Archives for September 27, 2019

Dell’s six-core XPS 13 laptop goes on sale October 1st

by

Alienware’s 55-inch 4K OLED monitor will also be available next week.

The latest version of Dell’s XPS 13 — which is available with 10th-generation Intel Core processors — will go on sale October 1st in North America. It’s the first six-core configuration for the system, which will come with Windows 10 or Ubuntu 18.04.

Also on that date, Dell will start selling 13, 15 and 17-inch versions of the Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 with 10th-gen Core CPUs. They’ll include Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and pen storage, and you’ll be able to pick one up in black or silver. The Dell Inspiron 14 7000 will also be available October 1st. It counts Dolby Vision support and ExpressCharge (which can charge the battery from zero to 80 percent capacity in an hour) among its features.

Alienware 55" 4K OLED

In addition, Dell revealed when you’ll be able to place an order for Alienware’s 55-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor. If you’ve been waiting for that, you might want to note the September 30 launch date in your calendar.

As for the Alienware 34 Curved Gaming Monitor (which offers fast IPS response time and IPS Nano Color technology), you can snag one October 3. The Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor with fast IPS tech, 240Hz refresh rate and true 1ms response time goes on sale four days later.

Meanwhile, Dell says its Consumer Subscription Services program is available for XPS, Alienware and Inspiron products. It’s a month-to-month payment plan for Dell support.

Alternative iOS app store doesn’t require a jailbreak

by

AltStore will even include its own Nintendo emulator.

Alternatives to Apple’s App Store usually have many caveats. You may need to jailbreak, which isn’t always practical for the technically inexperienced, while apps signed with certificates or free Apple IDs are kept on a short leash. However, developer Riley Testut thinks he can bypass those restrictions. He’s launching an unofficial AltStore that theoretically lets you “push the boundaries” of iOS without either jailbreaking or worrying that Apple will pull access. It’s still not simple, but it should be less intimidating.

AltStore works by fooling your device into believing that you’re a developer sideloading test apps. It uses an app on your Mac or Windows PC to re-sign apps every seven days, using iTunes’ WiFi syncing framework to reinstall them on your device before they expire. You only need a free Apple ID (a throwaway will do) to install apps that Apple would never allow, such as Testut’s Delta emulator for Nintendo consoles.

In theory, there’s not much Apple can do to easily shut things down. It could take down individual accounts, but you could just create another Apple ID if needed. Also, iOS only looks for an excessive number of app provisioning profiles, not the number of apps you have installed. So long as AltStore manages those profiles, Apple doesn’t know if you’re running one app or twenty. Testut told The Verge that measures to block AltStore would break key functionality for developers or iTunes syncing.

AltStore is available in preview form now, with a formal launch due on September 28th. People who back Testut’s Patreon will also have the option to install almost any app, not just those in the store. It’s not certain how long this will survive — it’s easy to see Apple taking legal action if it believes that’s an option. For now, though, this may be the go-to portal for people who prefer iOS but feel stifled by the App Store’s policies.

OnePlus finally revealed its TV after weeks of teases (updated)

by

OnePlus TV’s exclusive ‘Pro’ feature is a stand

After weeks of slowly teasing out information, OnePlus has finally fully detailed its debut TV set. The OnePlus TV Q1 series is first coming to India. On the surface, it looks like a compelling device. It features a 55-inch, 4K QLED panel with support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The Q1 also includes a good mix of connectivity options, with four HDMI 2.0 ports on the back and built-in WiFi as well as Bluetooth 5.0.

As promised, it’ll ship with Android TV and include support for both Google Assistant and Alexa. Using the OnePlus Connect app, you’ll be able to input text and switch between Android TV apps on your smartphone. Anytime you get a call on your phone, the OnePlus TV will automatically reduce the volume of any content so you’re not scrambling to do that yourself. Chromecast support is built directly into the TV as well.

However, more interesting than the TV is OnePlus’ sales approach. Like it does with its smartphone lineup, the company plans to offer two different models of the OnePlus TV. They’ll be a standard model and a “Pro” variant. The two models will cost INR 69,000 ($985) and INR 99,900 ($1407) respectively. While they’ll both come with built-in 50W soundbars that support Dolby Atmos, the Pro model features a sliding eight-speaker array instead of a static four-speaker one. The other big difference is that the Pro model ships with a stand. For the more affordable Q1, OnePlus is taking a page from Apple’s book and asking people to buy a separate dock that costs INR 2,990 ($42).

There’s no word yet on when OnePlus plans to start selling the Q1 series in the US, so we’ll have to wait and see if OnePlus can translate the recent trend of smartphone companies offering more expensive “Pro” to the TV market. Until then, OnePlus fans in the US have the OnePlus 7T to look forward to.

Update 9/26 7:05PM ET: Added the price of the OnePlus Dock.

The 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 comes with a new battery design

by

It may have enabled the watch’s better battery life.

Apple’s latest smartwatch model isn’t that different from Series 4, but its 40mm version is apparently hiding a component that’s dramatically different from its peers. iFixit has discovered that the smaller Series 5 watch uses a battery encased in metal instead of in black foil pouch like typical lithium-ion batteries. Its larger 44mm sibling is powered by one of those standard batteries. The teardown website found a patent that could explain the change: the new metal casing is apparently more space efficient and can free up valuable real estate for a small device.

That might be how Apple was able to give its battery life a boost, even though the size of its battery compartment isn’t any different from its predecessors’. Using metal as a pouch also leads to a battery that’s stronger and more puncture-resistant. While iFixit wasn’t sure what metal Apple used to make the casing, the patent says the layer could be made of aluminum, nickel, steel or other alloys. Whether Apple is planning to use the design for its phones and laptops isn’t clear — but using it on a small device seems to be a good way to test it out.

Stocks to Watch: Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG)

by

After a recent check on shares of Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG), we can see that the stock price had touched 13.09. Shares opened the session at 12.22. Since the start of the session, the stock has topped out with a high of 13.45 and bottomed with a low of 12.09. After noting current price levels, we can see that the change from the open is presently 1.03.

Investors may be employing many various trading strategies when approaching the markets. Investors may be hoping for sustained upward trends where stocks calmly and steadily advance in that direction. Of course, this isn’t typically the case. Having some foreign exposure in the portfolio may provide overall diversification and also potentially boost performance over time. Investing globally may entail considering the risks of investing in economies that are inherently less developed and thus less liquid. A diversified approach may target foreign markets that have solid growth potential and favorable domestic conditions, such as a stable political setting. Investing globally may require much more research and dedication in order to fully understand the ins and outs.

Relative Strength

Investors may be tracking various technicals on shares of Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG). We can see that the 9 day relative strength value is currently 69.41%. This technical momentum indicator compares the size of recent gains to recent losses helping to identify possible overbought and oversold conditions. The 9 day historical volatility reading is currently 61.63%. This measures the average deviation from the average price spanning the past 9 days. The current 9 day MACD has been spotted at 0.06. This value represents the difference between a short-term and a long-term moving average. A reading over zero may provide a bullish signal, and a value under zero may represent a bearish signal.

Focusing in on some other information, we can see that Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG) has a current weighted alpha of -23. The weighted alpha gauges how much the stock has increased or decreased over the period of one full year. The weighting puts higher emphasis on more recent activity providing a more relevant measure for short-term technical analysts to use. A positive weighted alpha reading indicates that the stock has risen over the past year. A negative reading would indicate that the stock is down over that same time period. Technical traders often use the weighted alpha to help discover stocks that are building momentum.

Traders might be paying extra attention to the technicals as they look to spot buying opportunities in the stock market. Because there are so many different strategies that traders can use, it may be difficult to pinpoint the correct avenue. New traders might choose to focus on one or two main indicators when just starting out. With time and experience, many traders will use a combination of various indicators when setting up their persona charts. It may be wise for traders to remember that what has worked for someone else in the past may not work for them in the future.  

Earnings Focus

Amag Pharmaceuticals (AMAG) last reported earnings results on 8/7/2019. For the most recent period, the company posted quarterly EPS of -3.57. The trailing 12 month earnings number is currently -5.97. The company’s EPS growth over the previous quarter clocks in at 61.45%. The EPS metric is frequently used to measure a company’s profitability based on each outstanding share of common stock.

Keeping watch on technicals may involve many different plans and scenarios. Investors may be seeking to get some clarity about a certain stock’s history, and eventually try to project the future. With so much historical data available, investors may choose to look at many different time frames when examining a stock. Going back days, months, of even years, may help broaden the scope and help investors see the bigger picture. When companies gear up to release the next round of quarterly earnings results, investors will be closely watching to see how profitable the overall quarter was. Occasionally, low expectations may provide ample impetus for future stock gains. Per usual, there will most likely be big winners and losers depending on the strength of the individual reports. 

Stocks to Watch: Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS)

by

Sell-side analysts often undertake stock analysis to give their opinions of whether they believe that shares should be bought, sold, or held. Using ratings provided by analysts to Zacks Research, we can see that the current average broker rating on shares of Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS) is currently 3.2. This consensus rating uses a number scale from 1 to 5. A low number between 1 and 2 indicates a Buy or Strong Buy. A 3 rating would represent a Hold, while a 4 or 5 indicates a Sell rating. After a recent check, we can see that 2 sell-side analysts have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy, based analysts polled by Zacks Research.

Most investors are aware that not all stocks will be performing well at the same time. Different stocks may have alternate reactions to various economic factors, world events, and business happenings. When one stock is up, another one might be on the way down. Keeping the portfolio full of names from different sectors can help offset imbalances when one stock or sector may be performing poorly while another stock or sector is doing well. Diversification is typically recommended with all types of investing. Many factors may come into play when trying to pick the right stocks to own. Investors may want to figure out how much they are willing to risk, and what kinds of returns they are looking for. Many beginner investors may not be comfortable picking stocks on their own. Seeking professional advice may be one avenue to pursue, but it is usually a good idea to know exactly what holdings are in the portfolio at all times, as markets can move quickly and without notice.

Sell-side Wall Street analysts will commonly offer stock price target estimates. Many investors pay close attention to where the analysts project the stock moving in the future. After a recent scan, we can see that analysts polled by Zacks Research have set a consensus price target of $25 on shares of Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS). Price target estimates can be calculated using various methods, and they may be quite different depending on the individual analyst. A fully researched analyst report will generally provide detailed reasoning for a specific target price prediction. Some investors may track analyst targets very closely and use the information to complement their own stock research.

Taking a quick look at the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), we can see that the most recent level is sitting at 0.1. This EPS projection uses 3 Sell-Side analysts polled by Zacks Research. For the previous reported quarter, the company posted a quarterly EPS of 0.16. Covering analysts have the tough job of following companies and offering future estimates. These estimates are often closely followed on the Street, and earnings beats or misses revolve around these projections. Sometimes these predictions are extremely close to the actual reported number, and other times they may be way off. When a company posts actual earnings numbers, the surprise factor can lead to sudden stock price fluctuations. If a company meets and beats estimates and posts a positive earnings surprise, the stock may see a near-term bump. On the other end, a negative surprise may send the stock in the opposite direction. Many investors will choose to trade with caution around earnings releases and wait to make a move until after the major activity has subsided.

Zooming in on recent stock price action for Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), we note that shares are trading near the 22.82 level. Investors will often follow stock price levels in relation to the 52-week high and low levels. The 52-week high is presently 29.88, and the 52-week low is sitting at 17.41. When a stock price is getting close to either the 52-week high or 52-week low, investors may track activity to watch for a move past the established mark. Over the last 12 weeks, shares have seen a change of -11.1%. Heading further back to the start of the year, we note that shares have seen a change of 26.71%. Focusing in closer to the last 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of -1.72%. Over the past five trading days, the stock has changed -8.06%.

Knowledgeable investors are typically better prepared when deciding what stocks to buy. Having a deeper understanding of companies, sectors, and investment concepts may prove to be a huge boost to the investor’s confidence and profits. Savvy investors generally know how to stick with an investing plan but are able to adapt to any unforeseen market movements. Building lasting wealth is usually at the forefront of many investor strategies. It may be nearly impossible to find explanations for unusual market activity until long after everything has shifted and settled. Being able to take the punches from everyday market happenings may help the investor stay focused on the long-term objectives. As long as there are markets, there will always be news swirling around. There will constantly be talk of the bulls and the bears, market corrections, sell-offs, and such. Being able to wade through the headlines to get down to the nitty-gritty important stuff is where the market masters make their living. Being able to focus on the right information can be a gigantic boost to the health of the individual investor’s portfolio. Finding out what works and what doesn’t can also play big part in coming out on top in the stock market. Although it may not be an easy endeavor, it may be attainable with the right amount of perseverance and dedication.