Columns - SlashGear

I/O 2019 Takeaways: Google is no longer after your data (sort of)

JC Torres | May 8, 2019

Facebook, and more recently Amazon, may be at the center of most privacy-related reports these days but there was a time not too long ago when it was Google who was always on the hot seat. Reports, regulations, and sanctions have made Google change much of its processes, at least the public ones, and is slowly turning its image around. At I/O 2019, the pervading theme, more than AI and technology, is privacy. It's not that Google is no longer interested in your data. It's just making it a lot easier for users to opt out. If they remember or know how to, that is.

Opinion: How Google can make its Pixel phones more dominant

Osmond Chia | May 5, 2019

As exciting as phones have been this year, people don’t seem to be buying new phones as much as they used to. The Big Two have all reported a dip in profits from their flagship phones. On Tuesday, Ruth Porat, CEO of Google’s parent company Alphabet, also said sales of the Google Pixel 3 were not going well compared the Pixel 2.

Ways for Samsung to bounce back from the Galaxy Fold issues

Osmond Chia | May 4, 2019

Samsung is no stranger to crisis. When complaints about faulty Galaxy Fold screens started popping up on the internet, it’s hard not to make comparisons to the Note 7 disaster in 2016. Second to the safety hazard posed by exploding phones was the PR crisis Samsung experienced that certainly didn’t help turn things around.

9 games that deserve a spot in the World Video Game Hall of Fame

Eric Abent | May 3, 2019

Yesterday, The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, New York announced its four inductees to the World Video Game Hall of Fame for 2019. Those four games are Mortal Kombat, Super Mario Kart, Microsoft Solitaire, and Colossal Cave Adventure. Those games managed to beat out some serious competition in the round of 12 finalists, including Candy Crush Saga and Half-Life, which got us thinking about other games that deserve a spot in the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Can a $399 Pixel 3a rescue Google?

Chris Davies | May 2, 2019

Google has a problem: Pixel 3 sales just aren't cutting it right now. The search giant's third-generation of pure-Android Pixel phones may have been its best yet, but underwhelming sales haven't reflected that. Question is, can the upcoming Pixel 3a turn things around?

Reasons against regulating the internet – The Flip Side

Osmond Chia | Apr 27, 2019

A couple of years ago, the cyber-sphere seemed to be split into two sides: one for internet regulation, and one for absolute freedom of its users. But in recent times, the threat of terrorism, abuse, exploitation and treason have made internet regulation a lot more appealing for nations that once stood by the values of freedom of expression.

Break’s over: Who’s still up for the Galaxy Fold?

Osmond Chia | Apr 20, 2019

Samsung has had better days. After exploding phones, faulty foldable screens were the last thing it could want. From its PR to R&D departments, things must be pretty intense now at Samsung. It genuinely seems like they have a manufacturing crisis on their hands, with multiple tech reviewers reporting similar cases of damaged screens just within this week. The trend of faulty screens seems to centre on users removing the plastic film over the screen, mistaking it as a pre-installed screen protector.

Opinion: Facebook voice assistant is a joke, it can barely protect its users

JC Torres | Apr 19, 2019

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice, you're probably Facebook. The social media giant has rapidly overtaken Google as the poster child for privacy violations and it seems that the there is no end yet in sight to the revelations of either the company's ineptitude to practice good security or its talent at skirting around policies and laws. Yet in the midst of all the accusations that rock its massive ship, Facebook is eyeing launching its own voice assistant, as if it wasn't enough to make users "unintentionally" give it the data it needs.

Hubris or haste, Samsung’s Galaxy Fold nightmare is only just starting

Chris Davies | Apr 18, 2019

Samsung has a problem, and it's bigger than a few broken Galaxy Fold smartphones. Geek glee turned to surprise this week, when the first review units of the folding smartphone started breaking in the hands of the people Samsung had hoped would be its biggest cheerleaders.

The reason why the first-ever black hole photo was such a big deal

Osmond Chia | Apr 16, 2019

During April 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope project turned eight satellites towards a point in space. Scientists were trying to take a photo that would confirm years of speculation and theorizing. They were taking a picture of the now famous black hole at the centre of the Virgo A galaxy Messier 87.

Opinion: Google Stadia’s obstacles this year are connectivity and content availability

Osmond Chia | Apr 13, 2019

Don’t get us wrong, we want to see Google Stadia succeed as much as the next gamer. Google’s announcement of its upcoming video game streaming service made some serious headlines in the gaming world last week. Stadia is a Netflix-esqe platform where gamers can access a library of high-res games at the push of a button, without any stress on their computer. It’s an absolute dream come true.

Why mega-zooms like the P30 Pro bring us closer to danger

Osmond Chia | Apr 13, 2019

There are four cameras on the back of the brand-new Huawei P30 Pro. It has a standard camera; an ultra-wide lens; a “time-of-flight” camera for depth-sensing; but the one that has got us all talking is the telephoto, mega-zoom lens.