theverge--2020-11-19--Nintendo asks brands to keep politics out of Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing : New Horizons launched back in March , and since then , brands have jumped into the cozy virtual world to do everything from releasing streetwear to organizing voters .
Now , however , Nintendo has decided to implement some rules that restrict some of what companies can do in the game .
That includes keeping things family-friendly , not using Animal Crossing as a marketing tool , and , most notably , keeping politics out of the game .
You can find the complete rules here .
“ While our services and products are generally for personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be situations in which businesses and organizations would like to use or reference the game in relation to their business , ” Nintendo says .
“ As such , we would like to share a few guidelines with those businesses , organizations , and anyone representing them , to preserve the experience for the millions of people enjoying the game recreationally.
” “ Please also refrain from bringing politics into the game.
” Many of the rules are to be expected .
Animal Crossing is an E-rated game , so it makes sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ considered vulgar , discriminatory , or offensive.
” Similarly , the company says that “ you are not allowed to obtain any financial benefit from using the game ( including selling your custom design or earning any advertising revenue with the game content ) , ” which is pretty typical with how Nintendo operates .
The most surprising restriction , though , is when Nintendo says to “ please also refrain from bringing politics into the game.
” This would presumably include things like the elaborate virtual headquarters made by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s US presidential election .
Nintendo says that the only way to get around these rules is “ with the separate and express , written permission of Nintendo.
” “ If we see your activity is not following these guidelines or is damaging or having bad influence on the community , we may ask you to stop such activity or usage of our contents , and take appropriate actions , including prohibiting your future business usage of the game , ” Nintendo continues .
Future political campaigns might have to stick with @ @ @

Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched back in March, and since then, brands have jumped into the cozy virtual world to do everything from releasing streetwear to organizing voters. Now, however, Nintendo has decided to implement some rules that restrict some of what companies can do in the game. That includes keeping things family-friendly, not using Animal Crossing as a marketing tool, and, most notably, keeping politics out of the game. You can find the complete rules here.
“While our services and products are generally for personal use only, we understand there may be situations in which businesses and organizations would like to use or reference the game in relation to their business,” Nintendo says. “As such, we would like to share a few guidelines with those businesses, organizations, and anyone representing them, to preserve the experience for the millions of people enjoying the game recreationally.”
“Please also refrain from bringing politics into the game.”
Many of the rules are to be expected. Animal Crossing is an E-rated game, so it makes sense that Nintendo would ban content that would be “considered vulgar, discriminatory, or offensive.” Similarly, the company says that “you are not allowed to obtain any financial benefit from using the game (including selling your custom design or earning any advertising revenue with the game content),” which is pretty typical with how Nintendo operates.
The most surprising restriction, though, is when Nintendo says to “please also refrain from bringing politics into the game.” This would presumably include things like the elaborate virtual headquarters made by the Joe Biden campaign ahead of this year’s US presidential election. Nintendo says that the only way to get around these rules is “with the separate and express, written permission of Nintendo.”
“If we see your activity is not following these guidelines or is damaging or having bad influence on the community, we may ask you to stop such activity or usage of our contents, and take appropriate actions, including prohibiting your future business usage of the game,” Nintendo continues.


theverge--2020-11-19--Intel’s new laptop is designed to help small companies take on HP and Dell

Intel is launching a new laptop .
Yes , that ’ s right , Intel itself has a new laptop that it designed in-house and will be selling through various partners early in 2021 .
The NUC M15 is the latest computer in the company ’ s expanding Next Unit of Computing line , which is best known for making tiny desktop PCs .
You won ’ t actually see Intel ’ s name stamped on the lid , however .
That ’ s because Intel is essentially supplying this laptop to boutique shops that will equip it with various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a process known in the industry as “ white labeling ” ) .
This isn ’ t the first time Intel has done this : a little over a year ago , it produced the MAG-15 , a gaming laptop that was sold by a number of smaller brands across the world , including Schenker in Europe and Eluktronics and Maingear in the US .
The NUC M15 is a different beast , however .
Instead of targeting a gaming enthusiast crowd that is looking for impressive performance and cooling for an attractive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a premium productivity laptop .
It ’ s got a 15.6-inch , 1080p IPS display ( available with or without touch ) , a 73 watt-hour battery that Intel claims is good for up to 16 hours of use , and Intel ’ s 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 or i7-1165G7 quad-core processor .
Instead of a discrete graphics card from Nvidia , the M15 uses Intel ’ s Iris Xe integrated graphics .
You ’ ll be able to get it with 8 or 16GB of RAM ( soldered , so not upgradeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storage configurations , depending on which brand is selling it .
All of that is packed into an aluminum unibody that ’ s 14.9mm thick ( 0.59 in ) and a stout 3.64 pounds ( 1.65 kg ) .
The fit and finish are right up there with what you ’ d expect from a premium laptop , even if the visuals are a bit boring .
( Intel says is it using Tongfeng as its manufacturing partner for the M15 , the same one it used with the MAG-15 . )
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the display with a large glass Windows Precision trackpad just below it .
There are two Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Type-C ports , two USB-A 10Gbps ports , a 3.5mm headphone jack , and a full-size HDMI port along the sides .
The two USB-C ports are on opposite sides , and you can charge from either one of them , which is convenient .
The only thing that ’ s missing is an SD card slot .
The M15 ’ s specs align with many other premium productivity laptops released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s because they are effectively the same as the Asus ZenBook 14 and Dell XPS 13 we recently reviewed , plus countless other thin-and-light productivity laptops released this fall .
The major difference with the M15 is that it has a 15-inch display ; most productivity laptops have 13- or 14-inch screens on them , while 15-inch models tend to be costlier and more performance-oriented .
There are some other slight differences , such as an LED light bar in the front that works with the Alexa app for Windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it hears you say the Alexa voice command , just like an Echo smart speaker .
Four microphones installed along the top edge of the lid help the M15 pick up your voice from across the room .
The M15 also has a Windows Hello-compatible webcam for facial login , plus presence detection that will wake the computer up as you approach it and log you in automatically .
It will also keep the computer unlocked so long as you ’ re sitting in front of it .
It ’ s similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latitude 7400 last year .
Intel says its goal with this computer is to provide a premium-level laptop to smaller companies so that they can compete with the Dells and HPs of the world without having to invest in the level of R & D that those companies have .
The company described the M15 to me as “ a premium product above the mainstream , but still targeted towards the average user ” and that it is “ optimized for a variety of use cases.
” It says it saw “ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a larger screen , thin and light with unbelievable battery life ” in the market , and it designed the M15 to fit that .
Pricing will be the determining factor in how interesting the M15 ultimately is The M15 technically is n't labeled with Evo branding , which denotes a certain level of performance and features , including over nine hours of battery life , fast charging , Thunderbolt 4 , Wi-Fi 6 , and instant wake .
But it is built to meet that specification , and Intel expects its partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Evo certification .
As for driver support , Intel says its goal is to provide support for anything it is involved in , which takes another burden off of small companies with limited support resources .
The company also tells me that it plans to bring more NUC laptops to market in the future and that it won ’ t become a once-per-year type of thing .
But it also says that it doesn ’ t expect to have a full-range product stack like Dell or HP and that any models it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to specific use cases .
Intel isn ’ t divulging the brands that will eventually sell the M15 early next year , but it ’ s likely that many of the companies that sold last year ’ s gaming laptop will participate , and Intel has hinted that it expects even more boutique brands to carry the M15 .
Intel also says its partners will ultimately determine the selling price , but it expects prices for the M15 to range between $ 999 and $ 1,499 , depending on configuration .
That pricing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gaming-focused laptop , there really isn ’ t much that makes the M15 stand out from the extremely crowded productivity laptop field .
The design is best described as a reference model , with a heavy-handed influence from the 2012–2015 MacBook Pro ; the specs are not any different from what you can get from countless other brands ; and it can ’ t lay claim to the thinnest or lightest package you can get , an important quality for many laptop buyers in this segment .
In some respects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M15 already feels behind the curve , as many companies have shifted to taller 16:10 or 3:2 screens that are easier to work with tall documents or webpages on .
It also has two fans , unlike Apple ’ s new MacBook Air that can handle professional work in complete silence .
Last year ’ s MAG-15 was far from perfect , and it had an equally generic design .
But it was interesting to gaming enthusiasts because it had an advanced cooling system , excellent performance , great build quality , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life for a gaming laptop .
It ’ s hard to find that exact mix of qualities from the name brands in the gaming space .
As a result , many enthusiasts were able to get past the fact that it wasn ’ t made by a known brand , such as Alienware or Razer , because they could get a unique mix of features and top-tier performance at a discount .
( I should know ; I personally bought a MAG-15 last year for this very reason . )
The productivity laptop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming world , though , and without any standout performance qualities aside from its slightly larger screen , it ’ s hard to see why anyone would buy the M15 from a brand they never heard of instead of just getting a tried-and-true Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360 .
The M15 is likely to be a perfectly competent laptop — there are no glaring faults that I can see from the list of specs and features , and the pre-production unit I was able to try out ahead of today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s not likely to make the average person choose it over another model .
The pricing that Intel has set expectations for is premium level , but it is a little lower than similar configurations from the big names .
It ’ s definitely lower than you typically pay for a premium 15-inch laptop , though those generally come with higher-end processors , discrete GPUs , and higher resolution screens than the M15 has .
We should have a better idea of how well the M15 fares in the near future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a unit through its paces .
Until then , this will be something to watch .

Intel is launching a new laptop. Yes, that’s right, Intel itself has a new laptop that it designed in-house and will be selling through various partners early in 2021. The NUC M15 is the latest computer in the company’s expanding Next Unit of Computing line, which is best known for making tiny desktop PCs.
You won’t actually see Intel’s name stamped on the lid, however. That’s because Intel is essentially supplying this laptop to boutique shops that will equip it with various storage configurations and brand it themselves (a process known in the industry as “white labeling”). This isn’t the first time Intel has done this: a little over a year ago, it produced the MAG-15, a gaming laptop that was sold by a number of smaller brands across the world, including Schenker in Europe and Eluktronics and Maingear in the US.
The NUC M15 is a different beast, however. Instead of targeting a gaming enthusiast crowd that is looking for impressive performance and cooling for an attractive price, the M15 is very much a premium productivity laptop. It’s got a 15.6-inch, 1080p IPS display (available with or without touch), a 73 watt-hour battery that Intel claims is good for up to 16 hours of use, and Intel’s 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 or i7-1165G7 quad-core processor. Instead of a discrete graphics card from Nvidia, the M15 uses Intel’s Iris Xe integrated graphics. You’ll be able to get it with 8 or 16GB of RAM (soldered, so not upgradeable after purchase) and a variety of storage configurations, depending on which brand is selling it.
The M15 has an aluminum unibody and a 15.6-inch screen.
All of that is packed into an aluminum unibody that’s 14.9mm thick (0.59 in) and a stout 3.64 pounds (1.65 kg). The fit and finish are right up there with what you’d expect from a premium laptop, even if the visuals are a bit boring. (Intel says is it using Tongfeng as its manufacturing partner for the M15, the same one it used with the MAG-15.)
A standard, well-spaced chiclet keyboard is centered under the display with a large glass Windows Precision trackpad just below it. There are two Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Type-C ports, two USB-A 10Gbps ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a full-size HDMI port along the sides. The two USB-C ports are on opposite sides, and you can charge from either one of them, which is convenient. The only thing that’s missing is an SD card slot.
The M15’s specs align with many other premium productivity laptops released this fall
If those specs sound familiar, it’s because they are effectively the same as the Asus ZenBook 14 and Dell XPS 13 we recently reviewed, plus countless other thin-and-light productivity laptops released this fall. The major difference with the M15 is that it has a 15-inch display; most productivity laptops have 13- or 14-inch screens on them, while 15-inch models tend to be costlier and more performance-oriented.
There are some other slight differences, such as an LED light bar in the front that works with the Alexa app for Windows. The light bar will glow blue when it hears you say the Alexa voice command, just like an Echo smart speaker. Four microphones installed along the top edge of the lid help the M15 pick up your voice from across the room.
The M15 also has a Windows Hello-compatible webcam for facial login, plus presence detection that will wake the computer up as you approach it and log you in automatically. It will also keep the computer unlocked so long as you’re sitting in front of it. It’s similar to what we saw on the Dell Latitude 7400 last year.
An LED light bar in the front glows blue when you use Alexa voice commands, just like an Amazon Echo smart speaker. A full-size backlit keyboard is centered above a large glass trackpad.
Intel says its goal with this computer is to provide a premium-level laptop to smaller companies so that they can build an ecosystem of computers without having to invest in the level of R&D that larger companies have. The company described the M15 to me as “a premium product above the mainstream, but still targeted towards the average user” and that it is “optimized for a variety of use cases.” It says it saw “an opportunity for higher end premium laptop with a larger screen, thin and light with unbelievable battery life” in the market, and it designed the M15 to fit that.
Pricing will be the determining factor in how interesting the M15 ultimately is
The M15 technically isn't labeled with Evo branding, which denotes a certain level of performance and features, including over nine hours of battery life, fast charging, Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and instant wake. But it is built to meet that specification, and Intel expects its partners to submit their finalized, branded machines for Evo certification. As for driver support, Intel says its goal is to provide support for anything it is involved in, which takes another burden off of small companies with limited support resources.
The company also tells me that it plans to bring more NUC laptops to market in the future and that it won’t become a once-per-year type of thing. But it also says that it doesn’t expect to have a full-range product stack like Dell or HP and that any models it does design and sell will be targeted to specific use cases.
Intel isn’t divulging the brands that will eventually sell the M15 early next year, but it’s likely that many of the companies that sold last year’s gaming laptop will participate, and Intel has hinted that it expects even more boutique brands to carry the M15. Intel also says its partners will ultimately determine the selling price, but it expects prices for the M15 to range between $999 and $1,499, depending on configuration.
3.5mm audio jack, 10Gbps USB-A, and Thunderbolt 4 can be found on the right edge. Thunderbolt 4, full-size HDMI, and a 10Gbps USB-A port are on the left side.
That pricing is important because, unlike last year’s gaming-focused laptop, there really isn’t much that makes the M15 stand out from the extremely crowded productivity laptop field. The design is best described as a reference model, with a heavy-handed influence from the 2012–2015 MacBook Pro; the specs are not any different from what you can get from countless other brands; and it can’t lay claim to the thinnest or lightest package you can get, an important quality for many laptop buyers in this segment. In some respects, such as its 16:9 display, the M15 already feels behind the curve, as many companies have shifted to taller 16:10 or 3:2 screens that are easier to work with tall documents or webpages on. It also has two fans, unlike Apple’s new MacBook Air that can handle professional work in complete silence.
Last year’s MAG-15 was far from perfect, and it had an equally generic design. But it was interesting to gaming enthusiasts because it had an advanced cooling system, excellent performance, great build quality, a light chassis, and shockingly good battery life for a gaming laptop. It’s hard to find that exact mix of qualities from the name brands in the gaming space. As a result, many enthusiasts were able to get past the fact that it wasn’t made by a known brand, such as Alienware or Razer, because they could get a unique mix of features and top-tier performance at a discount. (I should know; I personally bought a MAG-15 last year for this very reason.)
XPG is one of the brands that’s likely to sell the M15 once it hits retail. Schenker, Eluktronics, and Maingear are other likely candidates.
The productivity laptop market is wildly different from the enthusiast gaming world, though, and without any standout performance qualities aside from its slightly larger screen, it’s hard to see why anyone would buy the M15 from a brand they never heard of instead of just getting a tried-and-true Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360. The M15 is likely to be a perfectly competent laptop — there are no glaring faults that I can see from the list of specs and features, and the pre-production unit I was able to try out ahead of today’s announcement seems mostly fine — but that’s not likely to make the average person choose it over another model.
The pricing that Intel has set expectations for is premium level, but it is a little lower than similar configurations from the big names. It’s definitely lower than you typically pay for a premium 15-inch laptop, though those generally come with higher-end processors, discrete GPUs, and higher resolution screens than the M15 has.
We should have a better idea of how well the M15 fares in the near future, once we have the ability to put a unit through its paces. Until then, this will be something to watch.
Photography by Dan Seifert / The Verge


theverge--2020-11-19--Fitbit adds Google Assistant support to Sense and Versa 3 smartwatches

Google Assistant support is coming to the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 thanks to a new update rolling out starting today in the US .
Alongside it , Fitbit OS 5.1 also adds new blood oxygen monitoring features , support for audible replies from Alexa , and enhancements to the watches ’ calling and messaging features .
Both smartwatches already support Amazon ’ s Alexa , but with the addition of Google Assistant Fitbit says they ’ re becoming the first smartwatches to offer a built-in choice between the two voice assistants .
Support for Google Assistant has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the smartwatches earlier this year .
It ’ s unlikely that these will be the last Fitbit devices to support Google ’ s voice assistant , given the search giant is currently in the process of buying Fitbit .
If you want to switch which voice assistant you use , Fitbit says you can do so from the companion app .
Alexa is also getting some updates That doesn ’ t mean Fitbit is ignoring its Alexa functionality , however .
Fitbit OS 5.1 also adds the ability for Alexa to audibly reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s speaker , rather than just displaying its responses onscreen .
The watches ’ calling and messaging functionality is also being improved with the update .
The Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense can now answer calls directly when a phone is nearby using their built-in speakers and microphones .
Previously the watches could be used to accept or reject calls , but users still had to speak into the phone itself .
Fitbit also says the watches will now support voice-to-text commands for responding to text messages on Android .
Finally , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving some improvements , with Fitbit saying you ’ ll no longer need to use a special clock face to see blood oxygen data .
However , if you ’ re someone that does want to get this information from a watch face , the company says it has new SpO2 clock faces coming to the watches by the end of the year .

Google Assistant support is coming to the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 thanks to a new update rolling out starting today in the US. Alongside it, Fitbit OS 5.1 also adds new blood oxygen monitoring features, support for audible replies from Alexa, and enhancements to the watches’ calling and messaging features.
Both smartwatches already support Amazon’s Alexa, but with the addition of Google Assistant Fitbit says they’re becoming the first smartwatches to offer a built-in choice between the two voice assistants. Support for Google Assistant has been on the cards since the company announced the smartwatches earlier this year. It’s unlikely that these will be the last Fitbit devices to support Google’s voice assistant, given the search giant is currently in the process of buying Fitbit. If you want to switch which voice assistant you use, Fitbit says you can do so from the companion app.
Alexa is also getting some updates
That doesn’t mean Fitbit is ignoring its Alexa functionality, however. Fitbit OS 5.1 also adds the ability for Alexa to audibly reply to your queries via the smartwatch’s speaker, rather than just displaying its responses onscreen.
The watches’ calling and messaging functionality is also being improved with the update. The Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense can now answer calls directly when a phone is nearby using their built-in speakers and microphones. Previously the watches could be used to accept or reject calls, but users still had to speak into the phone itself. Fitbit also says the watches will now support voice-to-text commands for responding to text messages on Android.


theverge--2020-11-19--Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming service launches on iOS as a web app

Nvidia is joining its fellow cloud gaming providers in choosing to bypass Apple ’ s App Store and launching a mobile web app version of its GeForce Now service .
Nvidia ’ s version is available today in beta form , meaning any of the service ’ s more than 5 million registered users can fire up GeForce Now in mobile Safari on an iPhone or iPad and get playing .
Nvidia says it also plans to broaden support for its desktop Chrome-based version of GeForce Now , which currently only works on Chromebooks , to more platforms starting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Android , Linux , and Mac .
GeForce Now is currently primarily distributed via Mac and PC apps , as well as through dedicated apps on Android and its Nvidia Shield streaming box .
‘ Fortnite ’ is coming back to iOS , thanks to Nvidia ’ s GeForce Now One of the more obvious upsides here is that Epic Games ’ Fortnite can once again be played on Apple devices , albeit through a somewhat cumbersome workaround .
Fortnite ’ s PC version is available through GeForce Now , thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloud gaming that allows Epic Game Store titles to be streamed through Nvidia ’ s platform .
So any mobile Fortnite players who have been unable to access the game can simply claim the game on Epic ’ s PC storefront and sign in with their account .
And any players who already play Fortnite across mobile , console , and PC have likely already linked their account and should have no trouble booting up the game within GeForce Now .
News of Fortnite ’ s return to iOS via GeForce Now was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC , ahead of Nvidia ’ s official announcement .
Still , it ’ s not an ideal workaround , and the hurdles players have to jump through to play a game that just a few months ago ran natively on iOS devices is indicative of the larger fissures forming between Apple and the video game industry .
Apple in August became the center of two separate but related controversies .
The first kicked off when it banned Fortnite from the App Store ( Google did the same by removing Fortnite from its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epic ’ s own in-app payment methods designed to bypass Apple ’ s standard 30 percent cut .
Epic then sued both Apple and Google for anti-competitive practices .
Shortly after that , Apple clarified its position on cloud gaming services , explaining that the clients operated by Google , Microsoft , Nvidia , and others were not allowed on iOS because of App Store policies barring platforms that stream games .
Apple softened its stance slightly by creating an exemption that would allow a cloud gaming service so long as the games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Store review and subject to the same policies and 30 percent commission that other apps are .
Apple also suggested cloud gaming providers use the mobile web instead if they thought the terms were unfavorable .
Microsoft snubbed the olive branch as a “ bad experience for consumers , ” while Facebook began publicly criticizing Apple for the restrictions it imposed on its own cloud gaming service .
Neither Google nor Nvidia publicly spoke out about Apple ’ s position on cloud gaming .
Microsoft and Nvidia have both decided to release iOS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , both Microsoft and Nvidia have since taken Apple ’ s advice and decided to go the mobile web route instead of attempt to work within the confines of the App Store .
Microsoft plans to launch an iOS version of xCloud sometime next year , yet Nvidia is beating it to the punch by launching a WebRTC-based version of GeForce Now on mobile Safari today in beta .
Google has yet to announce any plans for Stadia on iOS .
Nvidia says there will be some notable restrictions involved .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Xbox One gamepad and Sony ’ s DualShock 4 as well as supported mobile-first controllers like the Razer Kishi .
In fact , Nvidia says a majority of GeForce Now ’ s more than 750 games that work well with gamepads and will run just as well on mobile .
But Nvidia hasn ’ t tested the new PlayStation 5 console ’ s DualSense controller and can not confidently say it will work .
Touch controls will also work , though they will not be natively supported in certain games because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stream the PC version of a game and not a made-for-mobile app .
Mice and keyboards will not work at all , Nvidia says , due to issues specifically with mouse support using the mobile web client as it ’ s currently designed .
Nvidia is also announcing some nice new additions to the platform , including InnerSloth ’ s huge multiplayer hit Among Us and support for GOG.com ’ s PC storefront in time for parent company CD Projekt ’ s Cyberpunk 2077 launch on December 10th .
And Nvidia says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities around the globe it uses to deliver GeForce Now to 22 data centers in 70 countries .

Nvidia is joining its fellow cloud gaming providers in choosing to bypass Apple’s App Store and launching a mobile web app version of its GeForce Now service. Nvidia’s version is available today in beta form, meaning any of the service’s more than 5 million registered users can fire up GeForce Now in mobile Safari on an iPhone or iPad and get playing.
Nvidia says it also plans to broaden support for its desktop Chrome-based version of GeForce Now, which currently only works on Chromebooks, to more platforms starting in the first quarter of next year, including Android, Linux, and Mac. GeForce Now is currently primarily distributed via Mac and PC apps, as well as through dedicated apps on Android and its Nvidia Shield streaming box.
‘Fortnite’ is coming back to iOS, thanks to Nvidia’s GeForce Now
One of the more obvious upsides here is that Epic Games’ Fortnite will once again be playable on Apple devices, albeit through a somewhat cumbersome workaround and only after Epic and Nvidia work out some kinks. Fortnite’s PC version is available through GeForce Now, thanks to Nvidia and Epic’s partnership around cloud gaming that allows Epic Game Store titles to be streamed through Nvidia’s platform. That said, the game isn’t ready for the iOS version of GeForce Now quite yet, as Epic and Nvidia are working together to bring improved touch controls to the game.
“Alongside the amazing team at Epic Games, we’re working to enable a touch-friendly version of Fortnite, which will delay availability of the game. While the GeForce Now library is best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, touch is how over 100 million Fortnite gamers have built, battled and danced their way to Victory Royale,” Nvidia GeForce Now chief Phil Eisler writes in the company’s blog post. “We’re looking forward to delivering a cloud-streaming Fortnite mobile experience powered by GeForce NOW. Members can look for the game on iOS Safari soon.”
So any mobile Fortnite players who have been unable to access the game will soon be able to claim it on Epic’s PC storefront, sign in with their account, and find the game on the iOS version of GeForce Now. And any players who already play Fortnite across mobile, console, and PC have likely already linked their account and should have no trouble syncing their data across platforms. News of Fortnite’s return to iOS via GeForce Now was first reported earlier this month by the BBC, ahead of Nvidia’s official announcement.
Still, it’s not an ideal workaround, and the hurdles players have to jump through to play a game that just a few months ago ran natively on iOS devices is indicative of the larger fissures forming between Apple and the video game industry. Apple in August became the center of two separate but related controversies. The first kicked off when it banned Fortnite from the App Store (Google did the same by removing Fortnite from its Play Store) over the inclusion of Epic’s own in-app payment methods designed to bypass Apple’s standard 30 percent cut. Epic then sued both Apple and Google for anti-competitive practices.
Shortly after that, Apple clarified its position on cloud gaming services, explaining that the clients operated by Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and others were not allowed on iOS because of App Store policies barring platforms that stream games. Apple softened its stance slightly by creating an exemption that would allow a cloud gaming service so long as the games it streamed were submitted individually for App Store review and subject to the same policies and 30 percent commission that other apps are.
Apple also suggested cloud gaming providers use the mobile web instead if they thought the terms were unfavorable. Microsoft snubbed the olive branch as a “bad experience for consumers,” while Facebook began publicly criticizing Apple for the restrictions it imposed on its own cloud gaming service. Neither Google nor Nvidia publicly spoke out about Apple’s position on cloud gaming.
Microsoft and Nvidia have both decided to release iOS web apps due to App Store restrictions
Now, Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia have since taken Apple’s advice and decided to go the mobile web route instead of attempt to work within the confines of the App Store. Microsoft plans to launch an iOS version of xCloud sometime next year, while Google announced today that it would be testing an iOS version of its Stadia platform in the coming weeks. Yet Nvidia is beating both to the punch by launching a WebRTC-based version of GeForce Now on mobile Safari today in beta.
Nvidia says there will be some notable restrictions involved. You will be able to use controllers such as the Xbox One gamepad and Sony’s DualShock 4 as well as supported mobile-first controllers like the Razer Kishi. In fact, Nvidia says a majority of GeForce Now’s more than 750 games that work well with gamepads and will run just as well on mobile.
But Nvidia hasn’t tested the new PlayStation 5 console’s DualSense controller and cannot confidently say it will work. Touch controls will also work, though they will not be natively supported in certain games because the machines on which the platform runs stream the PC version of a game and not a made-for-mobile app. (Hence the delay on making Fortnite available.) Mice and keyboards will not work at all, Nvidia says, due to issues specifically with mouse support using the mobile web client as it’s currently designed.
Nvidia is also announcing some nice new additions to the platform, including InnerSloth’s huge multiplayer hit Among Us and support for GOG.com’s PC storefront in time for parent company CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 launch on December 10th. And Nvidia says it’s also increased the number of facilities around the globe it uses to deliver GeForce Now to 22 data centers in 70 countries.
Update November 19th, 12PM ET: Included mention of Google’s plans to test an iOS version of Stadia in the coming weeks.


theverge--2020-11-19--Wyze smartwatch leaks via FCC listing

Wyze smartwatch leaks via FCC listing

Budget smart home company Wyze is preparing to release a smartwatch , according to a newly published Federal Communications Commission certification listing spotted by Twitter user @ iJRPN .
Other than its Apple Watch-esque rounded rectangular design , the “ Wyze Watch 44 ” listing doesn ’ t reveal too much about the unannounced smartwatch .
We ’ re assuming the “ 44 ” in its name refers to it having a 44mm case size , and it appears to feature a set of sensors for heart rate tracking .
Although Wyze is best known for its lineup of affordable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at just $ 19.99 for the Wyze Cam V2 , the company has recently been expanding its lineup to include the Wyze Band fitness wearable and even a $ 199 robot vacuum cleaner with LIDAR .
Other new devices include headphones , a smart thermostat , and a video doorbell .
As Dave Zatz notes over on Twitter , Wyze ’ s expanding product lineup is starting to make it look like the Amazon Basics of gadgets .
It has an increasingly broad range of stripped-down devices , which could fit the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tighter budget .

Budget smart home company Wyze is preparing to release a smartwatch, according to a newly published Federal Communications Commission certification listing spotted by Twitter user @iJRPN. Other than its Apple Watch-esque rounded rectangular design, the “Wyze Watch 44” listing doesn’t reveal too much about the unannounced smartwatch. We’re assuming the “44” in its name refers to it having a 44mm case size, and it appears to feature a set of sensors for heart rate tracking.
Although Wyze is best known for its lineup of affordable smart home security cameras, which start at just $19.99 for the Wyze Cam V2, the company has recently been expanding its lineup to include the Wyze Band fitness wearable and even a $199 robot vacuum cleaner with LIDAR. Other new devices include headphones, a smart thermostat, and a video doorbell.
What appear to be heart rate sensors can be seen on the bottom of the watch. Image: FCC Another shot of the unannounced smartwatch. Image: FCC


theverge--2020-11-19--Gumroad now offers Patreon-like memberships to support creators

Gumroad , which helps creators sell products online , is now allowing creators on its platform to offer memberships as an additional source of recurring revenue .
With memberships , creators will be able to customize what products and content members will have access to at pricing tiers of their choosing — they can even offer a pay-what-you-want option .
By introducing memberships onto Gumroad , the platform ’ s existing creators won ’ t have to use another service like Patreon or Substack to offer some kind of membership service .
In theory , they ’ ll now be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling one-off products and making recurring revenue through memberships .
And memberships aren ’ t the only way to make ongoing revenue on Gumroad , as the company also has tools to sell subscription products .
Gumroad offers a suite of tools to help creators sell products online .
The service lets you make a landing page , create offer codes and license keys , and use analytics tools to better understand your audience and your sales .
The majority of what ’ s sold on Gumroad is digital goods — about 95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but creators can sell physical products , too , like T-shirts .
Gumroad faces a lot of competition from other platforms , though , like Patreon , Substack , and OnlyFans .
But where Gumroad tries to differentiate itself from those platforms is in transparency , CEO Sahil Lavingia told The Verge in an interview .
Lavingia publishes the financials of the business every month on Twitter and even hosts open board meetings on YouTube .
“ Multiple people have told me , ‘ I picked Gumroad because I could see when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money on , ” Lavingia said .
“ I think it ’ s underrated how much people appreciate knowing how the business that they ’ re using actually functions and runs as a business.
” Memberships are available now on Gumroad .

Gumroad, which helps creators sell products online, is now allowing creators on its platform to offer memberships as an additional source of recurring revenue. With memberships, creators will be able to customize what products and content members will have access to at pricing tiers of their choosing — they can even offer a pay-what-you-want option.
By introducing memberships onto Gumroad, the platform’s existing creators won’t have to use another service like Patreon or Substack to offer some kind of membership service. In theory, they’ll now be able to use a single platform for selling one-off products and making recurring revenue through memberships. And memberships aren’t the only way to make ongoing revenue on Gumroad, as the company also has tools to sell subscription products.
Gumroad memberships. Image: Gumroad
Gumroad offers a suite of tools to help creators sell products online. The service lets you make a landing page, create offer codes and license keys, and use analytics tools to better understand your audience and your sales. The majority of what’s sold on Gumroad is digital goods — about 95 percent, Gumroad tells The Verge — but creators can sell physical products, too, like T-shirts.
Gumroad faces a lot of competition from other platforms, though, like Patreon, Substack, and OnlyFans. But where Gumroad tries to differentiate itself from those platforms is in transparency, CEO Sahil Lavingia told The Verge in an interview. Lavingia publishes the financials of the business every month on Twitter and even hosts open board meetings on YouTube.
“Multiple people have told me, ‘I picked Gumroad because I could see when I give Gumroad money what they actually spend money on,” Lavingia said. “I think it’s underrated how much people appreciate knowing how the business that they’re using actually functions and runs as a business.”


theverge--2020-11-19--Among Us developer teases new map for next month

Among Us developer InnerSloth has used the first post from a newly established Twitter account for the game to tease a new map .
“ Here ’ s a special look at the new Among Us map , ” the developer tweeted , before hinting that more information would be revealed during The Game Awards on December 10th .
Among Us is nominated for two awards at this year ’ s show , “ Best Multiplayer , ” and “ Best Mobile Game.
” The new map is set to be the game ’ s fourth , joining the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different layout , and have big implications for how matches play out .
The new screenshot doesn ’ t give too many hints about the overall layout of the unannounced map , but shows what appears to be a large cockpit area , complete with a few screens and an all important vent for imposters to use to get around .
The existence of the new map was teased back in September , when InnerSloth said it would be “ a Henry Stickmin themed location ” in reference to another one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the loop , Among Us has been one of the breakout indie game hits of this year , getting so big that even Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live streamed playing a few rounds .
Players have to work together to complete simple tasks across a map , while some are randomly assigned as “ Imposters ” and have to kill them without getting caught .
With InnerSloth recently taking the decision to cancel Among Us 2 in order to focus on updating the original game , it ’ s great to see the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Among Us developer InnerSloth has used the first post from a newly established Twitter account for the game to tease a new map. “Here’s a special look at the new Among Us map,” the developer tweeted, before hinting that more information would be revealed during The Game Awards on December 10th. Among Us is nominated for two awards at this year’s show, “Best Multiplayer,” and “Best Mobile Game.”
The new map is set to be the game’s fourth, joining the three that are already available. Each has a different layout, and have big implications for how matches play out. The new screenshot doesn’t give too many hints about the overall layout of the unannounced map, but shows what appears to be a large cockpit area, complete with a few screens and an all important vent for imposters to use to get around. The existence of the new map was teased back in September, when InnerSloth said it would be “a Henry Stickmin themed location” in reference to another one of its games.
For those out of the loop, Among Us has been one of the breakout indie game hits of this year, getting so big that even Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez live streamed playing a few rounds. Players have to work together to complete simple tasks across a map, while some are randomly assigned as “Imposters” and have to kill them without getting caught.


theverge--2020-11-19--Vivo announces radically redesigned OriginOS Android skin

Vivo has announced its new Android-based operating system at its annual developer conference in China .
OriginOS is the successor to FuntouchOS and features a complete design overhaul that prioritizes widgets , arranging them in a grid-like layout .
The widgets can update themselves with notifications called “ nano alerts.
” “ The genesis of OriginOS centers around three frontiers based on smartphone consumer demands : design , smoothness and convenience , ” Vivo says in a statement .
“ OriginOS repurposes familiar features with new exciting designs to create the ultimate smartphone experience.
” Of all the skinned versions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s FuntouchOS has long been the one most obviously in thrall to iOS , with similar notification design , color palettes , and use of transparency .
OriginOS ’ tile-based approach to widgets isn ’ t a million miles away from what Apple introduced this year with iOS 14 , although that wasn ’ t exactly the most unique design itself .
For its part , Vivo says it was inspired by Huarong Dao , the Chinese variant of Klotski sliding block puzzles .
Vivo also claims that OriginOS will be much less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements .
We ’ ll have to test for ourselves once it rolls out , but there ’ s little information in that regard — Vivo hasn ’ t said anything about a release date .
The company did , however , show off a mockup of the OS running on its current X50 flagship phone ( above ) .

Vivo has announced its new Android-based operating system at its annual developer conference in China. OriginOS is the successor to FuntouchOS and features a complete design overhaul that prioritizes widgets, arranging them in a grid-like layout. The widgets can update themselves with notifications called “nano alerts.”
“The genesis of OriginOS centers around three frontiers based on smartphone consumer demands: design, smoothness and convenience,” Vivo says in a statement. “OriginOS repurposes familiar features with new exciting designs to create the ultimate smartphone experience.”
Of all the skinned versions of Android out there, Vivo’s FuntouchOS has long been the one most obviously in thrall to iOS, with similar notification design, color palettes, and use of transparency. OriginOS’ tile-based approach to widgets isn’t a million miles away from what Apple introduced this year with iOS 14, although that wasn’t exactly the most unique design itself. For its part, Vivo says it was inspired by Huarong Dao, the Chinese variant of Klotski sliding block puzzles.


theverge--2020-11-20--Save $600 on Razer’s latest Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
Razer ’ s latest Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop is $ 600 off its usual price at the Microsoft Store .
Normally $ 2,600 ( and still that price over at Razer ’ s site ) , it ’ s down to $ 2,000 .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this configuration makes up for it with solid specs .
It features a 15.6-inch FHD display with a fast 300Hz refresh rate , so your games and other content will display smoothly , and the eight-core Intel Core i7-10875H processor and Nvidia RTX 2070 Super Max-Q graphics chip are a powerful duo .
This model also features 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD ( both of which are user-upgradeable ) .
To top it off , Razer ’ s chassis is still among the best that you can find in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well-designed , sturdy , and it doesn ’ t necessarily give away that it ’ s a gaming laptop .
But this machine is a fingerprint magnet , and it can get very hot .
I reviewed a more high-end version of the Blade 15 last month that features the RTX 2080 Super Max-Q , a larger SSD , and an SD card slot on the machine ’ s right side , but it ’ s otherwise the same machine .
Overall , I found that the battery life is better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layout — namely , the arrow keys , which caused typing errors for me due to them being too close to other crucial keys .

Razer’s latest Blade 15 Advanced gaming laptop is $600 off its usual price at the Microsoft Store. Normally $2,600 (and still that price over at Razer’s site), it’s down to $2,000. That’s still a lot of money, but this configuration makes up for it with solid specs. It features a 15.6-inch FHD display with a fast 300Hz refresh rate, so your games and other content will display smoothly, and the eight-core Intel Core i7-10875H processor and Nvidia RTX 2070 Super Max-Q graphics chip are a powerful duo. This model also features 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe SSD (both of which are user-upgradeable).
To top it off, Razer’s chassis is still among the best that you can find in a gaming laptop. It’s thin, well-designed, sturdy, and it doesn’t necessarily give away that it’s a gaming laptop. But this machine is a fingerprint magnet, and it can get very hot.
I reviewed a more high-end version of the Blade 15 last month that features the RTX 2080 Super Max-Q, a larger SSD, and an SD card slot on the machine’s right side, but it’s otherwise the same machine. Overall, I found that the battery life is better than before, and Razer refined the keyboard layout — namely, the arrow keys, which caused typing errors for me due to them being too close to other crucial keys.


theverge--2020-11-20--Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020) review: speedy, spectacular convertible

Not only is the Dell XPS 13 one of Dell ’ s best-known laptops , but it ’ s one of the best-known laptops , period .
If you know anything about Windows laptops , you ’ ve probably heard its name .
It ’ s great in pretty much every way , and it just keeps getting better .
So it ’ s forgivable to hear about a “ Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 ” and assume it ’ s a run-of-the-mill XPS 13 that you can flip around .
But the XPS 13 2-in-1 is very much a laptop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of trade-offs and considerations from its clamshell counterpart .
In some areas ( like graphics performance ) , the convertible is a step ahead of the standard XPS ; in others ( like the keyboard ) , it ’ s compromising a bit .
The best model for you depends on the type of tasks you ’ re looking to do .
This year ’ s 2-in-1 starts at $ 1,099.99 for a Core i3-1115G4 processor , 8GB of RAM , and a 256GB SSD .
You can spec that all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now at $ 1,999.99 ) for a 3840 x 2400 display , a Core i7-1165G7 CPU , 32GB of RAM , and a 1TB SSD .
You can also pay $ 50 extra for the white ( “ frost ” ) color rather than the silver and black model and $ 60 extra to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro .
I have a model in the middle , containing the 1165G7 , 16GB of RAM , a 512GB SSD , and a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen .
That costs $ 1,949.99 ( but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dell ’ s website ) .
The regular XPS 13 with the same processor has just 8GB of RAM and is said to cost $ 1,499.99 , but it ’ s currently listed at $ 1,349.99 .
That means you ’ re paying $ 400 extra for 8GB more memory , and the other benefits of the 2-in-1 .
Before getting into that , I ’ ll give you a brief rundown of what ’ s new from the last XPS 13 2-in-1 .
It ’ s mostly one thing : the processor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes Intel ’ s newest 11th Gen “ Tiger Lake ” mobile chips .
The CPUs bring Intel ’ s best-in-class Iris Xe integrated graphics , which have been the talk of the town since Tiger Lake ’ s launch , as well as the Thunderbolt 4 standard .
This 9310 is actually certified through Intel ’ s Evo program ( denoted by a small sticker on the right palm rest ) , which is supposed to guarantee that a laptop meets the needs of an everyday home or office user , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance .
Apart from that , the new 2-in-1 has largely the same look as its predecessor and the clamshell XPS , complete with a slim and sturdy aluminum chassis , a 1920 x 1200 ( 16:10 ) Gorilla Glass screen , and four ports ( two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 , DisplayPort , and Power Delivery , one headphone jack , and one microSD card reader ) .
Dell has made a few tweaks as well : the webcam now supports Windows Hello , there ’ s a new “ frost ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 3733MHz to 4267MHz , the touchpad is quieter , and there ’ s an updated microSD reader that Dell says will deliver better performance .
That ’ s all well and good , but the processor is the star of the show here — and it is a star .
For general performance , the 1165G7 handled my office workload , which includes a dozen-ish Chrome tabs , a few other apps like Slack and Spotify , and some downloading , file copying , and other office-y stuff in the background , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fans spin up or felt any heat unless I was running an intense program .
This is the experience you ’ ll have with any machine with an i7 , but you certainly aren ’ t sacrificing any performance for this convertible form factor .
Heavier media work is where this system starts to stand out .
The 2-in-1 took 10 minutes and 5 seconds to export our 5-minute , 33-second 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro .
That ’ s 38 seconds faster than the regular XPS 13 — effectively comparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th Gen Ice Lake laptop with integrated graphics , and they beat the Asus ZenBook 14 with the same processor ( which took 11 and a half minutes ) .
They also both lose out to the Arm-powered MacBook Air ( which doesn ’ t even have a fan ) and MacBook Pro , which finished the job in 8:15 and 7:39 , respectively .
Where the 2-in-1 really differentiates itself from the clamshell , though , is gaming performance .
You can actually play a fair number of games on this laptop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 2-in-1 smoked the clamshell on Rocket League ’ s maximum settings ( an average of 120fps , to the clamshell ’ s 111fps ) and League of Legends ( 226fps to the clamshell ’ s 205fps ) .
You ’ ll only see 60fps on either XPS 13 since that ’ s the maximum their screens can display , but those results show how much higher Dell has clocked the 2-in-1 over the standard XPS .
The 2-in-1 is putting up such impressive numbers that there are actually games where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will on the clamshell .
It breezed through Overwatch ’ s Ultra settings , averaging 71fps .
That beats the standard XPS 13 , which averaged 48fps on the same preset — a difference you ’ ll notice in gameplay .
It also beats Lenovo ’ s IdeaPad Slim 7 with AMD ’ s eight-core Ryzen 7 4800U , which put up 46fps and actually isn ’ t too far off a system I tested with the most powerful Tiger Lake processor ( the Core i7-1185G7 ) which averaged 89fps .
The really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play Shadow of the Tomb Raider on this machine at 1080p .
The 2-in-1 averaged 36fps on the game ’ s built-in benchmark ( at the lowest-possible settings ) .
That ’ s just two off from the newest MacBook Air with Apple ’ s M1 chip ( 38fps ) , which has been outperforming 1165G7 systems across the board .
Now , you may very well not want to play demanding titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 38fps , but you can play them on this machine without feeling like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s a big accomplishment for these integrated graphics , especially considering that the standard XPS 13 only averaged 22fps on the same benchmark .
Similar to that of the clamshell XPS , however , the convertible ’ s cooling system ( including two fans , hidden vents in the hinge , and what Dell calls “ an ultra-thin vapor chamber ” ) is being pushed to its limit during these high-intensity tasks .
During the Premiere Pro export and my gaming sessions , the CPU spent some time in the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 a few times .
This may cause problems for the XPS form factor down the line if Intel doesn ’ t make significant gains in efficiency .
On the plus side , the keyboard and touchpad never got hot at all .
( The keyboard got toasty on the clamshell . )
So the 2-in-1 gives you better graphics performance than the standard XPS ( as well as a convertible form factor ) for just a slightly higher price .
What ’ s the catch ?
There are two worth considering .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged eight hours and 50 minutes using the 2-in-1 as my primary work driver with the screen at 200 nits of brightness .
That ’ s quite good among the Tiger Lake systems we ’ ve seen so far , and it means you should get a full workday from one charge .
But it ’ s a bit worse than the standard XPS , where I usually saw nine hours and 15 minutes — a small difference but one that could be important to students or frequent business travelers who are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get .
The second trade-off to consider is the keyboard .
The standard XPS 13 has one of my all-time favorite laptop keyboards ; it ’ s snappy , quiet , and comfortable , with a really nice texture .
The 2-in-1 has a different keyboard that Dell calls the “ Next Gen MagLev keyboard.
” It has wider keycaps with just 0.7mm of travel .
It feels similar to using the old low-profile butterfly keyboard on the 2019 MacBook Pro .
Personally , I hate this .
Typing on the convertible feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I begrudgingly acknowledge that some people ( including Verge deputy editor Dan Seifert ) prefer these kinds of keys .
Overall , the XPS 13 2-in-1 9310 is an excellent Windows convertible .
It keeps the slim , sturdy , premium build quality that makes the XPS line the best of the best while also delivering some of the best performance you can get from an ultraportable laptop .
It ’ s a formidable competitor to Apple ’ s groundbreaking MacBooks , especially if you ’ re looking for a touchscreen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re deciding whether to buy the XPS 13 or the XPS 13 2-in-1 , the differences are simple — but they ’ re also significant and worth thinking about .
The convertible form factor is the most obvious distinction , but I would argue it ’ s not the most important one ( unless your job requires tablet use ) .
You ’ ll be using the keyboard a lot , so you ’ ll want to figure out which one you prefer ( if you ’ ve used MacBook butterfly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a rough approximation ) .
You should also consider the sorts of tasks you ’ ll be putting your system through and whether a significant increase in graphics performance ( especially with demanding games ) is worth giving up a bit of battery life .
And of course , there ’ s the $ 400 price difference .
Anyone who ’ s considering an XPS 13 and thinks they might prefer a convertible should definitely consider the 2-in-1 .
Just don ’ t assume they ’ re the exact same package .

Not only is the Dell XPS 13 one of Dell’s best-known laptops, but it’s one of the best-known laptops, period. If you know anything about Windows laptops, you’ve probably heard its name. It’s great in pretty much every way, and it just keeps getting better.
So it’s forgivable to hear about a “Dell XPS 13 2-in-1” and assume it’s a run-of-the-mill XPS 13 that you can flip around. But the XPS 13 2-in-1 is very much a laptop of its own, with a different set of trade-offs and considerations from its clamshell counterpart. In some areas (like graphics performance), the convertible is a step ahead of the standard XPS; in others (like the keyboard), it’s compromising a bit. The best model for you depends on the type of tasks you’re looking to do.
Edge-to-edge keyboard, large touchpad — the works.
This year’s 2-in-1 starts at $1,099.99 for a Core i3-1115G4 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. You can spec that all the way up to $2,249.99 (listed now at $1,999.99) for a 3840 x 2400 display, a Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. You can also pay $50 extra for the white (“frost”) color rather than the silver and black model and $60 extra to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
8.5 Verge Score Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020) $ 1499.99 The Good 16:10 display
Exceptional build quality
All-day battery life
Fast CPU with new integrated graphics The Bad Shallow keyboard
No USB-A ports
Not-great webcam
CPU heat is pushing it $1500 at Dell How we rate and review products
I have a model in the middle, containing the 1165G7, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 1920 x 1200 touchscreen. That costs $1,649.99 (but is currently listed at $1,469.99 on Dell’s website). The regular XPS 13 with the same processor has just 8GB of RAM and is said to cost $1,499.99, but it’s currently listed at $1,349.99. That means you’re paying $120 extra for 8GB more memory, and the other benefits of the 2-in-1.
Before getting into that, I’ll give you a brief rundown of what’s new from the last XPS 13 2-in-1. It’s mostly one thing: the processor. This 2-in-1 (the 9310) includes Intel’s newest 11th Gen “Tiger Lake” mobile chips. The CPUs bring Intel’s best-in-class Iris Xe integrated graphics, which have been the talk of the town since Tiger Lake’s launch, as well as the Thunderbolt 4 standard. This 9310 is actually certified through Intel’s Evo program (denoted by a small sticker on the right palm rest), which is supposed to guarantee that a laptop meets the needs of an everyday home or office user, in categories from connectivity to battery life and performance.
The ports support up to two 4K displays and data transfers up to 40Gbps.
Apart from that, the new 2-in-1 has largely the same look as its predecessor and the clamshell XPS, complete with a slim and sturdy aluminum chassis, a 1920 x 1200 (16:10) Gorilla Glass screen, and four ports (two USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery, one headphone jack, and one microSD card reader). Dell has made a few tweaks as well: the webcam now supports Windows Hello, there’s a new “frost” color option, RAM has been bumped from 3733MHz to 4267MHz, the touchpad is quieter, and there’s an updated microSD reader that Dell says will deliver better performance. That’s all well and good, but the processor is the star of the show here — and it is a star.
For general performance, the 1165G7 handled my office workload, which includes a dozen-ish Chrome tabs, a few other apps like Slack and Spotify, and some downloading, file copying, and other office-y stuff in the background, with no problem. I never heard the fans spin up or felt any heat unless I was running an intense program. This is the experience you’ll have with any machine with an i7, but you certainly aren’t sacrificing any performance for this convertible form factor.
Heavier media work is where this system starts to stand out. The 2-in-1 took 10 minutes and 5 seconds to export our 5-minute, 33-second 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro. That’s 38 seconds faster than the regular XPS 13 — effectively comparable. Both systems are faster than any 10th Gen Ice Lake laptop with integrated graphics, and they beat the Asus ZenBook 14 with the same processor (which took 11 and a half minutes). They also both lose out to the Arm-powered MacBook Air (which doesn’t even have a fan) and MacBook Pro, which finished the job in 8:15 and 7:39, respectively.
Where the 2-in-1 really differentiates itself from the clamshell, though, is gaming performance. You can actually play a fair number of games on this laptop without needing to bump the resolution down. The 2-in-1 smoked the clamshell on Rocket League’s maximum settings (an average of 120fps, to the clamshell’s 111fps) and League of Legends (226fps to the clamshell’s 205fps). You’ll only see 60fps on either XPS 13 since that’s the maximum their screens can display, but those results show how much higher Dell has clocked the 2-in-1 over the standard XPS.
The display covers 100 percent of the sRGB spectrum and 78 percent of AdobeRGB, and it reaches 469 nits of brightness. The hinge is sturdy and doesn’t add too much to the bottom bezel.
The 2-in-1 is putting up such impressive numbers that there are actually games where you’ll see better performance than you will on the clamshell. It breezed through Overwatch’s Ultra settings, averaging 71fps. That beats the standard XPS 13, which averaged 48fps on the same preset — a difference you’ll notice in gameplay. It also beats Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 7 with AMD’s eight-core Ryzen 7 4800U, which put up 46fps and actually isn’t too far off a system I tested with the most powerful Tiger Lake processor (the Core i7-1185G7) which averaged 89fps.
The really exciting news is that you can actually play Shadow of the Tomb Raider on this machine at 1080p. The 2-in-1 averaged 36fps on the game’s built-in benchmark (at the lowest-possible settings). That’s just two off from the newest MacBook Air with Apple’s M1 chip (38fps), which has been outperforming 1165G7 systems across the board. Now, you may very well not want to play demanding titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 38fps, but you can play them on this machine without feeling like you’re watching a flipbook. That’s a big accomplishment for these integrated graphics, especially considering that the standard XPS 13 only averaged 22fps on the same benchmark.
Agree to Continue: Dell XPS 13 (2020) Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them, since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate. To start using the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020), you’ll need to agree to the following: A request for your region
A request for your keyboard layout
Windows 10 license agreement and Dell Terms of Sale / License Agreement
Microsoft account
PIN You can also say yes or no to the following: Wi-Fi
Windows Hello face and fingerprint recognition
Privacy settings (speech recognition, location, Find My Device, sharing diagnostic data, inking and typing, tailored experience, advertising ID)
Tell Microsoft how you plan to use your device for customized suggestions (you can choose between gaming, schoolwork, creative, entertainment, family, and business)
Connect an Android phone
OneDrive backup
Office 365
Allow Microsoft to collect information including location and location history, contacts, voice input, speech and handwriting patterns, typing history, search history, calendar details, content and communication history, messages, and apps
Sign up for Dell’s Support and Protection
McAfee security subscription That’s six mandatory agreements and 16 optional ones to use the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020).
The convertible’s cooling system is being pushed to its limit
Similar to that of the clamshell XPS, however, the convertible’s cooling system (including two fans, hidden vents in the hinge, and what Dell calls “an ultra-thin vapor chamber”) is being pushed to its limit during these high-intensity tasks. During the Premiere Pro export and my gaming sessions, the CPU spent some time in the high 90s (Celsius) and even hit 100 a few times. This may cause problems for the XPS form factor down the line if Intel doesn’t make significant gains in efficiency. On the plus side, the keyboard and touchpad never got hot at all. (The keyboard got toasty on the clamshell.)
So the 2-in-1 gives you better graphics performance than the standard XPS (as well as a convertible form factor) for just a slightly higher price. What’s the catch? There are two worth considering.
The Dell logo is slightly larger than it was on the last 2-in-1.
The first is battery life. I averaged eight hours and 50 minutes using the 2-in-1 as my primary work driver with the screen at 200 nits of brightness. That’s quite good among the Tiger Lake systems we’ve seen so far, and it means you should get a full workday from one charge. But it’s a bit worse than the standard XPS, where I usually saw nine hours and 15 minutes — a small difference but one that could be important to students or frequent business travelers who are looking for every ounce of juice they can get.
Dell XPS 13 2-in 2020 specs (as reviewed) Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Display: 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 touch display
Ports: two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, one 3.5mm headphone / microphone combo jack, one microSD card reader
Camera: 2.24mm infrared 720p webcam
Weight: 2.9 pounds (1.32kg)
Dimensions: 11.69 x 8.15 x 0.56 inches (297 x 207 x 14.35mm)
Operating system: Windows 10 Home
The second trade-off to consider is the keyboard. The standard XPS 13 has one of my all-time favorite laptop keyboards; it’s snappy, quiet, and comfortable, with a really nice texture. The 2-in-1 has a different keyboard that Dell calls the “Next Gen MagLev keyboard.” It has wider keycaps with just 0.7mm of travel. It feels similar to using the old low-profile butterfly keyboard on the 2019 MacBook Pro. Personally, I hate this. Typing on the convertible feels like slamming my fingers onto flat plastic. But I begrudgingly acknowledge that some people (including Verge deputy editor Dan Seifert) prefer these kinds of keys.
Overall, the XPS 13 2-in-1 9310 is an excellent Windows convertible. It keeps the slim, sturdy, premium build quality that makes the XPS line the best of the best while also delivering some of the best performance you can get from an ultraportable laptop. It’s a formidable competitor to Apple’s groundbreaking MacBooks, especially if you’re looking for a touchscreen and a convertible form factor.
A few steps forward, a few steps back.
If you’re deciding whether to buy the XPS 13 or the XPS 13 2-in-1, the differences are simple — but they’re also significant and worth thinking about. The convertible form factor is the most obvious distinction, but I would argue it’s not the most important one (unless your job requires tablet use). You’ll be using the keyboard a lot, so you’ll want to figure out which one you prefer (if you’ve used MacBook butterfly keyboards and other MacBook keyboards, those are a rough approximation). You should also consider the sorts of tasks you’ll be putting your system through and whether a significant increase in graphics performance (especially with demanding games) is worth giving up a bit of battery life. And of course, there’s the price difference.
Anyone who’s considering an XPS 13 and thinks they might prefer a convertible should definitely consider the 2-in-1. Just don’t assume they’re the exact same package.