Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: What’s the rumoured difference?
Samsung’s Galaxy Note device is expected to launch in August, adding another smartphone to the company’s 2016 flagship portfolio.
By default, the next Note should be called the Note 6. Rumour has it Samsung will be skipping the 6 and heading straight for 7 though. This is apparently to allow the next Note to fall in line with the Samsung flagships that have already launched this year – the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge.
We will be calling the 2016 Note the Note 6 for the sake of this feature however. Read on to find out how it compares to the Note 5 and the Note 4, based on the rumours.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: Design
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 measures 153.2 x 76.2 x 7.6mm and hits the scales at 171g. Although it still very much looks like a Note device, the Note 5 is more refined than its predecessors, falling more in line with the Galaxy S6 devices and tying the flagships together.
The Note 4 measures 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm and weighs 176g, making it slightly larger and heavier than the Note 5. Both devices offer the S Pen Stylus and they both have a similar rectangular builds that distinguishes them as a Note device.
The Note 6 is rumoured to be adding IP68 water and dust resistance to the party, following in the path of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. There haven’t been any rumours on the size and weight of the next Note, but an S Pen is certain to appear in some form. It has also been suggested the Note 6 will be offered in a dual-edge format only, like the Galaxy S7 edge, which could mean a slight move away from the traditional Note design cues.
Both the Note 4 and the Note 5 have fingerprint sensors on board, so we’d expect to see some kind of security scanner for the Note 6 too. Rumours claim Samsung will opt for an iris scanner for the Note 6, but we aren’t convinced at the moment.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: Display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution for a pixel density of 515ppi. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 4.
The Note 4 also features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution for the same pixel density of 515ppi. Gorilla Glass 3 is on board for protection against scratches.
The Note 6 is rumoured to be upping the screen size to 5.8-inches but sticking with the same Super AMOLED technology. The resolution is also rumoured to stay the same as the Note 4 and Note 5, which would mean a slightly lower pixel density of 501ppi if the size increase is accurate. This wouldn’t be noticeable to the human eye though so if all the claims are true, we can still expect a great display experience from the next Note.
As we mentioned previously, the Note 6 could be coming with a dual-edged display over a flat one though. If this is the case, it would differentiate the Note 6 significantly from its predecessors, putting it more in line with the Galaxy S6 edge+ that launched in the UK last year instead of the Note 5.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 features a 16-megapixel rear camera coupled with a 5-megapixel front snapper, both of which have an aperture of f/1.9. The main camera offers auto focus, 8x digital optic zoom and it is capable of 4K video recording.
The Note 4 also has a 16-megapixel rear camera that is also capable of 4K video recording and auto focus is also on board again. The front camera has a slightly lower resolution of 3.7-megapixels compared to the Note 5.
The rumours claim the Note 6 will arrive with a 12-megapixel rear camera but there has been no mention of the front-facing snapper so far. Although a 12-megapixel snapper would be a lower resolution than both the Note 4 and the Note 5, it isn’t all about megapixels when it comes to smartphone camera performance.
The Galaxy S7 and S7 edge both come with a 12-megapixel rear camera offering an aperture of f/1.7 so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the same for the next Note. This should result in better low light images than both the Note 5 and Note 4. We would also expect the front-facing camera to be at least 5-megapixels on the next Note.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: Hardware
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 comes in 32GB and 64GB models, both of which have 4GB of RAM. Neither offers microSD storage expansion. An octa-core Exynos processor runs the show, coupled with a 3000mAh battery.
The Note 4 has 32GB of internal memory but there is microSD support on board for storage expansion up to 128GB. A quad-core chip is under the hood, coupled with 3GB of RAM and a battery capacity of 3220mAh.
There have been a couple of different rumours surrounding the Note 6’s hardware. Word has it a Qualcomm or Exynos chipset will be on board depending on the region, which is the same as the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. There have also been reports of both 6GB and 8GB of RAM.
Storage options for the Note 6 have been touted as 64GB and 128GB, but 256GB has also been thrown around. None of the rumours have confirmed whether or not microSD will make a comeback for the Note 6 but if the larger storage capacities are accurate, it suggests not. The Note 6 is reported to be coming with a 4000mAh battery and USB Type-C.
Samsung Galaxy Note 6/7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: Conclusion
Based on the rumours, it looks like the Samsung Note 6 could offer a slightly larger display than its predecessors, along with a more exciting curved design.
You can also expect to see improvements in the camera department and more powerful hardware including a larger battery capacity and extra RAM.
Everything is speculation for now though. We will update this feature as more rumours appear, as well as when the official specs for the Note 6 or Note 7 arrive. To read everything we know so far about Samsung’s Galaxy Note 6/7, you can head to our rumour round up.
Skylanders Imaginators preview: Create your own Skylander at last
Each year developer Toys for Bob comes up with a cunning new addition to make the latest Skylanders game a little different from the last, and this year it has listened to fans to give them one of the most requested features since the beginning.
This year, you can create your own Skylander.
Skylanders Imaginators still comes with toys-to-life Skylander models and is compatible with all previously-released figures, but gamers can now play as a wholly made-up character, using a large, in-depth creation engine as part of the game.
Skylanders Imaginators: Creation Crystal
A created Skylander can then be stored on a Creation Crystal, with one for each element type available. Depending on the crystal used, you can access different elemental abilities to give to your custom character. Once saved you can then take that crystal to a friends house and carry on playing as your specific Skylander.
Pocket-lint
What’s more, there are many body parts, costumes and abilities that are only available after being unlocked in the game, but you don’t need your friend to have also unlocked them to use your beefed up character. It really adds an all-new element to the series.
Skylanders Imaginators: Senseis
Another new addition this time around comes in the form of Senseis. These Skylanders are Battle Class masters and can use Sky Chi moves – devastation special moves that can be unleashed after storing enough energy. They also teach Imaginators (player creations) secret techniques and moves.
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There will be 20 Sensei Skylanders in total, and 11 former villains to collect.
You get two, King Pen and Golden Queen, along with a fire Creation Crystal with the starter set.
Skylanders Imaginators: Gameplay
Of course, the main game is similar in style to before. It’s a combination of battling, adventure and platforming, with secret sections unlocked through the use of Skylanders of a certain type. We haven’t seen much of the game in action yet, to be honest, but the Sensei moves are especially impressive.
It’s also great to progress with your own made-up character and you can even have local co-op play with a mate, with two Creation Crystals being recognised by this year’s portal at the same time.
Activision
First Impressions
The headline feature is definitely the creation functionality and the tools we’ve seen are deep yet simple enough for a child to navigate. There are thousands of combinations, plus the ability to shrink or grow each aspect, so the possibility of ever having the same character as someone else is very slim.
Younger kids can also press randomise to create a Skylander without having to go through the menus. To be honest, considering the funny results, you’ll find yourself having a bit of fun with that too.
We’re yet to play the game properly, but once again Activision and Toys for Bob have surprised us with something imaginative and new.
Skylanders Imaginators will be released on 14 October in the UK (16 October in the US) and will be available for PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Wii U.
Apple Store to use stunning photovoltaic glass floor to be 100% solar powered
Apple was reported as spending a hefty 500 per cent more on solar and now we know why, it’s installing a floor that will harvest the power of the sun.
The Apple San Francisco Store will have a new solar glass walkway installed by OnyxSolar that is able to generate power to make the store 100 per cent renewable powered, claims electrek which spotted the deal.
The 130 module glass walkway will be able to generate over 90,000kWh of energy per year from solar power alone. This equates to offsetting 61 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Is this the start of a move to make all of Apple’s buildings totally renewable? The new Apple Campus and Spaceship Office are going to be primarily powered by a solar system that churns out a whopping 5MW of power.
Tim Cook has previously expressed his desire for Apple to lead the way in eco-friendly design. He said: “We take the same innovative approach to the environment that we do with our products.” Then, speaking directly to investors he pointed out: “If you want me to do things only for ROI reasons, you should get out of this stock.”
How much Apple has spent on this setup is unclear but according to OnyxSolar documents it should pay for itself in just two years of power saving costs.
READ: Apple MacBook Pro 2016: Goodbye physical keys and hello OLED
VR rowing turns a workout into a vacation
Playing VR games can be surprisingly good exercise — ducking your head behind artificial barriers or waving your arms around to shoot enemy robots can work up a sweat. But what if you wanted a genuine workout? Well, VR fitness appears to be a rising trend, with several applications designed to alleviate the tedium of indoor gyms. At Computex 2016, I tried out yet another VR fitness apparatus that had me rowing through a tropical oasis while burning calories at the same time.
This particular setup was designed by Holodia, a startup that’s been working on this idea for a few years now. The way it works is pretty simple. I positioned myself on a Concept 2 rowing machine that was hooked up to a PC that the company calls a Holofit computer. Then I placed a HTC Vive over my head along with a pair of headphones, and grabbed at the rower’s handles. Holodia also has an overhang rig setup next to the machine so that the cables are allowed to move around as you’re rowing.
To start the game, I simply looked at which scenery I wanted to row in; the different options included oceans, rivers and beaches from around the world. I chose a tropical scene, which sounded like a nice respite from the busy Computex show floor. Before long, I was transported to a far away land. I looked down at my hands and feet and it appeared as if I was in a canoe.
So I started to row. As I did so, a heads-up display in front of me showed distance traveled as well as how fast I was rowing. Perhaps it’s because the rowing machine is my favorite cardio workout in the gym, but I genuinely had a pretty great time. At the gym, treadmills and ellipticals typically have TV monitors attached to them, but rowers don’t. With a VR headset, however, I’m now able to entertain myself while I row. Plus, the Holodia rowing sim makes an otherwise tedious activity a lot more enjoyable.
You’re probably wondering if you can get this in your home. Well, you could, but it’ll cost you quite a bit. You can pre-order a Holodia rower kit now for a whopping $12,131. Even that’s a discount, as the retail price looks to be $13,472. That does seem like quite a sum, but that price includes the Concept 2 rower, the HTC Vive, that aforementioned Holofit computer, plus all the various accessories and rigs that you’ll need to set it all up. It looks like you can also just buy the base pack without the rower, but that’s still around $12,000. The company promises to ship it by June of 2016 (this month!) but only within the EU.
Now, there have been other VR rowing applications before. One particular example that springs to mind is a game demo with the Oculus DK2 and a rowing machine that had you rowing around in space. But we haven’t heard about it for a number of years, while the Holodia version looks a lot more polished. Still, at such a steep price, we’re guessing the Holodia is really meant for gyms or fitness centers rather than individuals. But if you have the cash to spare and you haven’t already invested in a VR headset, then the Holodia kit might be a compelling alternative to the gym.
Stay on top of all the latest news from Computex 2016 right here.
Birdly and HTC Vive let you fly like a bird over Manhattan
Nope, we’re not quite done yet with the HTC Vive demos at Computex. In addition to the three VR titles we tried yesterday, there was one more that we managed to hop onto after the show floor cleared. Yes, it was that popular. Birdly is a full-body simulator ride that uses multi-hinged flaps and motion feedback to give you a taste of flying like a bird. Better yet, there’s a fan in front of the user to simulate headwind which gives you a better sense of flying speed. The visuals and head-tracking are offered by an HTC Vive, which allowed me to enjoy a nice bird’s eye view while gently flapping my way through the skyscrapers in Manhattan. Well, I say gently, but it got intense once I started climbing my way back up — it’s definitely a fun alternative to working out in the gym.
This isn’t our first time checking out Birdly. Back in January 2015, our very own Edgar Alvarez got to ride on the same rig at Sundance Film Festival, except that version was based on the Oculus Rift. At the HTC booth, we checked with a rep from the Swiss startup, Somniacs, and he confirmed that Birdly has switched from the Rift to the Vive for good — not because of the joint promotion at Computex, but because of the Vive’s more advanced tracking system.
You see, while the Rift works fine on its own, you’ll want to use its external tracking sensor for optimal experience — which isn’t possible on the Birdly as it’d be affected by the fan’s vibration, according to Somniacs’ rep. The Vive, on the other hand, doesn’t have this limitation, as its positional tracker (only one is needed here instead of both) doesn’t have to be placed directly in front of the headset — just anywhere with a direct line of sight would do just fine.
We understand that Somniacs sold its first Birdly just last January, and to date, only eight machines have been sold in total. This goes to show just how expensive the rig is, but the startup is keeping the price close to its chest. The only hint we got was that a Birdly costs more than your average car, so you better start saving up.
Toyota is winning the race to buy Alphabet’s Boston Dynamics
Over the past couple of months, Google’s parent company Alphabet has been looking to offload its robotics division, Boston Dynamics, as it seeks to divert its attention to self-driving cars. Toyota’s Research Institute was thought to interested in picking up the company from the start, but Nikkei is now reporting that the car maker’s R&D arm is close to signing a deal for not only Boston Dynamics, but also Google’s Japanese robotics company, Schaft.
According to the newspaper, the Toyota Research Institute will use its $1 billion budget to purchase both companies. The Institute was established in November 2015 to develop AI, robotics and autonomous car technologies and opened its first facility in Silicon Valley in January.
Earlier this week, Tech Insider reported that the “ink is nearly dry” on the deal, suggesting it won’t be long until Alphabet and Toyota formally announce the trade. It added autonomous vehicle specialist Jaybridge Robotics to its team in March, now it’s looking to bolster its team ahead of a possible rollout of self-driving cars in 2020. Let’s hope Spot, Atlas and AlphaDog make the journey too.
Via: Reuters
Source: Nikkei
‘FriWalk’ is a mobility walker and a personal trainer in one
If there is one area of personal transport that is ripe for innovation, it’s probably the mobility walker. Typically reserved for older generations — complete with the stereotypical tennis ball feet (like the one used by Carl Fredricksen in Pixar’s Up) — the walker has remained largely unchanged for decades. As part of the EU’s ACANTO project, researchers from six European countries have developed the Friendly Robot Walker or FriWalk, a new four wheeled walker that is fitted with depth sensors and cameras that can detect health risks from a user’s gait but also serve as a personal trainer.
Siemens, one of the project’s major contributors, says that FriWalk requires the user to wear special pressure-sensitive insoles that allow the walker to measure the position of their feet, detect their orientation and the amount of pressure exerted on the ground. This information can be collated over a longer period of time, giving doctors a more accurate picture of a person’s overall health.
On top of that, FriWalk could also operate as a personal trainer. Users, as well as their friends and loved ones, can feed the walker with ideas for various physical activities. Its contactless heart monitor and facial recognition system can detect the user’s emotional state while they grab some groceries or visit an art gallery, providing valuable feedback on whether the activity was enjoyable or overly stressful.
The end goal is to deploy a fleet of FriWalk aids that connect users via a “cyberphysical” social network, which shares interests between groups and notifies them when an interesting activity is taking place. The system will be tested by 100 seniors in Spain, Italy and England between now and the project’s closing date in 2018, helped by €4.3 million ($4.8 million) in funding from the European Commission.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Siemens Blog
BT Mobile begins offering handset plans
BT’s acquisition of EE clearly hasn’t dampened the company’s aspirations to become a mobile player in its own right. BT waded back into the space over a year ago now, with a simple selection of 12-month, SIM-only plans. It appears, however, that was just the beginning. Today, BT Mobile grows into a more fully featured provider, as it’s begun offering an assortment of smartphones on two-year, pay-monthly contracts. It’s not the widest range, but BT’s filled the virtual shelves with a number of popular devices from Apple and Samsung, including their latest flagships, and a couple from Sony for good measure, headlined by the new Xperia X.
BT has kept things relatively simple on the pricing front, too. There are just three different tariffs available with every handset, split into two tiers depending on whether you want an “all-rounder” like the Samsung Galaxy A5 or 16GB iPhone 5s, or a “premium” device such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 or iPhone 6s:
All-rounder
| £25 | 400 | unlimited | 500MB | £20 |
| £30 | 1,000 | unlimited | 2GB | £25 |
| £40 | unlimited | unlimited | 15GB | £35 |
Premium
| £36 | 400 | unlimited | 500MB | £31 |
| £41 | 1,000 | unlimited | 2GB | £36 |
| £51 | unlimited | unlimited | 15GB | £46 |
By standardising the price of plans, BT has taken a different approach to subsidised handsets. There’s little wiggle room in the monthly cost to account for varying handset prices, so customers make up the difference with upfront payments. In fact, only a couple of device/tariff combinations let you walk away with a free phone, and upfront payments can go as high as £430 for a 128GB iPhone 6s Plus on the £36 per month premium plan.
Unlike most second-tier providers, BT Mobile is in the position to offer a number of perks with its contracts. Like the SIM-only plans, these new two-year tariffs include complimentary access to BT’s five million WiFi hotspots and free BT Sport Lite (essentially just BT Sport 1) through mobile apps, among other things.
It’s quite interesting to see BT expand its mobile offering, particularly after absorbing the UK’s largest carrier. Considering the discounts for broadband customers, though, it makes sense for BT to cater to device needs, inspiring loyalty to its other services. No doubt it helps assure regulators they were right to clear the EE acquisition and ignore competition concerns, too.
Source: BT Mobile, BT
FBI chiefs want databases exempt from privacy protections
The FBI has hatched a plan to prevent its colossal database of fingerprints and mugshots from falling under the auspices of the Privacy Act. The bureau wants a series of exemptions from the law, including the requirement to tell people, when asked, that they’re listed on the system. The feds also want to remove the requirement for people listed on the database to be able to correct any errors in their file. Naturally, the EFF and 44 other privacy groups have protested the move, sending a letter to the Department of Justice asking for an extension on the 21-day consultation period to debate the issue properly.
The Washington Post has spoken to people within the bureau, who claim that the exemptions are necessary for it to work. Representatives say that the rules need to be tweaked, or else investigations would be compromised by people finding out they were on the database. It also pledges that its facial-recognition technology wouldn’t be used for political purposes — for instance to identify attendees at a presidential rally.
One of the issues that the EFF wants to highlight is that the database, named NGI (Next Generation Identification), “disproportionately impacts people of color.” It’s been established that facial recognition technology struggles with non-white faces. For instance, HP laptops released in 2009 were unable to track African American faces, and last year, Google Photos had similar struggles.
If the FBI is going to use this technology as its first weapon in the war on crime, it’s probably wise that it, you know, actually works. But that’s not going to happen without public oversight, a proper debate and some concession that absolute power isn’t great for due process. After all, while the NSA was trawling all of our mobile phone data without people realizing, it passed around people’s nude selfies for a laugh. So we wouldn’t be surprised if the public has a very real concern for being in this database.
Source: Federal Register, WaPo, EFF
Special edition Nintendo Vans prove your inner nerd never died
Vans loves working with iconic pop culture entities. To date, the company has released shoe and apparel collections inspired by Star Wars, The Beatles and, most recently, Disney. Now, as rumored, Vans has teamed up with Nintendo on a line of retro gaming sneakers and accessories for men, women and kids. There are 13 different footwear styles, each featuring prints that pay tribute to Nintendo’s first flagship console, the NES, as well as 8-bit graphics and characters from the Super Mario Bros. franchise.
We checked out three pairs ahead of their June 3rd release and they look pretty fantastic on feet. More specifically, Vans provided us samples of the Controller Sk8-Hi (pictured in the lede image above), the Tie Dye Authentic and the 8-bit Old Skool. With some models being low-top and others high-top (not to mention colorful or minimalist), the collection offers something for everyone — especially since most will be available in unisex sizes.
There are also Donkey Kong and Zelda designs, if that’s more up your alley. The sneakers even come in stylish boxes to match, including one that mirrors the looks of the NES game console. (I don’t know about you, but I want that box as a collector’s item.)
A Vans spokesperson told Engadget that the Nintendo line will only be on sale for a short period of time. Prices are expected to range between $37 and $70 for the shoes, depending on whether you get an adult or kids pair. They’ll hit Vans’ online store this Friday, along with select retail locations around the world.
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