, this model is very thin and light, measuring just 14.9mm in thickness and weighing 2.49lbs. Lenovo modernized this design where it matters, so it’s very portable while training the iconic ThinkPad look.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon also has a very solid selection of ports: two Thunderbolt 4 ports – though unfortunately, both are on the same side – two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack, plus a nano-SIM slot for the cellular-enabled version. That gives you plenty of connectivity options, and you shouldn’t be missing anything here, though it would have been preferred to have one Thunderbolt port on each side.

Rounding out the connectivity options, of course, there’s optional 4G support, which is powered by the Quectel EM120R-GL modem. This modem supports LTE Cat 12, and it promises speeds up to 600Mbps for downloads and 150Mbps for uploads. You can always upgrade to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem if you want 5G speeds, but that’s not the point of this list. Adding LTE support will add $82 to the total price of the laptop (at writing time; pricing tends to vary), which isn’t that expensive compared to some other models.

This is an absolutely iconic laptop with modern features like a thin and light design and LTE support. If you need a business laptop with 4G support, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of your best choices.

    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
    The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is an iconic business laptop, and the latest generation comes with top-tier performance, a thin design, and LTE or 5G connectivity.

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Best business convertible: HP Elite Dragonfly Max

Angled view of HP Elite Dragonfly Max

HP is no stranger to making great business laptops, and the Elite Dragonfly Max is one of the prime examples of what the company can do in this space. This is a sleek and portable convertible laptop with a subdued and stylish design paired with top-tier performance, plus optional 4G support.

We’ll start with performance. Like many laptops on this list, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max comes with Intel latest and greatest mobile processors, up to an Core i7-1185G7 model with vPro technology. This is a quad-core, eight-thread processor with boost speeds up to 4.8GHz, so it’s a fantastic choice for all kinds of day-to-day tasks, and it includes Iris Xe graphics if you need them in a pinch. On top of that, this laptop can be configured with up to 32GB of RAM and up to a whopping 2TB of storage, which is likely more than you’ll need for a long time.

The display on the HP Elite Dragonfly is also solid, though it’s lacking in configuration options, at least at writing time. It comes with a Full HD display (1920 x 1080) and a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is fairly standard, and should look very good on a display of this size. This model also comes with HP’s privacy guard, and the display can reach up to 1000 nits of brightness – a requirement for HP’s latest privacy guard technology. Of course, that also helps ensure visibility in daylight. Since it’s a convertible, the display also supports touch and pen input using Wacom technology.

One area where the Elite Dragonfly Max truly stands out is the webcam. HP used a 5MP sensor for the camera, and it’s one of the best webcams on any laptop, supporting 1440p video recording at 30fps. That’s something you won’t find on any other laptop – even Microsoft’s Surface devices that have 5MP cameras only support 1080p video. On top of that, it supports Windows Hello facial recognition and there’s a fingerprint reader, too, if you prefer that method of logging in.

Design-wise, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max is both classy and pretty. It’s a black laptop, but there’s a faint sparkle to the surface if you look closely, and overall the laptop looks very sleek and modern. It measures 16mm in thickness, which is fairly thin for a convertible, and the starting weight of 2.49lbs also ensures this is a laptop you can easily take anywhere.

Coming around to the ports, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max has a solid selection. It comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack on the right side, and a USB Type-A port on the left. It would have been nice for each of the Thunderbolt ports to be on one side, but this is a solid setup all the same and it allows you to connect just about any peripheral you want easily.

Finally, LTE support is available as an optional upgrade, and it’s powered by the Intel XMM 7350 LTE Advanced Modem, providing Cat9 speeds. This gives you up to 450Mbps download and 50Mbps uploads, which is enough to keep you connected on the road, albeit there are definitely faster modems out there. This addition costs around $92, but you can also upgrade to 5G support with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 modem, which is far more expensive.

This is one of the sleekest-looking laptops on this list, at least from a personal point of view. It’s got all the specs to give you a great experience across the board, and it looks fantastic while doing so. We’d definitely consider this one of the best 4G laptops you can buy today.

    HP Elite Dragonfly Max
    The HP Elite Dragonfly Max is a sleek-looking convertible with high-end specs and optional cellular connectivity.

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Best 4G tablet: Surface Pro X

Top angled view of Surface Pro X in Platinum

LTE support in a laptop is important for users who want to stay mobile, and if mobility is a priority for you, then the Surface Pro X is one of the best Windows devices you can buy. It’s one of the lightest and most portable devices on this list, and – at least until recently – it came with LTE support as a standard feature.

Let’s start with performance, which is likely one of the potential downsides of the Surface Pro X. This tablet is powered by the Microsoft SQ1 or SQ2 processors, which only have minor differences in performance between them. These are eight-core ARM processors, and they’re a couple of years old by now. That’s because they’re based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx family, which hasn’t received a major upgrade since it was introduced. Still, this is a fairly powerful processor that can handle most day-to-day tasks just fine, and you can pair it with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is a solid combination for a thin and light tablet like this.

Balancing out the performance, the display on the Surface Pro X is fantastic. This is a 13-inch panel, and it comes in the signature 3:2 aspect ratio all Surface devices have. This is a tall screen, which helps it feel bigger, and it’s great for productivity. On top of that, this is a very sharp screen, too, with a resolution of 2880 x 1920. Everything will look extremely sharp on this screen, and  Surface devices always have great displays. Of course, being a tablet, you can also count on touch and pen support.

Another highlight of the Surface Pro X is its camera setup, and there are actually two cameras here. On the front, there’s a 5MP camera with 1080p video, which makes it one of the best on any laptop. This camera also supports Windows Hello facial recognition by default, so you don’t have to worry about getting the right configuration. There’s a second camera on the back, and that one uses a 10MP sensor and supports 4K video.

The positivity continues as we move on to the design. The Surface Pro X weighs a mere 1.7lbs and it measures just 7.3mm in thickness, making it one of the lightest and most portable Windows devices around. Of course, adding a keyboard to the device will increase its weight and thickness, but that doesn’t take away from how portable this machine is. It also looks sleek, being the origin of the design we now see in the Surface Pro 8, too.

Ports are another potential downside of the Surface Pro X, however. The tablet includes two USB Type-C ports and a Surface Connect port, which you can use for docking and connecting external displays and other accessories. This is a somewhat limiting setup, but to be fair, it would have been nearly impossible to fit a USB Type-A or HDMI port on a device this thin. Still, you’re going to need adapters, and without Thunderbolt, your options are a bit more limited.

For a couple of years, Microsoft only offered the Surface Pro X with LTE support included by default, but recently, the company introduced a cheaper Wi-Fi variant. The LTE variants start at $999.99, which is still one of the cheapest Windows devices you can buy with LTE. That LTE support is powered by the included Snapdragon X24 modem, and it provides download speeds up to 2Gbps and uploads up to 316Mbps, making this one of the fastest LTE modems in any device on this list.

Being extremely portable and sleek, featuring a fantastic display and webcams, and also having a great LTE modem make the Surface Pro X one of the best 4G laptops you can buy today. However, keep in mind you need to buy the keyboard separately, which costs extra.

    Surface Pro X
    The Surface Pro X is a thin and light Windows tablet with a great display, cameras, and design. It also has very fast LTE.

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Best 4G laptop workstation: HP ZBook Fury 15 G8

HP ZBook Fury 15 G8

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the HP ZBook Fury G8 is a machine for those who need all the power they can get. This is a laptop that will handle just about anything you throw at it, and yes, it can stay connected on the go, even if you’re unlikely to travel that much with it.

Starting with performance, the HP ZBook Fury G8 is in a whole different class compared to the other laptops on this list. It’s powered by Intel’s latest Tiger Lake processors, but instead of 15W processors, you get 45W models. You can go up to an Intel Core i9-11950H or a Xeon W-11955M, both of which are eight-core, 16-thread processors that can boost up to 5GHz. There’s not much a machine like this can’t do. To add to that, you can configure this laptop with dedicated graphics up to an NVIDIA RTX A5000 with 16GB of memory, so graphics-intensive workloads are also a breeze for this laptop.

Rounding things out, you can configure it with up to 128GB of RAM and a massive 8TB of storage via four SSD slots. Of course, you’ll have to pay an eye-watering amount for a maxed-out configuration, but this is a beastly PC.

The 15.6-inch display on the HP ZBook Fury G8 gives you plenty of configuration options. It starts with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 250 nits of brightness, but you can upgrade to 400 nits, add a privacy screen, or spring for an ultra-sharp 4K (2840 x 2160) display. Even then, you can choose whether you want a 120Hz refresh rate and HP Dream Color support, or add touch capabilities to the screen. Regardless, you can get a fantastic display experience here.

For everything it gets right, the HP ZBook Fury G8 still comes with a 720p camera, which is unfortunate. Some laptops on this list have great webcams, and this one is just very standard and not that great. It does give you the option for Windows Hello facial recognition, but it’s not included by default. On that note, you can also choose whether you want a fingerprint reader on the device.

Of course, with all the power that’s packed into this laptop, you can’t expect it to be light or thin. The HP ZBook Fury G8 is just under 26mm thick – easily the thickest of any laptop on this list – and its weight starts at 5.18lbs. That’s for the minimum configuration, and considering all the upgrades available, you can probably go well beyond that. Despite that, the ZBook Fury G8 looks sleek and modern in its design, so it’s not going to stand out too much in a bad way. Just be aware you won’t be travelling (comfortably, at least) a whole lot with this laptop.

The upside of a large laptop like this is that you get plenty of space for ports. On the right, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, giving you a few options to connect external displays, plus an SD card reader. On the left, an RJ-45 port, two USB Type-A ports, a headphone jack, and a Smart Card reader. That’s about everything you could want in a workstation, so you’ll be very well served here. A downside of this setup is having the two Thunderbolt ports on the same side, but that’s not a huge issue.

Finally, we have 4G support rounding the connectivity options. HP offers the option for an Intel XMM 7360 modem, which promises LTE Cat9 speeds. That does allow you to stay connected anywhere, but for a laptop that goes above and beyond in every other way, this isn’t the fastest LTE modem you could get. Still, the option is there and it’s certainly usable.

It’s not for everyone – especially with its high price tag – but the HP ZBook Fury G8 is an incredibly powerful laptop, and if you want that kind of power with LTE support, then this is one of the best laptops around.

    HP ZBook Fury G8
    The HP ZBook Fury is an extremely powerful and highly-configurable mobile workstation, including the option for 4G support.

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Best budget 4G tablet: Surface Go 2

Surface Go 3 on black table

If you want an LTE-connected PC at a reasonable price or you want the most portable device you can find, the Surface Go 2 is the way to go. Yes, we’re aware of the Surface Go 3, but at writing time, the LTE version of that device hasn’t been launched yet, and frankly, it’s not a huge difference.

Of course, you can’t really expect the same level of performance on this device compared to others on this list. The LTE model is powered by an Intel Core m3-8100Y, which is a dual-core, four-thread processor that can boost up to 3.4GHz. This isn’t going to give you premium performance, but if you just want to browse the web, send some messages, or watch movies, this is a perfectly serviceable machine. This device also includes 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, so it’s going to give you a solid experience for basic daily usage.

Instead of focusing on performance, Microsoft focused more on the display experience, and even this affordable tablet comes with the typical 3:2 aspect ratio of other Surface devices. This is pretty much the only Windows device at this price to have a display like this, and as we’ve mentioned, that tall screen is great for productivity and getting work done. Plus, it comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1280) resolution, which isn’t always a guarantee in devices at this price point, and it’s great for a 10.5-inch panel like this. And, of course, since it’s a tablet, you get support for touch and the Surface Pen.

Another area where the Surface Go 2 shines is its cameras. Like the more expensive Surface devices, it includes a 5MP front-facing webcam with 1080p video, which is pretty much unheard of for a Windows device at this price point. On top of that, you get Windows Hello facial recognition – another rarity for a device this cheap. There’s also a second 8MP camera on the back, which also supports 1080p video.

In terms of the design, as we said at the top, the Surface Go 2 is the lightest device on this list. It weighs just over 1.2lbs for the LTE model, and it’s 8.3mm thin, so it’s also very thin. Combined with the relatively small size, this makes the Surface Go 2 the easiest device to take anywhere – you might even fit it in a purse if it’s big enough. Even if you add the Surface Go Type Cover, this is still the most portable device on this list.

The port selection on this device is very limited, though, which is somewhat typical of Surface devices. You get one USB Type-C port, a Surface Connect port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. You can use a Surface DOc or USB-C hub to connect more peripherals, but out of the box, this setup isn’t the best.

On the other hand, the 4G connectivity on this device is actually pretty good. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 modem, which promises up to 1Gbps downloads and 150Mbps uploads, and that’s one of the fastest modems on this list. COnsidering much more expensive devices have slower modems, that’s great news, and it makes this even better as an ultra-portable PC.

The performance may not be everything you want in a laptop, but the Surface Go 2 is an extremely portable device that’s great for browsing the web. With one of the best 4G modems on this list, it’s also one of the best laptops you can buy, especially if you’re on a tight budget. However, the keyboard and Surfacr Pen are sold separately, which is an extra cost you may have to consider.

    Surface Go 2
    The Surface Go 2 is a small and lightweight tablet that's easy to take anywhere and delivers a solid experience across the board. It also has a fast 4G modem.

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Best 4G Chromebook: HP Elite c1030 Chromebook

HP elite c1030 on green

Finally, because not all laptops are Windows laptops, we have the HP Elite c1030 Chromebook, arguably one of the most premium Chromebooks out there. This is a convertible laptop with optional 4G support, and it’s premium in almost every way, including the price.

Performace-wise, the HP Elite c1030 Chromebook comes with Intel’s 10th-generation Core processors up to a Core i7-10610U. That may not be the newest hardware around, but considering Chrome OS is a very lightweight operating system, this will give you great performance for just about anything you might want to do on a Chromebook. It also comes with up to 16GB of RAM, an impressive number for a Chromebook. For storage, you get up either a 128GB or 256GB SSD, and that’s probably more than you need considering much of Chrome OS is web-based and local storage isn’t a primary focus.

The display on the Elite c1030 Chromebook is also great, being a 13.5-inch panel with a tall 3:2 aspect ratio. This is great for productivity, as it gives you more vertical space and surface area to work on. It also comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1280) resolution, which is sharp enough for a display of this size. You shouldn’t have any trouble seeing this screen outdoors, either, with 400 nits of maximum brightness in the base model. You can even add a privacy screen if you want.

Above the display is the webcam, and it’s a 720p camera like many of the laptops we’ve looked at so far. This isn’t the best, but it’s serviceable in a pinch. Chrome OS doesn’t support infrared cameras like Windows Hello does, so that feature isn’t present here, but you do get a fingerprint reader to unlock the PC more easily.

In terms of the design, the HP Elite c1030 is as modern as business laptops get. It’s an all-metal laptop with a sleek design. It’s just under 16mm thin if you get the base model, or 17.78mm if you get an anti-glare display (including the privacy screen option). The weight starts at 2.87lbs, which is fairly light for an all-metal convertible of this size, so you can take it anywhere relatively easily.

As for ports, the HP Elite c1030 comes with two USB Type-C ports with power delivery and display output, plus one USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. That covers most basic needs you might have, but the lack of a traditional display output like HDMI is a bit of a bummer. It’s also odd that such an expensive laptop doesn’t include Thunderbolt support in its USB Type-C ports.

Finally, of course, we have 4G support, which is once again enabled by the Intel XMM 7360 modem with Cat9 speeds. This means you’ll get up to 450Mbps downloads and 50Mbps uploads, and while this is certainly usable, it would be nice to see a faster modem available here.

All in all, this is objectively one of the best Chromebooks you can buy with 4G support, but it’s a very expensive laptop. If you want something on the opposite side of the spectrum, you may also want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go.

    HP Elite C1030 Chromebook
    The HP Elite c1030 is a premium Chromebook converitble laptop with high-performance specs and a sleek design. It also includes optional 4G support.

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If you value 4G connectivity, all of these laptops are fantastic choices, and they accommodate different budgets. If you want something ultra-premium, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a fantastic option, as is the HP Elite Dragonfly Max. On the other end of the spectrum, the Surface Go 2 is an excellent affordable option that still gets you 4G support and solid performance for day-to-day tasks. We even have the rare 15-inch laptop in the form of the Latitude 7520. As a side note, all the Windows laptops on this list are eith er shipping with Windows 11 or support the upgrade if you want it.

There truly is something for everyone here. You may have noticed some of the laptops on this list also offer options for 5G. If that’s what you’re after, we also have a roundup of the best 5G-enabled laptops you can take a look at.

The post Here are the best 4G LTE laptops you can buy in 2022 appeared first on xda-developers.



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