Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono is diamond and rose gold level premium

If you were a fan of Samsung’s Gear S2, you’re going to love the overhauled version by luxury specialist de Grisogono.

The Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono is the result of the two companies pairing up to release an ultra premium smartwatch in time for the Baselworld luxury watch event on Thursday 17 March.

The smartwatch features 56 white diamonds of roughly 1.2 carats around the bezel of the circular watch face. The edging finish is in rose gold and there is also a black stainless steel section of the face edge with 71 black diamonds of about 1.8 carats. The strap is black and studded with galuchat, a signature look for de Grisogono, for flexible comfort while maintaining that premium finish.

The smartwatch features a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED circular display at 360 x 360 resolution for 302ppi. Inside there is 4GB of storage, 512GB of RAM, wireless charging of the 250mAh battery and a heart rate monitor. The watch also features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and should last for two to three days on a charge, all running the Android Wear OS.

The Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono comes with unique faces to continue the premium build quality. Expect it to arrive this summer with a ridiculous price tag.

READ: Best smartwatches to look forward to in 2016

Windows 10 Mobile release date: Microsoft likely to begin rollout on 17 March

Windows 10 Mobile is coming – and soon.

According to Venture Beat’s Evan Blass, Microsoft will announce the availability of as well as release the anticipated software upgrade for Windows mobile devices on 17 March. To get Windows 10 Mobile, you’ll reportedly need to manually initiate the update from your handset. That’s how the rollout will start, but eventually, Microsoft will actively push it to eligible devices.

Microsoft has already confirmed a few Lumia phones that have been approved to receive Windows 10 Mobile. The free update was originally expected to roll out to Lumia smartphones in December, but that never happened. And then rumours claimed we would see it arrive in February, but again, that never happened. Now, however, the launch is thought to be imminent.

Although the full list of Nokia and Microsoft-branded Lumias set to get the update is not yet known, we’ll likely learn more during Microsoft’s announcement. Meanwhile, check out Pocket-lint’s review of the software, where we described it as something of a mixed result. It’s a more feature-rich platform than Windows Phone 8.1, with new options in the mix.

There’s more integration, such as Skype, and better handling with Outlook and individual Office apps, for a smartphone experience that feels more mature. But we we’re not taken with the design.

Dear Veronica: iOS and Android battle for your love

This week, we have some Real Talk about loving multiple operating systems, with Tom Merritt of Daily Tech News Show breaking it down for us.

I also have share some feelings about hyperbole re: Comodo Firewall, and explain why we can never get stuff done when we’re blasting Celine Dion. Maybe that’s just me.

As always, keep sending those questions in using the hashtag #DearVeronica! Subscribe in iTunes, RSS or YouTube!

Watch the Epic Games GDC 2016 keynote right here!

Although plenty of announcements have already come out of this year’s Game Developers Conference, the main Expo doesn’t officially begin until today. And Epic Games is kicking off the festivities with an opening keynote, led by none other than its founder Tim Sweeney. It’s unclear what we should expect from the Unreal Engine creator, but the company did say the GDC 2016 event will be newsworthy. You can watch it live starting at 9:30AM PT/12:30PM ET, via the embedded stream below.

MSI ships its Mac Pro-like Vortex gaming PC

Do you like the Mac Pro’s concept of stuffing a lot of computing power into a small cylinder, but wish there was a gaming PC inside instead of workstation hardware? You just got your wish. MSI has started shipping the Vortex, a riff on Apple’s formula that crams a full-on game rig into a tube that’s just 10.6 inches tall. It uses similar vertical cooling and includes Thunderbolt ports (Thunderbolt 3 in this case), but it’s clearly aimed at a crowd that’s more interested in Far Cry Primal than Final Cut Pro. The mini desktop is billed as relatively upgradeable, and there’s even customizable lighting if you think the system isn’t attention-grabbing enough.

Just be prepared to pay through the nose for the privilege. In the US, the Vortex starts at $2,199 with a 4GHz Core i7, dual GeForce GTX 960 graphics, 16GB of RAM, twin 128GB SSDs, a 1TB hard drive and Killer-made networking. It’ll cost you $3,999 to get a no-compromise model with dual GeForce GTX 980 video chipsets and 32GB of RAM. This PC is strictly for well-heeled enthusiasts, then, but it’s likely your best bet if you want a compact game machine that doubles as a conversation piece.

Source: MSI

LastPass app takes the pain out of two-factor sign-ins

Many will tell you that it’s wise to use two-factor authentication to lock down your internet accounts. Actually using it, however, is another story — there’s only so many times you can enter passcodes from your phone before you tear your hair out. LastPass thinks it has a better way. It’s launching a LastPass Authenticator app for Android, iOS and Windows Phone that softens the blow when you have many accounts. Instead of entering a passcode to get into LastPass, you can have Authenticator send a simple verify button to sign in with one tap.

It’ll also work with any app or website that supports Google Authenticator (such as Dropbox or Facebook). You’ll have to use old-school codes in those cases, but that should still turn LastPass Authenticator into a management hub for your sign-ins. The app is free, so it won’t hurt to try if you want to simplify your online safeguards.

Source: LastPass, App Store, Google Play

Twitter brings some of its latest social features to Windows 10

The Android and iOS Twitter apps have seen a number of new features in recent months, and now the Windows 10 version is getting some of those tools. With an update for both mobile and desktop, the Twitter app for Windows becomes more like those universal apps we’ve heard so much about. In terms of Windows 10 mobile, the update delivers features like Moments, group DMs, GIF and video support, muting, and pull to refresh. On the desktop side, there’s a new dark theme akin to what you’d see in the mobile app or TweetDeck. As is the case with other platforms, you might prefer a third-party Twitter app over the official software, but at least the Windows version finally has some of the latest features.

Via: The Verge, MSPoweruser

Source: Microsoft Store

It’s a wrap: So long SXSW, see you next year

So much happened at SXSW, where to start? Well, you may have heard that the President rolled into town. He took the chance to warn — the mainly tech crowd — about not being “absolutists” on encryption, given what a hot topic that is right now. Meanwhile, Sony’s R&D Lab debuted the prototype for its new Arc wearable speaker, which is worn around the neck, has voice commands and even a camera inside. Samsung, not to be outdone, showed up with headphones that let you “feel” movement in VR games via electrical impulses. We’re aware that sounds like some kind of torture tool, but it is what it is.

Facebook on the other hand encourages you to tell it who your digital next of kin is. It’s less creepy than it sounds, we promise; it’s all about making sure your online legacy lives on, just as you’d want it to. Plus there was the usual flow of wild, wacky weird (and important) discussions, shows and just-for-the-heck-of-it stuff. Just another typical week in Austin, Texas then?

The Engadget Editors on SXSW

James Trew
Deputy Managing Editor

As a Brit abroad, I had high hopes that SXSW would live up to its reputation for good times and southern hospitality. I wanted big ideas, beer, BBQ, cowboys… the works. Sadly, not too many Stetsons floating around (I’m kidding, I know this isn’t Dallas), but pretty much everything else I’d heard about the show delivered.

As for what we were going to see at the show itself? I had pretty much no idea. Unlike CES or MWC where we know we’ll see phones, TVs and smart everything, SXSW — by its very definition — is about breaking down boundaries, and stepping into the unknown. It’s about trying to do something different, which for us means hitting a ton of panels, and then getting a rickshaw over to the next big idea.

I got to see robot improv comedy, some music-making swings, collaborative musical art, and enjoy an “augmented” concert. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. Peer past the party veneer though, and there’s some serious stuff going on. NASA hot shots were in town ramping up interest in getting humans to mars, and the sober topic of online harassment got the airtime it deserved. For me, though, the highlight was getting a 3D avatar made that can pretty much match my world famous dance moves. You can check it out right at the end of the video in this post.

Nathan Ingraham
Senior Editor

Trying to sum up a show as vast and varying as SXSW would generally be an exercise in frustration. But for me, the trip started with President Obama’s keynote which I got to cover live. I’ve never been in the same room as a president before, and getting to cover his remarks on important issues concerning our country that also dovetail perfectly with Engadget’s mission was a privilege that I’ll always remember.

After that, the week was a whirlwind of panels, meetings, strange demos and BBQ, none of which quite measured up to the way things started. That said, getting to hear JJ Abrams speak was pretty cool, too. And as fate would have it, one of my favorite bands CHVRCHES was recording an episode of the podcast Song Exploder in town, so I got to catch that at the tail end of the journey. Bookending the trip with President Obama and CHVRCHES makes for a pretty great time in Austin.

And, of course, assembling the Engadget cyborg from various points of the world is always a delight unto itself.

The social side of SXSW

If you’ve been following our coverage this week (across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Periscope, Snapchat, Tumblr and Vine), you’ll know that SXSW is also the place where the tech elite come to play. Jump into the gallery below, to take a look back at some of the best (and our favorite) candid moments from SXSW Interactive 2016

So long Austin, see you next year!

Samsung’s de Grisogono Gear S2 isn’t made for peasant wrists

Baselworld is going down in Switzerland this week, which means you can expect a ton of smartwatch news. We’ve already seen a few announcements, and today Samsung revealed a super fancy version of its Gear S2. The company teamed up with jewelry and watchmaker de Grisogono for a “fashion collaboration” limited-edition smartwatch covered in gold and jewels. More specifically, the 41mm device features rose gold, over 100 black and white diamonds and a black galuchat band.

The de Grisogono version of the Gear S2 offers features froms the original device, including that rotating bezel and heart rate monitor. In addition to the library of compatible apps, this high-end version also includes two faces that closely resemble one of the watchmakers regular timepieces. You know, so you can make this look like a de Grisogono watch when you’re not checking the weather. Samsung isn’t talking pricing yet, but this Gear S2 will be available this summer. And yes, it will probably be ridiculously expensive.

Source: Samsung

BMW’s next-gen Project i focuses on autonomous driving

When BMW talks about wanting to build the most intelligent car, it’s not joking around. The automaker is kicking off a Project i 2.0 initiative that will push autonomous and networked driving technology in the same way that Project i boosted electric cars. In fact, BMW claims that it’ll “lead the field” for self-driving tech — no mean feat when seemingly everyone has similar ideas. The centerpiece is an iNext vehicle that will supposedly “set new standards” for autonomy, connectivity, EV tech, mapping and sensors.

iNext isn’t going to show until sometime early in the 2020s, but the company’s technology development isn’t standing idle in the meantime. There are plans for an upgraded i3 with extended range (through a bigger battery) this year, an open-top version of the i8 hybrid in 2018, and even a plug-in hybrid version of the Mini. In short, BMW is trying to embrace the future with open arms. It may not be the first to get there, but it’ll be near the front of the pack.

Via: Autoblog

Source: BMW