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Today’s topics include HP’s Elite x3, a smartphone that could be your next PC, Apple’s apology and iOS fix for the “Error 53” iPhone issue, LG’s new G5 smartphone, and Skype’s new group calling for users of mobile devices.
The new Elite x3 smartphone from HP bridges the gap between mobile and desktop. The phone is designed to combine with docking modules to give users desktop computing power in an ultra-mobile form.
The Elite x3 runs Windows 10 and can be combined with a Mobile Extender dock that provides a keyboard and display and runs using the smartphone’s hardware. The phone can also be connected to a desktop monitor, keyboard, mouse and other workplace peripherals.
Apple has issued an apology to iPhone users after a number of devices were rendered inoperable recently due to an “Error 53” security feature built into the phones when they were first assembled.
Affected iPhones had been repaired at third-party service centers using non-Apple parts, triggering the error message, which was designed to appear if the iPhone’s built-in fingerprint ID mechanism or cable was replaced by someone trying to gain access to the device. Apple has sent out a patched version of iOS to address the issue.
Yesterday at Mobile World Congress, LG launched its new LG G5 premium smartphone, with a new all-metal body, 5.3-inch quad HD IPS display, modular design and line of attachments and accessories—including ones that bring virtual reality capabilities to users.
The all-metal design for the new phone comes directly from customer input. Customers said they wanted to see a metal device rather than the previous LG G4’s leather back.
Alongside 4GB of memory, 32GB of on-board storage, a microSD slot for expanded storage and Android’s Marshmallow 6.0 operating system, the G5 continues the G4 tradition of a removeable and replaceable battery—another customer request.
Microsoft made good on its earlier promise of Skype’s group video calling feature landing on the iPhone, iPad and Android versions of the app.
The participant count for group calls has been increased from five to 25, and the company is invested in providing a cloud-aided, high-fidelity video calling experience.
That includes HD visuals and group calls featuring audio powered by a codec using Microsoft’s cloud conferencing stack. Phones and tablets in Western Europe and North America will lead the charge, with plans to move worldwide in March.