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Consumer Reports picks Galaxy S8 over iPhone 7, everything else

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Galaxy S8 in hand
Galaxy S8 is the smartphone to buy, says Consumer Reports.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have been rated the best smartphones available by Consumer Reports.

Both devices outranked their rivals — including the iPhone 7 — in design, battery life, and camera performance. However, they aren’t considered perfect, with testers noting that they are difficult to operate with one hand, and their fingerprint scanners are awkwardly-placed.

Google snatches Apple chip architect to work on future Pixel phones

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Google Pixel
Future Pixel phones could benefit from Google-developed chips.
Photo: Google

Google has hired away veteran chip architect Manu Gulati from Apple, with the goal of building its own custom chips for future Pixel phones.

Gulati has been working on chip development at Apple for almost eight years. According to his LinkedIn profile, he is now employed as Google’s lead system-on-a-chip Architect.

Microsoft revamps Skype in a bid to do battle with iMessage

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Skype's overhaul is coming to iPhone soon.
Skype's overhaul is coming to iPhone soon.
Photo: Microsoft

Microsoft is rolling out a complete top-to-bottom overhaul of Skype in an effort to do battle with the likes of iMessage and Snapchat.

Its revamped service combines familiar Skype features like instant messaging and international calling with third-party service integration, improved group chat, and photo sharing with the ability to add annotations and emoji stickers.

Microsoft brings Planner to Android and iOS

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x
Planner is truly mobile.
Photo: Microsoft

A simple to-do list isn’t enough when you’re managing tasks for more than one person, which is why Microsoft gave us Planner.

Its productivity tool makes it easy to organize teamwork among multiple people, and now it’s available on Android and iOS.

Google’s $1 billion London HQ is absolutely ostentatious

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Google's new London HQ will be a behemoth.
Google's new London HQ will be a behemoth.
Photo: Google

Google has no plans to move out of London following Brexit. In fact, the search giant is building a brand new headquarters in Kings Cross that’s going to cost well over $1 billion.

It’s no Spaceship campus, but under renders suggest it will be incredibly ostentatious, with its own swimming pool, basketball court, running track, and more.

Android creator takes wraps off new Essential Phone

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Essential Phone
Essential Phone will expand its reach to new markets.
Photo: Essential

Android creator Andy Rubin has finally unveiled his new Essential Phone, a device that aims to break barriers with a unique design and support for modular upgrades.

Its edge-to-edge display and sleek form factor make the iPhone look even more outdated, while its internal specifications give even the Galaxy S8 a run for its money.

Catch the latest Pokémon game on Android and iOS

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Can you train your Magikarp to be the best?
Can you train your Magikarp to be the best?
Photo: The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon Company just launched its latest game on Android and iOS, and it’s all about Magikarp.

Called Magikarp Jump, it sees you training a Magikarp to do about the only thing a Magikarp is good for: Jumping!

Can you get yours to jump the highest?

Underwater drones, intelligent camera assistants and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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A drone that's just like a fish.
A drone that's just like a fish.
Photo: BIKI

Crowdfund Roundup bugWouldn’t it be great if you could capture stunning videos of sea life up to 196-feet deep without even getting your feet wet? You can with BIKI, the world’s first underwater drone for deep sea video recording.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have ultra-strong Kevlar Lightning cables, a modern cassette tape that’s also a standalone music player, an intelligent camera assistant that ensures you get a perfect shot every time, and more!

Google Photos is getting some incredible new features

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Google Photos sharing
Sharing have never been easier.
Photo: Google

Google Assistant may have just made its way to iPhone, but it’s not even close to the most exciting thing to come out of Google I/O today.

That would be all of the incredible new features coming to Google Photos, including new sharing options, stunning Photo Books you can build in just a few taps, intelligent photo editing, and Google Lens integration.

Gmail for Android and iOS is getting Smart Reply

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Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Smart Reply in Google Inbox.
Photo: Google

The official Gmail app for Android and iOS is getting Google’s impressive Smart Reply feature.

By taking advantage of machine learning, Smart Reply can help you power through outstanding emails in your inbox by suggesting suitable replies that are friendly and conversational.

Instagram now offers Snapchat-style Face Filters

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Instagram isn't shy about ripping off Snapchat's best features.
Instagram isn't shy about ripping off Snapchat's best features.
Photo: Instagram

Instagram’s fight to stay ahead of Snapchat involves stealing its best features so that users have no reason to switch. That continues today with the introduction of Face Filters, which, just like Snapchat’s, apply things like glasses, hats, animal ears, and more to your selfies.

What you need to know about ransomware attacks

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WannaCry
WannaCry locks down your data until you pay up.
Photo: Kaspersky Lab

More than 230,000 computers in 150 countries have been hit by a cyberattack that encrypts data until a ransom has been paid. It’s thought to be the biggest in history, with India, Taiwan, and several European countries being the worst effected.

If you use a Mac, you have nothing to worry about for now, since this particular “ransomware” only targets Windows PCs. However, the number of attacks built for macOS is rising at a rapid rate every year.

So, what exactly is ransomware, and how can it be avoided? Here’s what you need to know.

Nintendo is bringing The Legend of Zelda to your phone

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The Nintendo Switch's flexible Joy-Con controllers work just fine with a Mac (but not an iPhone).
Nintendo’s newest console was by far the hottest product.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The Legend of Zelda will finally break away from Nintendo consoles to grace Android and iOS devices in 2018, according to a new report.

The first ever Zelda game on mobile will be developed by DeNA, the studio behind Super Mario Run and Fire Emblem Heroes.

This unashamed iPhone 7 clone is a fraction of the cost

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Don't expect iOS 10.
Don't expect iOS 10.
Photo: UMIDIGI

iPhone clones just hit a new low.

Meet the UMIDIGI G, a device that isn’t ashamed to be a complete ripoff of Apple’s latest smartphone. It runs Google’s latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, and it’s super-affordable at just $79.99. Its specifications aren’t bad, either — but you shouldn’t buy one.

Samsung Bixby rap takes secret stab at Siri

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Bixby
Bixby Voice is on its way.
Photo: Samsung

Samsung’s new Bixby assistant finally found its voice in South Korea today, over a week after making its debut on the Galaxy S8. Unlike its rivals, Bixby has the ability to rap, and Samsung uses that to take a cheeky, secret stab at Siri.

Samsung confirms another iPhone 8 rival is coming this year

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Galaxy Note 7
The new Galaxy Note will go on sale early again this year.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Samsung already made life difficult for Apple’s next-generation iPhone with its stellar Galaxy S8 series, but it won’t stop there.

The South Korean company confirms it plans to release another flagship smartphone in the second half of 2017 that will give iPhone 8 an even tougher challenge.

Google Maps for iOS will now remember where you parked

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Google Maps iOS
Never forget where you parked your car again!
Photo: Google

Despite the improvements Apple has made to its own Maps platform, Google Maps is still the number one choice for millions of iPhone users. And it keeps getting better.

Its latest update adds a handy feature that will remind you exactly where you parked your car.

Truly wireless home security, watches made of paper and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Reolink Argus is weather-resistant and 100 percent wireless.
Reolink Argus is weather-resistant and 100 percent wireless.
Photo: Reolink

Crowdfund Roundup bugNeed a home security camera that’s super-simple to set up? Look no further than the Reolink Argus — the world’s first completely wireless camera. It’s battery-powered, streams 1080p video over Wi-Fi, and has built-in night vision.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got an iPad screen protector that feels like real paper, a ZX Spectrum reborn, a watch made of paper, and more!

Instagram is finally cracking down on fake accounts

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These Instagram tips will help you connect with photographers who share your interests.
We don’t want to see photos from everyone we follow.
Photo: Lee Peterson/Cult of Mac

Instagram is finally clamping down on fake accounts that aren’t controlled by real users.

Instagress, a service that helped Instagram users gain additional followers for a fee, has been forced to shutdown as a result of the crackdown.

Galaxy S8 review roundup: Samsung just schooled the iPhone

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Galaxy S8 Infinity Display
Samsung has a winner in the Galaxy S8.
Photo: Samsung

The first reviews of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have dropped a day ahead of their official launch in many markets, and there’s one thing to take away from them: Samsung just knocked it out of the park with its best smartphones to date.

Despite the problems the company encountered with the Galaxy Note 7 last fall, it has managed to produce two new devices that don’t disappoint. From gorgeous design and impressive cameras to the best display on the market, the Galaxy S8 series has it all.

It might not perfect, but the changes and improvements Samsung has made show Apple what a smartphone should be in 2017, and make it even more difficult for the iPhone to catch up.

Here’s our review roundup.