Mobile World Congress: How should your foldable phone fold?

The future holds a blend of business expertise and innovative technology, as demonstrated by Deloitte's ability to help businesses build their vision for tomorrow while addressing current realities. In the arts scene, the documentary "art beats in lyrics" showcases the growth of a cultural phenomenon from humble beginnings to a captivating annual event. At Mobile World Congress, the Huawei Mate X, a folding phone with a unique design, stood out as a potential game-changer in the tech industry. Despite its high price tag, it represents a significant step forward in foldable technology. Additionally, it's important to consider the impact of platforms like Facebook and take a moment to understand their costs. Overall, these stories highlight the power of innovation, whether it's in business, art, or technology, and the importance of embracing change.

During MWC 2019, both Huawei and Samsung showcased their foldable phone prototypes. Huawei's Mate X model, which Vlad had a chance to handle, offers a thinner design compared to Samsung's, but it comes with its own challenges such as potential screen damage and the need for a protective case. Samsung's design, on the other hand, provides an extra screen for better functionality but results in a thicker phone. Both designs have their pros and cons, and it's unclear which one will ultimately prevail. Despite the debates, it's exciting that foldable phones are becoming a reality, even if they come with trade-offs. The Huawei Mate X, with its thin design and seamless folding, offers a more magical experience, but the durability concerns are a significant drawback. Ultimately, the success of foldable phones will depend on how well manufacturers address these challenges.

The new foldable smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X, feature flexible screens with noticeable creases that give them a rumpled appearance. These creases are not like sharp lines but rather a rumply bit, which some people have compared to a wrinkled shirt. The phones are expensive and are coming to market, with the Mate X also having an interesting camera setup where the selfie camera is located on the crease, and the other side turns off when folded. The Mate X is expected to have a 5G version and may have a tent mode for sharing screens with others. Despite their high cost and unique features, it remains to be seen how consumers will respond to these foldable devices and their rumpled screens.

The Huawei phone, which could be a strong contender in the foldable phone market, is not readily available to consumers in the United States due to ongoing accusations of spying and government interference. The Chinese tech giant's push to promote their latest offerings at events like MWC has been met with skepticism and confusion, making it difficult for consumers and tech experts to evaluate the merits of their products. The spying allegations are not at the device level but rather at the network layer, where Huawei sells base stations and modems. With many innovative phones not being accessible to the US market, the debate over which one is better may be irrelevant for consumers in the foreseeable future. The government's role in protecting citizens from potential threats and the geopolitical implications of dealing with a company based in a country perceived as a foe contribute to the complexity of the issue.

Huawei is aggressively pricing its high-performing laptops and PCs in the US market to gain positive press and attract consumers, as they face challenges in the phone market due to software issues and carrier restrictions. Their competitive pricing strategy has made their hardware an attractive alternative to more established brands like Dell and Apple. However, their phones, particularly the Mate 20 Pro, are not available in the US, and their software issues cast doubt on their ability to compete with Samsung in the long run. In the foldable phone market, Huawei, along with other companies like Oppo and TCL, are working on improving the software to match the hardware capabilities, but past experiences with foldable phones have been underwhelming due to software limitations.

Motorola is working on a foldable phone but it's unlikely to be released before competitors like Samsung. Razer is also rumored to be releasing a foldable phone with an unfolding screen, replacing the physical keyboard with more display area. LG's answer to second screens is a case for their 5G phone, the V50, but it's not coming to the US. The discussion also touched on the size and battery requirements of 5G technology, with the consensus being that it's currently power-hungry but will improve as technology advances. Motorola's unhappiness with the glass box surrounding their phone during the video shoot was also noted.

The implementation of 5G technology in smartphones is currently challenging due to the need for additional hardware and larger devices to accommodate the necessary antennas. The LG V50 ThinQ, for instance, requires a separate 5G chip and has a limited availability. On the other hand, the LG G8 ThinQ introduces a new Z camera with hand gesture recognition and a unique vein palm scanning feature for unlocking the phone. This technology, while intriguing, requires precise hand placement and may take some getting used to. Overall, the integration of advanced features in smartphones continues to evolve, with both challenges and innovations emerging in the industry.

The latest phone features, such as hands-free control and tall designs, were discussed in the conversation. The speaker expressed skepticism towards the hands-free phone control, finding it unnecessary and even comical. They preferred using their voice or touch for control in a car and questioned the convenience of it. Regarding the tall phone designs from Sony, the speaker found the Xperia 10 budget models more appealing due to their balanced design, while the flagship Xperia 1 was criticized for its awkward size and lack of balance between the top and bottom. The speaker also noted Sony's emphasis on their movie business as a reason for the tall phone design, but personally found the size inconvenient for pocket carry.

During MWC 2019, Sony unveiled the Xperia 1 with a 4K OLED HDR screen, triple camera system, and a 21:9 aspect ratio, but failed to reveal its price or release date. Meanwhile, Energizer introduced a phone with an impressive 18,000 mAh battery, which is significantly larger than the average phone's battery. Despite the large battery, the Energizer phone lacks a headphone jack and has a pop-up camera. The Xperia 1's unique aspect ratio and large battery in the Energizer phone were the main topics of discussion, with the latter receiving praise for addressing the issue of long battery life. However, both phones have their compromises, leaving consumers to decide which feature is more important to them.

Dan and the team are considering purchasing a large-screen phone with an impressive battery, despite its size and the need for a dongle. Another intriguing gadget discussed was the Nokia 9, which features five cameras that all use the same lens but capture images at different exposures, resulting in sharp and detailed photos. The Nokia 9 is set to be released soon, and other companies like Sony and Xiaomi will also be using the same technology in their upcoming phones. Although the large phone and the Nokia 9 are tempting, the team is still debating which one to choose. The advantage of the Nokia 9's multiple cameras is the ability to tune each camera and shoot multiple exposures, resulting in even more detailed images. Overall, the team is exploring various options to enhance their technology and create visually stunning content.

The use of multiple camera inputs in smartphones is currently limited due to image processor capabilities, and handling more than three inputs requires specialized knowledge or alternative solutions. Additionally, the design of phone cases for devices with numerous camera lenses presents challenges in terms of both aesthetics and functionality. Microsoft's HoloLens 2, a mixed reality headset, is an enterprise product aimed at frontline workers, representing a shift from its initial focus on consumer applications. These insights were discussed during a podcast segment, which also touched upon the debate over the existence of a fear of holes phenomenon and the lack of definitive results regarding the correlation between height and pocket size.

Microsoft's new HoloLens 2 focuses on enterprise use with custom features, wider field of view, and improved comfort. The 2K per eye display claim might be misleading, and the field of view is not yet edge-to-edge. Microsoft rebranded Xbox's Connect as Azure Connect, which includes cloud services, a Kinect sensor, and eye tracking cameras. The HoloLens 2 is more comfortable with a visor that flips down and a knob for adjustment. It uses inside-out room tracking through Azure Connect in the front, allowing for guided assembly instructions and hand tracking. This technology can lead to more efficient training processes in industries.

Microsoft's HoloLens 4 AR headset, while not yet a consumer product, shows great potential for enterprise use. Demonstrations included scrolling text that automatically adjusts to the user's eye movement and a potential future application of the technology as a daily life guide. However, the product's comfort and flexibility are currently not up to par for consumer use. Instead, Microsoft is focusing on enterprise applications, such as providing construction workers with real-time wiring diagrams and enabling high-end mechanics to make real-time changes to complex cars. The company is also working on world-scale AR positioning to allow for greater accessibility to AR technology. Overall, while HoloLens 4 may not be ready for consumers, it holds promise for enterprise use.

The HoloLens 2 is primarily focused on enterprise uses rather than consumer applications. The developers found various uses for the device, but all of them were enterprise-related. Microsoft's Azure Connect sensor is an example of this enterprise focus, as it is designed for motion tracking in industrial settings, such as hospitals for fall detection. The HoloLens 2 also features more natural gestures, but users need to learn the sensor's capabilities to use them effectively. The device's high-fidelity sensor and lack of a consumer-friendly price point are among the reasons it is not yet ready for the consumer market. Microsoft's approach with HoloLens 2 can be compared to their earlier efforts with Kinect, where they targeted enterprise users to refine the technology before releasing it to consumers.

Microsoft's HoloLens 2, with its Windows Holographic platform, is leading the way in enterprise-focused AR technology, providing a foundation for developers to build tailored solutions. The high price point may limit its initial market, but its advanced features, such as superior field of view, make it an attractive option for industries seeking to enhance productivity and collaboration through AR technology. Microsoft's focus on enterprise applications sets it apart from competitors, like Magic Leap and Apple, who are still working on their hardware and software paradigms. Constant Contact, a marketing platform, offers businesses an effective way to connect with their customers and grow through email, text, social media, and more. QuickBooks Banking Services from Intuit provides business owners with high annual percentage yields, helping them make their money work harder. The USB Implementers Forum made an important announcement during this week's episode. When creating new technology, each iteration builds upon the previous one, much like a sequel in a series. With its advanced features and enterprise focus, Microsoft's HoloLens 2 represents the next step in AR technology.

USB specifications have evolved over the years, leading to confusing naming conventions. USB 3.0, which offers speeds up to 5 gigabits per second, is now referred to as USB 3.2 Gen 1. USB 3.1, which offers speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, is now USB 3.2 Gen 2. The latest USB specification, USB 3.2, offers speeds equivalent to 20 gigabits per second by using two lanes of 10 gigabit per second traffic at once. This is why it's called USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2. Despite the complex naming, it represents an upgrade in USB technology. USB implementers could have simplified the naming process by using clearer, more descriptive terms like "Superspeed USB 5Gbps," "Superspeed USB 10Gbps," and "Superspeed USB 20Gbps." However, they chose to follow a more convoluted naming scheme, leading to potential confusion for consumers.

There is ongoing confusion around the naming and labeling of USB ports and their respective speeds. Paul Graham, during a conversation, joked about a person he referred to as "Sea Gartenberg," who consistently refers to USB ports as "super speed USB." The group discussed the possibility of revealing this person's identity to shame them or glorify them, depending on the perspective. However, the more significant issue at hand was the inconsistent and misleading labeling of USB ports and their speeds by manufacturers. The USB Implementers Forum (USBIF) has attempted to address this issue by issuing guidelines for manufacturers to clearly label their USB ports according to their specifications. The USBIF also cautions against using outdated or misleading terms like "superspeed plus" or "enhanced superspeed." Despite these efforts, the group acknowledged that the labeling issue may continue as manufacturers list their ports as "USB-C" without specifying the exact speed. It's important for consumers to be aware of these labeling discrepancies and understand that a USB-C port does not necessarily indicate the fastest available speed. To ensure optimal performance, it's recommended to check the specifications of individual ports on devices or consult the manufacturer for clarification.

The proliferation of various USB specifications and connector types has led to consumer confusion. USB-C ports, in particular, can support different speeds and functions, leading to the need for clarity in naming and potentially the use of dongles. USB 3.2 Gen 2 by 2, or "Super Speed 20," is an example of a high-speed USB-C specification that is backwards compatible with USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices. However, the use of different connectors for different specifications, such as Thunderbolt 3, which also uses USB-C, adds to the complexity. The discussion also touched on the idea that simplifying the wrong things and creating longer names for specifications may not be the best solution, as it could lead to more dongles and a less intuitive user experience. The panelists suggested that at some point, it might not matter which specific USB specification is being used, but the current state of USB technology is far from intuitive and can be confusing for consumers.

The Art Beets and Lyrics documentary, produced by Vox in collaboration with Jack Daniels, tennis and honey, and co-created by Bill Horace, offers an insightful look into the evolution of the Art Beets and Lyrics art show from a humble beginning to a cultural phenomenon. The film highlights the backgrounds of its founder, Chabari Graham, and curator, Dwayne W. Wright, and how Atlanta influenced their personal histories and their roles within the event. The documentary follows Jabbar, W, and several artists as they prepare for the 20th Anniversary Tour, attracting thousands of fans at each stop. Stream Art Beets in Lyrics on Hulu, and please remember to drink responsibly with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey, a whiskey specialty with 35% alcohol by volume. Jack Daniels and Tennessee Honey are registered trademarks, and all rights are reserved for 2024 by Jack Daniels.