Weekly Roundup: Facebook acquires WhatsApp, tablet buyer's guide and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Do we need 4K smartphones?
Handsets with a 2,560 x 1,440 (QHD) displays have already been announced, but do we really need that kind of resolution in the palm of our hand? The answer is complicated. Read on as Engadget's Steve Dent weighs the pros and cons of 4K smartphones.
Facebook acquires WhatsApp
Earlier this week, Facebook acquired the instant messaging platform WhatsApp for $19 billion. Sure, the app is a direct competitor to Facebook Messenger, but what makes it worth that kind of money? Read on as Engadget's Michael Gorman explains Facebook's interest in WhatsApp's 450 million global users.
Tablet buyer's guide
With numerous models and operating systems to choose from, we understand that picking the right slate can be a tough job. Fortunately, you'll find everything you need to know right here in our 2014 tablet buyer's guide.
Early upgrades: should you take the bait?
No one likes waiting two years for a new smartphone, but are plans like T-Mobile's Jump and AT&T's Next all they're made out to be? Our own Brad Molen tallies the pros and cons of early upgrade programs from the major US carriers.