Mattel View-Master 2.0 takes Google Cardboard VR to another level

Toy maker Mattel took its 75 year old View-Master and recently reinvented it to work like Google cardboard. Now it’s got an upgraded model on the way to enhance that even futher.

The first Mattel View-Master VR viewer allowed phone owners to mount their device in the headset. Using its built-in lenses virtual reality videos could be viewed in 3D the same way Google Cardboard works. Move your head in the real world and your virtual head will look about in whatever world the phone is displaying.

Now Mattel plans to unveil its View-Master 2.0 at the New York Toy Fair this weekend. So what can we expect that’s new?

One of the great things about this headset will be its ability to house most smartphones, despite size variations. Unlike the first model, which has a plastic piece that can be lost, this model should have in-built adapter functionality.

Mattel has added a headphone jack to the new model so users can listen via headphones rather than relying on the phone’s speakers.

Also improved is the lens focus, which makes the whole experience possible. A focus wheel has been added to the headset so it can be varied to suit the comfort of the person using the headset.

All this means a price bump but you’ll still only be paying $40, or about £28, for a real virtual reality experience.

READ: Google Cardboard review: The cornerstone of mobile VR

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge get Android 6.0 Marshmallow update today

Samsung has officially announced the release of its latest Android update for the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge. Android 6.0 Marshmallow will begin to roll out from today, 15 February.

Samsung has confirmed the beginning of this rollout and said that its other devices will follow soon. Of course a rollout start isn’t something to get too excited about, it could still be weeks before your S6 or S6 edge gets the update.

There should be a variation in the timings for the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update based on location. Samsung says it will announce specifics for certain markets and carrier requirements as they become available.

On top of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow extras Samsung has also thrown in updates for the Galaxy S6 edge screen. It should be “faster and more convenient than ever,” according to Samsung.

Extras include new tools like compass, torch and ruler, more App and People icons including folders, live feeds, plus the ability to move and affect transparency and size of the edge Handle icon.

New Android extras include Now on Tap for cards intelligently selected for what your phone thinks you want, better battery performance, better permission controls, wider fingerprint security integration and more.

READ: Android 6.0 Marshmallow review: Polish and performance

Which Windows Phone is right for you? Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL

Microsoft has announced another Windows 10 smartphone to its portfolio in the form of the Lumia 650. The device is the first to appear with the operating system in 2016, joining three existing handsets that launched in October 2015.

If you are after a Windows Phone but you aren’t sure which is the right one for you, you’ve come to the right place. We have put the new Lumia 650 up against the budget Lumia 550 and the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL flagships to see what the differences are and how they compare.

Which Windows Phone is right for you? Read on to find out more details on the four Windows 10 devices.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Design

The Microsoft Lumia 650 measures 142 x 70.9 x 6.9mm, hits the scales at 122g and is available in black and white colour options.

The Lumia 550 is smaller but not slimmer or lighter measuring 136.1 x 67.8 x 9.9mm and weighing 141.9g. It is also available in black and white.

The two flagships are a little larger and heavier than both the Lumia 650 and the 550. The 950 measures 145 x 73.2 x 8.2mm and weighs 150g, while the 950 XL measures 151.9 x 78.4 x 8.1mm and weighs 165g. Colour options are also black and white.

All four devices have aluminium frames with polycarbonate exchangeable rear covers. The smallest is the Lumia 550, the largest is the Lumia 950 XL and the slimmest and lightest is the Lumia 650.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Display

The Microsoft Lumia 650 comes with a 5-inch AMOLED display with a pixel resolution of 1280 x 720. This means it offers a pixel density of 297ppi.

The Lumia 550 has a 4.7-inch display, also with a 1280 x 720 resolution, meaning a pixel density of 315ppi. This device opts for an LCD display rather than OLED however meaning blacks may not be as deep and colours may not be as vibrant as the 650.

The Lumia 950 and 950 XL have 5.2-inch and 5.7-inch displays, respectively. They are both AMOLED like the Lumia 650 but they up the resolution to Quad HD meaning pixel densities of 564ppi and 518ppi.

The Lumia 950 offers the sharpest display based on the numbers, while the 650 has the lowest number of pixels per inch. The 950 XL is the largest in terms of size and the 550 is the smallest. All four device have the Glance Screen feature that allows users to see certain information without waking up the main display.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Camera

The Microsoft Lumia 650 features an 8-megapixel rear camera, coupled with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Both have an aperture of f/2.2 and both are capable of 720p video recording. The rear camera offers autofocus and an LED flash.

The Lumia 550 has a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. The main camera has an aperture of f/2.4, while the front camera has an aperture of f/2.8, both of which are narrower than the 650 meaning less light is let through. Autofocus and an LED flash are on board like the 650 however, but video capabilities of the front camera only extend to 480p.

The Lumia 950 and 950 XL have 20-megapixel rear snappers and 5-megapixel front cameras. The front camera is not only wide angle but also capable of 1080p video recording, while the rear camera offers 4K video recording capabilities. Aperture is wider on the main cameras compared to the 650 and 550 at f/1.9, while the front camera has an f/2.4 aperture. A natural flash is present on these two devices and OIS is also on board.

Megapixels aren’t everything when it comes to smartphone camera performance, but if you want the best Windows Phone for taking pictures, the 950 or 950 XL are likely to be the better bet.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Hardware

The Microsoft Lumia 650 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage with microSD storage expansion.

The Lumia 550 follows closely behind in terms of power with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chip, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory, with microSD expansion.

Both the 950 and 950 XL are more powerful, as you would expect. The Lumia 950 has the Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with microSD expansion. The Lumia 950 XL has the Snapdragon 810 chip, along with the same other specs as the 950.

In terms of battery capacities, the 650 offers the smallest at 2000mAh, followed by the 550 that has 2100mAh, then the 950 at 3000mAh and the largest sits within the 950 XL at 3340mAh.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Software

The Microsoft Lumia 650, 550, 950 and 950 XL all run on Windows Phone 10, which means you will get a very similar user experience across all the devices.

There are several exciting features offered by the platform, with a more seamless experience across mobile, tablet, Xbox and PC. Our full Windows 10 Mobile review can be found by clicking here so have a read of that if you want more detail on what the devices offer.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Price

The Microsoft Lumia 650 will be available from 18 February starting at £150. This puts it closer to the Lumia 550 in terms of price than the other two devices. The Lumia 550 costs £100, while the Lumia 950 is £400 SIM-free and the Lumia 950 XL will set you back £470.

The cheapest Windows 10 device is therefore the 550, followed by the 650. Double the cash and then some will get you the 950, while the 950 XL holds the current position as most expensive Windows 10 smartphone.

Microsoft Lumia 650 vs 550 vs 950 vs 950 XL: Conclusion

The Windows 10 phone that is right for you will depend on what you are looking for from your smartphone and how much cash you have to splash.

Naturally the 950 and 950 XL are the more powerful of the Windows devices being compared here, but they are also the most expensive.

The Lumia 650 means a few compromises compared to the flagships, in terms of camera, battery capacity and processor power, but it is significantly cheaper and trumps the 550 in plenty of areas. It is also the slimmest and lightest Windows 10 device.

Best smartphones to look forward to in 2016

With the pace of smartphone evolution moving so fast, there’s always something waiting in the wings. No sooner have you spied the latest handset, then there’s anticipation of something else, the next big thing.

We’ve rounded up the best smartphones for 2015, those we consider to be the best across all platforms, and we’ve regularly updated that list as the smartphone world has evolved.

You can find those in our Best smartphones 2016: The best phones available to buy today feature. If your budget is a little smaller, there is also our Best budget smartphones 2016: The best phones available to buy for under £250.

Here we’re looking at those phones that haven’t yet launched, those we know are coming, or are anticipated. We’ll be updating this list on a regular basis, with those device rumours we think are credible and exciting, and devices just announced but yet to hit the shelves.

Venture Beat

Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S7 edge plus

The Samsung Galaxy S7 has been the subject of rumours for several months, along with its siblings – the Galaxy S7 edge and the Galaxy S7 edge plus.

Reports have suggested we will see two devices launch at MWC, with the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge both expected. It is thought the Galaxy S7 edge plus may arrive a little later in the year. The Galaxy S7 is said to be coming sporting either a 5.1-inch or 5.2-inch Qhad HD flat display, while the Galaxy S7 edge is said to bump its dual-edge screen up to 5.5-inches.

In terms of processor, rumours suggest Samsung may launch two variants of the devices, sticking to Exynos in one and opting for the latest Qualcomm SD820 in the other. There’s also been reports of a return to supporting microSD cards, along with the addition of USB Type-C but the design of the two devices will remain similar to their predecessors based on the image leaks.

A 16-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera are expected, although according to SamMobile, Samsung is testing a dual-camera setup in some prototypes, as well as a 20-megapixel ISOCELL sensor.

As for the timeline, put the eve of Mobile World Congress 2016 in your diaries – 21 February.

READ MORE Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge and S7 edge plus: What’s the story so far?

LG

LG G5

The LG G5 is the next flagship smartphone from the South Korean company expected to succeed the LG G4. An invite has been sent to journalists for the “next flagship smartphone” with the date set for 21 February. In case you haven’t realised, that’s the same day the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are expected so it’s looking like a big day for the smartphone world.

Rumours have suggested the LG G5 will arrive with a full metal unibody design but a modular build to accommodate a removable battery. A 5.6-inch display has been discussed with a Quad HD resolution but there have also been talks of two displays like the previously launched LG V10 and LG has confirmed it will come with an Always On display.

Other reports have suggested we will see an iris scanner appear on the new flagship, while in terms of power, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 has been touted several times. Apparently the LG G5’s battery will be 2800mAh and the rear camera will be a 16-megapixel snapper. Only very small details have been officially confirmed so far but as you can see, rumours are in full force.

READ MORE LG G5: What’s the story so far?

LG

LG X series

The LG G5 isn’t the only smartphone LG will be debuting at MWC this year after it took the wraps off two mid-range smartphones, falling within what the company is calling the X series. The two devices are called the X screen and X cam and both come with their own specialist features, alluded to in their names.

The LG X screen has a 4.93-inch Full HD display along with a 1.76-inch LCD screen with a 520 x 80 pixel resolution that acts as an Always-on display – something that has been touted for the LG G5. It also offers a 2300mAh battery, 1.2GHz chip and a 13-megapixel main camera, coupled with an 8-megapixel front camera.

The LG X cam is all about the camera offering dual rear cameras at 13-megapixels and 5-megapixels, another feature that is also rumoured for the flagship G5 device. There is also an 8-megapixel front-facing camera and this device comes with a 5.2-i9nch Full HD display, 1.14GHz processor and a 2520mAh battery. Prices and availability have yet to be announced.

READ MORE LG X series announced

hamdir

HTC One M10

HTC had a difficult year in 2015, with the M9 perhaps not being the hit it wanted. There’s the suggestion that HTC may abandon the name M10 for the next handset, but until we know more, we’re going to keep using it.

HTC’s most interesting device in 2015, perhaps, has been the HTC One A9. It has a refreshed design, opts for an AMOLED display and runs a lighter version of Sense than we’ve seen before. It also performs well on its mid-range hardware.

There have been fewer leaks on the next HTC flagship in comparison to its competitors but a 5.1-inch AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution has been suggested, along with the SD820, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of memory. It has also been claimed the design will follow in the lines of the A9 and the measurements might be 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.6mm, while we have also heard the name might change.

Despite the One M9 launching on the eve of MWC like Samsung and LG will this year, it looks like we will be waiting a few more weeks for the M10. Reports suggest HTC will do a separate event in March or April for the launch of its new flagship.

READ MORE HTC One M10: What’s the story on HTC’s next flagship?

Pocket-lint

Nextbit Robin

The Nextbit Robin wants to shake up both hardware and software, taking Android deeper into the cloud with a unique storage management approach.

The unique selling point of the Nextbit Robin is how it manages storage. The device comes with 32GB of internal storage, but has 100GB of cloud storage too. It works seamlessly with the cloud using that space to backup and offload the content of your phone and this doesn’t just include photos and videos, but apps and data too.

Nextbit will sync your apps with the cloud, meaning it can free-up local storage as it’s needed. That means you won’t run out of storage when you need it, for example taking photos or video on a day out. It does this by backing up to the cloud at convenient points – at night when connected to Wi-Fi and a charger, for example.

The software recognises the apps you use regularly, so keeps them on the device, but, for example, if you rarely use a travel app, it will let that space be over-written with other data. The real magic is that when you want that app back again, it can be seamlessly restored to your device with all the data in place, and no need to login again.

The Nextbit Robin will hit general retail in Q1 2016, for $399 (£260) and will be available internationally.

READ MORE Nextbit Robin hands-on

Pocket-lint

Apple iPhone 5SE

Rumours for an updated iPhone at the bottom of the pack have been circulating for some time. Currently, the iPhone 5S is still sold by Apple, with the colourful plastic iPhone 5C having been discontinued. But rumours suggest that might change on March 15 with Apple having apparently scheduled an event for that date where this device is expected, along with the iPad Air 3 and Watch 2.

There have been several rumours circulating about the successor to the Apple iPhone 5C, which is going by the name of the Apple iPhone 5SE. If Apple is to release an new 4-inch device, it’s likely it will replace the position of the current 5S, hence the name. Reports suggest it will bring some features from the iPhone 6, like Apple Pay support, as well as an aluminium body in the same colour offering as the iPhone 6S including the rose gold.

The same display resolution as the iPhone 5S is expected, as well as the same camera but it is thought a faster processor and slighter bigger battery capacity will be on board. As is always the case with Apple, there is a lot of speculation but little or no verifiable fact as yet.

READ MORE Apple iPhone 5SE: What’s the story so far?

Pocket-lint

Huawei P9

Huawei has been busy over the last few months, not only joining the Nexus party with the Nexus 6P, but also launching its Mate S and more recently expanding its phablet line-up with the Mate 8. That’s not all the Chinese company has up its sleeve though with rumours circulating around the successor to the P8 flagship – the P9.

The P9 was originally rumoured to be coming at CES 2016 but speculation now suggests Huawei will be waiting until a couple of weeks after Mobile World Congress that is taking place at the end of February so expect it sometime in March.

In terms of features, there have been claims of a dual lens rear camera, a curved back, a Quad HD display and an octa-core processor, to name but a few. Some rumours have also suggested there would be four devices launched with the names P9, P9 Lite and P9 Max all being thrown about.

READ MORE Huawei P9: What’s the story so far?

wapvnet

Motorola Moto X (2016)

Motorola announced three Moto X devices in July of 2015 but rumours for the successor have already started. Chinese website Wapvnet leaked an image claiming to be the new Moto X 2016 device featuring an all-metal body, which wouldn’t be a completely unreasonable suggestion. The image appears to show a raised and larger rear camera lens, suggesting a thinner handset than the current models.

There are currently only a few rumours floating about for the Motorola Moto X (2016) so we are mainly running on guesswork at the moment. It has been claimed by Lenovo’s senior vice president that a fingerprint sensor would be appearing on Motorola smartphones this year, which would be welcomed as it is a noticeable feature missing from the 2015 Moto X line up.

We’d expect improvements in most areas with the new model as this tends to be the way so a faster processor, more RAM, microSD support, a larger battery capacity and the latest software would all be reasonable predictions. We’d also expect the camera to be a big consideration as it was in 2015. Don’t expect anything to appear before the summer though.

READ MORE Motorola Moto X (2016): What’s the story?

Pocket-lint

Next Nexus

Google could be set to change the way its Nexus phones are made, taking control from hardware manufacturers. That could mean that the next Nexus could be more like a Pixel, with Google exerting end-to-end control.

Until now the Nexus smartphones have been created by hardware manufacturers with experience in the area. It’s been a showcase of different manufacturer’s skills. Sources talking to The Information claim that Google is looking at designing the hardware as well as the software in future. This will effectively make the smartphone manufacturer a contractor, rather than a partner in the project.

The Information reports that some of the larger brands are unlikely to bend the knee to Google willingly, but the company might find a compatriot in HTC. There are already rumours that HTC is in talks with Google about making future Nexus hardware. Google usually releases its Nexus handsets towards then end of the year, around September. The next Nexus may well find itself only carrying Google branding and none from the manufacturer.

READ MORE Could the next Nexus phone be a Pixel phone?

Pocket-lint

OnePlus 3

The OnePlus 2 has been kicking around for a while now, launching in July 2015, while the OnePlus X only graced us with its presence in October 2015 but that hasn’t stopped rumours sparking for the next OnePlus device – the OnePlus 3.

Rumours are currently thin on the ground but a set of leaked specs suggested a Full HD display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip under the hood. The leak suggested a fingerprint sensor might not be on board this time round, although we think this is unlikely.

We expect the rumours and speculation for the OnePlus 3 to pick up over the next couple of months, but for now, we would predict the OnePlus 3 will arrive with a similar design and size to the previous models, along with Qualcomm’s SD820 processor, 4GB of RAM and USB Type-C. We don’t expect to see a QHD display, nor iris recognition but a larger battery capacity and a slight increase in price from the OnePlus 2 wouldn’t surprise us.

READ MORE OnePlus 3: What’s the story so far?

Pocket-lint

OnePlus 2 Mini

It seems OnePlus is busy at the moment. Not only have rumours started for the company’s next flagship, but speculation also suggests it is working on a mini version of its current flagship. A leaked benchmark on GFX Bench for an “unknown” OnePlus handset is what has sparked the rumours for the OnePlus 2 Mini. 

The OnePlus 2 Mini is rumoured to be coming with a 4.6-inch display, which would make it the smallest OnePlus device available. It has also been rumoured to come with a Full HD resolution, which makes sense given that’s what its bigger brother offers. At this size and this resolution however, it would make it the sharpest display in the OnePlus portfolio.

A 12-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front camera and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 have also all been rumoured, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. We’d expect the OnePlus 2 Mini to arrive with the OxygenOS if it arrives at all.

READ MORE OnePlus 2 Mini: What’s the story?

Pocket-lint

Sony Xperia Z6

There are few smartphone updating machines quite as determined as Sony Mobile. The Xperia Z3+ was only on sale for a few months before the launch of the Xperia Z5 family. And there’s now rumours of the next step, the Xperia Z6.

Sony’s latest update made a few changes – there’s the 4K display model, the addition of a new camera module and the fingerprint scanner.

Rumours are light on the ground for the new models, except the suggestion that there will be a wide range in the new family and that it might appear in the second half of 2016, perhaps at IFA 2016. We’ll keep our ears peeled on this one to see what comes next.

READ MORE Sony Xperia Z6: What’s the story so far?

CrackBerry

BlackBerry Vienna

No soon had BlackBerry announced the Priv – it’s first Android handset – another model appeared, codenamed Vienna. 

There’s little information on the Vienna so far, but it appears to be a candybar device, offering a fixed physical keyboard under the large display.  The company has recently announced it will be opting for Android only now, with no BB10 OS devices planned so we at least know to expect a similar software experience to the Priv for the alleged Vienna.

We suspect that this is going to be more affordable than the Priv flagship, based on the design that looks a lot like the finish of the Leap (the cheapest all-touch BB10 handset).

There’s little else to go on at the moment, but it seems that in some small way the worm has turned for BlackBerry. There’s no word on release date, but the Priv was first flashed at MWC 2016, so the Vienna could appear in February 2016, or at least be teased.

READ MORE BlackBerry Vienna: What’s the story so far?

Martin Hajek

Apple iPhone 7

As sure as the sun rises, there will be an iPhone 7. It’s likely to stick to the same launch cycle as it has done previously, and won’t appear until October 2016.

However that hasn’t stopped the rumours circulating. The iPhone 7 is said to be ditching the headphone socket. This isn’t a new idea and it’s one of the oldest components on the handset, taking up a lot of internal space – space that could be filled with more battery or unicorn tears. The Lightning connector already supports audio, so it’s not too far fetched.

We’d expect a new design, as the 6 and 6S share the same looks, and Apple updates the iPhone design on a two-year cycle. There has been talk of waterproofing the handset too. Other rumours have suggested the design might be similar to the iPhone 6S but see the removal of the antenna strips across the back, as well as a camera lens that sits flush with the metal.

It will launch with iOS 10 (we can easily predict along) with more powerful hardware. As for new features, we suspect Apple will want to refine the camera experience and work on increasing the functionality of the 3D Touch display. 

READ MORE Apple iPhone 7: What’s the story so far?

Pocket-lint

Microsoft Surface Phone

The Surface Phone is something of a Windows phone holy grail. With Nokia then Microsoft Devices producing plenty of Windows Phones, the spectre of the Surface Phone has been hanging around as the idea of the ultimate Windows mobile device.

It’s perhaps a little odd, seeing as Microsoft now owns and produces its own handsets in the Lumia family, but rumours are that this will be Surface branded and Intel powered.

There’s also the suggestion that Surface Phone will run a brand new update of Windows 10, aiming to capitalise on the branding and offer the ultimate experience.

Launch isn’t expected until the latter half of 2016.

READ MORE Microsoft Surface Phone news

 

Acer

Acer Predator 6

Acer announced the Predator 6, a high-end smartphone aimed at gamers, during its pre-IFA 2015 press conference. The device has a 6-inch screen and deca-core MediaTek processor – that’s 10-cores of power – and there is 4GB of RAM in order to play console-style games when on the move.

There’s a 21-megapixel camera on the rear, four speakers and haptic feedback when held in portrait mode to help simulate joypad controls on the touchscreen. The Acer spokesperson on stage said it would “dominate any mobile games you can throw at it”.

Few other details have been released about the phone so far, but it joins a whole family of gaming products from Acer, all of which come under the Predator banner. A Predator 8 tablet was announced earlier in 2015 and the high-end smartphone has much of the same functionality. We will keep you updated.

READ MORE Acer Predator 8 hands-on 

Google Images

Google Project Ara

Created by Motorola, and now shifted over to Google after the sale of Motorola to Lenovo, Project Ara has recently announced that it’s postponing and won’t be expected until sometime in 2016.

Project Ara is essentially an exoskeleton that allows users to modify what parts they want. That way someone that wants to spend the bulk of their budget on the camera, but doesn’t need as much storage, can chose to upgrade that way. Perhaps one person will skip NFC in favour of faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi, for example.

There should also be third party components on offer that will allow for competitive pricing as well as new types of parts – like sensors. A person with diabetes may want a blood sugar sensor where another may not.

READ MORE Google’s Project Ara modular smartphone: Everything you need to know

What’s new in the latest Marshmallow Samsung Galaxy edge screen update?

Samsung has announced the release of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for its Galaxy S6 edge and with it comes something new. The edge Screen has been given an update that makes it more useful than ever.

The edge screen, built on an open SDK, allows for both Samsung and third parties to create new ways to use that extra screen space.

So what can we expect from the latest Marshmallow update?

What does the new edge screen offer?

The current edge screen is limited to 260 pixels width, this will be expanded to 550 pixels with the new update. This means more content in the display including news, stocks and sports results. These are called edge panels.

The People edge and Apps edge can be customised with up to nine tiles for people and ten for apps, that can be arranged in order for single touch access. Users can now also add folders to the Apps edge screen for even more depth thanks to the width of edge panels.

Samsung

What are Tasks edge?

A new section to the edge screen that has been added is called Tasks edge. This offers faster access to tools and the like. For example creating an S Planner event, setting an alarm or writing a text can be done from the edge screen.

Quick tools have been added including a torch, ruler and compass. These use the new wider width for quick access but enough space to be clear and useful.

Customise edge Handle

The edge Handle, a bumper bar that appears on the edge of the screen, can be customised for convenience. The transparency, size and placement of the bar can now be adjusted to perfectly suit the user.

This means moving and editing the edge Handle should allow for easier app access without any more accidental taps into the edge.

Samsung

Third party app access

Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports and Yahoo! News all come built into the the edge screen.

This means that swiping out using the edge Handle can bring up easily accessible feeds to keep you informed on news, sports results and stocks without the hassle of searching or even opening apps.

READ: Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge get Android 6.0 Marshmallow update today

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 could smash world records with 6GB of RAM

Samsung hasn’t even announced its flagship Galaxy S7 yet and already rumours for the Note 6 are beginning to fly. This smartphone isn’t expected to launch until later in the year.

The early rumours come from Chinese blog site Weibo. The source isn’t clear so we’re taking this with a pinch of salt. Especially when you bare in mind the bold claims being made.

The source claims that Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note 6 with 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM. One of the first phones to launch with 4GB of RAM was the Galaxy Note 5, so it’s clear this range is used by Samsung to showcase memory jumps. But since that last jump was so recent this does seem soon.

Also do phones need that much RAM? Running smoother is always welcome and with Microsoft pushing to integrate the Windows 10 full PC experience in Lumias, perhaps Samsung has plans to push more desktop computing features into its future smartphones. Hence the need for more RAM.

Other specs include a 5.8-inch display with 2560 x 1440 QHD resolution which, of course, will be Samsung’s Super AMOLED. This should also work with an S Pen featuring 1024 points of sensitivity.

In the rear should be a 12-megapixel camera with “Super OIS Plus”. The selfie camera is not mentioned.

Storage options include 64GB and 128GB, both of which should be high speed. There will also be two processor options, likely Snapdragon or Exynos depending on region.

Expect to hear more on the Galaxy Note 6 once the Galaxy S7 21 February launch quiets down.

READ: Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, S7 edge plus: What’s the story so far?

Web development made easy: The Coding 101 Bundle now 99 per cent off

Basic coding is becoming a fundamental requirement in the digital world, but the good news is that most anyone can learn in a few hours.

The Coding 101 Bundle is a great place to start, with eight courses covering the fundamentals of web and app development available at a 99 per cent discount to Pocket-lint readers for a limited time.

The course instruction is designed for complete beginners, delivered by way of straightforward video tutorials. After taking your first few steps in HTML, CSS, and Javascript with the Introduction to Web Development course, you can extend your knowledge of these languages in separate tracks, along with jQuery, the JavaScript framework.

Explore the following tutorials:

Introduction to Web Development – $559 (£385.45) value
jQuery for Beginners – $549 (£378.56) value
iOS Development for Beginners – $1,099 (£757.80) value
HTML5 Mobile App Development with PhoneGap – $1,099 (£757.80) value
C Programming for Beginners – $1,099 (£757.80) value
Python For Beginners – $1,099 (£757.80) value
JavaScript for Beginners – $549 (£378.56) value
HTML & CSS for Beginners – $549 (£378.56) value

Whether you’re picking up programming as a hobby or want to jumpstart a new career, there’s no better time than right now to take on coding as a new skill. Get all eight courses in the bundle for just £33.76 ($49) from Pocket-lint Deals.

Kanye is trying to make Tidal a thing: New album will ‘never’ be on Apple

A recent survey of several music executives revealed most respondents thought Tidal would be gone in a year or less.

Well, not if Kanye West has anything to do about it.

The rapper has once again updated the world via Twitter about release plans for The Life of Pablo, his latest album that premiered during a concert (and fashion show) at Madison Square Garden. Tidal hosted the live stream and more than 20 million people tried to tune in at one point. Given that sort of success, it’s not too surprising to hear West’s latest plans for TLOP.

West has announced his new album will “never never never” be available via Apple (which, presumably, includes Apple Music, iTunes, etc). It will only ever be available to Tidal subscribers. West originally said the album would be exclusive to Tidal for a week, and that he would also sell TLOP on his own site. The album was pulled on Sunday however, and now it – and his Good Fridays songs – will only be available on Tidal.

An anonymous survey of 50 music executives conducted by Billboard last August revealed that 71 per cent of respondents believe Tidal will be no more by Summer 2016. Another 17 per cent think it will last two years, while a measley 12 per cent said they think Jay Z’s Hi-Fi music streaming service is here for the long haul. Now, West wants to prove that 12 per cent right.

My album will never never never be on Apple. And it will never be for sale… You can only get it on Tidal.

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016

Hip hop mogul Jay Z re-launched the Tidal music streaming service in 2014, with the purpose of making a difference for artists. Instead of catering to consumers and promising to improve their lives, Tidal is all about righting the wrongs of the music industry and ensuring artists get paid directly and fully for their art. In return, you get CD-quality music and hopefully a warm feeling in your tummy about paying for HD tunes.

Tidal is the first music service to combine “the best high fidelity sound quality, high definition music videos, and expertly curated editorial”, and that includes exclusive concert footage and album premieres. Although Tidal hasn’t gained too much traction since launch, it became the No.1 most downloaded app on the App Store on Sunday after West launched The Life of Pablo through it.

West is likely cozying up to Tidal because he and Jay Z have been best buds for years. He’s clearly trying to make Tidal a thing and disprove what most of the music industry has been saying about the service for months.

So, let’s see if his latest plan sticks/works.

Also all Good Fridays songs will be on Tidal. Me and Kendrick got 40 songs and me and Young Thug got 40 songs. 40/40 club!!!

— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 15, 2016

This latest edition of Monopoly ditches the cash for cards and a scanner

Counting cash is so 2015.

Monopoly has kicked off the new year by releasing a new edition of Monopoly called Ultimate Banking. It’s kind of hard to keep the many, many, many editions of Monopoly straight at this point, but this new one stands out because it got rid of cash altogether. No longer will you be able to count that paper money (or, for some of you cheaters out there, steal from the bank), as Ultimate Banking uses debit cards instead of bills.

The game also ditched the Banker position – which is awesome, quite frankly, considering it was the easiest way to launder and steal and cheat. Instead, all financial transactions will need to be placed using an electronic card reader that serves as the game’s ATM. Not only are the players’ debit cards machine-readable but so aren’t the property cards. Players just need to scan the property’s bar code and their cash card.

Once the ATM sees the player’s balance, the funds will be deducted, or if need be, transferred between players. And voila! Hasbro’s Monopoly just stepped into the 21st century. This game also spiced things up with new chance cards, called Life events, which cause rents to fluctuate.

Ultimate Banking will land in stores this summer or autumn for about $25. There’s no word yet on UK availability.

Radio Flyer made a Tesla Model S for kids, with working headlights and more

Children will be able to drive their very own Tesla Model S starting this spring.

Thanks to Radio Flyer, the Model S will be available to kids. It has partnered with Tesla to create a Power Wheels-like version of the all-electric car for youngsters. It’s called Tesla Model S for Kids, naturally, and of course it’s electric-powered just like the sedan it is based upon. The steerable toy features Flight Speed lithium-ion removable batteries that recharge in just 3 hours.

With this setup, your kids will be able to go either go up to 3 miles per hour or 6, depending on which of the two models you choose to buy. Other interesting features include working headlamps, a sound system, and the same look and paint job as the actual Model S. It doesn’t look like this car will feature autonomous capabilities, but if you’re still interested, it is due to arrive in May.

RadioFlyer

Radio Flyer, which is an American toy company best known for its popular red toy wagon, will sell the Model S for Kids for about $500 a pop. So, it’s not exactly a whim purchase. Your child will probably be the coolest kid on the block with this new whip however, thus making you the coolest parent.

Yeah. Go ahead and pre-order now.

Also, check out the trailer below to see more of this toy car in action.