Samsung's New Galaxy Fold Is Its First With Mainstream Promise
The $2,000 Z Fold 7 is part of the company's seventh generation of foldable phones, a category that has yet to win over mainstream consumers. But this model is thinner and lighter than any of Samsung's previous efforts, and it comes with fewer compromises. (And the area where it does skimp is more likely to annoy diehard enthusiasts than everyday consumers.)
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Digital Trends
an hour ago
- Digital Trends
Pokémon fans: Razer has finally listened and… it's here
Can you believe it? It's finally here. Razer has just unveiled its Pokémon collection, and as a massive fan of all Pokémon games, I couldn't be more thrilled. While this isn't the first time Razer and The Pokémon Company have made a collab, it's the first time that these products will be readily available outside of Asia. The lineup is focused on four of the most popular pocket monsters that Game Freak has to offer. How fitting, because there are also four products to sink your teeth into. Although I don't mean to wax poetic about stuff I have yet to try myself, be warned: I'm a huge fan, so I might let the excitement get the best of me at times. With that said, here's what you can now get your hands on (globally, for once). Razer BlackWidow V4 X I'll start by saying that I'm overly enthusiastic not just about Pokémon, but also about fun-looking peripherals. I currently own the Razer BlackWidow V3 in Quartz, which is a fancy way of saying 'pink,' and I recently bought the Razer Seiren V3 Mini in the same colorway. I'm a PC builder with 20 years of experience, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't choose those two products chiefly for their looks. With that said, I'm also happy with their performance, so it's a win-win. Recommended Videos Much like the rest of the lineup, the Razer BlackWidow V4 X doesn't add anything in the way of features. If you already own the base model of this keyboard, you won't suddenly get anything better here. But who could resist that mix of Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander combined with some RGB lighting? This is a mechanical keyboard equipped with green clicky switches, six dedicated macro keys, a roller button for volume, and the usual media keys. The bling action is per-key, so you can fine-tune it to your heart's content. For the pleasure of staring at Pokémon while you type, you'll have to pay $170; the regular model can now be picked up for $130. Considering that I own an older version of the BlackWidow keyboard, I expect this one to be solid. I put my keyboards through the wringer a lot more than most users do, and this one's handling it like a total champ. Plus, I absolutely love how clicky it is. Razer Cobra I love the color theme of this Razer Cobra mouse. While all the gear is yellow and black, the emphasis on yellow here is pleasing to me. But, you know, it's like I said — I'm into fun-looking peripherals. This mouse is pretty lightweight at 58g, although the 8,500 DPI sensitivity puts it well under some of the best gaming mice. As much as I love Pokémon, I'm not sure that I would buy this mouse — I'm too used to wireless now, and my Razer Naga V2 Pro serves me well. However, at $60, it's an alright midrange option. Mind you, the Pokémon tax adds an extra $25 here, as the base version is currently on sale for $35. Razer Kraken V4 X Razer has its fair share of unusual headsets — those kitty-cat ears come to mind — but none of them speak to me the way this one does. This is a wired headset with a retractable cardioid microphone. It's also equipped with Razer's 40mm Triforce drivers, memory foam cushions, and Chroma RGB lighting. Razer priced this one at $100, and if not for it being wired, I'd be taking my chances and buying it for the Pokémon-themed headband alone. Razer Gigantus V2 So, I may have just bought myself this mouse pad. I'm not at all ashamed. It's $30 at Amazon, and it's money I'm willing to spare for having even more Pokémon stuff on my desk. Covered in the same collage of Kanto starters, this mouse pad is made out of thick rubber foam and covered in a micro-weave polyester surface. Razer promises to deliver 'pixel-precise accuracy' and responsiveness, but honestly, it could be made out of sandpaper and I'd probably still buy it. It's very easy to sell Pokémon merch to me. This medium-sized mouse pad is far from the biggest that Razer has to offer, measuring at around 14.1 inches wide and 10.8 inches long. I would have liked to see a bigger version, but hopefully, if this lineup does well, Razer could still release one someday. More to come? Razer revealed a Gengar Pokemon themed headset…but it's only available in China — Dexerto (@Dexerto) October 16, 2024 I've been eyeing Razer's various Pokémon-themed collabs with increasing jealousy over the years. Every single one of them was limited to Asia, including the Gengar headset you can take a peek at above. To say that I wanted to throw my money in Razer's general direction was an understatement, so it's good to see the company finally making that possible, with the range available in the United States, but also in Europe, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Better yet, there might be more Pokémon goodies still to come. Razer has teased that Gengar gear might also be on the way, responding to a few comments with a fitting emoji. If and when this is going to happen is a mystery, but I sure hope that it will. If you already own any of these products, remember that they're all the same on the inside, so give these new versions a pass. However, if you're looking for an upgrade and you're into Pokémon, then you just might be as hyped as I am right now.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
ISDN's subsidiary partners Harmonic Drive Systems Inc to distribute precision control system products in Asia
The subsidiary, Servo Dynamics, and HDSI, are targeting an increase in over 2 billion yen in sales by fiscal year 2030. A subsidiary of ISDN Holdings has entered into a joint sales agreement with Tokyo-based company Harmonic Drive Systems Inc (HDSI) for the sale and distribution of HDSI's products across Asia. HDSI, a technology company specialising in precision control systems, will work with Servo Dynamics to promote its strain wave gear reducers, planetary gear units, and mechatronics product lines. An emphasis will be placed on sectors like semiconductor manufacturing equipment, medical devices and AI robotics, the release reads. The products and solutions will be distributed across China, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and other key regions in Asia. Both companies are targeting an increase of over 2 billion yen in sales by fiscal year 2030. HDSI's president and CEO Akira Maruyama says that this partnership is key for the company as they pursue their vision of becoming the 'best provider' of total motion control solutions for the future. 'This collaboration will serve as a vital foothold for our growth across Asia, a region full of dynamic opportunities,' he says. ISDN has 55 offices across key Asian markets, and its products serve industrial sectors including semiconductors, Industry 4.0 manufacturing, medical devices, aerospace and clean energy. Shares in ISDN closed 1.5 cents higher or 4.762% up at 33 cents on July 18. See Also: Click here to stay updated with the Latest Business & Investment News in Singapore ISDN Holdings is positioned for long-term growth with strategic expansion and diversification Brokers' Digest: ISDN, Wilmar, ISOTeam, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, UOB, SIA, Venture, Singtel CGSI downgrades ISDN to 'reduce' over trade war uncertainties Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click hereSign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Android Circuit: Galaxy S26 Ultra Leaks, OnePlus's New AI Launch, Pixel 10 Pro Fold Specs
Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy S26 Ultra leak, Pixel 10 Pro Fold specs, Galaxy Z Trifold, thin design or wireless charging, OnePlus PlusMind launch, Gemini in a bar, and global smartphone shipments. Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Ewan Spence New details have emerged on Samsung's Galaxy S models for 2026. The top-line smartphone, presumably the Galaxy S26 Ultra, looks to be supporting a 200 megapixel camera alongside other optical improvements: '...points to a 200MP main camera, but there's no word if this is an upgraded sensor in line with a recent leak. A 50MP telephoto camera was also mentioned, while partners are apparently building the first parts for 5x optical zoom. This presumably means a 50MP 5x camera is making a return. Otherwise, an unspecified ultrawide camera was also mentioned in the database. There's no word on a 3x camera, though." (WinFuture via Android Authority). The ever-reliable FCC certification process typically confirms specs of upcoming devices a month or so before their launch. Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold has come under its spell, with details on the dimensions, display and battery all revealed: "The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold cover display is going to increase from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches this year. That should result in a similarly sized inner display, due to Google reducing the cover display's bezel and the hinge. The cover display is also getting a brightness boost to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. That's a 10% increase over the Pixel 9 Pro Fold." (Android Headlines). Samsung's Triple Play What comes after Samsung's Fold and Flip form factors? With the South Korean company applying for a new trademark in South Korea, we may have our answer on the next origami smartphone: "The official name of this device is not yet known. It's therefore all the more interesting that Samsung registered the Galaxy Z Trifold trademark in South Korea earlier this week. The name hints at both the device itself – Trifold – and the specific product line it's part of – Galaxy Z." (GalaxyClub). Samsung Asks "Thin Or Wireless?" The future is very much on Samsung's mind with a public survey of its community asking if 'thin' is preferred to 'Qi2' support on their upcomign handsets. The Qi2 wireless charigng standards requires magnets to lock the charger in place. While Samsung can offer this through a case, to offer it in the phone (as some other manufactuers do) requires a thicker phone. Which will it be? "The first question asks if having 'Qi2 (like MagSafe)' would 'reduce any inconvenience' if the device were to only support charging via wireless charging methods. But in other questions, Samsung asks regarding if users want magnets built into their phone at the expense of the device being thinner. " (9to5Google). OnePlus' AI Move OnePlus has introduced its new AI-powered assistant. PlusMind is likely going to rest under the 'Plus Key' (The replacement fro the iconic three-way alert slider) on new models, but available through the UI on older models. The OnePlus 13S could debut the new service: "Mind Space is a place to "organize your fragmented memories... This is a hub where all of your most important content will live. AI search will allow you to find what you need without the information overload you may be used to, or it will automatically translate content into another language to make it accessible and searchable." (CNet). Gemini In A Bar Staying with AI in the user interface, a closer look at the code in the latest Android Beta shows Google's implementation of a widget styled 'AI Bar' to help surface Gemini features and information. "The feature is still a work in progress, and we expect its functionality to grow and mature as it gets closer to public release. Google hasn't yet announced the feature, so we don't know when it's coming either. We'll keep you updated when we learn more." (Android Authority). And Finally... There's good news and bad news in the smartphone market. New numbers from IDC and its quarterly mobile phone tracker show that shipments are slightly up year-on-year, but there are significant headwinds from many areas of the market that need to be addressed: "The smartphone market remained positive, however uncertainty fueled by tariffs volatility, on-going macro-economic challenges such as forex instability, unemployment and inflation across regions have tapered demand, making consumers deprioritize spending on smartphones, especially in low-end segments." (IDC). Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week's Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you'd like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
