Test run: the new Samsung Galaxy Note10+
Summer’s end means back to school for thousands of students and a return to work for more than a few adults. It’s also the time when many tech companies release new products, and Samsung is no exception. Now available on the market are its Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ phones. I’ve had the pleasure of giving the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ a test run over the past few days. Here are my first impressions. The Note10+ awes from the outset with its 6.8-inch (diagonal) display, which is 0.4 inches bigger than the Note9 display. My first reaction: “No way, it’s too big! Will it still even fit in a jeans pocket?” To my pleasant surprise, the device measures less than one millimeter more in height and width than the Note9. Even better, the Note10+ is thinner and, at 196 grams, lighter than its 201-gram predecessor. The increased display-to-device size ratio was achieved by reducing the edges as much as possible, eliminating them on the sides and making them barely perceptible at the top and bottom. Attention to design detail is also seen in the fine screen bezel on the sides as well as the minimalist camera hole. The speaker is very well-hidden on the microscopic upper edge of the device, somewhat like on Motorola’s Moto Z4. With displays taking up more and more space on devices, this will undoubtedly become the new standard. Samsung has also included the digital fingerprint reader in the display developed for the S10, but dropped the Note9’s iris reader along the way. If you still want to unlock the phone display with your face, you can always use the facial recognition option. One important camera addition should be mentioned: a third, ultra-wide angle camera lens on the back of the device. This lens provides a 123⁰ viewing angle and 16-megapixel resolution. Samsung has also made considerable efforts to improve the Note10+’s artificial intelligence with the inclusion of practical new features: impressive video image stabilization, audio zoom that amplifies sound when approaching its source, 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR), an impressive night mode, and more precise augmented reality, all in addition to the automatic adjustments we already know. In short, this is an excellent effort in terms of both software and hardware. The Note10+ would not be what it is without its S Pen stylus, which has also benefitted from an upgrade. It still connects through Bluetooth, but now includes a more accurate six-axis motion sensor. The S Pen is more than just a writing tool: It also works as a remote to manage the camera, scroll through presentations, or control music playback, all without having to touch the phone. Combined with the above-mentioned augmented reality, the S Pen lets you draw on your physical environment, with your doodles staying where you put them. The new S Pen features may seem frivolous to the average user, but you can well imagine their utility in various professional applications. It may seem like a gadget right now, but it will soon become a new tool that will give full and free reign to the creative potential of developers. Like its predecessor, the Note10+ is DeX-mode compatible. This means it can be used to sync the phone with a display and keyboard, thereby turning it into a computer. This is an option I really like that deserves to be used. This Samsung exclusive is starting to make sense and has already been adopted in several milieus. For example, the Note10+ will soon be installed, along with displays and keyboards, in police cars in Chicago’s 11th District as a replacement for their current unwieldy computers. According to a Samsung study, this change will save the police department around 30% compared to the previous system. With the Note10+, Samsung enters the high-end phone market. This little marvel is powerful, elegant and extremely well equipped. While the suggested retail price (CAD$1,500) is likely to turn away more than a few buyers, those who take advantage of its full potential as a work tool will have no problem justifying the expense… As long as they can forgive the lack of a headphone jack! Check out other articles by our technology correspondent Mathieu Roy.8 questions to ask yourself before buying a cell phone
Time to change your phone? The good news: there are tons of great options on the market. The bad news: it can be hard to know which one is best for you. To help you narrow your search, we’ve created a list of questions about your cell phone usage. Some may not seem that important at first, but don’t overlook them. Your answers can help you make the right choice. Are you clumsy? Ever dropped your phone in the toilet? If you have, you’ll want a phone that meets the ip68 standard, which means that the device can survive 30 minutes in a metre of water. For example: Samsung Galaxy S8 to S10+, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, iPhone XS /XS Max, Google Pixel 3 and 3XL or LG G8 ThinQ. Do you use your phone as a camera? Many people do, and manufacturers know it. That’s why so many phones come with incredibly good lenses. Test out phones with dual or triple cameras, and let artificial intelligence enhance your pics by recognizing the type of photo and adjusting the colour, saturation, brightness, exposure, etc. You’re sure to be impressed! Some ideas of mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy Note9 and S9+ up to S10+, Google Pixel 3 and 3XL, iPhone X / XS / XS Max, Huawei P30 and P30 Pro or LG G8 ThinQ. Are you a compulsive photographer/videographer? If that sounds like you, make memory one of your top three criteria. You can either choose a device with lots of space or one with a microSD card slot, which is easy to use and a less expensive way of upgrading your phone’s memory. The mobile phones that could meet your expectations are: Samsung Galaxy S8 to S10+, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, LG G7 One, or LG G8 ThinQ. Do you use your phone to make calls? Seriously, this is a legitimate question. Some devices stick to the good old basics with a screen that’s less than 2 inches, a compact size and unbeatable battery life. However, these simpler devices don’t offer smartphone features. The Alcatel Go Flip is for you. Do your pants have deep pockets? Don’t laugh! This is a very relevant question. Since many of today’s phones have screens that vary between 4 to 6.3 inches, they often slide out of small pockets. It’s a good idea to test different sizes. Bigger isn’t always better (especially if you like to wear tight jeans). For example: Samsung Galaxy S10e, or Google Pixel 3. Have you got a bunch of accessories? If you do, evaluate the value of your peripheral devices and make sure they are compatible with your new phone. Do wires drive you nuts? Charge cords are unsightly, easily lost and enticing to curious toddlers. Many new mobile phones offer wireless charging, which is both handy and tidy. A few cell phones that might be right for you: Google Pixel 3 / 3 XL, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Note 9, Samsung Galaxy S8 to S10+ , iPhone 8 and more, or Huawei P30 and P30 Pro. Still yearning to touch a keyboard? Physical keyboards are still available on some phones. In fact, a few manufacturers have even created keyboards that attach to your phone. Here’s an infographic that summarizes all our tips. Refer to it when shopping and find the right cell phone for you! Download the graphics here.Your mobile content is precious—protect it.
According to the 2017 CEFRIO survey, 62% of adults in Québec own a smartphone. These devices we use to communicate, navigate, take photos, make financial transactions and even gather data on our health also tend to carry a ton of other valuable information, not to mention documents. That said, not only is it totally normal to want to protect your device from physical damage, it’s become a downright necessity with all the sensitive information the thing contains. If your phone falls into the hands of someone who’s less than honest, you could fall prey to fraud or even identity theft. Here are some tips to protect the data on that precious phone of yours—share it with your parents, friends and workmates. Don’t make it simple for scammers When your phone is unlocked, most of your apps, photos and other personal data also become more easily accessible . . . and more easily shareable! That’s why it’s so strongly suggested that you keep your device on auto-lock. Select a solid password for added security. We know that you know that 1-1-1-1 and 1-2-3-4 are not exactly unhackable password choices… The auto-lock setting may annoy several amongst you given how common it is to check our phones several times over the course of a day. The fingerprint scanner and facial recognition options are slightly less annoying, but remember that their effectiveness varies with the device and technology you’re using. It’s also best to limit your app downloads to known ones that are available on Apple’s App Store, Amazon’s Appstore or Google Play. Apps coming from other sites are not regularly verified and are therefore more likely to come with viruses. Before you install any app, take a few minutes to make sure that it’s regularly updated and beware of ones with very few comments on the download page. Update your apps, close them when they’re not in use and delete any you’re no longer using. Finally, don’t forget to download and install software updates on your phone—it makes it harder for hackers to gain access to your device. Also, remember that hackers like to use Bluetooth to pirate phones and access your personal information. So make sure you always turn Bluetooth off to make your device undetectable, unless you need to use it, of course! Refrain from activating Bluetooth in busy public spaces, which are common scenes of cybercrime. In general, it’s always good to exercise caution when connected to a public network whose security settings you can’t control. You have the right to privacy Would you let a stranger follow you wherever you go? That’s what ends up happening, though, when you don’t take the time to configure the location services on your smartphone. Only authorize access to your location for apps that absolutely require it. The same goes for access to your camera, microphone and contacts. Limit the damage when you lose your phone By the late 2000s, surveys were already indicating that the majority of respondents would rather lose track of their wallet than their mobile device. Does the same go for you today? Losing a phone comes with all kind of fuss. The consequences become more dire if your phone falls into the hands of a dishonest person. Besides auto-locking your phone, it’s also recommended that you activate the option that allows you to erase your device’s content remotely. On iPhone, for example, you can erase your device on iCloud.com if you activated Find My iPhone prior to the event. In the event your phone is stolen, this precaution will at least prevent the thief from accessing your personal data. Getting rid of your phone? Last July, a young Ontario woman who thought her iPhone was garbage-worthy traded it in for a new one in-store in exchange for a rebate of a mere few dollars. Her phone was refurbished and resold to a man living in Dubai. The young woman was unpleasantly surprised when the new owner contacted her to compliment her on her personal photos. Remember this story when you’re thinking of repairing, exchanging or selling your phone—back up your personal data and then erase it completely. Regularly backing up your content using your computer or the cloud is a good reflex to develop. What to do when you become a victim of cybercrime Unfamiliar service charges on your monthly invoice? Seeing messages or emails that you didn’t send on your phone? You might be the target of cybercriminals. If, despite taking all the necessary precautions, you do fall prey to cybercrime, act fast. In such a case, or if your device is lost or stolen, inform your service provider immediately and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if need be.The HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro’s hottest features
Fall’s mobile phone parade continues! If you’re looking for a high-end phone, consider getting a HUAWEI. The brand, which has been gaining ground in Quebec over the past three years, is currently ranked second in the world for phone sales. The Chinese company’s success is directly linked with its drive to be the best in all categories. Every new product is designed to wow consumers across the board—and not just with hardware updates. OK, so you’re probably thinking, “Nice marketing pitch, but what does this phone actually offer?” I recently had the chance to try the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro for several days and I was pleasantly surprised by the quantity of innovative features offered in this new product. Here’s a quick run-down of what impressed me the most. The design The inspiration behind this model is immediately apparent. The screen is curved, giving the impression that the edges bleed over to the back of the phone. They’ve also included a notched display, which is a trendy—though not universally popular—solution that allows for bigger screens. How big? The HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro boasts a 6.39” display that takes up an impressive 86.9% of the device’s surface area. The fingerprint scanner There’s no button on the front or back. The HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro’s fingerprint scanner is hidden in the screen. Just place your finger on the surface to unlock the device. You’ll then be prompted to enter your PIN. It’s not as quick as using a button, but it’s not particularly frustrating either. HUAWEI has also improved their facial recognition feature—3D Face Unlock—which uses a 3D camera to identify you almost instantly. Reverse charging No one ever asked for this feature, but it’s definitely a nice-to-have. As the name suggests, it allows you to switch the charging direction and use your phone to power other devices, such as a friend’s phone. To activate this feature, go to the battery section in the settings and enable wireless reverse charging. That’s right, you don’t even need a wire to do it. Just place the devices back-to-back and...magic! Since the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro comes with a 4200 mAh battery, you can afford to be generous! While we’re on the subject, HUAWEI’s 40W SuperCharger allows you to charge your device at record speed. It’s awesome! The camera This is another Mate 20 feature that won’t disappoint. The main camera system, co-engineered with German manufacturer Leica, is impressive. The camera is really versatile and can be set to different modes like Portrait, Night Shot, Macro and more. I had a lot of fun with it. Your artistic side will also like the AI Cinema and Background Blur video modes. AI Cinema shoots the scene in black and white, while keeping the protagonist in colour, kind of like the movie Pleasantville. Meanwhile, Background Blur makes everything in the background fuzzy, creating a portrait-like effect, but for videos. It’s definitely worth trying! The bonus features The HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro comes with Type-C earphones, a Type-C headphone jack adapter and a protective case for those of us who tend to be clumsy. That’s a good amount of gear! Projection mode is also fun to test out. You can obviously display your phone’s image on a TV or monitor, but the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro takes the experience up a notch by offering a desktop-like experience. Pair the device with a keyboard and mouse, and it’s almost like using a computer. In fact, the intro to this article was written in Easy Projection mode, using the phone as a keyboard and touch pad (virtual mouse and keyboard). It will be interesting to see how consumers react to this device, which is clearly positioning itself as a high-end choice. Following HUAWEI is truly fascinating, as the company strives to offer the best devices on the market. Will HUAWEI succeed in winning over Canadian consumers with contract-free devices? To find a HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro phone plan, click here. Have you tried the HUAWEI Mate 20 Pro? Share your views on the forum!
