Best Galaxy S7 Cases

Need protection against drops and scratches? These durable Galaxy S7 cases will do the trick.

Unless you’re planning on rocking your new Samsung Galaxy S7 without any protection, you’ll want a worthy case to help keep the phone safe from wear and tear. Even this early on, there are some excellent cases for the Galaxy S7 that are available to purchase and pre-order. Popular manufacturers such as LifeProof, Speck, Spigen, Obliq, Ringke, and Supcase all make the list with suitable options for protecting the Galaxy S7. Let’s dive in and look at the best Galaxy S7 cases.

Spigen Liquid Crystal

You don’t have to hide the beauty of your phone to keep it protected, and the Liquid Crystal case from Spigen proves that. This case offers protection without sacrificing the ability to see the color choice that you made on your initial purchase. You’ll get a nice form fit from this case, and the embossed buttons are easy to press while the case is on the phone. You can grab one on Amazon for just over $10.

See at Amazon

LifeProof FRE

For the ultimate protection, LifeProof is a brand that sits at the top. While the Galaxy S7 may already be waterproof, some additional waterproofing along with drop protection is a no-brainer for many. The case is designed this time around to be thinner than previous generations, while still providing the same amount of worry-free protection for your phone. You’ll pay for the added protection, but it beats the constant worry about breaking your new investment. LifeProof is now accepting pre-orders of the FRE case for $79.

See at LifeProof

Speck Candyshell

If you want to keep your phone protected, but also want it to be as stylish as possible, you may want the Speck Candyshell case. Available in a variety of different patterns, Speck does a great job of combining style and protection in their cases. The single piece construction makes it easy to slide your phone in, and keep it protected. From a clear case to show off the beauty of the phone itself, to a fully decorated floral pattern, there is a case here for just about everyone.

See at Speck

Obliq Slim Fit Hard Case

Adding a unique, brushed-metallic finish and dual-layer design is the Obliq slim fit hard case for Galaxy S7. This hybrid cover features a shock-absorbent skin that leaves access to all the ports of the Galaxy S7 while raising the side buttons for an easier press. The exterior polycarbonate shell is smooth to the touch, but still enhances grip when paired with the inner skin. The lip around the front of the case keeps the Galaxy S7’s display raised while faced down. Colors include titanium space gray, satin silver, rose gold, and champagne gold, starting at $20.

See at Amazon

Urban Armor Gear

Urban Armor Gear is known for its rugged designs and great protection with a unique style. The company has announced a variety of cases for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, including one that will also double as a wallet with a place to store some of your credit cards. You can order your case now, with shipments starting around the release date of the phone.

See at Amazon

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

Searching for something a little more on the rugged side? The Unicorn Beetle Pro provides front and back protection for the Galaxy S7, including a durable swivel holster for quick-draw access at your side. On the front is a built-in plastic screen protector that’s surrounded by a thick rim to keep the display raised from flat surfaces. The case itself utilizes a shock-absorbent TPU and durable polycarbonate to handle harsh impacts. The Unicorn Beetle Pro’s rugged design is great for enhancing grip, too, with plenty of texture on each side of the case. This protective bundle is only $10 and available for pre-order right now.

See at Amazon

Ringke Fusion Crystal Case

For those who prefer to protect their Galaxy S7 with a case while still showing off the phone’s sleek appearance, Ringke’s Fusion crystal case is definitely one the best options out there. Its simple design is protective enough to handle common drops without bulking things up. Port plugs on the bottom help to keep out dirt and debris, but can always be permanently removed if they’re more of a nuisance. Side buttons are easily accessible through the clear flexible plastic along the edges, and the smooth polycarbonate shell sports a large cutout for the S7’s camera features.

See at Amazon

Otterbox

Otterbox’s lineup of smartphone cases has evolved over the years, and while the company still focuses on adding protection to your phone, they now do so in a far more stylish way. To keep your new Galaxy S7 protected, Otterbox will be offering its Commuter and Defender series, the most well known of the variety, as well as the newer Symmetry and Strada series cases. Each of them offers a slight advantage over the others, so it will depend on your needs as to which is best for you. Pricing starts at $19.95.

See at Otterbox

Spigen Tough Armor Case

Spigen’s Tough Armor case rocks military-grade protection with its dual-layer design and Air Cushion Technology. The inner skin features a webbed design that the Galaxy S7 rests on, including air pockets in all 4 corners that help handle shock. The raised lip around the front ensures the Galaxy S7’s display is always clear from rubbing on flat surfaces, and the glossy bezel around the camera grants clear photos at all times. Unlike the Spigen Slim Armor, the Tough Armor case comes without a flimsy kickstand, leaving a smooth look and feel to its exterior plastic shell. This case comes in gunmetal, champagne gold, and black, starting at $19.

See at Amazon

Ringke Onyx Skin Case

This tough, yet flexible slim skin case from Ringke is perfect low-profile protection for the Galaxy S7. The Onyx case features a tactile geometric pattern that’s designed to assist with shock absorption and heat dispersion. Textured side grips enhance your hold around the Galaxy S7 while the port plugs at the bottom keep out dirt and debris when not in use. The brushed finish on the back is smooth enough to easily slide in and out of pockets, and the side buttons have been raised through the skin to provide an easier press. The Onyx skin case is currently up for pre-order for only $12.

See at Amazon

What’s your favorite Galaxy S7 case?

Those are just a handful of the best cases to consider protecting your Galaxy S7 with. If you’re holding out for a different case, we’d love to hear about it!

OnePlus releases preview of Marshmallow-based OxygenOS 3.0 for the OnePlus 2

OnePlus is getting closer to releasing OxygenOS 3.0, based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and now it’s made a preview build available for members of its community. Owners of the OnePlus 2 can now download and flash the community release if they wish to do so, and OnePlus is asking those that do to help it test certain aspects of the software, including networking, camera improvements, performance, and battery life.

According to OnePlus, this is what you can expect from this build of OxygenOS 3.0:

• Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow upgrade
• New OnePlus Camera UI
• UI has been cleaned up: swiping up/down now switches between photo/video, whereas HD/HDR and flash settings live in the top right corner
• You can now change the aspect ratio and toggle grid view without going all the way to the settings
• New wallpaper picker
• Easily preview and set both home screen and lock screen wallpaper in one place.
• Shelf UX has been improved
• No more edit mode, long press boards to rearrange or remove
• General system performance improvements
• Benchmarked 47% faster than OxygenOS 2.2.1 on key test scenarios
• Fingerprint performance improvement
• Tested 45% faster than OxygenOS 2.2.1 on average
• Settings changes
• Old app permissions are gone, say hi to new (native Android) app permissions.
• Alert Slider has its own entry point with more customization options
• Improved settings menu readability by changing the order a bit
• March security patches

For those that choose to flash this new build, there are some issues to note. Fingerprint data will be erased with the installation, so you’ll need to register your fingerprints again. There have also been some Wi-Fi speed issues reported by soak testers.

Once you flash this build, you will be able to receive over-the-air updates, so you’ll get all future releases of OxygenOS 3.0.

Google gives its search app a new voice

You’re likely well-acquainted with the voice of Google’s search app, but get ready: Google is shaking things up. The company has introduced a new voice that promises to be subtler and more natural. It combines the usual small slices of speech with whole segments that reflect the intonation changes people make in real life, such as a higher-pitched inquisitive tone. While it’s not as if the previous voice was all that stiff (Google’s was arguably the most natural of the major options), it should sound considerably more human-like as it answers your queries. The new sounds should be available now, so feel free to ask Google some questions to see if you can spot the differences.

Source: Nat and Lo (YouTube 1), (2)

Uber wants to offer help entirely within its app

Uber’s ridesharing service is good when it works, but getting help for it can be a mess — just ask anyone who has botched a payment or tried to get a refund. Thankfully, though, the company isn’t deaf to your complaints. It’s moving all of its customer support into the app, sparing you from firing off an email and the occasional back-and-forth while the help team tries to clarify the problem. The new, messaging-focused approach should save time by eliminating a lot of the guesswork. In test runs, Uber says more customers have been getting solutions within the first response.

The fresh approach is only in testing in a few parts of the US (including New York City) at the moment. However, Uber has much bigger plans: it’ll eventually replace email support worldwide. When that happens, the company will automate both some common solutions (such as refunding the cancellation fee) and connecting you to the right representative when a human is necessary. Ideally, this saves headaches on both sides and makes sure that a rough trip isn’t so bad that you give up on Uber entirely.

Source: Tech Insider

First iPhone SE and 9.7″ iPad Pro Orders Begin Arriving to Customers

It’s just after 9:30a.m. in New Zealand, which means the first customers who ordered an iPhone SE or a 9.7-inch iPad Pro on March 24 are starting to receive their shipments. Soon, customers in Australia will begin receiving their devices, and the first Apple retail stores in the country will open for in-store sales.

New Zealanders have already started photos and news of their devices on social networks like Instagram, reddit, and Twitter, and a few lucky customers who ordered the 9.7-inch iPad Pro in the United States have also been receiving early shipments, as noted on Instagram, Twitter, and the MacRumors forums.

Image via Instagram user Jamesreb
As March 31 hits around the world, the iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be available in first wave launch countries that include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK, US Virgin Islands, and the US. Retail stores in these countries will be opening at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, letting customers make walk-in purchases.

Customers in these countries who already placed an order for a new device will begin receiving those devices as soon as shipping outlets begin work in the morning, likely around 8:00 a.m. local time. Following deliveries in Australia and New Zealand, customers in Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore will receive their devices, followed by deliveries in France, Germany, and the UK, and then orders will arrive in Canada, the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

In the United States, pre-order customers living on the east coast should begin receiving their shipments starting at 8:00 a.m. local time from couriers like FedEx and UPS in approximately 18 hours. Orders set to arrive on March 31 have already shipped from Apple using Next Day shipping.

Big box retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy will begin in-store sales of the iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro starting on the morning of March 31, as well carriers like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

In the United States, the iPhone SE is priced at $399 for 16GB and $499 for 64GB. Orders placed today from Apple’s online store will be delivered starting on April 13.

Pricing on the 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model and goes up to $1,029 for a 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Orders placed today from the online store will be delivered starting next week.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPhone SE
Buyer’s Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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Concept Imagines What a Thinner 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro Might Look Like

Designer Martin Hajek, who often creates renderings of upcoming devices based on rumors, has mocked up what a thinner 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro with some MacBook-style design elements could look like.

The design features smaller side bezels and a much thinner chassis, one that’s not quite as thin as the Retina MacBook but much thinner than the Retina MacBook Pro today.

Hajek’s slimmed-down Retina MacBook Pro concept comes amid rumors Apple is working on “ultra-thin” 13 and 15-inch “MacBooks.” That rumor suggests new MacBooks are being developed that feature a design similar to the existing 12-inch MacBook that are also thinner than the existing MacBook Air.

The rumor, which is the second we’ve heard about thinner notebooks, does not make it clear if the MacBooks will belong to the MacBook line, the MacBook Pro line, or the MacBook Air line. Because the fate of the MacBook Air line is in question and the MacBook line already has a 12-inch MacBook, it’s entirely possible the rumor refers to thinner MacBooks that are in development as part of the MacBook Pro family.

It is not clear when these thinner 13 and 15-inch mystery MacBooks will launch if they are indeed in development, but rumors suggest they will debut at the end of the second quarter or in the third quarter, pointing towards an introduction in the summer or fall months.
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2016 Toyota RAV4 review – Roadshow

The Good The 2016 Toyota RAV4 SE offers a more dynamic drive character in this normally sterile class. More aggressive looks thanks to the exclusive SE styling touches make the RAV4 visually appealing. Good power and fuel efficiency from 2.5-liter engine.

The Bad The SE’s sport suspension provides a firmer ride quality that may turn off some customers. In our drives, a rattle from the left B-pillar would annoyingly come and go. The RAV4’s Infotainment system doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto capabilities.

The Bottom Line Those who need the practicality of a compact crossover but don’t want a drab-looking or drab-driving vehicle should put the RAV4 SE on their “must drive” list.

Inside a half-mile of driving Toyota’s RAV4 SE over Michigan’s crumbling roads, I make a mental note of its firmer bump stiffness. The ride isn’t brutal, but it’s rougher — enough to turn off consumers shopping the compact crossover segment who put more stock in a compliant ride, flexible interior space and fuel economy. Lucky for those people, Toyota’s midcycle RAV4 update includes a new hybrid version that caters to those wants, and there’s always the model’s more traditional LE and XLE models.

Clearly, Toyota’s RAV4 range has grown to include flavors for all types of buyers.

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Sportier intentions

Dig deeper into the freshened RAV4 lineup, past the typical changes like new light housings, bumpers, rocker panels and wheel designs, and you’ll also find the new SE model for people who still want flexible interior space and good fuel economy, but prefer their vehicles to be a bit more engaging from behind the wheel. As the athlete in the RAV4 family, the SE gets a sport-tuned suspension; unique 18-inch wheels and a specific styling treatments to give it a little extra visual edge.

Notice that list of SE changes doesn’t include a power increase. Like the majority of sport versions of mainstream vehicles, it doesn’t get upgrades to the drivetrain, meaning the SE works with the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 176 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque as other non-hybrid RAV4s. That power makes it competitive with heavy hitters in the segment like the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and base Ford Escape. While fuel economy for the RAV4’s full-gas drivetrain understandably isn’t up to the hybrid model’s impressive 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway EPA fuel economy ratings, the SE’s 2.5-liter four- and six-speed automatic transmission combination returns a respectable 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with all-wheel drive. If front-wheel drive is all you need, then efficiency climbs to 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

A firmer suspension noticeably improves the SE’s handling, but not without a ride penalty.

Jon Wong/Roadshow

Instead, the SE’s performance changes center on the suspension, which improves the RAV4’s handling reflexes, making the small crossover a bit more fun to toss around. Turn-in response is fairly quick, and there’s some weight tuned into the wheel. Grip through corners is good for spirited drives, with not much body lean. The wider footprint from the 18-inch Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus all-season rubber deserves some credit for the increase in handling prowess, but don’t be under the illusion that the SE is a skidpad hellion, or that it’s ready to stand at the top of the timesheets at your next local autocross, because that’s not what it’s about. The biggest downside to SE is the aforementioned harsher ride quality, a byproduct of its stiffer springs and shock absorbers.

Unless you’re buying a Ford Escape or Kia Sportage with their available 2.0-liter turbo engines, you’ll have a hard time finding a compact crossover that one might call quick. Instead, most entries in this very popular segment pack serviceable power similar to this Toyota, which motors away from stops in a brisk-enough manner and pulls well throughout the rev range, with its gearbox cycling through the gears smoothly. The RAV4 never feels underpowered. If you want, the SE includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, but unfortunately they aren’t particularly responsive. I abandoned their use after only a couple of miles.

More of a looker and still functional

Visually, the 2016 RAV4 lineup looks significantly better than before, with new exterior fixings turning what was a previously really bland-looking crossover into a not-at-all-as-bland-looking crossover. That’s especially true with this trim, as it takes things a little further with its standard LED lighting, SE-specific front bumper with larger, honeycombed lower grille insert and 18-inch wheels with black-painted spoke insets. The SE looks particularly sharp with the Electric Storm Blue paint seen here, even if it stands out a little more than I generally prefer. I can’t remember the last time I had random people in parking lots come up and ask me about a compact crossover, but that happened with this RAV4, and a lot of that has to do with its vibrant paint job.

The interior features a clean design, with nice touches including numerous wrapped surfaces with contrasting orange stitching. The SofTex seats — also with contrast stitching — are quite comfortable, with slightly larger side bolsters for additional lateral support. The center stack houses large, clearly marked climate and infotainment buttons that are easier to use than touchscreen controls.

‘World of Warcraft’ to get a book series aimed at kids

World of Warcraft has been around for more than a decade, fleshing out the world of Azeroth with new lands, stories and characters. Its subscriber base is slowly shrinking, but the Warcraft brand continues to evolve through games like Hearthstone and an upcoming feature-length movie. Now, developer Blizzard is teaming up with Scholastic for a new book series aimed at 8 to 12-year-olds. It’s called World of Warcraft: Traveler and the first novel will be launching in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand this November. The second instalment is due in 2017.

Warcraft literature is nothing new. Over the years there have been countless novels, comic books and manga exploring Azeroth. Traveler should be a little different, however, given it’s targeting a younger readership. It’s being written by Greg Weisman, a novelist, comic book and TV writer who worked on Gargoyles, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Star Wars Rebels. The books will follow Aram, a 12-year-old boy washed ashore with little more than a sketchbook and a magical compass. He has to find his way back home, adventuring and making friends along the way.

By targeting younger readers, Blizzard is expanding the Warcraft brand and attracting a generation that might not have tried its games before. That’s could prove important if the developer is to sustain both World of Warcraft and future projects set in the Warcraft universe.

Source: Scholastic

Skype for iOS Gains New ‘Bots’ Feature in Latest Update

During today’s Microsoft Build conference for developers, Microsoft announced plans to bring interactive bots to the Skype platform on Windows, Android, and iOS. Starting today, Skype iOS users will have access to Bots that offer expertise, products, services, and entertainment through messaging options in the Skype app.

Today we are introducing Skype Bots–a new way to bring expertise, products, services and entertainment into your daily messaging on Skype.

Each Bot will enhance your Skype experience in its own way, bringing a new dimension into your everyday Skype chats by helping turn your ideas and plans into actions.

Available bots that can be interacted with on iOS include Bing Music, Bing News, and Bing Images. Bing Music is able to search multiple sites to find song information, while Bing Image bot and Bing News bot are designed for web navigation. With the Skype Bot SDK, brands and developers will be able to create bots that work through Skype.

In the future, Skype plans to expand Bot availability to audio and video calling, introducing new bot-based experiences. An example of Skype Video Bots was shown off during the Build Conference.

To access the messaging bots in Skype, iOS users will need to download the latest version of the app. Accessing bots can be done through the “Search” option from the Contacts page, which includes an option to add bots to Skype.

Skype can be downloaded from the App Store for free for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link: iPad, iPhone]

Tag: Skype
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NASA is making an exhibit that’ll let you roam Mars using Microsoft HoloLens

You’ll be able to explore Mars in a few months, as long as you’re near Florida. 

Shortly after Microsoft ended its main keynote at Build 2016, NASA announced that it teamed up with the Windows 10-maker to let you take a virtual tour of Mars using Microsoft’s HoloLens augmented reality headset.

The US space agency has come up with a new exhibition called Destination: Mars. It will open at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida this summer, allowing you to “visit” several sites on Mars. NASA used real imagery from the Curiosity Mars Rover that has been roaming around the Red Planet since 2012. During the experience, you’ll also get to see Buzz Aldrin – the Apollo 11 astronaut – as a holographic tour guide.

The upcoming exhibition is made possible thanks to a mission operations tool co-developed by Microsoft and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It took data and images collected by the Curiosity rover and allows HoloLens to use that stuff in order turn your environment into Mars for you to stroll around. NASA itself uses OnSight to virtually explore Mars and to decide where its rover should travel next on the Red Planet.

The whole idea behind this exhibition is to give space center guests a “glimpse of Mars as seen by mission scientists,” according to NASA, which also said it is preparing to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. So this experience will allow the public to preview what astronauts are facing.

Watch a preview of the new NASA exhibition below, or check out Pocket-lint’s HoloLens hub for related news.