Apple quietly refreshed its ultra-slim MacBook Air today with a new, marginally faster processor. Each model has also received a $100 price cut; the 11-inch variant now starts from $899, while the 13-inch model starts from $999.
The MacBook Air now features a 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, which is a fraction more powerful than the 1.3GHz version that was fitted before. The latest version also offers a higher Turbo Boost speed; 2.7GHz rather than 2.6GHz for improved over-clocking.
The rest of the MacBook Air remains unchanged. It still boasts the same sleek, aluminium unibody design and 4GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics 5000 and either 128 GB or 256GB of flash storage. Still, if you’re in the market for a razor-thin laptop the MacBook Air is just as tempting as before. Unless, of course, you’re still waiting for Apple to release a Retina Display model.
➤ MacBook Air (via The Verge )
Image Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Samsung unveils the 5.25-inch Galaxy Grand 2, featuring a quad-core 1.2GHz processor and 1.5GB RAM
Samsung has just taken the wraps off its Galaxy Grand 2, yet another large-screen smartphone typically known as a phablet.
The Galaxy Grand 2’s screen size has been upped a notch from its predecessor , coming in with a 5.25-inch HD display. It is also more powerful, as the Galaxy Grand 2 runs on a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, comes with an increased 1.5GB RAM and packs a larger 2,600 mAh battery. However, the camera remains the same with 8 megapixels.
Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Grand runs on Android Jelly Bean, but it’s been bumped up to version 4.3. The device also comes with dual-SIM capabilities.
“This evolution of the Galaxy Grand series brings meaningful upgrades to its predecessor including an improved HD viewing experience, enhanced performance, and many other intuitive features,” Samsung says in its announcement.
Samsung is continuing on its tried-and-tested route of providing similar devices in every size — as the Galaxy Grand 2 comes as another option to those who don’t want to purchase its high-end Galaxy S4 and Note 3 flagship devices.
However, Samsung hasn’t revealed details about the Galaxy Grand’s availability or pricing. We will update when we receive word.
Headline image via Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images
Hands-on with the Pebble Steel: A smartwatch that actually looks like a watch
Pebble announced a high-end addition to its smartwatch lineup earlier this week at CES. The new timepiece includes a band with metal links and a leather strap, as well as a few subtle improvements from the original polycarbonate design.
As watches go, Pebble Steel looks pretty non-descript. With either the metal band or the leather strap, the Steel fits in among any number of mid-range watches that you could wear to a business meeting or an evening out. Pebble created Steel as a response to frequent requests from users for a classier design that’s appropriate for all sorts of occasions. The only big difference in appearance between the Steel and a watch used for keeping time is that its watchface is thicker.
Meawhile, as smartwatches go, Pebble Steel is the best-looking one I’ve seen (caveat: that’s not saying much). I’d still like to see a smartwatch design that offers up a modern design without looking like deformed robot detritus, but for now I’ll settle for one that blends in among dumbwatches.
Steel costs $249 and begins shipping on January 28. It also includes a new tricolor LED that will be used for notifications when Pebble opens it up to developers. The new design shortens the length of the watch by 4mm from lug to lug, and it also runs the antenna along the outside of the watchface for better signal propagation.
Pebble evangelist Myriam Joire also took some time to show off some of the new apps coming to the platform when the company opens up its Pebble appstore at the end of the month.
The Foursquare app works great on the Pebble, offering one-button check-ins. I’m borderline religious with my check-ins, but whipping out a phone whenever I get somewhere isn’t always appropriate. Being able to check-in quickly from the watch is killer – assuming, of course, that you actually care about Foursquare.
Yelp’s Pebble app also adds a ton of utility. You’ll be able to shake your wrist to get a recommendation on a nearby place. You can scroll through nearby venues and even click through to see reviews. I’d advise against reading a full review on the Pebble’s tiny screen, but snippets will help users better make up their minds.
We took a quick look at upcoming Pebble apps from Pandora, ESPN and Mercedes and were pleasantly surprised by how well-thought out they were. Rather than trying to mimic a full native mobile app, the developers thought through simple micro-interactions so you don’t have to pull out your phone that often.
With Steel and the upcoming app ecosystem, Pebble has proven again that it’s pretty much the only smartwatch maker that’s doing it right. As Pebble expands beyond notifications to deeper third-party app integrations, things are going to get even better.
Related: Qualcomm Toq smartwatch review: An interesting concept with unfortunate execution