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Windows 10 update adds new Hello security feature to Surface family

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Microsoft sent out a fresh Windows 10 update yesterday evening to the new Surface family of devices. The new Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 are both available for pre-order and should start showing up in US stores and Microsoft’s new flagship store in New York starting today. The flagship store is going to open today and it will most likely have a decent stock of new Microsoft devices available. Those who prefer ordering online might have to wait longer to get their new Surface, but at least it will be updated. The Windows 10 update that is currently rolling out is the preview version that insiders had already tested. While we were expecting the update to land in November, it seems like rolling out Windows Hello to the upgraded devices was a priority.

The new Windows 10 update adds more than meets the eye, but Windows Hello is one of the most important features that it brings forth. Microsoft incorporates facial recognition technology in the cameras of the Surface Book, Microsoft Lumia 950 and Surface Pro 4. The Surface Pro 4’s type cover has an added fingerprint sensor, which you can also use on the Surface Pro 3. The hardware is there, but until today, Windows Hello was not available on these devices. Starting today, however, people will have the ability to set up biometric security on their convertible machines and Lumia smartphone.

Windows Hello has been a long anticipated feature Microsoft first announced a couple of months ago. With the built-in biometric security app, the Windows 10 update adds a new dimension to the Windows 10 security features and builds upon the features that were already in place. With Windows Hello on board, users can just open their Surface Book and its camera will perform a facial recognition scan that will log the user into the operating system without much hassle. The same thing goes for the fingerprint reader on the Surface Pro 4 type cover. Once you start the device up, placing your set finger on the fingerprint sensor will unlock the device through Windows Hello.

Today’s Windows 10 update doesn’t just add Windows Hello, because it is a larger update that contains a couple of extras that were previously unknown, even to testers of the Windows 10 preview. The update adds a multitude of updated driver firmware into the mix, to ease access for various users. Driver optimization is a very important step for an OS because it makes the software and hardware work together seamlessly. The Windows 10 update adds upgraded firmware to Ethernet drivers, WinTab driver and many more specific to the device they’re being installed on.

Reviewers of Microsoft products have confirmed that all of the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 devices in their possession started receiving the Windows 10 update last night, adding Windows Hello. If you’re wondering about how to setup Windows Hello, you first need to add a PIN and a password in order to be able to access and setup Windows Hello. You can do this from the Accounts panel in Settings, navigating towards security and login methods. You can set the Surface Pro 4 to unlock based on your fingerprint sensor or facial recognition, while the Surface Book only supports the latter.

With the early Windows 10 update release date, Microsoft makes it clear that their products are ready to be enjoyed by the masses, to the fullest of their capacities. With Windows Hello and Windows 10, Microsoft is changing the way in which we approach the Windows ecosystem and revolutionizing the way we use convertibles and hybrid devices. All that is left that HAS to be improved quickly is the Microsoft Store. We are still lacking a lot of apps, especially for Windows 10 on mobile phones. Hopefully, once the flagship store opens today, developers will begin jumping on the universal app development bandwagon.

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Consoles

PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro

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PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!

Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.

According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.

As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.

However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.

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Android

Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400

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The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.

The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.

The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.

They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.

Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition

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The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.

The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

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Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.

The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.

Redmi Note 12 Pro

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Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.

The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.

Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).

Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.

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Gadgets

What Has Changed Over Time Between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 2?

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We let the specs speak for themselves. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 compares to the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 2 in the following table.

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The revolutionary Galaxy Z Fold 4 from Samsung was released a few months ago. The foldable has the same $1,800 starting price as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 from the previous year. Samsung will need to convince consumers to pay up for its high-end devices this year, though, as a recession and record-high inflation are both predicted. But it would be difficult to find a better option than Samsung’s book-style foldables if you’re eager to ride the leading edge of foldable phone technology (and have the money to boot).

Continue reading Samsung Unpacked
Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and Every Reveal from Samsung
Better Design, Same High Price for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Galaxy Z Flip 4 from Samsung Gets New Software Features
The company calls its foldable phone-tablet, the Z Fold 4, a “multitasking powerhouse.” It features a higher-resolution display, the most recent Qualcomm chipset, Android 12L out of the box, and a new 1TB option. (Scroll to the bottom for a side-by-side spec comparison for more specific information.) The business claims that in addition to providing features like new gestures and an enhanced taskbar, it has tried to make multitasking more intuitive.

The camera system of the Z Fold 4 was also enhanced by Samsung. Three cameras—a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens—are located on the back of the device. Both optical and digital zoom up to 10x are supported by that telephoto lens. In addition, there are two “front cameras.” The Z Fold 4’s main display has a 10-megapixel sensor, which is the most noticeable, while the internal screen has a 4-megapixel under-display camera.

Along with the updated specifications, Samsung stressed its desire to create foldable phones that are more environmentally friendly. The Fold 4 is the first of Samsung’s folding devices to employ parts manufactured from recycled fishing nets. There are several recycled components inside the phone, including the connector cap for the display and the bracket for the side keys. Nevertheless, it’s challenging to assess the significance of these changes without tearing them apart.

In relation to sustainability, Samsung claims the Z Fold 4 uses stronger materials. An “optimal layer structure,” which provides better damage prevention, is now used for its main cover. The typical aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover and back support everything mentioned above.

The lack of dust resistance on the Z Fold 4 is still a drawback of its foldable nature. It still has the IPX8 classification from the previous year, meaning it can be immersed for up to 30 minutes in freshwater up to 1.5 meters deep. The Galaxy S22 line of smartphones, in contrast, features IP68 water- and dust-resistance, which means the devices can tolerate sand, grime, and dust. They can also be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.

The S Pen storage slot is still missing, but Samsung has introduced a cover with a S Pen holder that is available for purchase separately. Check out the specs table below from CNET for more details on how Samsung’s cutting-edge Z Fold series has changed over time.

See how the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Watch models compare for more information.

Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs. Z Fold 3 vs. Z Fold 2

Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G Galaxy Z Fold 2
Display size, resolution Internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,176×1,812 pixels); External: 6.2-inch HD Plus (2,316×904) Internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,208×1,768 pixels); External: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2,268×832 pixels); Internal: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED; External: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED; 2,260×816 + 2,208×1,768 pixels
Pixel density TBC 387ppi (external) + 374ppi (internal) 386ppi (external) + 373ppi (internal)
Dimensions (Millimeters) Folded: 67.1×155.1×15.8mm (Hinge) ~14.2mm(Sagging). Unfolded: 130.1×155.1×6.3mm Folded: 67x158x16mm (hinge) ~14.4mm (sagging). Unfolded: 128x158x6.4mm Folded: 68.0×159.2×16.8mm (hinge) ~13.8mm (sagging). Unfolded: 128.2×159.2×6.9mm (frame) ~6.0mm (screen)
Weight (Ounces, Grams) 9.27 oz; 263g 9.56 oz; 271 g 10 oz; 282 g
Mobile software Android 12L Android 11 Android 10
Camera 50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (main) + 12-megapixel (wide angle) + 12-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera 4-megapixel (under display), 10-megapixel (front cover) 4-megapixel (under display), 10-megapixel (front cover) 10-megapixel, 10-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K 4K
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen Plus 1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Snapdragon 865 Plus
RAM/Storage 12GB + 256GB/512GB/1TB 12GB + 256GB/512GB 12GB + 256 GB
Expandable storage None None None
Battery/Charger 4,400 mAh 4,400 mAh 4,500 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Side Side Side
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack None None None
Special features Foldable phone, 30x optical, 30x space zoom, IPX8, 25-watt fast-charging (no in-box charger) 5G-enabled; Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate (front cover and main display), IPX8 water-resistance, S Pen support Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate, wireless charging support
Price (USD) $1,800 (256 GB); $2,000 (512GB), $2160 (1TB) $1,800 (256GB); $1,900 (512GB) $1,999
Price (GBP) TBC £1,599 (256GB); £1,699 (512GB) £1,799
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