Notch | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:47:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png Notch | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Apple to shrink notch on next iPhone thanks to smaller Face ID chip https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-to-shrink-notch-on-next-iphone-thanks-to-smaller-face-id-chip/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/matthew-wilson/apple-to-shrink-notch-on-next-iphone-thanks-to-smaller-face-id-chip/#respond Fri, 14 May 2021 14:32:28 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=515503 Ever since the iPhone X was first revealed, we've been wondering when Apple may shrink the notch to allow for more screen space. As it turns out, this is something that Apple has been working on, and the new, smaller Face ID array could be ready to ship on this year's iPhone.  As reported by …

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Ever since the iPhone X was first revealed, we've been wondering when Apple may shrink the notch to allow for more screen space. As it turns out, this is something that Apple has been working on, and the new, smaller Face ID array could be ready to ship on this year's iPhone. 

As reported by 9to5Mac, evidence is pointing towards a smaller notch on the iPhone 13. MacOtakara and Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo have both reported that this year's iPhone will feature a smaller notch. Digitimes has more evidence of this, with sources telling the site that Apple's VCSEL chip, which handles Face ID processing, has been shrunk by up to 50 percent. This smaller Face ID chip is already available in newer iPad models.

By shrinking the VCSEL chip, Apple can not only shrink the notch itself on the next iPhone, but the company can also save some money, as less wafers will be needed to produce them.

The iPhone 13 has yet to leak, but with manufacturing set to ramp up over the summer, we'll likely start to see dummy units pictured in the months to come, ahead of a proper unveiling in September or October.

KitGuru Says: Have any of you used an iPhone since the iPhone X? Would you like to see a smaller notch, or do you prefer the ‘punch hole' design that many Android flagships are using nowadays? 

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Oppo wants to eliminate the smartphone notch with an under-screen camera https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/andrzej/oppo-wants-to-eliminate-the-smartphone-notch-with-an-under-screen-camera/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/andrzej/oppo-wants-to-eliminate-the-smartphone-notch-with-an-under-screen-camera/#respond Fri, 28 Jun 2019 14:07:14 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=416770 Over the last two years, we have seen most of the smartphone market shift over to ‘all screen' designs with slimmer bezels than ever before. This resulted in the ‘notch' trend at first, where part of the display is covered to maintain room for a front facing camera, but companies are finding creative ways to …

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Over the last two years, we have seen most of the smartphone market shift over to ‘all screen' designs with slimmer bezels than ever before. This resulted in the ‘notch' trend at first, where part of the display is covered to maintain room for a front facing camera, but companies are finding creative ways to eliminate this issue and Oppo may have the best solution yet.

This week, Oppo began demonstrating its new under-screen camera design. So instead of having a notch on the front of your phone, or a pop-up camera mechanism, the selfie-taker just sits under your display. This is achieved by using transparent materials and customised displays with a redesigned pixel structure, which allows light to get through the display to the camera sensor.

According to Oppo, the area of the display where the camera resides will still be compatible with touchscreen inputs and won't compromise display quality. Although in direct bright light, you are likely going to be able to see the camera hiding underneath even with the display switched on.

While this is great for those who want as much usable screen in their hand as possible, front-camera picture quality will take a hit. Colour cast, haze, glare etc are all issues that will need to be addressed when bringing this technology to market.

KitGuru Says: Oppo will be releasing its first phone with an under-screen camera later this year, so it won't be long before we can see it in action properly. What do you guys think of this idea? 

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Leaked images show off the Galaxy S10 and S10+ in full https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/leaked-images-show-off-the-galaxy-s10-and-s10-in-full/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/leaked-images-show-off-the-galaxy-s10-and-s10-in-full/#respond Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:00:45 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=402014 Over the last few years, Samsung has taken to announcing its flagship Galaxy S phones in February rather than March. This year, Samsung will be announcing the Galaxy S10 and S10+ on the 20th of February, with the devices being less than one month away, we are starting to get some really solid leaks. Today's …

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Over the last few years, Samsung has taken to announcing its flagship Galaxy S phones in February rather than March. This year, Samsung will be announcing the Galaxy S10 and S10+ on the 20th of February, with the devices being less than one month away, we are starting to get some really solid leaks. Today's leak shows off photos of both smartphones in full.

Over at allaboutsamsung.de, images of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ have surfaced, showing off the new design. There is a triple camera setup on the back all in a straight line. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S10 has one front facing camera embedded into the display, the larger S10+ has two front facing cameras, creating a slightly larger hole in the screen to accommodate.

Image credit: allaboutsamsung.de

If 2018 was the year of the notch, then it looks like 2019 might be the year of what I'm choosing to call ‘the screen dot'. As you can see, the display still lights up and functions around the camera cut out, which is placed off to the upper right hand corner of the screen.

It does mean that there is more screen space and bezels are reduced even further. However, I do wonder how app developers are going to get around the fact that there will now be a camera sitting in a place where there could have been buttons or other UI elements. It could get more complicated if different phone makers embed their cameras in different places.

Either way, there will be an adjustment period just as we saw when the notch started taking over. I'm sure Samsung will show off some examples of how it works when the announcement comes through.

KitGuru Says: Smartphone designs have finally started getting interesting again over the last couple of years. There are still improvements to be made, but so far, I'm enjoying all of the different methods we are seeing to maximise screen space. It will be interesting to see how it ends up working with apps later down the line.

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Leaked Galaxy S10 screen protectors show no signs of a notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/damien-cox/leaked-galaxy-s10-screen-protectors-show-no-signs-of-a-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/damien-cox/leaked-galaxy-s10-screen-protectors-show-no-signs-of-a-notch/#respond Fri, 23 Nov 2018 16:53:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=396003 Two weeks ago, Samsung debuted its experimental notch concepts, catering to a wider range of display designs. While this prompted thoughts of the Galaxy S10 carrying the divisive intrusion at the top of its screen, leaked screen protectors suggest that Samsung is keeping its increasingly bezel-less tradition intact. The screen protector was detailed by oft-reliable …

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Two weeks ago, Samsung debuted its experimental notch concepts, catering to a wider range of display designs. While this prompted thoughts of the Galaxy S10 carrying the divisive intrusion at the top of its screen, leaked screen protectors suggest that Samsung is keeping its increasingly bezel-less tradition intact.

The screen protector was detailed by oft-reliable leaker Ice Universe, who has accurately debuted many smartphone designs prior to their official unveiling. The screen protector itself mirrors the bezel-less renders that have repeatedly cropped up over the past year, but there is little credibility beyond repeated speculation and the consistently dependable uploader.

Perhaps the most important thing is that the screen protector continues Samsung’s efforts to forgo the notch. There is a small cutout at the top of the bezel where the speaker is expected to be housed. It is unclear what Samsung is planning for its front-facing camera if these leaks prove accurate, as there looks to be no room in the thin top bezel , nor a punch hole for its recent in-display Infinity O concept.

There are four versions of the Galaxy S10 supposedly in the works, meaning that this could be a mid-range model that gets rid of the front-facing camera entirely. Alternatively, Samsung could have its own pop-up style camera similar to the Oppo Find X or Vivo Nex. In all likelihood, however, the Infinity O cutout is speculated to be the firm's answer to what's set to be its biggest screen-to-body ratio to date, simply covered up by the protector.

KitGuru Says: Potentially getting rid of the front-facing camera is an unlikely move, however the unprecedented effort has been asked for by many that don’t indulge in selfie culture who clamour for more screen. Do you think the recent leak holds water? If so, what do you think Samsung’s camera solution will be?

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Samsung may adopt the divisive notch after all https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-may-adopt-the-divisive-notch-after-all/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/samsung-may-adopt-the-divisive-notch-after-all/#respond Thu, 08 Nov 2018 12:45:00 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=394240 Samsung devices have long been a haven in an increasingly notch-filled world, even going as far as to ridicule competition for the idea. This could soon be set to change, as the South Korean firm outlined four experimental front-facing camera solutions during its developer conference. Similar to its rival firms, Samsung is forever improving its …

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Samsung devices have long been a haven in an increasingly notch-filled world, even going as far as to ridicule competition for the idea. This could soon be set to change, as the South Korean firm outlined four experimental front-facing camera solutions during its developer conference.

Similar to its rival firms, Samsung is forever improving its screen-to-body ratio, aiming for that true elusive edge-to-edge display. “We’re going to keep going. The bezels are going to shrink even further,” explained director of product marketing Hassan Anjum. “We’re going to push the limits with our new lineup: the Infinity U, V, and O displays. These are new concepts that are just around the corner, and I can’t wait to tell you more about them.”

The firm’s Infinity U notch is the teardrop front-facing camera we’re used to seeing on the market. Introduced with the Essential Phone, the central oval solution has since been adopted by the Huawei Mate 20 and a slightly wider versions on the Oppo R17 and OnePlus 6T.

It’s difficult to see why the Infinity V is a thing aside from something to simply be different to competitors. It intrudes the same central portion as the teardrop notch, instead sporting a pencil-like point. At the very least, it could marginally bolster screen-to-body ratio percentage, but this is unlikely to hold any real-world difference.

Samsung really begins to push the boat out with its Infinity O, which is less of a notch and more of a circular cut-out in the top left corner of the handset’s fully edge-to-edge display. It’s unlikely that this design will be welcome any more than the notch was when it debuted, and it could potentially mean extra work for app developers to support.

Although Anjum didn’t talk about the firm’s New Infinity, the fourth solution debuted gives a sneak peek at Samsung’s fully bezel-less design. The firm didn’t divulge whether this is achieved via a sliding mechanism akin to Oppo’s Find X, or by the rumoured adaptive display that allows for the front-facing camera to be kept beneath the display. Unfortunately, the tech is still a little ways down the road before Samsung will officially comment.

The firm didn’t confirm which of these options will be used, but it is believed that some or all of these designs will be utilised in Samsung’s 2019 line-up. Galaxy S9, Note 9 and A9 users are urged to cherish their time with what could potentially be the last notchless Samsung devices for the foreseeable future.

KitGuru Says: Samsung’s New Infinity display certainly has me intrigued, even if we are lacking details surrounding the technology. Personally, I feel like the design would benefit from a flat design rather than the curved trend in order to avoid accidental selections. How do you feel about Samsung’s range of notch solutions?

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Pixel 3 XL users hit with ‘second notch’ display bug, Google promises a fix https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/pixel-3-xl-users-hit-with-second-notch-display-bug-google-promises-a-fix/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/pixel-3-xl-users-hit-with-second-notch-display-bug-google-promises-a-fix/#respond Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:49:17 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=392959 The smartphone notch trend has always carried some controversy amongst Android fans but that hasn't stopped most phone makers from picking it up. Even the Google Pixel 3 XL opted for a ‘notch' display design, but it appears to be causing some issues. This week, some Pixel 3 XL users reported a software bug, causing …

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The smartphone notch trend has always carried some controversy amongst Android fans but that hasn't stopped most phone makers from picking it up. Even the Google Pixel 3 XL opted for a ‘notch' display design, but it appears to be causing some issues. This week, some Pixel 3 XL users reported a software bug, causing a second display notch to appear on the side of the screen.

We don't know exactly what is causing the second notch bug but as Android Police reports, some high profile smartphone reviewers are experiencing it. The second notch appears on the right side of the display and actively blocks some of the image.

The issue apparently goes away after restarting the device or diving into the developer settings. Google is of course aware of the issue and promises a fix ‘soon'. Hopefully we'll also find out exactly what was causing the bug in the first place.

KitGuru Says: I know a lot of our readers like the Google Pixel but issues do seem to be creeping up more often over the last couple of years. Do any of you have a Pixel 3 XL? Have you experienced this display bug?

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Samsung’s notchless Galaxy S10 leaked, set to feature open hole camera tech https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsungs-notchless-galaxy-s10-leaked-set-to-feature-open-hole-camera-tech/ https://www.kitguru.net/tech-news/featured-announcement/damien-cox/samsungs-notchless-galaxy-s10-leaked-set-to-feature-open-hole-camera-tech/#respond Fri, 19 Oct 2018 14:59:38 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=391586 Samsung will supposedly debut an edge-to-edge Galaxy S10 next year, as new leaks suggest the notchless device will introduce open hole camera technology.

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While many companies throughout the 2017/18 period indulged in the divisive smartphone notch, Samsung has never subscribed to the idea, often opting for thinner yet visible bezels. Next year’s Galaxy S10 is set to continue this trend according to recent leaks, introducing open hole camera tech that allows for the most screen-to-body ratio yet.

Serial smartphone leaker Ice Universe posted the concept on his Twitter page, alleging that the tech would “become the mainstream technology in 2019.” It seems as though designs have yet to be finalised, however, as the leak suggests the open hole could be positioned on the top left, right or centre of the display.

Leaks and rumours have long suggested that Samsung would go to great lengths to forgo the notch, including an as-of-yet unconfirmed sound-emitting display. This would track well with the bezel-less approach, as it looks like there isn’t much room for the standard pseudo-stereo speakers seen in most flagships.

It isn’t certain whether or not the open hole camera technology will be a cutout or be placed beneath the display, blanking out pixels when in use. Either way, Ice Universe has a good track record of accurate leaks debuting smartphone technology long before official announcements.

The screen is certainly an important feature of the upcoming Galaxy S10, with a suggested in-display fingerprint sensor courtesy of Qualcomm. It is also believed that the upcoming flagship will retain the headphone jack and include a triple-lens rear camera rather than the quad-camera seen on the Galaxy A9.

KitGuru Says: I can imagine that the real Galaxy S10 is set to be the envy of those locked into a contract with notched smartphones. Still, it’s all about function over form for most, so we have yet to see how Samsung’s next-gen will fare. Where would you like the open hole technology to be placed?

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Oppo’s Find X sports a notchless edge-to-edge display thanks to sliding camera mechanism https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oppos-find-x-sports-a-notchless-edge-to-edge-display-thanks-to-sliding-camera-mechanism/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oppos-find-x-sports-a-notchless-edge-to-edge-display-thanks-to-sliding-camera-mechanism/#respond Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:07:11 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=377354 The divisive notch looks to be a short-lived trend among smartphones, as Oppo's Find X is the latest in the line of bezel-less smartphones to ditch the practice. Utilising a motorised camera array, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has managed to bless the Oppo Find X with a 93.8 percent uninterrupted screen-to-body ratio that wraps around …

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The divisive notch looks to be a short-lived trend among smartphones, as Oppo's Find X is the latest in the line of bezel-less smartphones to ditch the practice. Utilising a motorised camera array, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has managed to bless the Oppo Find X with a 93.8 percent uninterrupted screen-to-body ratio that wraps around the edges.

Looking a lot like Samsung’s curved Galaxy S8 and S9 Plus designs, Oppo unveiled the Find X on Tuesday. The new smartphone sports a 6.4-inch OLED panel with 2340 x 1080 resolution and its screen-to-body ratio is the largest we’ve seen yet.

This is only possible through the Oppo Find X’s headline feature: The motorised camera mechanism. While this echoes Vivo’s latest effort with the Nex, instead of simply popping out the front-facing camera, the Find X houses a much bigger mechanism containing the rear camera too. Popping up within a claimed .5 of a second, the mechanism has been tested for its durability, exceeding 300,000 slides.

While the dual rear camera clocks in at a standard 16-megapixel f/2.0 sensor and a 20MP f/2.2 sensor, it’s the front-facing camera that shines with a whopping 25MP. This enables the Oppo Find X to rival Apple’s flagship iPhone X with its own 3D facial scanning technology to secure the device, replacing the fingerprint scanner entirely.

Other manufacturers now opting for a notchless edge-to-edge display have relocated the speakers below the screen thanks to new sound-emitting display technology, however it is uncertain how Oppo has handled the change-up itself.

Shipping with Google’s Android 8.1 operating system, the Oppo Find X looks a lot like other rival flagships internally, containing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM, up to 256GB storage and a 3,730mAh fast-charging battery.

Currently Oppo has only made the handset available in China, with plans to bring the Find X to France, Italy, Spain, and Netherlands starting at €999 for the 256GB model. Oppo has also launched a limited edition model boasting a carbon fibre aesthetic for a staggering €1,699.

KitGuru Says: However gimmicky, the camera mechanism looks pretty nifty in my eyes. I am a little worried about the 300,000-slide claim, however, as this number seems quite low for a full lifetime of a smartphone as some people don’t wish to upgrade every two years. What do you think of the Oppo Find X?

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Next-gen Samsung flagships might use sound-emitting displays to forgo the divisive notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/next-gen-samsung-flagships-might-use-sound-emitting-displays-to-forgo-iphone-x-style-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/next-gen-samsung-flagships-might-use-sound-emitting-displays-to-forgo-iphone-x-style-notch/#respond Tue, 19 Jun 2018 11:52:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=377166 While Vivo seems to have beaten Samsung to the punch by getting rid of the infamous notch, it seems that the South Korean manufacturer will also be opting for a bezel-less design with next year’s flagship. The tentatively titled Samsung Galaxy S10, along with various other branded handsets, will supposedly utilise ‘sound emitting’ display technology …

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While Vivo seems to have beaten Samsung to the punch by getting rid of the infamous notch, it seems that the South Korean manufacturer will also be opting for a bezel-less design with next year’s flagship. The tentatively titled Samsung Galaxy S10, along with various other branded handsets, will supposedly utilise ‘sound emitting’ display technology to achieve this.

Samsung first debuted its working prototype for the new sound-emitting display at last month’s SID Expo, which Korean publication ETNews reports will appear in next year’s Galaxy S10 smartphone. If credible, it is currently unknown if Samsung will reserve this technology for its premium S10+ equivalent or implement it across its whole next-generation line-up.

Image: OnePlus 6 notch

As it stands, no flagship Samsung handset has been endowed with the divisive notch, as smartphone manufacturers continue the crusade to trim bezels as much as humanly possible. With the speakers planned to go underneath the screen, only the front-facing camera and light sensor stand in the way of a true edge-to-edge display, as Samsung has already moved its fingerprint technology to the rear of the device.

Vivo addressed this problem on its recently announced Nex, which features a pop-up camera at the top of the device, although nothing was mentioned about the relocation of the light sensor, if it continues to house one. Samsung could use a similar design, however it has yet to speak up about the recent rumours.

This news lines up with serial leaker Ice Universe’s claims that the Galaxy S10 will increase its screen to body ratio to 93 percent, from the Galaxy S9’s 83.6 percent. This also beats the Vivo Nex, which touts an already staggering 91.24 percent screen to body ratio, but falls just short of recent rumours surrounding OPPO's next flagship at 93.8 percent.

The tipster also went on record to state that the Galaxy S10 would breach the 600ppi barrier, sharpening its display considerably from the Galaxy S9’s 570ppi. This increases its lead on Apple, which sits at 458ppi on the iPhone X, while potentially approaching Sony’s Xperia XZ Premium, which touts a whopping 760ppi across its 5.8-inch 4K display.

KitGuru Says: While many manufacturers will no doubt opt for Corning’s durable Gorilla Glass as standard for their edge-to-edge displays, it seems that it’s difficult to quell worries of screen frailty. Would you prefer a bezel-less smartphone or are you scared of it breaking?

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The Vivo Nex ditches the notch for a true edge-to-edge display thanks to pop-out camera https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/the-vivo-nex-ditches-the-notch-for-a-true-edge-to-edge-display-thanks-to-pop-out-camera/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/the-vivo-nex-ditches-the-notch-for-a-true-edge-to-edge-display-thanks-to-pop-out-camera/#respond Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:21:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=376908 It’s fair to say that smartphone manufacturers are currently refining the art of the bezel-less screen, seeing just how much uninterrupted display can be packed into a single device. While this has turned the iPhone X-style notch into a trend, relative newcomer Vivo has found a way for a truly bezel-free experience with the Vivo …

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It’s fair to say that smartphone manufacturers are currently refining the art of the bezel-less screen, seeing just how much uninterrupted display can be packed into a single device. While this has turned the iPhone X-style notch into a trend, relative newcomer Vivo has found a way for a truly bezel-free experience with the Vivo Nex.

Revealed during a Beijing event, the Vivo Nex manages to pack some impressive flagship-grade internals, sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, an Adreno 630 GPU, 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage powered by a staggering 4,000mAh battery. Its headline feature, however, is the huge 6.59in FHD+ Super AMOLED display that boasts an impressive 91.24 percent screen-to-body ratio, making for a sleek notch-less experience.

Usually, the divisive notch would house the smartphone’s front facing camera technology, ambient light sensor and speakers. Vivo shuffles things around, introducing an 8MP front-facing camera that pops out of the device when it’s ready to be used. This seems like a first for a smartphone.

The earpiece has been replaced entirely with new “Screen SoundCasting Technology,” emitting sound from beneath the screen that apparently offers better quality than a traditional speaker, apparently boasting “more powerful bass and softer, smoother treble.”

While it wasn’t mentioned in as much detail as the Vivo Nex’s other features, the ambient light sensor has presumably been moved beneath the screen just as the fingerprint scanner has, similar to what’s been seen on the Honor 10.

Moving to the rear of the device, the Vivo Nex sports a dual camera setup, with a primary 12MP lens backed by a 5MP secondary. This will be backed by intricate image-enhancing artificial intelligence, as seen in Huawei’s triple-lens P20 Pro.

Beyond launching in China, Vivo has yet to confirm an international release date, however it is predicted to arrive before the end of the year.

KitGuru Says: Those staunchly against the notch will be glad to see that the Vivo Nex might just be the beginning of the end for the feature. What do you think of the Vivo Nex?

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Google’s notched displays will reportedly be taller and provided by LG https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/googles-notched-displays-will-reportedly-be-taller-and-provided-by-lg/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/googles-notched-displays-will-reportedly-be-taller-and-provided-by-lg/#respond Thu, 31 May 2018 12:29:36 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=374896 Rumours surrounding Google’s upcoming Pixel 3 smartphones have begun to crop up, with early screen protectors revealing that one of the devices will sport the infamous notch. It turns out that this notch will be distinctly smaller than the iPhone X, however it will be taller than we’ve seen yet. Bloomberg has shared the down-low …

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Rumours surrounding Google’s upcoming Pixel 3 smartphones have begun to crop up, with early screen protectors revealing that one of the devices will sport the infamous notch. It turns out that this notch will be distinctly smaller than the iPhone X, however it will be taller than we’ve seen yet.

Bloomberg has shared the down-low provided by its usual anonymous sources ‘familiar with the matter’, describing the larger Pixel 3 XL as handset with an edge-to-edge display and the divisive notch. Similar to that of the leaked photos, the notch is expected to be smaller in width to its inspiration, but intrude a little further down the screen.

The design of the device will likely take a lot from HTC’s U12+, with a dual front-facing camera. This is thanks to Google’s acquisition of HTC’s research and development team back in January this year. Bloomberg has some disappointing news regarding the rear camera, however, as sources claim Google will stick with a single lens, relying on effects to simulate a dual lens instead.

Serial leaker, Ice Universe, who has been providing details of what to expect with Samsung’s Galaxy Note 9, claims that LG Display will be providing the notched OLED panels for the Pixel 3 XL despite its disastrous launch with the Pixel 2 XL. This could be improved by the sizeable investments other companies have made, such as Apple, to improve LG’s efforts in the display market.

Verizon will reportedly be the exclusive carrier in the US when Google launches its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL devices in October, according to Bloomberg.

KitGuru Says: I am still hoping that the Pixel 3 XL will impress rather than distress like the Pixel 2 XL managed to do with its plethora of screen and sound issues. If so, it’ll likely be my next upgrade. Are you due for an upgrade? What handset do you have your eye on?

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Pixel 3 XL hinted to adopt iPhone X-style notch, others to remain traditional https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/pixel-3-xl-hinted-to-adopt-iphone-x-style-notch-others-to-remain-traditional/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/pixel-3-xl-hinted-to-adopt-iphone-x-style-notch-others-to-remain-traditional/#respond Wed, 30 May 2018 14:20:50 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=374774 Although there are still a few months left until Google will officially unveil its line of Pixel 3 smartphones, rumours are beginning to shed light on what to expect. The latest leak suggests that Google will indeed be catering to the notch enthusiasts, as well as affording an option to those not so fond of …

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Although there are still a few months left until Google will officially unveil its line of Pixel 3 smartphones, rumours are beginning to shed light on what to expect. The latest leak suggests that Google will indeed be catering to the notch enthusiasts, as well as affording an option to those not so fond of the trend.

An image of screen protectors supposedly made for the tentatively titled Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have appeared on Weibo, via SlashLeaks, showing two vastly different styles of smartphone. The image has since been pulled from the site, suggesting that it might hold credibility.

Image: SlashLeaks

The first, allocated towards the smaller Pixel 3 device, shows that the smartphone will sport a traditional design, thinning its bezels at the side of the handset while retaining a complete top bar. The larger Pixel 3 XL device will be the first of Google’s line-up to adopt the iPhone X-style notch, which ties in well with Android P’s native support for the divisive feature.

The cutouts within the screen protectors suggest that both devices could house dual front-facing cameras, alongside an ambient light sensor. This could, however, be a cutout reserved for another type of sensor entirely.

It is believed that the reported third device in Google’s third generation Pixel line-up will also feature a traditional display, however, like all rumours, this has yet to be officially confirmed.

KitGuru Says: The mysterious third device has me interested, although I would speculate that it will be a mid-range variant with a lower entry barrier to that of other Pixel devices. Hopefully none of these handsets suffer like the diabolical launch of the Pixel 2 range.

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Lenovo is working on a true ‘all screen’ smartphone with no notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/lenovo-is-working-on-a-true-all-screen-smartphone-with-no-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/lenovo-is-working-on-a-true-all-screen-smartphone-with-no-notch/#respond Tue, 15 May 2018 11:19:59 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=373377 Over the last year we have seen the smartphone industry switch over to a new design trend, with the goal of doing away with display bezels. The Galaxy S8 kicked things off with the ‘infinity display' with minimal bezel space at the top and bottom of the screen. This has since evolved, to the ‘notch' …

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Over the last year we have seen the smartphone industry switch over to a new design trend, with the goal of doing away with display bezels. The Galaxy S8 kicked things off with the ‘infinity display' with minimal bezel space at the top and bottom of the screen. This has since evolved, to the ‘notch' style that we currently see all over the place. Now, Lenovo is setting itself up to be a front runner with the first true ‘all screen' smartphone.

Lenovo, which also owns Motorola, has been teasing an all-screen smartphone on its Chinese social media accounts. Pictures were posted by Lenovo's Vice President, Chang Cheng, showing a smartphone with a top to bottom, edge to edge display with no notch present.

Image credit: Lenovo. Do note that if you have AdBlock switched on, then the gallery above may not appear correctly for you. This has been known to interfere with our gallery tool. 

CNET were the first to dig the story up, with Cheng saying that this new phone manages a 95 percent screen-to-bezel ratio. The new design was enabled by four technological breakthroughs, but the post doesn't go on to explain exactly what they were.

The downside to this design is that there appears to be no front facing camera at all, and so far, we don't know how Lenovo intends to get around that. It could potentially have a ‘pop up' style camera instead but we don't know for sure at this stage. We are expecting this new all-screen design to debut on the Lenovo Z5, which will be the company's flagship phone, indicating that it will see a release around the world and not just in Asia.

As for when a formal announcement and launch will take place, we currently don't know. It can't be too far off though, as Lenovo is already discussing this phone publicly.

KitGuru Says: As far as bezel-reducing smartphones go, I still think the Galaxy S8 did it best. I'm not a fan of the new ‘notch' style that so many phone makers are currently adopting. Would you guys like to see an ‘all screen' smartphone with no notch? Would that work well for media viewing? After all, bezels are useful for having somewhere to hold the phone without covering the screen. 

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Apple states that all iPhone apps must support the notch by July https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/iphone/damien-cox/apple-states-that-all-iphone-apps-must-support-the-notch-by-july/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/iphone/damien-cox/apple-states-that-all-iphone-apps-must-support-the-notch-by-july/#respond Tue, 08 May 2018 10:30:26 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=372796 Committed to its notch design, Apple has now given developers their deadline to add support for the new Super Retina displays. Any updates after July must add support for the iPhone X-style notch by July, or potentially risk the updates being blocked. Apple initially prompted new application submissions to conform to adding support for the …

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Committed to its notch design, Apple has now given developers their deadline to add support for the new Super Retina displays. Any updates after July must add support for the iPhone X-style notch by July, or potentially risk the updates being blocked.

Apple initially prompted new application submissions to conform to adding support for the notch back in February, before extending it to “all iOS app updates submitted to the App Store.” All apps must now be built using the iOS 11 SDK that debuted last September, to which grants access to the “redesigned App Store.”

“Your apps can deliver more intelligent, unified, and immersive experiences with Core ML, ARKit, new camera APIs, new SiriKit domains, Apple Music integration, drag and drop for iPad, and more,” reads Apple’s notice. “Starting July 2018, all iOS app updates submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 11 SDK and must support the Super Retina display of iPhone X.”

MacRumours points out that many of Apple’s own applications, such as “iTunes Connect, iTunes Remote, Beats Pill+, Music Memos and AirPort Utility,” all lack support for the divisive notch and Super Retina display.

The company didn’t specify when in July that the change is to take place, or the true consequences of not conforming to the new practice, however it is believed that developers risk having updates to their application blocked or their applications removed entirely from the store.

Apple is expected to continue the use of its notch with the rumoured three devices incoming later this year, supposedly giving buyers the choice between a 6.5in OLED model, a 6.1in LCD model, and a 5.8in OLED model.

KitGuru Says: Basically, app developers have to get with the times or potentially risk being cut off moving forward. It seems that this is less of a threat from Apple itself and more of a warning that applications simply will not work on devices as the company isn’t giving up the notch any time soon. How do you feel about the notch? Has it won you over yet?

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OnePlus confirms core specifications on the upcoming OnePlus 6 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oneplus-confirms-core-specifications-on-the-upcoming-oneplus-6/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oneplus-confirms-core-specifications-on-the-upcoming-oneplus-6/#respond Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:50:04 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=369395 With the OnePlus 6 just around the corner, rumours have been running rampant with the only official confirmed specification being the device’s iPhone X-styled notch. The company has since taken to its website to reveal what customers can expect from the next flagship, confirming much of what we already know. Detailed on its website under …

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With the OnePlus 6 just around the corner, rumours have been running rampant with the only official confirmed specification being the device’s iPhone X-styled notch. The company has since taken to its website to reveal what customers can expect from the next flagship, confirming much of what we already know.

Detailed on its website under the title ‘Our Pursuit of Burdenless Speed’, the company reveals that the OnePlus 6 will house Qualcomm’s latest commercial mobile processor, the Snapdragon 845, alongside a maximum of 8GB of RAM.

As suggested with the speculated pricing of the devices across all of its variants, the OnePlus 6 will offer an upper end of 256GB of storage, a step up from the OnePlus 5T which was capped at 128GB Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it is believed that the device will also come in a slightly cheaper 128GB version and an entry-level 64GB variant.

Image: Oppo R15, which bears many similarities to the upcoming OnePlus 6.

OnePlus is pushing its marketing in the way of “burdenless speed” in that it wants to reduce the likelihood of the device freezing to just 1/1000 percent, even if it is recording 4K video. Aside from the mention of this ability, it is not yet known at what frame rate the OnePlus 6 will be able to record ultra-high-definition footage at.

With the mention of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which has recently been focusing on its mobile port a lot more, it seems that the OnePlus 6 will be geared towards the influx of demanding games on the portable platform. Aside from the latest commercial processor and a sizeable amount of RAM, it is uncertain as to how the company plans to stand out from the crowd, especially in light of the unique 120Hz display on the Razer Phone.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: So long as OnePlus stick to its key target of balancing price to performance, the OnePlus 6 is sure to be a staple that can contend with the best in the smartphone market. It’s already half way there, sporting the latest in terms of hardware, but do you think that the OnePlus 6 is shaping up nicely? What would you like to see from the flagship device?

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LG takes to Reddit to ask fans how they feel about the divisive smartphone notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/lg-takes-to-reddit-to-ask-fans-how-they-feel-about-the-divisive-smartphone-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/lg-takes-to-reddit-to-ask-fans-how-they-feel-about-the-divisive-smartphone-notch/#respond Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:34:33 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=368882 Despite the company reportedly hopping on the notch bandwagon for its upcoming entry in its flagship line of handsets, it doesn’t seem that LG is completely sold on the idea. The smartphone firm has heard just how divisive the notch has left smartphone enthusiasts, taking to Reddit to gather more information on public perception. “We …

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Despite the company reportedly hopping on the notch bandwagon for its upcoming entry in its flagship line of handsets, it doesn’t seem that LG is completely sold on the idea. The smartphone firm has heard just how divisive the notch has left smartphone enthusiasts, taking to Reddit to gather more information on public perception.

“We would love to gather some more feedback to share with our R&D team — and this is where you come in,” reads LG’s post on the Android subreddit, originally reported by Android Police. “So… what do you think? Love the Notch? Or is it Notch your thing?”

LG is already set to release the next device in its flagship line, tentatively known as the G7. Leaks suggest that the company is running with the notch, but it isn’t all doom and gloom for those that aren’t a fan of the trend.

Image: Reportedly leaked LG G7 by Ynet

Reports suggest that LG will implement a similar option as Huawei in its P20 handset, in that users can make use of an option to hide the notch by blacking out the status bar to blend in with the notch. This isn’t seamless and is still somewhat noticeable, but will help those against the notch to transition to a new smartphone with minimal trouble.

It is unclear what LG is aiming to achieve by opening a discussion, but being receptive to fans is a step up from other companies that seem intent on telling customers what they want. OnePlus states that it is the logical move, as nothing is lost yet screen real estate is gained, leaving fans to simply deal with it.

KitGuru Says: At the very least, hopefully LG can gain some perspective and add new and innovative features in both hardware and software to ease people’s minds on the trend. What do you think of LG’s approach? Are you okay with the notch?

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The first official image of the OnePlus 6 confirms the divisive notch. https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/the-first-official-image-of-the-oneplus-6-confirms-the-divisive-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/the-first-official-image-of-the-oneplus-6-confirms-the-divisive-notch/#respond Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:18:28 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=368765 It’s long been speculated that, like other upcoming Android smartphones, the OnePlus 6 would feature the divisive notch at the top of its display. Now that the first official image has been released, it has been confirmed that it will carry the notch, but not without some forethought towards the end user. When Apple built …

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It’s long been speculated that, like other upcoming Android smartphones, the OnePlus 6 would feature the divisive notch at the top of its display. Now that the first official image has been released, it has been confirmed that it will carry the notch, but not without some forethought towards the end user.

When Apple built upon Essential’s notch with its iPhone, the company introduced more screen real-estate, but this impeded on photos and videos. The pros, of course, outweighed the cons in that Apple was able to include its high-powered 3D sensor that enables its signature Face ID bio-metric security, but these concerns haven’t been ignored as OnePlus moves forward with the concept.

Image: OnePlus

OnePlus’ Carl Pei told The Verge that the notch will be smaller than that of its competitor, while bigger than the slither on the Essential phone. This is due to the lack of its own 3D sensors, but as Pei explained, the choice of all companies opting for the notch comes from the fact that each one can pack the ambient light sensors, the front-facing camera, the earpiece and in this case, an LED notification light.

The most interesting thing is Pei’s description on how the software will treat the new 19:9 aspect ratio. Firstly, the clock will be moved from the top bar to the left side of the screen. This gives the notification icons more room. Secondly, videos and photographs won’t suffer from the intrusion as the OnePlus 6 will disguise the notch, placing the media below it, mimicking the same curved edges seen on the bottom of the smartphone.

Perhaps enthusiasts just don’t realise the benefits just yet, as OnePlus observed the discontent within the crowd at the Mobile World Congress as notched device after notched device was unveiled. The company, however, insists that this is the most logical direction regardless of public opinion.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It looks like the OnePlus 6 will take after the Oppo R15 after all, which is no surprise given that they are cousins from the same head company. Are you happy with the notch and how OnePlus is going about improving on user concerns?

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OnePlus 6 further confirmed to house iPhone X-style notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oneplus-6-further-confirmed-to-house-iphone-x-style-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/oneplus-6-further-confirmed-to-house-iphone-x-style-notch/#respond Wed, 14 Mar 2018 10:55:15 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=367049 Ahead of OnePlus unveiling its next flagship smartphone, we’ve learned that the device will more than likely carry a bezel-less display with an iPhone X-style notch at the top. Further driving the nail in the coffin is newly revealed OxygenOS code that shows that the divisive feature is definitely on the cards. OnePlus released its …

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Ahead of OnePlus unveiling its next flagship smartphone, we’ve learned that the device will more than likely carry a bezel-less display with an iPhone X-style notch at the top. Further driving the nail in the coffin is newly revealed OxygenOS code that shows that the divisive feature is definitely on the cards.

OnePlus released its first Android 8.1 Oreo build for its latest device, the OnePlus 5T, packing it inside its own OxygenOS Open Beta 4 update. Most third parties build upon the vanilla Android operating system, adding their own features and flavours, which is what OnePlus does with its OxygenOS.

XDA-Developers delved further into the firmware, discovering references to “enchilada,” which is expected to be the codename for the OnePlus 6 smartphone. One image in particular bears the title “screendecor_up_img_enchilada_1,” which XDA claims represents an overlay to test specific applications that house the iPhone X-style notch.

This type of code has been seen previously on Huawei’s upcoming flagship P20 smartphone, which has many leaks of its own suggesting that it will carry the same style notch. This has yet to receive any official confirmation, however, so readers should take OnePlus 6 and Huawei P20 news with a pinch of salt until officially announced by the respective manufacturers.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Like it or not, the notch makes sense given the push into bezel-less screens. Until development teams figure out how to successfully place all of the front-facing technology, such as the camera, behind the screen without sacrificing quality, it looks like the notch is the next best thing. How do you feel about many of the smartphones adopting the notch?

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It looks like the OnePlus 6 will also house the iPhone X-style notch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/it-looks-like-the-oneplus-6-will-also-house-the-iphone-x-style-notch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/android/damien-cox/it-looks-like-the-oneplus-6-will-also-house-the-iphone-x-style-notch/#respond Thu, 01 Mar 2018 13:13:31 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=365529 Asus revealed yesterday that it would be continuing the notched trend set by Apple’s iPhone X within its new Zenfone 5 and 5Z, claiming that it’s what users want. Just hours later, images began circulating of an alleged OnePlus 6 handset, showing that the Chinese manufacturer would also potentially be following suit. Although OnePlus has …

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Asus revealed yesterday that it would be continuing the notched trend set by Apple’s iPhone X within its new Zenfone 5 and 5Z, claiming that it’s what users want. Just hours later, images began circulating of an alleged OnePlus 6 handset, showing that the Chinese manufacturer would also potentially be following suit.

Although OnePlus has yet to officially reveal its OnePlus 6 flagship smartphone, ITHome managed to obtain two leaked pictures of the supposed handset, with the logo emblazoned on the back. As is the trend with handsets, the device features a bezel-less display as well as the infamous, yet apparently in-demand notch housing the front-facing camera and earpiece.

The display shown in the leak also reveals more information on what to expect from the upcoming device, which will reportedly run Android 8.1 with 6GB Ram and 64GB internal storage. Although this seems lacklustre in comparison to the company’s last release with the OnePlus 5T, given that the intermediary upgrade ran with 8GB RAM and double the internal storage, this is in line with previous reports which stated that there might be more than one model.

Image credit: ITHome

Alongside the variants in RAM and storage, we’d previously heard that the OnePlus 6 would feature a 6-inch QuadHD display with minimal bezels, correlating with the idea that the fingerprint censor would be moved to the rear, as seen on the leaked image above. It also seems that the manufacturer has opted to run with a glass chassis instead of the metal seen on the back of the OnePlus 5T.

So far, the only confirmed element of the tentatively titled OnePlus 6 is that the handset will pack Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor.

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has confirmed that the successor to the OnePlus 5 and 5T is set to be revealed in “late Q2 2018” in an interview with CNET. Luckily for residents in the US, the company is making extra effort to talk with carriers to ensure a smoother release in the region.

KitGuru Says: Take this information with a pinch of salt, as so far nothing is confirmed aside from the successor’s processor. Hopefully the OnePlus 6 lives up to its predecessors in terms of price to performance ration in the ever-costly world of smartphones. Are you looking forward to the OnePlus 6? Does the prospect of a notch put you off?

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The Asus Zenfone 5Z is an iPhone X style Android phone with beefy specs https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/the-asus-zenfone-5z-is-an-iphone-x-style-android-phone-with-beefy-specs/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/matthew-wilson/the-asus-zenfone-5z-is-an-iphone-x-style-android-phone-with-beefy-specs/#respond Wed, 28 Feb 2018 13:42:03 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=365425 Apple has received more than it bargained for when it told people to 'embrace the notch'. The iPhone X is no longer the only smartphone around to sport the display design, with multiple Android phone makers following in its footsteps. The latest Android phone to sport a bezel-free design with a notch at the top …

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Apple has received more than it bargained for when it told people to 'embrace the notch'. The iPhone X is no longer the only smartphone around to sport the display design, with multiple Android phone makers following in its footsteps. The latest Android phone to sport a bezel-free design with a notch at the top is the Asus Zenfone 5 and 5Z, which has a 90 percent screen to body ratio and a notch that is 26 percent smaller than the one found on the iPhone X.

The new pair of devices were unveiled at MWC this week. Both sport 6.2-inch displays, but the Zenfone 5Z sports better internal specifications. In terms of physical size, the Zenfone 5 is the same size as the 5.5-inch Zenfone 4, but thanks to the 90 percent screen to body ratio, Asus was able to fit a much larger display. Speaking with The Verge, an Asus spokesperson recognized that “some people will say it's copying Apple” with the design, but added that “we cannot get away from what users want, you have to follow the trends”.

Aside from the overall design, Asus has packed some interesting features into the Zenfone 5 and 5Z. For starters, it has something called the ‘AI Display', which will keep the display on while you're looking at it, and automatically adjust color temperature.

The display has a 19:9 aspect ratio and a 2246×1080 resolution. Under the hood, the Zenfone 5 is powered by a Snapdragon 636 processor and 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the Zenfone 5Z comes with a Snapdragon 845 processor and 8GB of RAM. There are some storage differences too, with the base model sporting 64GB of internal storage and the Z version coming with a maximum of 256GB. There is a pair of cameras on the back too, one 12-megapixel sensor and an additional 8-megapixel wide-angle sensor.

The Zenfone 5 will be available in April though exact pricing has not been announced. The Zenfone 5Z will be coming a little later in June with a starting price of $499/€479.

KitGuru Says: It looks like the display notch will be becoming a bit of a trend over the course of this year. What do you guys think of the Zenfone 5 from Asus?

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Apple tells devs to natively support iPhone X with new applications, notch is here to stay https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/damien-cox/apple-tells-devs-to-natively-support-iphone-x-with-new-applications-notch-is-here-to-stay/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/damien-cox/apple-tells-devs-to-natively-support-iphone-x-with-new-applications-notch-is-here-to-stay/#respond Fri, 16 Feb 2018 15:13:30 +0000 https://www.kitguru.net/?p=364400 Apple’s infamous notch housed at the top of the iPhone X is rather punk, ignoring the ridicule to go on to become a complete trendsetter that many now adopt themselves. Of course, this notch is appearing on more Android smartphones now despite the initial backlash, and Apple isn’t dropping it any time soon, telling developers …

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Apple’s infamous notch housed at the top of the iPhone X is rather punk, ignoring the ridicule to go on to become a complete trendsetter that many now adopt themselves. Of course, this notch is appearing on more Android smartphones now despite the initial backlash, and Apple isn’t dropping it any time soon, telling developers that they must offer native iPhone X support with new apps.

“Starting April 2018, all new iOS apps submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 11 SDK, ” the company revealed on its website. “All new apps for iPhone, including universal apps, must support the Super Retina display of iPhone X.”

Although not an official confirmation, this does help dim fears that the iPhone X is soon to be discontinued. Alternatively, it could be a sign that Apple plans to continue sporting its notch for future iterations, something of which is speculated by a number of experts in the field. Considering that Apple will undoubtedly be utilising its Face ID technology, this isn’t all that surprising.

Currently, there is a 6.1-inch iPhone in the works that is nearly identical to the iPhone X and is pegged to be cheaper than its tenth-anniversary cousin at a predicted $699, yet with a bigger screen. This does include speculation that it will house cheaper components, such as aluminium instead of stainless steel, but it will otherwise introduce a more affordable solution to premium features.

9to5Mac notes that Apple hasn’t revealed a deadline for when updates to current application on the market should cater to the iPhone X’s unique display, but those that do will benefit from its features, including Core ML, SiriKit and ARKit.

KitGuru Says: Whether you’re one to avoid its products or embrace them, it’s almost impossible to deny that Apple makes trend setting look easy. Do you like the iPhone X’s notch? How do you feel about it appearing in subsequent smartphone designs on both iOS and Android?

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Palmer Luckey and Notch spar over Rift quality https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/jon-martindale/palmer-luckey-and-notch-spar-over-rift-quality/ https://www.kitguru.net/components/vr/jon-martindale/palmer-luckey-and-notch-spar-over-rift-quality/#comments Mon, 29 Feb 2016 11:08:20 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=285589 Founder of Oculus VR and the original creator of Minecraft, Markus “Notch” Persson, have been going back and forth via Twitter, with the latter suggesting that Oculus has fallen behind its main VR headset rival, HTC with its Vive. While Luckey countered, the back and forth shows the heated landscape VR has become, as the …

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Founder of Oculus VR and the original creator of Minecraft, Markus “Notch” Persson, have been going back and forth via Twitter, with the latter suggesting that Oculus has fallen behind its main VR headset rival, HTC with its Vive. While Luckey countered, the back and forth shows the heated landscape VR has become, as the Vive pre-order time looms just a few hours away.

The history of Notch's thoughts on the Rift has been a long and storied one. An initial Kickstarter backer of the DK1, Notch famously dropped $10,000 on the headset, securing himself a visit to the Oculus VR studios. While he never took Oculus up on that offer, he did see fit to criticise it when it was purchased by Facebook – only to himself sell his studio, Mojang, to Microsoft just a few months later.

This latest back and forth took place when Notch suggested that he was quite gleeful that, “the HTC Vive is so much better than what I've seen so far from Oculus.” However Luckey showed up a few hours later to question his knowledge of Oculus content, which Notch admitted was years behind what's going on right now.

“Well no, and now I'm totally called out on it,” Notch admitted. He continued by stating that “The Rift will always be my first love. I'm partially just butthurt. But my god the complete lack of nausea in Vive…”

The discussion that followed became far more civil, with Luckey pointing out how far Rift development has come. He even invited the Minecraft creator to swing by Oculus' studios to show what the company has been working on. Unfortunately for Luckey, it seems that Notch's financial success hasn't made him any more social, as he wasn't 100% on the idea.

Perhaps the promise of no suits will bring Notch down to Oculus' HQ to see what it's been developing. He'll have to deal with barbs thrown from other developers in the mean time though, as creator of Garry's Mod, Garry Newman, threw out a jab at the Microsoft-minted Mojang founder:

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Notch has always seemed pretty hypocritical when it comes to Oculus ‘selling out' but a lot of people believe the Vive offers something Oculus doesn't. It's mostly a content thing however. The Rift will probably have the best and biggest library of seated and standing games, while the Vive will offer more room-scale experiences. At least until the industry evens out a bit.

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Gameband + Minecraft lets you bring your game with you https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/accessories/jon-martindale/gameband-minecraft-lets-you-bring-your-game-with-you/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/accessories/jon-martindale/gameband-minecraft-lets-you-bring-your-game-with-you/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2015 10:29:41 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=245177 If Minecraft's biggest selling point is its accessibility, then Gameband + Minecraft is designed to make it even more so. It's a wearable wristband that carries the game of Minecraft in its USB connected guts and can connect you to your save game too, meaning that wherever you are in the world you can bring …

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If Minecraft's biggest selling point is its accessibility, then Gameband + Minecraft is designed to make it even more so. It's a wearable wristband that carries the game of Minecraft in its USB connected guts and can connect you to your save game too, meaning that wherever you are in the world you can bring your world with you.

minecraftband

To make it work, all you have to do is plug the little device into a laptop or desktop – be it a Windows Mac, or Linux machine – and you're off and running. Games played on the device are automatically saved to the cloud and locally, so your efforts won't ever go to waste.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfg_tH4ZKIs']

The connection on the device is USB 3.0 and it's all splashproof, so don't worry if you get caught in the rain, your game is safe – just don't go swimming with it on. There's also an LED indicator on the side too, which can be customised to show whatever you like, be it a clock for checking the time, or a custom scrolling image – all of it can be controlled using the built in PixelFurnace application.

For those that like custom content too, the Gameband + Minecraft comes loaded with pre-built maps and challenges from the likes of SethBling, Dragnoz and HyPixel.

The Gameband + Minecraft can be bought for around £70 on the official store and comes in two sizes.

KitGuru Says: Although Minecraft isn't a game I'm that fussed with, I like the idea of the Gameband. There's certainly a few indie titles I wouldn't mind carrying with me. If they could make a customisable module that lets you load in your favourite game at the time, that I would like to have. 

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Minecraft creator comments on why selling Minecraft was the right choice https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/minecraft-creator-comments-on-why-selling-minecraft-was-the-right-choice/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/minecraft-creator-comments-on-why-selling-minecraft-was-the-right-choice/#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:00:07 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=236903 Markus ‘Notch' Persson has commented on the criticism he faced following the sale of Minecraft studio, Mojang, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion, explaining why it was the best choice but also admitting that he does indeed feel like a bit of a sellout. Speaking on Twitter, a fan jokingly asked if Notch felt like a …

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Markus ‘Notch' Persson has commented on the criticism he faced following the sale of Minecraft studio, Mojang, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion, explaining why it was the best choice but also admitting that he does indeed feel like a bit of a sellout.

Speaking on Twitter, a fan jokingly asked if Notch felt like a sellout, to which he replied: “I kinda feel like I am, but I still feel like I made the right choice. I guess some things always come at a cost.”

modloader-for-minecraft-02-700x406-600x400

Notch later added that ultimately being seen as a “one trick pony” was hard to deal with, as matching the success of Minecraft would have been impossible. Although he has since made his peace with the idea of Mojang just being ‘the Minecraft studio'.

Notch now owns the most expensive mansion in Beverly hills and makes games for fun once again, often not showing his small prototypes to anyone. He also noted that his love for programming has now returned: “The fun is back! Programming is annoying and frustrating, but SO MUCH FUN. Then when most prototypes are horribly unplayable, nobody judges me :D”

In all, the short Twitter conversation was a nice little insight in to Persson's mindset, sure some may consider him a sellout but he seems to be very happy with the decision.

You can read the whole conversation, HERE.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Honestly, for $2.5 billion it would have been silly to not sell Minecraft. However, it is nice to see that Notch doesn't regret the decision and has since moved on, rediscovering his love for making small games. 

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Notch’s new $70 million pad has been recreated in Minecraft https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/notchs-new-70-million-pad-has-been-recreated-in-minecraft/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/notchs-new-70-million-pad-has-been-recreated-in-minecraft/#respond Mon, 22 Dec 2014 20:41:52 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=227815 You probably heard that last week, Notch, creator of Minecraft, went ahead and bought the most expensive mansion in Beverly Hills, coming in at $70 million. Well now the inevitable has happened and Markus Persson's new pad has been recreated within Minecraft. The recreation was handled by Dan Bovey, who clearly put a lot of …

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You probably heard that last week, Notch, creator of Minecraft, went ahead and bought the most expensive mansion in Beverly Hills, coming in at $70 million. Well now the inevitable has happened and Markus Persson's new pad has been recreated within Minecraft.

The recreation was handled by Dan Bovey, who clearly put a lot of effort in to it. The accuracy is highlighted by a picture in picture video comparison. Bovey managed to capture every detail, right down to the candy room. In total, the mansion features eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and a nice big pool.

Notch Minecraft House

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdW8pmM1Ji8′]

Bovey noted in his video description that a downloadable version of the map will be coming soon to his Planet Minecraft page, so you can all pretend to live like Notch.

It doesn't say how many blocks in total it took to build the whole house, which is a shame. I imagine its a fairly large number.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: This was bound to happen eventually and I reckon we will see an improved version or two at some point in the future. What do you guys think of the recreation? Have any of you built something impressive in Minecraft before? I've never been much of a builder myself. 

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Notch just bought Beverly Hills’ nicest mansion https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jon-martindale/notch-just-bought-beverly-hills-nicest-mansion/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jon-martindale/notch-just-bought-beverly-hills-nicest-mansion/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2014 10:39:16 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=227226 Suddenly becoming a billionaire overnight must be quite bizarre, as what do you do with that kind of money? But there's more than a few people that that's happened to this year. Oddly enough, they've been people in the gaming industry, like Oculus VR's Palmer Luckey and the original creator of Minecraft, Markus “Notch' Persson. Notch …

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Suddenly becoming a billionaire overnight must be quite bizarre, as what do you do with that kind of money? But there's more than a few people that that's happened to this year. Oddly enough, they've been people in the gaming industry, like Oculus VR's Palmer Luckey and the original creator of Minecraft, Markus “Notch' Persson. Notch for his part, has just taken his first big stab at spending some of those doubloons and has purchased Beverly Hills' most expensive mansion, for a cool $70 million (£44.7 million).

The 23,000 square foot house features a 54-foot, curved glass door that automatically opens up to an infinity pool with tablet controlled fountains and heating. It also comes with an 18 seat theatre and a dining area that can seat upwards of 24 people. While that might not seem that impressive, consider that the place settings for each person alone, are said to cost upwards of £2,000.

In total there are eight bedrooms, with 15 bathrooms throughout. Apparently taking a crap is something to take very seriously in LA.

In-case you were wondering if this really is his home, the man himself posted an image of his feet relaxing in the new Notch HQ.

picknmix
Yes that is his own personal US version of Pick N' Mix. Living the dream right?

He's also been answering questions on Twitter, stating that the cars didn't come with the house, that the Japanese toilets are “scary,” and that he feels pretty weird about the whole purchase, but thought he would “give it a shot.”

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: While nobody would deny that Notch doesn't deserve to enjoy the fruit of his labours, it seems even more hypocritical that he essentially called Palmer Luckey a sellout, who to this day continues to work on his pet project. Instead of dropping it after two years because he was bored. 

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Microsoft officially absorbs Mojang and Minecraft https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/jon-martindale/microsoft-officially-absorbs-mojang-and-minecraft/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/jon-martindale/microsoft-officially-absorbs-mojang-and-minecraft/#comments Fri, 07 Nov 2014 08:45:35 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=220795 When rumours that Minecraft and Mojang were going to be sold to Microsoft turned out to be true, it was pretty surreal and not least because Notch had been very vocal about companies selling out after criticising Oculus VR for doing that very thing. Still it happened and just a few hours ago Microsoft finalised …

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When rumours that Minecraft and Mojang were going to be sold to Microsoft turned out to be true, it was pretty surreal and not least because Notch had been very vocal about companies selling out after criticising Oculus VR for doing that very thing. Still it happened and just a few hours ago Microsoft finalised all of the paperwork, signing over billions of dollars to Notch and taking official control of one of gaming's most influential titles in years.

This was confirmed by Xbox Head Phil Spencer, who said in a tweet:

spencer

However, while this marks a big day for Microsoft, as it has a whole new community of gamers to cater to, a game to continue development on and a hole in its bank account to the tune of $2.5 billion that it needs to fill, it was an even bigger day for Markus “Notch” Persson, the man behind the game's phenomenal success. He tweeted out about his last day, saying that he left the office without a proper goodbye as everything “felt strange,” and he wasn't really sure what to do.

“I don't even know what a fitting bye is,” he said. “So I just left like it's a normal day, with normal things happening.”

Notch had explained in a lengthy blog post before however, that he had felt distant from the process of developing at Mojang for some time. Apart from his abandoned 0x10c space sim, he hadn't officially worked on anything other than demos and programming challenges since Minecraft and found himself somewhat departed from the rest of Mojang's staff, despite being the company's founder and head.

Well no longer.

KitGuru Says: As hypocritical as Notch was for taking a payout after slamming Oculus for it, you have to give the man credit for not only popularising the Infiniminer concept, but also pioneering a pre-order model that has allowed many indies to make their dream games. 

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It’s official: Microsoft is buying Minecraft, Notch is leaving https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/jon-martindale/its-official-microsoft-is-buying-minecraft-notch-is-leaving/ https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/jon-martindale/its-official-microsoft-is-buying-minecraft-notch-is-leaving/#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:39:48 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=211682 Well there you have it guys, it's a done deal: Microsoft is buying Minecraft and the studio behind it, Mojang and the original creator of the game, Markus “Notch” Persson is leaving the company for good. He's not been actively involved in developing for Minecraft for some time, but this will see him officially depart …

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Well there you have it guys, it's a done deal: Microsoft is buying Minecraft and the studio behind it, Mojang and the original creator of the game, Markus “Notch” Persson is leaving the company for good. He's not been actively involved in developing for Minecraft for some time, but this will see him officially depart from the company that he founded just a few short years ago.

“I don’t see myself as a real game developer. I make games because it’s fun, and because I love games and I love to program, but I don’t make games with the intention of them becoming huge hits, and I don’t try to change the world,” reads Notch's blog on the matter. It sets a tone for his announcement, but shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that's followed his career. Minecraft was a concept that he borrowed from Zachtronics' Infiniminer and since its creation and popularisation, he's spent much of his development time making little demos and setting himself programming challenges.

Notch is a man that does what he does for the enjoyment of it and lucked out in that one of his ideas took off, and he says as much.

“A relatively long time ago, I decided to step down from Minecraft development. Jens was the perfect person to take over leading it, and I wanted to try to do new things. At first, I failed by trying to make something big again, but since I decided to just stick to small prototypes and interesting challenges, I’ve had so much fun with work. I wasn’t exactly sure how I fit into Mojang where people did actual work, but since people said I was important for the culture, I stayed.”

Indeed he has a point, as Notch has often been held up as a bit of an indie icon. That's at least partially down to his own actions though, as he's been a vocal guy at times, drawing attention for his lavish offices and he publicly stated his displeasure with the $2 billion purchase of Oculus VR by Facebook, announcing that he'd cancelled the VR version of Minecraft.

notch
So long and thanks for all the (Phil) fish. 

But he doesn't want to be important to the culture any more. Notch just wants to make game demos and play about with programming and now he can do that without feeling responsible for Minecraft, or the community, or gaming or anything. He did however point out that by selling Mojang to Microsoft, he did come across as a bit hypocritical, considering his Oculus VR comments.

“I’m aware this goes against a lot of what I’ve said in public. I have no good response to that.”

He finished the address by giving a lot of love to the community and the fans for making Minecraft what it is, but as has become clear from his continued distancing from the behemoth the game has become, he just doesn't want to be involved with something so big any more.

As he concludes, “it's not about the money, it's about my sanity.”

For reference, the sale of Mojang and Minecraft is said to have gone for $2.5 billion.

KitGuru Says: I'd argue that as influential as Minecraft was in terms of gaming, it's the pre-order system that really changed everything. Minecraft pioneered paying for an unfinished product and giving the audience a really close look at the developmental process. Today the industry is rife with it, but back in 2009 it was a new and game changing thing.

Image source: Official GDC

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Notch’s second commercial game is called Cliffhorse https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/jon-martindale/notchs-second-commercial-game-is-called-cliffhorse/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/jon-martindale/notchs-second-commercial-game-is-called-cliffhorse/#comments Mon, 09 Jun 2014 08:01:11 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=197212 Notch has finally made another game to sell. He's worked on a lot of other projects since the creation of Minecraft sure, but none of them have come from his brain and directly affected the wallets of gamers around the world since he first cloned Infiniminer way back when. Today that's changed, as you can …

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Notch has finally made another game to sell. He's worked on a lot of other projects since the creation of Minecraft sure, but none of them have come from his brain and directly affected the wallets of gamers around the world since he first cloned Infiniminer way back when. Today that's changed, as you can now donate money and download his next game, called Cliffhorse and it's already made Notch a cool $100 (£59).

At 9.1MB for the download yhough, it's no surprise that opening it up gives you access to not a lot at the moment. You play as a horse, who can climb any cliff face – hence the name, presumably – with your only friend a fur textured ball, in a large, square mountainous area.

cliffhorse

It's certainly a lot prettier than Minecraft, with waving grass, palm trees and some nice camera movement on the horse as it moves, but that's it for now. All you can do is run around. And run straight up cliffs.

Announced by Notch via his Twitter, with a screenshot of the game and some faux-quotes from gaming press that it wasn't even a full game, he followed it up with the following:

“Buy Cliffhorse “early access” by sending Dogecoin here DMbE53XpM3RR4cnHnVoTPZzjBUwHogdYBe then downloading here http://game.notch.net/cliffhorse/cliffhorse.zip.” Despite the fact that you don't need to donate to play the game, he followed it up with a tweet a few hours later, saying that oveer 280,000 DOGE had been donated, equalling out to around $100.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: It's good to see Notch is hitting the development trail again, but it'll be interesting to see where he takes this one. At present it could be some sort of goat-simulator-like? What do you think?

[Thanks Kotaku]

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Mojang has enough money to survive ten years without profit https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/matthew-wilson/mojang-has-enough-money-to-survive-ten-years-without-profit/ https://www.kitguru.net/professional/development/matthew-wilson/mojang-has-enough-money-to-survive-ten-years-without-profit/#comments Fri, 09 May 2014 12:58:25 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=192193 Markus Persson, better known as Notch, the creator of Minecraft, recently shed some light on his ten year plan for his company, Mojang. Once the Interview came out a lot of people on the Internet misinterpreted something he said in the article, assuming that Notch meant that he will shut down Mojang in ten years …

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Markus Persson, better known as Notch, the creator of Minecraft, recently shed some light on his ten year plan for his company, Mojang. Once the Interview came out a lot of people on the Internet misinterpreted something he said in the article, assuming that Notch meant that he will shut down Mojang in ten years time.

However, what the Minecraft creator actually meant was that his company has so much money saved up that it could afford to not make a profit for the next ten years. The quote from the Rolling Stone interview reads: “Hopefully, we are going to keep making money at Mojang, but if we don't, that's fine. We just have 10 fun years, and then, the last year, we'd say to our employees, ‘If we don't make any money this year, Mojang is going to be dead.  So you might want to look for new jobs.'”

Mojang

Some took the above quote to mean that Mojang would be disbanding in ten years but Notch actually meant that if in ten years time, the company ran out of money and couldn't turn a profit, then it might disband:

“I meant we're saving money so that from the day we don't make a profit, we'll survive another 10 years. And I don't see how we'd stop making money any time soon at the rate things are going… So basically, we've got money saved to have 10 more years to come up with a new project, without making a single cent in that time.”

KitGuru Says: Minecraft has turned in to a huge money maker for Notch and Mojang, one day the game might lose all popularity but the developer has plenty of time between now and when he runs out of money, to create the next big thing. 

Source: Eurogamer

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