Tech
Best iPhone 11 and 11 Pro cases you can get now – CNET
It’s been just four months since Apple released the new iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Max, and since that time, a multitude of cases have arrived to protect the new phones. As always when the latest iPhones arrive, I put together a list of my favorite cases, with a focus on those that’re relatively slim but offer strong protection and easy charging for your brand new iPhone. A few budget cases are included, but since this is more of a best-of-the-best list, most of my picks tend to be a bit spendier than the typical generic case you’ll find on Amazon for $20 or less. Also, since the iPhone 11 comes in a variety of colors that people may want to show off, I’ve included a number of cases that are translucent.
I’ll be updating this best roundup with new picks for the best iPhone 11 cases as they continue to arrive.
Read more: The best-sounding true wireless headphones | Best Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10E cases | The best ways to sell or trade in your old iPhone in 2020
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you’re looking for a clear case for your new smartphone, you can’t go wrong with Speck’s Stay Clear case, which resists discoloration (yes, cheap clear cases can turn yellow). It has a durable polycarbonate outer shell, provides 13-foot drop protection and includes Microban antimicrobial product protection. The case also allows for easy wireless charging. The clear, wireless charging case is available in versions for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Otterbox is making its superprotective Otterbox Defender series case for all the brand-new iPhone 11 models, but most people want something slimmer. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector. Multiple color options are available, including Symmetry Clear as well as the Symmetry Plus Pop case, which integrates a PopSockets PopGrip. Prices range from $50 to $60 (AU$59, £29), and they should go down over time.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Zagg recently bought top British casemaker Gear4 and is seeking to further build out its brand in the US. In terms of style and protection, Gear4’s cases are right there with Otterbox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include the translucent Picadilly (also available for Samsung Galaxy) and Crystal Palace cases, as well as the Battersea. They range in price from $35 to more-expensive iPhone case options around $50.
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your new iPhone 11, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $11-$15, depending on which version of iPhone 11 you have. No drop rating is listed for the case, but it feels like Spigen cases offer reasonable protection (if you want even stronger protection, consider shelling out $35 more for the Spigen Tough Armor case), and it should appeal to folks who want a case that’s neither too thin nor too thick (Speck’s clear case is a bit thicker and does seem more protective). Unlike the Tough Armor, a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow over time (and becoming less translucent), but they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement if that happens.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Speck’s Presidio Pro comes in a variety of colors and has a soft-to-the-touch finish that’s equipped with Microban antimicrobial technology. It’s drop-tested to 13 feet (about 4 meters) and is one of the best all-around cases for the iPhone 11. The case is highly protective, with a polycarbonate outer shell, but it’s not too bulky. Its thin design makes wireless charging easy.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Lifeproof, now owned by Otterbox, isn’t in the business of making waterproof cases anymore (it has only one case that’s waterproof: the Fre). But it still makes very nice cases to protect your iPhone, including the Next and Slam, as well as the new Flip Series, which adds a slip-out wallet element that turns into a kickstand. I personally like the Slam best. It costs $46 and comes in a variety of colors and designs. Pair it with their Rewind wall charger for speedy charging.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Moshi has always made attractive cases for iPhones, and its Overture (folio), iGlaze, Vitros and Altra (lanyard included) cases are available for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. The Overture is actually a two-in-one case that’s a great screen protector. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing credit cards and cash. You can buy one in the $25-to-$50 price range.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Truth be told, I wasn’t a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly). But its latest batch includes two that I like: the Traveler (pictured, left) and Rogue (at right), which has a soft rubber bubbled pattern. The “clear” version of the Rogue glows in the dark.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Speck’s Presidio Grip Series comes to the iPhone 11. It’s one of the more popular phone cases and still one of the best, although the ribs of the case can wear down over time. Available in multiple color options for $40.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Casetify’s cases are known for their eye-catching designs (that are stuck onto the back of a clear case). They’re relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Skech’s new Vortex case has a soft-to-the-touch finish and an integrated flip-out metal ring kickstand, and it adheres to the included magnetic car-vent mount. It comes in several color options (blue and black pictured) for all iPhone 11 models. It’s a little pricey at $50, but it does have some nifty extras (like a built-in ring holder and responsive buttons) and a nice design with 10-foot drop protection. You can still charge your phone on a wireless charging pad with the case on.
I also like Skech’s clear case, the Echo Air, which costs less ($30).
Sarah Tew/CNET
Nomad makes a line of nice leather cases, including leather wallet folio cases that come in brown or black. I personally like its new Rugged case, which features water-resistant leather. It’s rated for 6-foot (2 meter) drop protection. The leather case runs around $50, while the folio version, which has a flap that covers the screen, costs $70.
David Carnoy/CNET
Adidas-branded cases come in a variety of flavors that offer eye-catching designs that match some of the company’s iconic sneakers. They’re all pretty slim and provide decent though not great protection. Prices are anywhere from $12 to $50, depending on the style.
Sarah Tew/CNET
BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years it’s put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $45 Momentum (pictured left), which has a padded textured back, and the $60 Accent Wallet (pictured right), a leather case that has a slot on the back for storing a couple of credit cards. Both those cases include a lanyard that you can choose to attach to the case or not.
The translucent Ace Pro (pictured middle) is the company’s most affordable case. It lists for $35.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glittery, snowglobe effects (my favorite is the new Waterfall Confetti case pictured on the right). Despite their fun, eye-catching designs, they’re also well built and will protect your device. Prices range from $30 to $40.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Silk brings its line of affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases to the iPhone 11 under the new brand name of Smartish. The Smartish Walletslayer case is one of the best iPhone 11 cases for those on a budget. It sells for $15 and holds three credit cards plus cash.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Razer, which makes laptops and gaming accessories (among other products), brings its line of “gaming” cases to the iPhone 11, and they’re pretty nice. The cases have something called Thermaphene-Based Heat Dissipation that “redirects trapped heat through a thermally conductive lining adjacent to vented airflow channels to significantly improve cooling compared to traditional cases.” It’s a bit of a gimmick, but it seems to help a little when you’re playing graphically intensive games for long periods. The cases start around $20 and come in Pro and Slim versions. I preferred the more protective Pro, which is currently on sale for $20.
Sarah Tew/CNET
X-Doria’s Defense series cases come in a wide variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Gear4, Speck and Otterbox. I personally like the Defense Clear Series (pictured, second from right), which is a good match for the standard iPhone 11. It’s $25 and is available with a black or white trim.
Sarah Tew/CNET
I’ve always been a fan of Tech21’s Evo Check ($40) cases for previous iPhones and they’re available for the new iPhone 11 in a few different translucent color options (they’re the pink and smokey black cases in the photo above). Tech21 is also offering the slightly thinner but more colorful Studio series cases, which costs $10 less.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Tech21’s Evo Wallet is a well-designed folio case that features a screen protector cover with a magnetic latch and a slot on the inside for storing a couple of credit cards and a little bit of cash. It also converts into a stand for watching videos and is drop-tested to 12 feet (3.6 meters), so it’s pretty tough. It’s $49 on Amazon, though it’s currently only available for the 11 Pro.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on selling its Impact Protection Case, which is drop-tested to 9.9 feet and has a see-through back and slim design.
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you want full protection for your iPhone’s screen, a folio case is the way to go. Made from recycled plastic, Gear4’s Oxford Eco folio is lightweight and slim, featuring a screen protector cover that converts into a viewing stand for watching videos on your iPhone. Price: $50.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Griffin’s Survivor Series used to be one of the more popular tough cases. It’s slimmed down over the years but is still a pretty tough protector and comes in versions with a clear back. Price: $30.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Incipio has a bunch of new cases for the iPhone 11 line. I like the new Areolite Extreme, which comes in clear, sea blue and black and has the company’s FortiCore ribbing and raised edges to help with drop protection.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Otterbox’s swanky folio case, the Strada, returns for the iPhone 11 line. It’s available in brown and black for around $50 and does a nice job of fully protecting your phone. The only small strike against it is that it doesn’t convert into a viewing stand for watching videos. It’s probably best suited to the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but it’s good for anyone who wants additional screen protection for any iPhone 11 model.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Portland-based Grovemade produces some beautifully crafted wooden cases. Its $60 wood bumper cases are the most affordable, but naturally I’m a fan of its Walnut and Leather Wallet case, which retails for a mere $130 (as a new customer you do get 10 percent off). It’s one of the lighter, more refined looking wallet cases you’ll find, and also comes in a lighter maple color.
Originally published earlier. Regularly updated with new cases.
From Samsung to Motorola and Google, just about every major Android phone maker has released a foldable phone. But there’s one big, non-Android outlier: Apple. And according to Motorola, that’s prompting some iPhone users to make the switch.
Specifically, Motorola has seen 20% of new Razr users coming from Apple products. That data point is from 2021 following the launch of the previous-generation Razr.
“This is definitely the family that we have the most amount of iPhone users switching to us,” Allison Yi, Motorola’s head of North America product operations, said to CNET ahead of the company’s Razr Plus launch.
Foldable phones still account for a fragment of the global smartphone market, but the category is growing quickly as tech giants search for the next major evolution of the mobile phone. Market research firm International Data Corporation estimates that worldwide shipments of foldables will increase more than 50% in 2023 compared to 2022. Motorola’s Razr line faces the most competition from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series, although Samsung hasn’t broken out its sales numbers to specify its percentage of iPhone converts.
This year is shaping up to be a milestone moment for foldables with the arrival of newcomers including Google and OnePlus, giving Motorola and other early entrants like Samsung more competition. Apple, however, is still noticeably absent from the foldable phone race, and that isn’t likely to change anytime too soon.
Apple hasn’t launched a foldable iPhone, nor has it announced any plans to do so. But these renders by YouTuber ConceptsiPhone imagines what a foldable iPhone could look like.
ConceptsiPhoneMing-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities known for his Apple product predictions, tweeted in April 2022 that he doesn’t expect Apple to release its first foldable gadget until 2025. A study from Counterpoint Research suggests there’s certainly demand for a foldable iPhone, at least in the US. Among the respondents, 39% named Apple as their preferred brand for a foldable phone, while 46% named Samsung — one of the earliest and most dominant players in foldable phones. Only 6% said Motorola.
The new Razr Plus and 2023 Razr are the company’s latest attempts to change that. The $1,000 Razr Plus, announced on Thursday and launching on June 23, has a giant cover screen that the company is betting will set it apart from rivals like the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Motorola is also launching a cheaper version of the Razr later this year for an undisclosed price that will be less expensive than the Plus model.
But whether it’s competition from Samsung or eventually the long-rumored iPhone Flip, Motorola isn’t fixated on its rivals.
“It’s not about what our competition is doing,” Yi said. “It’s more of what the consumer needs are, what consumers are wanting, rather than really focusing on competition.”
The Motorola Razr Plus
As first-timers like Google are just getting into foldable phones in 2023, companies like Motorola and Samsung are already brainstorming what could be next. Both companies earlier this year showcased concept devices with rollable or slidable screens that can expand as needed earlier. Motorola’s take involves a smartphone-sized device that can unroll to extend its display with the press of a button. It’s still a concept, and Motorola hasn’t said when or if this rollable phone will graduate to becoming a real product.
But Jeff Snow, Motorola’s product manager for premium and flagship devices, said he could eventually see it becoming an “offshoot” of the Razr we know today. While both the Razr and the rollable concept aim to make phones more portable, they execute that goal through different means. The Razr’s clamshell shape enables it to fold shut, function as a regular phone when opened or serve as something in between when propped open halfway. The rollable concept changes its shape in a different way by expanding and contracting its screen.
“It’s a little bit of a different experience,” said Snow. “But we see it becoming part of the same category.”
Motorola’s rollable phone concept
Motorola is also evaluating larger book-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold, although Yi said she couldn’t comment on future products. Snow also said there’s “merit to that form factor,” but the company would have to make sure it’s not compromising the regular phone experience while also providing improved productivity and content consumption.
“That space is taking off,” he said. “It’s something we’ll pay attention to.”
For now, the Razr Plus is Motorola’s biggest attempt at standing out in a crowded market, especially as Samsung and Apple continue to command the global smartphone market. The combination of technology improving and broader awareness around foldables makes now the right time for a new Razr, according to Yi.
“Sometimes you see the technology is ready, but the market is not ready to accept it,” she said. “And consumers are not willing to adapt or adopt. But in this case, we really feel that this is the right time.”
Tech
‘Diablo 4’ PS5 Players Hit With ‘Unable To Find A Valid License’ Error, Blizzard Comments – Forbes
I’ll be honest, my jaw was hanging open a bit when I logged into Diablo 4 a minute after 7 PM ET, got a 4 minute queue which was…actually over in four minutes. I got in, created my Barbarian and I’m already level 4, pausing only to write this article. No wild wait times, no errors, no disconnects (yet).
But I’m on PC. PS5 players? They’re no so lucky.
At the time of this writing, there is a widespread error that says “Unable to find a valid license for Diablo IV (Code 315306).” This is happening, obviously, to people who very much have indeed purchased the game, so something is going wrong here with an interaction between Blizzard and PlayStation it seems.
However, it may be Blizzard and console more broadly. I have heard of at least some Xbox players getting this error message as well, but overall players seem to be having more success with Microsoft. The PS5 error appears to be more widespread, for whatever reason.
Blizzard has indeed acknowledged the issue, via its community manager and a forum post here. They do say PlayStation specifically, even if a few Xbox folks are hitting it. The message just says:
“We are seeing reports regarding PlayStation users experiencing Invalid License errors. The team is looking into this right now and will update once we have more information.”
If you’ve come here for advice on a fix, I’m sorry I can’t help you yet, as there does not appear to be one. I would avoid drastic steps like reinstalling the 80 GB game or anything, as that is probably going to be unnecessary and not fix the problem anyway. But yes, there is a widespread problem, you are not alone.
Naturally, many Diablo players were concerned we could have another Error 37 issue on our hands, the old error code that endlessly crippled Diablo 3 at launch. It…doesn’t seem likely that we’re headed into something that bad. Given that this is a console-specific issues, it means that Blizzard’s servers are not totally melting down as a whole. This time around they also did a “server slam” and this is early access launch which are mitigating factors. But that’s cold comfort to PS players who can’t play yet because of the “no valid license” error.
As soon as there’s a new update on the situation I will post it here. Stay tuned, and hopefully this will be resolved soon.
Update: It seems this may be a PS-wide issue, as there are reports of many games returning the license error right now, not just Diablo 4. Bad coincidence or…sparked by a flood of Diablo logons? Not clear yet.
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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Tech
Ahead of Apple's big VR debut, Mark Zuckerberg unveils Meta Quest 3 mixed-reality headset – Economic Times
Just days before Apple‘s big annual conference, WWDC 2023, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday announced brand new next-generation virtual and mixed reality headset, Meta Quest 3.
The new virtual reality headset, which features higher resolution and stronger performance, will launch later this year.
The Meta Quest 3 comes with Meta’s breakthrough Reality technology and a slimmer, more comfortable form factor. The headset will start shipping in all countries where Meta Quest is currently supported.
The tech giant said that it will share more details on the product on September 27 at Meta Connect. The Meta Quest headset starts at $499.99 (Rs 41,159 approximately) for the 128GB variant.
“Meta Quest 3 is the supercharged all-in-one headset you’ve been waiting for — no wires required,” the company said.
While making the announcement, Meta claimed that Quest 3 is the company’s highest resolution display and pancake optics that will make content look better than before. Quest 3 is also Meta’s first headset to feature a next-generation Snapdragon chipset which has been developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to give power to those extra pixels.”That next-gen Snapdragon chipset delivers more than twice the graphical performance as the previous generation Snapdragon GPU in Quest 2 — meaning you’ll get smoother performance and incredibly crisp details in immersive games,” Meta said.
Zuckerberg-led tech giant further claimed that the brand new headset are the company’s best-in-class Meta Reality technology that will allow users to seamlessly blend the physical world with the virtual one.
“These new experiences go beyond today’s mixed reality by intelligently understanding and responding to objects in your physical space and allowing you to navigate that space in natural, intuitive ways that were nearly impossible before,” the company said.
The upcoming headset is compatible with Meta Quest 2 catalog of over 500 VR games, apps and experiences, whereas Meta has more exciting new VR and MR titles lined up for launch.
Artists slam Duke Nukem 1+2 Remaster art & claim it’s “AI generated” – Dexerto
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