News

Pixel Fold now official

Google’s first foldable

Published

May 11, 2023

Rodneil Quiteles

It’s been leaked incessantly and was officially confirmed to be true roughly a week before it’s grand reveal. Now, the Pixel Fold, Google’s first foldable smartphone, is finally truly official.

It’s form-factor more closely resembles OPPO’s Find N series — wider and shorter versus the taller, narrower form of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Folded, you get a 5.8-inch display — just about the size of “mini” phones by today’s standards. Unfolded, you get a 7.6-inch display for a more tablet-like real estate.

Both outer and inner displays have a 120Hz screen refresh rate and have HDR support. Its peak brightness goes as high up as 1,450 nits.

Its hinge allows a full 180-degree range of motion. Friend of GadgetMatch Mr. Mobile says on his Hands-On video that it has “enough friction to pose the phone at any posture.” Google claims their custom-built hinge was designed to be both thin and durable.

The foldable has an IPX8 rating. Yes to water resistance, but nothing for dust.

Everything you expect from a Pixel

Perhaps the most important thing about the Pixel Fold is Google’s implementation of Android. Now that they have their own foldable, there’s reason to hope that more apps will be supported for this form factor.

When folded, the Pixel Fold functions just like any other Pixel phone. Everything from messages, browsing, video viewing, and what not will be a familiar experience.

Unfolded, it unlocks many more features. For instance, if you’re watching a video, it will continuously play from the small display to the larger inner display. The feature is aptly called Continuity. You can also prop it up like a laptop and playback will show up on the bottom-half while the video plays up top. Google says they’re working on adding more playback features in this mode. But this isn’t really new as this is also present the Galaxy Fold as well as other foldables.

On their blog, Google says that when fully open, the Pixel Fold functions much like a tablet. They add that “your favorite apps are optimized to take full advantage of the larger screen.” But as most reviewers will tell you, Android on larger form-factors is still far from being a fully-optimized experience. Granted, Google did say some 50 of their apps will adapt to the foldable naturally.

Some additions include a Taskbar that lets users easily switch between apps. From here, users can also drag compatible apps and go into split-screen. They actually made a true multi-tasking feature by adding the ability to drag and drop files from one app to another where it applies. The Taskbar is also dynamic. Swipe up from the black bar when you need it. When you’re done, it’ll disappear.

Coming soon with Android 14

Google also showcased a translation feature that can be extremely helpful when you’re travelling. Called the Dual Screen interpreter mode, it lets the Pixel Fold display live translations simultaneously on both the inner and outer screens. Hopefully, it works well enough to punch through language barriers.

Best camera on a foldable?

That’s the promise, at least. Pixel phones are known for taking great photos. Google promised to deliver the same with the Pixel Fold. Powered by the G2 Tensor chip, the Pixel Fold should have all the AI goodness that Google applies when Pixels take a photo.

Also home to the Pixel Fold are many of the Pixel’s notable features. These include but are not limited to Super Res Zoom with 5x optical zoom, Real Tone, Night Sight, and more. You also have access to software tools like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur via Google Photos.

Speaking of cameras, here they are by the numbers:

Main camera array:

48MP with 1/2″ sensor, f/1.7 aperture
10MP ultrawide with 1/3″ sensor, f/2.2 aperture
10.8MP 5x optical zoom telephoto with 1/3.1″ sensor, f/3.05 aperture

Outer screen:

9.5MP fixed focus, f/2.2

Inner screen:

8MP fixed focus, f/2.0

Price and availability

The Pixel Fold comes in two colors: Porcelain and Obsidian. According to their listing, it will be available initially in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. It starts at US$ 1,799 for the 256GB variant while the 512GB one will cost US$ 1,919.

Gaming

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections release date

Pre-orders now available

Published

August 22, 2023

GadgetMatch

It doesn’t get any more ‘ultimate’ than this. The grand Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections game is officially coming out on November 16 and pre-orders are now available.

Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections retells the entire story of the classic Ani-Manga franchise. It’ll tackle everything from Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto. A special story focused on Boruto has been created specifically for the game.

The game features over 130 characters — the most in an Ultimate Ninja Storm game. Announced alongside the release date are three new playable characters: Boro, Delta and Koji Kashin from the Kara Organisation.

Pre-order details

The game is now available for pre-order on PlayStation and Xbox digitally, and on all platforms physically except PC. Players will be able to choose different editions. Pre-order now on Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia’s e-store or visit any participating retailers in your country.

Package Early Purchase Bonus & Digital Pre-Order Bonus

All pre-orders of Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections will give players access to the following bonus content:

Three (3) Costumes

Naruto Uzumaki (The Final Battle)
Naruto Uzumaki (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)
Sasuke Uchiha (TV Anime 20th Anniversary Costume)

Receive an extra pre-order bonus item set which you can use in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER if you own this full game on top of Naruto X Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections.

Nanashi T-shirt
Merz Costume — Costume: Merz Style and Hair: Merz

These bonuses will be available in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER after 16 November 2023.

Standard, Deluxe & Sound Ultimate Edition

The contents for the Standard, Deluxe and Sound Ultimate Edition of the game are as follows:

Standard Edition

The main game, NARUTO X BORUTO Ultimate Ninja STORM CONNECTIONS

Deluxe Edition

The main game
Season Pass containing 5 playable characters that will be announced at a later date
Season Pass Bonus — 1 costume
Deluxe Bonus — 1 costume

Sound Ultimate Edition

Contains the same content as the Deluxe Edition
Ultimate Bonus — 5 costumes and 2 accessories
Nostalgic Anime Song & Item Pack — 5 anime songs and 3 in-game items

Premium Collector’s Edition

The main game
Two (2) Figurines
A Steelbook
Special Reversible Inlay
(Six) 6 Collectible Cards
(One) 1 Official Scroll
Season Pass containing 5 playable characters that will be announced at a later date
Season Pass Bonus — 1 costume
Deluxe Bonus — 1 costume
Ultimate Bonus — 5 costumes and 2 accessories

Additional DLC

Nostalgic Anime Song & Item Pack (available from launch)

With this pack, you’ll be able to change the in-game music during matches and enjoy the battle by listening to nostalgic Naruto songs. This pack comes with 5 iconic songs from the NARUTO anime and 3 in-game items.

NARUTO anime songs:

Haruka Kanata / ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
GO!!! / FLOW
Blue Bird / Ikimonogakari
Silhouette / KANA-BOON
Kaze / Yamazaru

In-game items:

Substitution Item: Microphone
Substitution Item: Orange Headphones
Ninja Info Card Skin: Nostalgic Anime Song Skin

News

Caviar is selling a Barbie collection of smartphones

Including the Galaxy Z Flip5, iPhone 15, and Apple Watch 9

Published

August 22, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Exactly a month since the film premiered, Barbie fever is still high. If the love for all things pink hasn’t left you yet, Caviar has a new smartphone collection for you — if you have the cash, that is. As is typical with the brand, the smartphone customization company has released a new collection that it called #Barbiecore.

For years, Caviar has been known for creating luxurious versions of popular smartphones. Sometimes, the company does tie-ins with popular franchises of the time. The brand is also notorious for selling its products for way higher than the usual price of an unmodified smartphone.

The latest #Barbiecore collection is no different. However, it is iconic of what a Barbie fan might expect from such a model. The collection will include five difference devices: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, the Galaxy Z Flip5, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the Apple Watch 9.

The Galaxy Z series will come with a golden rear panel outfitted with a small pink pom-pom made of faux fur. The rear panel, engraved with Barbie-themed graphics, will also come with 49 rubies.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 series will come with pink alligator skin for its rear panel. Outside of the stylized panel, the series is covered in 24K gold all over. Plus, the cameras are surrounded by 61 Swarovski crystals.

Finally, the Apple Watch 9 is covered in Rose Gold PVD coating. The pink rubber strap is less spectacular, but it does complement the theme and the attractiveness of the watch.

As always, all devices in the collection cost quite a lot. The Galaxy Z series will start at US$ 8,560. The iPhone 15 series starts at US$ 7,990. Finally, the Watch 9 costs US$ 1,900.

News

Samsung is reportedly testing a Galaxy Z FE

Coming after the Flip6 and Fold6

Published

August 22, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

Foldable smartphones are still too expensive to replace traditional slab phones as everyone’s daily drivers. Next year might finally change the zeitgeist, though. According to a new rumor, Samsung is testing FE models for the Galaxy Z series.

After a brief break from the series, Samsung is reportedly resurrecting Fan Editions. The company already spoiled that the Galaxy S23 FE is likely launching later this year. Additionally, Samsung France made no qualms about revealing the existence of a Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+.

The S23 FE is set to be released soon, and there are possibilities that Samsung plans to consistently introduce the FE brand annually. Simultaneously, there are rumors of ongoing testing for the launch of the Galaxy Z FE(lite model), after the Fold/Flip 6.

— Revegnus (@Tech_Reve) August 20, 2023

Now, the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold are the next devices to get an FE-themed rub. According to @Tech_Reve on X, a Galaxy Z Flip6 FE and a Galaxy Z Fold6 FE are coming as early as next year. As the Fan Editions are known for, the rumored devices will likely knock the price points of the foldable series down a notch. By how much is still a mystery, though.

Regardless, a Fan Edition for the foldable devices is still a big bump for the market. Despite the abundance of foldable devices in the market today, Samsung is still feasting atop the industry. Adding a competitively priced foldable will hopefully bring the segment down to manageable prices.