Standalone Google VR headset is also being worked on behind the scenes

There have been quite a few rumours floating around the past few weeks that relate to Google working on a VR headset that would rival the Samsung Gear VR in the marketplace. While that VR headset would require a surrogate smartphone to work, a new report has suggested that a standalone Google VR headset is also being worked on within the walls at Google’s HQ.

While this means that Google is working on two separate VR headsets at the same time, the two couldn’t be on more different timelines. While the headset that uses smartphones is said to be releasing in 2016, with a possible cameo at Google I/O possible, the standalone headset has a less defined timeline, with some sources saying 2016 is a possibility, with another saying that the standalone project is still very much in its early development days.

If true, that is pretty big news for the virtual reality industry as Google’s significant global presence could really push VR into the mainstream, particularly if its VR headsets are built with the Nexus device mentality. Still, it sounds like we’ll have to wait until Google I/O to at least get a better idea of what’s going on, but something tells us we could be in for a treat.

What do you think about a standalone Google VR headset? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Wall Street Journal via engadget

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GTA: Liberty City Stories is out now, 40% off for a limited time

For Rockstar Games, the mobile gaming revolution has been a great time to dig out all its last-gen games (or in some cases last-last-gen) and repackage them for mobile platforms – and let’s be honest: it’s a win-win situation. The next game on Rockstar’s list of revivals is GTA: Liberty City Stories, which was originally released in 2005 on the Playstation Portable. For those aren’t experiencing a nostalgia trip, GTA: Liberty City Stories sees you take control of Toni Cipriani, who once worked for the Leone family. Liberty City is now in a bad state, with warring families, organized crime, and corrupt politicians all making it difficult for Cipriani in his quest to get the Leone family control of the city.

Rockstar says that it has streamlined the whole mobile experience with shortened missions, better controls and updated graphics, much like Rockstar’s previous efforts when reviving its older games. For a limited time, starting from today’s launch, GTA: Liberty City Stories is going to be 40% off, making it $3.99 USD during this discounted period – not a bad deal for a feature length game, and probably well worth the nostalgia. If you’re hankering for a trip back to Liberty City, we’ve got the Play Store link for you down below:GTA: Liberty City Stories (Playboard) | GTA: Liberty City Stories (Play Store)

What do you think about GTA: Liberty City Stories? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Droid-life

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More Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge renders join the party

If the new Samsung flagship smartphones are supposed to be a secret, obviously nobody told Samsung because there are leaks coming out thick and fast. The latest set of leaks comes again from leaker @evleaks who comes to us with a set of Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge renders, shown in a variety of very nice colours. The S7 Edge (below) is shown in silver, black and gold, whereas the S7 (above) is shown in only black and gold – we’re assuming the two devices will be available in the same number of colours though.

Clearly, there’s not a whole lot that’s different between last year’s S6 and this year’s S7, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Naturally, most of the changes will be on the inside and presumably we’ll find out all about that in a week’s time at MWC 2016. According to sources, pre-orders for both the S7 and S7 edge are going to open the day that they are announced and that shipping will commence from March 11th – so start preparing your wallets if this looks like your cup of tea.

What do you think about these Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge renders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Twitter (1), (2) via SamMobile

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Picasa is shutting down in favour of Google Photos

Many of you will know the name Picasa as a place to store photos and many of you will have used it for many years. Unfortunately, that run is going to come to an end as Picasa is shutting down and Google focuses its development on Google Photos. While this will be a big inconvenience for some, Google understands that some people have put blood and sweat into their Picasa curations:

“We know for many of you, a great deal of care has gone into managing your photos and videos using Picasa—including the hours you’ve invested and the most precious moments you’ve trusted us with. So we will take some time in order to do this right and provide you with options and easy ways to access your content.”

So easy in fact that if you log into Google Photos right now, all your photos and videos from Picasa will already be there. If, however, you still want access to the tags, captions and comments you’ve accumulated on Picasa, Google will soon provide a way for you to keep these. You still have time to say your goodbyes though, as Google will only start the shutdown process on May 1st, 2016. Note that the Picasa desktop app is also going to have its support terminated from May 15th, 2016 – naturally, there is a Google Photos version should you choose to go down that path (and let’s be honest, you probably should).

What do you think about Picasa shutting down? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Google Picasa Blog via Droid-life

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Android Monotune ad reminds us to “be together, not the same”

Google‘s most recent ad campaigns have centred around the phrase “be together, not the same”. It’s designed perhaps to instill a sense of comradely among the Android community, but most of all it describes the Android ecosystem perfectly – a harmonious group of manufacturers making and designing very similar devices that all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Google’s latest ad reaffirms this point in one of most pertinent and interesting ways possible – using a piano. Check out the Android Monotune ad down below:

The piano analogy presented in the video really drives home the point that Android is a platform that enables many things to work together to make something beautiful, instead of many of the same thing (*cough* Apple *cough*), and at some level, it’s probably a message about being harmonious with your fellow man, or at the very least, not hating on our least favourite Android manufacturers as much. Either way, it’s a wonderful way to get their point across, though we will point out that Google now has one hell of an expensive grand piano that can only play one note.

What do you think about the Android Monotone ad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: YouTube

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Leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 ad focuses on fitness and waterproofing

Another day, another leak about Samsung‘s upcoming flagship smartphones – except this time it’s their own fault. Thanks to Samsung Indonesia, we’ve now got our hands on a leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 ad which apparently features one of Indonesia’s top athletes, compound archer Dellie Threesyadinda. In the ad, Threesyadinda uses the Galaxy S7 edge in particular to log her fitness regime (with a sneaky Gear S2 cameo thrown in too), even using the smartphone while training in the rain. Check out the ad for yourself below:

The ad also briefly shows wireless charging for the device, and astute fans will also notice that the camera module on the back of the device doesn’t appear to protrude from the back of the device as it did on the Galaxy S6 family. That’s likely to make many a prospective buyer happy, as well as the waterproofing and the rumoured return of the microSD slot. Obviously we’ll have to wait for February 21st before we find out whether this is all true or not, but it’s looking good for those of you who have been waiting for the Galaxy S7.

What do you think about the leaked Samsung Galaxy S7 ad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: YouTube via engadget

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HP Envy 13 (2016) review – CNET

The Good The HP Envy 13 is a slim, lightweight notebook with a comfortable keyboard and decent speakers — plus a fingerprint sensor that makes signing into Windows a snap.

The Bad This thin laptop’s battery life falls far behind the competition — and performance can slow to a crawl while charging. No touchscreen option.

The Bottom Line HP’s Envy 13 is a pretty good notebook, but why settle for good? Dell, Lenovo, and even HP sell better thin-and-light laptops.

Last year, something wonderful happened in the world of Windows laptops. Quality became affordable. Companies like Dell, HP and Asus started selling sleek notebooks made of strong aluminum and carbon fiber for less than $1,000.

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The new HP Envy 13.

Josh Miller/CNET

The HP Envy 13 is the latest of those computers to enter the ring. It starts at just $800 (£699) for a no-compromise configuration that comes with a 2.3GHz 15-watt Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, 128GB of speedy solid-state storage, and a crisp 1080p screen — all in a chassis that weighs just 2.8 pounds and measures 12.9mm thick. It’s one of the thinnest laptops ever made.

Thin laptops compared

HP Envy 13

MacBook Air (13-inch)

Asus Zenbook UX305

Lenovo Yoga 900

Dell XPS 13

Vaio Z Flip

Dimensions

12.85 x 8.9 in. (326 x 226mm)

12.8 x 8.94 in. (325 x 227mm)

12.76 x 8.9 in. (324 x 226mm)

12.75 x 8.86 in. (324 x 225mm)

11.98 x 7.88 in. (304 x 200mm)

12.76 x 8.48 in. (324 x 215mm)

Thickness

0.51 inch (12.95mm)

0.68 inch (17mm)

0.48 inch (12.3mm)

0.59 inch (14.9mm)

0.6 inch (15.2mm)

0.66 inch (16.8mm)

Weight

2.81 lbs. (1275g)

2.96 lbs. (1350g)

2.65 lbs. (1202g)

2.84 lbs. (1288g)

2.7 lbs. (1224g)

2.96 lbs. (1343g)

Processor

6th-gen 15W Intel “Skylake”

5th-gen 15W Intel “Broadwell”

2nd-gen 4.5W Intel Core M

6th-gen 15W Intel “Skylake”

6th-gen 15W Intel “Skylake”

6th-gen 28W Intel “Skylake”

But after spending a week with the HP Envy 13, I can’t quite recommend it. It’s just not as good as the competition. (Skip to the conclusion to find out what to buy instead.)

There’s no one giant glaring deal-breaker that ruins the Envy 13. In fact, there’s a lot to love. My favorite feature: a fingerprint sensor that lets me swipe my way into Windows instead of typing a password. It’s one of the most responsive I’ve used on a consumer PC.

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Josh Miller/CNET

Not that typing passwords would be much of a chore. I’ve been banging out every word of this review on the Envy 13’s well-spaced backlit keyboard, and I’ve had no trouble yet. Same goes for the glass touchpad: Even though the extra-wide mousing surface means the base of my thumb hits it every so often, the mouse cursor doesn’t jump around like it has with cut-rate laptops. (Two-finger scrolling is a smidge jerkier than with the best touchpads I’ve used, but it’s definitely passable here.)

While typing, I’m marveling at how good Pandora Radio can sound on the Envy 13’s Bang & Olufsen-branded speakers. Some tunes can sound pretty tinny, but it’s remarkable how wide a sonic field these speakers are able to project. I can clearly hear the distinctions between the instruments, and/or feel dubstep beats exploding all around my head.

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Insert your favorite “Envy” joke here.

Josh Miller/CNET

Though the Envy’s design definitely resembles a certain Apple laptop, there are enough differences here that the similarities aren’t too embarrassing. The lid’s dark black bezel does a great job of highlighting the screen, which has a matte finish that doesn’t produce the distracting reflections we typically see with glass. It’s also pretty neat how the J-shaped lid lifts the laptop up to a comfortable typing angle.

The Envy 13’s performance is what we expect from one of Intel’s latest 15-watt Core i5 processors. It’s nothing exceptional, but it’s more than fast enough for everyday tasks — unless you run into a weird issue I saw where the laptop can slow down while you charge it. (More on that later.)

Even the port situation isn’t as dire as you might expect on a laptop this thin. There’s a full-size HDMI port, a full-size SD card reader that doesn’t leave the card hanging out the side, and three full-size USB 3.0 ports as well as a standard 3.5mm headset jack. My only complaint is that the USB ports are extremely tight. When I try to yank out my thumbdrive, it feels like I’m going to break it.

GoPro Hero5 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Sarah Tew / CNET

On GoPro’s Q4 2015 earnings conference call on February 3, CEO Nick Woodman dropped a couple of nuggets as to the direction the company would be taking its action cams activity-capture devices for 2016, not the least of which was the eventual release of a Hero5 camera.

GoPro’s current top camera models, the Hero4 Black and Hero4 Silver, launched in late September 2014 and the company didn’t roll out an updated “+” version a year later like it did with its Hero3 cameras. Instead, the company spent 2015 putting out lower-end Hero models — all going bye-bye as of April — and the Hero4 Session, which required a $200 price cut to spark greater interest.

“Connected and convenient”

According to Woodman, the plan for 2016 is to keep the current lineup as the Hero4 Black, Silver and Session and, “later this year,” introduce the Hero5. (Rumors place its arrival in October.)

Meanwhile, in the first half of 2016, Woodman said the company will focus on getting the Karma, GoPro’s upcoming drone, on store shelves. Speaking to Engadget earlier in the year, Woodman basically confirmed the Karma would be backward-compatible with the company’s cameras. If that’s the case, having it launch before the Hero5 would allow current Hero3/3+ and Hero4 owners to buy the drone. Then, once they see the possibilities, upgrade to the Hero5.

As to potential capabilities of the Hero5, Woodman only offered that it would be “the most connected and convenient” GoPro has ever made and any new hardware would do a better job of connecting to smartphones and the cloud. Part of that improved simplicity may even come before the camera arrives: in the same earnings call, GoPro pledged that easier editing software would be arriving in March.

Rumor mill: Twice the battery life and half the size!

Those details from the earnings call are the little bit of facts we have so far. Everything hereafter is strictly supposition, guessing and rumors.

Much of the current Hero5 rumor crop is pretty vague, with scuttlebutt such as it will be priced between $450 and $550, and it will be smaller and lighter than previous models. Other rumors have GoPro going all-in on the Hero4 Session’s cube design while being able to record 8K-resolution video and packing a 2,800mAh battery. (The Session’s battery is 1,000mAh, and its recording resolution maxes out at full HD.) It is possible, of course, that the Hero5 models will all be cubes, but it’s unlikely they’ll also be the same size as the Session.

Reaching out to GoPro for more details was met with a “no comment” and what was likely a good chuckle on their end.

Reading the chips

Ambarella is the system-on-a-chip (SoC) maker that GoPro has used for past models, including the Hero4 Black, which uses its A9 processor (not to be confused with Apple’s identically named but totally different iPhone processor). This chip is what helps deliver that model’s high-bit-rate 4K-resolution video at 30 frames per second and full HD clips at up to 120fps as well as its other high-performance capabilities.

Ambarella’s chips have been used in GoPro’s Hero3/3 and Hero4 cameras.

Joshua Goldman/CNET

The follow-up to that processor, the A9SE, was announced in October 2015. It, too, tops out at 4K at 30fps, but does it while using less power, and it can simultaneously support a second stream at 720p HD at 30fps. Combine this with its support for a 4G LTE modem and you have yourself a camera that is in fact more connected and convenient. The chip also supports 3D electronic image stabilization with rolling shutter correction (important for action cams and drones alike) and multiexposure HDR capture, among other things.

At CES 2016, the chip maker announced the H2 SoC, another low-power chip that can handle 4K Ultra HD H.265/HEVC video at 60fps and 4K AVC video at 120fps. This would be amazing to have in the Hero5; however, Ambarella’s Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Chris Day told me it typically takes customers a year or more to design and bring new cameras to market. This means using the H2 for the Hero5 is very unlikely. Ambarella’s H1 chip, which has similar features to the H2, could also fit the time frame, but Day said because of its higher power demands, it’s more suited to drone cameras than not ideal for small sports cameras.

A switch to Qualcomm?

Qualcomm, meanwhile, has been making inroads into the camera market with its Snapdragon processors: The upcoming 360fly 4K will use a Snapdragon 800 processor, for example, as does the multisensor Light camera. So, will GoPro go with Qualcomm instead of Ambarella for its next flagship camera, as rumors suggest?

A Qualcomm representative confirmed to CNET that many of the Snapdragon processors can simultaneously capture and stream 1080p at 30fps, including its Snapdragon 801 that is key to its Snapdragon Flight drone platform. Plus, with Qualcomm making its own Wi-Fi and 4G LTE modems, a Snapdragon might be the better fit for GoPro’s connected camera plans.

Both Ambarella and Qualcomm declined to comment on what GoPro is working on or what is being used in the Hero5 and kindly suggested I talk to GoPro about it. And, well, I already told you how that worked out.

Either way, though, the Hero5 is definitely coming. And we’ll keep this story updated as additional rumors unfold.

IC Real Tech Allie Home review – CNET

The Good IC Real Tech’s Allie Home camera live streams, records and photographs in 360 degrees, so you can see everything that’s happening in a room all at once. You can also use a VR headset to make the camera’s 360-degree view even more immersive.

The Bad The Allie Home costs $599 and has fewer security features than the $70 Ezviz Mini. That means no motion or sound detection, no alerts, no rules or scheduling, no Arm/Disarm modes, no…nothing.

The Bottom Line Yes, IC Real Tech’s expensive Allie Home has neat specs, but that doesn’t translate to impressive security performance — don’t get it.

Let’s start with this — I can’t recommend IC Real Tech’s $599, £419, AU$845 Allie Home camera to anyone who’s considering using it as a DIY security device. (At least, not as it is right now.)

I know that people don’t often agree about home security, particularly what sort of set up is best, or at the very least adequate.

A comprehensive multi-device system, installed and managed by a professional firm like ADT is right for some. Others are content with a single security camera placed in a particularly vulnerable spot. And there are still plenty of folks who don’t use any sort of security tech in their homes at all.

My grandfather, for instance, used to balance an upside-down glass Coca-Cola bottle on top of the front doorknob. If he woke up to glass shattering, he was ready to rumble with an intruder. (And yes, home security gadgets were a thing by then. He just preferred his more badass method.)

Nowadays, though, there are more home security options than ever before. That doesn’t mean a Coke bottle won’t cut it, just that there are a lot of products out there that are specifically designed to alert you when a potential problem takes place — whether you’re home or not.

We’ve reviewed a lot of them, but I’ve never been quite so stumped by a security product as I am with the very pricey DIY Allie Home camera.

Cameras, cameras everywhere:

• Zmodo’s Pivot cam has a 360-degree view (hands-on)
• Security camera buying guide
• Delve into DIY security with these 35 connected cameras

Yes, the camera is neat. It’s decked out with two, 180-degree fisheye lenses so you can live stream and record or take photos in a 360-degree environment. (You have to pay extra for the cloud recording/storage feature — it starts at $6.95 per month for 24 hours.)

2016 Nissan Maxima SR review – Roadshow

The Good Stunning good looks and a comfortable interior. The SR trim line offers a sport mode and the 300 horsepower is ample enough for fun, but not so much as to get you in trouble.

The Bad The lack of a six-speed manual option will turn off those buyers looking for a true four-door sports car.

The Bottom Line The 2016 Nissan Maxima is a bit more exciting than your standard sedan, but the CVT keeps it from being an enthusiast’s dream. Still, the quality, workmanship, and comfort of the interior are not things to be overlooked.

When Nissan unveiled the redesigned 2016 Maxima at the 2015 New York Auto Show, it looked fresh and sexy perched up on its stage, flattered by professional lighting and attended to by a guy who was paid to wipe the smallest dust mote off the car every 10 seconds. The engine, a 3.5-liter V6 good for 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, had me a little hot and bothered as well. Good looks and a bit of brawn.

Then I noticed what Nissan calls a “4-Door Sports Car” comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Josh Miller/CNET

For normal, everyday drivers, a CVT is not a bad transmission. It keeps the engine operating at optimum efficiency with a band rather than fixed gears. But it doesn’t offer the control over drive ratios that you can get from a manual or dual-clutch transmission. CVTs just aren’t engaging, which kind of undercuts the Maxima’s sport credentials.

The CVT doesn’t do justice to the engine in the 2016 Nissan Maxima.

Josh Miller/CNET

In fact, it’s hard to say where the Maxima sits on the automobile spectrum. The CVT and front-wheel-drive format take it out of the sport sedan category, the 300 horsepower V6 takes it out of the family category, and while there is a good amount of interior features, the slightly harsh ride of our SR trim line makes it a tough sell to those looking for luxury.

Despite an apparent identity crisis, the Maxima makes a case for itself. Visually it is a stunning car. It’s about two inches longer than the outgoing model, but has lost over an inch of height and over eighty pounds. The floating roof and sculpted profile give it a modern look, and the wrap around taillights make for a recognizable rear. I especially like the new boomerang design of the LED headlamps.

Spot on interior

As I slipped behind the wheel, the first thing I noticed is how the seats, with their leather and diamond quilted Alcantara inserts, cradled my behind. The entire cockpit is built around the driver, with the standard 8-inch touchscreen and controls angled toward the left seat. The overall design of the interior, from the contrasting stitching along the soft-touch dash to the chrome accent along the passenger side, is flawless.

In this SR trim model, navigation comes standard, and the system is very quick to recognize touchscreen inputs. If you prefer not to smudge the touchscreen, or can’t reach it, there is also a redundant dial control on the center console.

A well-designed cabin welcomes the driver.

Josh Miller/CNET

The NASA-inspired zero gravity seats in the new Maxima could be considered the most comfortable on the market today.

Josh Miller/CNET

One slick feature Nissan calls Swipe to Meter lets you push navigation information from the larger screen on the center console to a smaller instrument cluster screen with a quick swipe of your finger. A host of built-in apps give you access to Google search (powered by your phone), Sirius satellite traffic and weather, as well as emergency service, remote start and lock, and valet and curfew alert.

Cabin comforts include heated and cooled front seats, push-button start, two USB ports and a handy storage bin on the center console.