The Gear 360 is finally widely available starting Aug 19 for $349

Samsung waits for the Galaxy Note 7 launch to get the 360-degree camera into the wild.

After an impressively long rollout that involved multiple announcements, teases and pseudo-availability, Samsung has finally announced that the Gear 360 will be widely available from its retail partners. Starting August 19 at a variety of retailers, you’ll be able to go pick up a Gear 360 camera for $349, which is the same price initially announced months ago.

More: Read our Gear 360 camera review

The proper retail launch of the Gear 360 coincides nicely with the launch of the Galaxy Note 7 and a refreshed Gear VR headset, which makes sense as the Gear 360 is positioned to be a great way to create immersive photos and videos that can be viewed with them.

Samsung announces new Gear VR with interchangeable USB-C plug, refreshed design

Samsung ditches the white plastic for a sleeker look, with lots of functional changes in tow.

With the Galaxy Note 7’s move to using a USB-C port, Samsung had to refresh its Gear VR headset — and it used this opportunity to make some solid changes to the headset overall.

Read all about it on VR Heads!

Samsung Gear VR

• Gear VR review
• Five Gear VR games that shouldn’t be missed
• Inside Samsung’s Gear VR web browser
• Gear VR vs. Google Cardboard
• Where to buy Gear VR

Amazon
AT&T
Best Buy
Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 launch livestream: Watch the Samsung Unpacked 2016 event right here

Today is the day Galaxy Note fans in the UK and Europe have been waiting on for nearly two years. That’s how long it’s been since the last Note launched in this continent. The second Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2016 day is finally here, and you can watch the announcements without leaving this page.

Like the last Unpacked event – which took place in Barcelona back in February – you’ll be able to watch the livestream directly through the livestream embedded below, or you can watch it in 360-degrees and look around the room with a VR headset. Either Samsung’s Gear VR or a Google Cardboard-compatible headset will be fine. 

The 360-degree live stream can be viewed on most popular desktop and mobile browsers, including Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari as well as through the YouTube smartphone app. 

We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on the latest Samsung phablet already, so if you’re not fussed about watching through the entire livestream, and just want to get to the good stuff, you can check out our hands-on feature. 

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Take note, this is the big-screen phone to beat
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What’s new? 
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Rumour vs reality

Tune in to the livestream at 4pm BST and be sure to have a warm beverage to hand, Samsung likes to pack a lot in to its launch shows. 

Windows 10 Anniversary Update tips and tricks

Four days after the one-year anniversary of Windows 10 on July 29, Microsoft has released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

With the update comes features that make the entire operating system much easier and more fluid to use, but some of these changes will take time to get a handle on. Learning the ins and outs of technology can be difficult, but fortunately, this update is simple enough not to be an inconvenience. To make the transition seamless for you, Pocket-lint has listed some of the new features and shown you how to use them.

Keep checking back, too, as we’ll update this piece with more tips and tricks. 

Start menu 

The new Start menu uses its space much more effectively, showing all apps on the device and giving you the option to choose which shortcuts are visible when opening the menu. Changing the size, which apps and folders, and how many of each are shown is extremely simple. Go to Settings > Personalization > and Start. In this tab, the newest feature is the ability to choose which folders are visible when the Start menu opens. Some of these folders to switch on are file explorer, downloads, pictures, videos, and music.

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Action Center and Quick Actions

Another menu which has received revamping is the Action Center area – the icon in right-hand corner of the taskbar. Now, when opening the Action Center, the bottom will show 12 quick-action tiles to make your daily routine move more smoothly, with notes, updates, and shortcuts. 

If you were a fan of the metro tiles, the Action Center supplies a quick and easy way of toggling it back on and off. Tablet mode can turn your computer into a Windows 8-like layout.

OneNote is also visible in this area. This gives you the opportunity to jot down notes, and the Action Center will set reminders from these notes.

If you don’t like the layout of the buttons in the action center, or if want to cut down the number you see, go to Settings > System > Notifications and Actions. This will give you the option to move them around, remove any of the buttons you don’t want shown, or add ones, such as for Wi-Fi.

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Cortana

No feature received more of an upgrade than Cortana, the Windows digital assistant. The ability to perform a search for the weather, music, or just about anything without ever having to type makes the feature much more usable and fun. You can also use Cortana on the lock screen before logging into your device now by just saying, “Hey Cortana”.

To choose which Cortana settings you wish to enable and disable, open the Settings menu > type in Cortana > select Cortana and Search Settings, and then you can choose how often to use and what Cortana can do for you.

Cortana can do more than just search your computer for you, though. She can also connect to other devices, regardless of if you have a Windows phone. With an Android, it can still send updates of texts, phone calls, and a low-batter status. All of these notifications will also pop up at the top of the Action Center. Just downloading the Cortana app on your phone is what connects the devices.

Setting reminders and making plans has never been easier than with Cortana. She recognizes days and times and will remind you of it when it comes. Saying the sentence “Hey Cortana, make dinner for mom at six tomorrow,” is turned into a scheduled event that you will be reminded of. All you have to do is say ‘yes’ to plan it. You can even add a time and photo now to make reminder notifications rich.

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Microsoft Edge

The internet browser, which was introduced with Windows 10’s original release, Microsoft Edge, has received a couple of new features to make users think twice about downloading another browser.

Edge has added extensions, something other browsers have had for quite some time. To add extensions, select the More button just underneath the Close browser button. Then, select extensions, which will open a tab that gives you the option to open the Windows Store and activate extensions. It can also show the extensions you have and whether they are being used or not.

Cortana can be used in Edge, too, where she finds coupons and deals you can use on sites such as Target. When going to one of these sites, a circle will flash in the top of the browser to ask if you would like a coupon, though it may not be related to what you’re looking for.

Windows Hello

Technology is always becoming a larger part of our lives, so security is more important each and every day. But security can also come at a cost to convenience. Instead of writing down the password you use for each site, you can now use your face in apps.

In an upgrade from just logging into your device, you can now use Windows Hello while making a purchase in the Windows Store and other apps such as Microsoft Edge. To take advantage of this feature, go to Settings > Accounts > and Sign-in options. 

Dark Mode

A new theme setting that is available is called Dark Mode. It takes certain windows and gives them a black colour. Turning this feature on just takes going to Settings > Personalisation > Colours > Choose app mode > and Dark. Some apps such as Edge also have Dark Mode, but it needs to be turned on from that app’s own settings (More > Settings > Choose a theme > and Dark).

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Take note, this is the big-screen phone to beat

Perhaps the biggest disappointment about the Samsung Galaxy Note series is that the last-generation model never made it to the UK. But British punters can raise a smile in 2016, for the Galaxy Note 7 is here to save the day. And even if you’re not a Samsung convert just yet, this will be the phone to change your mind: it’s the best looking big-screen, stylus-equipped phone that we’ve ever seen.

Whether you avidly follow the phone market or not, you’ll no doubt have spotted increasing numbers of Galaxy S7 edge devices in peoples’ hands – the phone with the curved screen edges that looks super snazzy. The Note 7 apes this curved design, but in a 5.7-inch frame, complete with many of the same features but also whole bunch more besides thanks to its integrated S-Pen stylus.

We could just reel off all these features, but the Galaxy Note 7 feels like a greater sum than its varying parts. It’s sumptuous to look at and handle, is the first phone to support Mobile HDR (high dynamic range) – although the Sony X Premium is rumoured to follow suit with a 4K HDR display – and even supports iris recognition for super-quick sign-in.

Can the Note 7 do no wrong?

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Design

The last Note phone to make it to the UK was the Note 4, a brilliant but plastic-backed phone. The Note 7, by contrast, is all about superior design: its symmetrical from top to bottom and front to back (ignoring the protruding camera, of course), mirroring its curved glass front to the back.

We were most drawn to the Blue Coral device – the main handset featured in our gallery, which merges rose gold with an ebullient blue – which also joins Black Onyx and Silver Titanium options (there will be a gold model in some territories, we’re told by Samsung execs, but not the UK). This is definitely a showy phone. It’s also a terrible fingerprint magnet, so unless you have a penchant for wearing silk gloves at all times then you’ll want to keep those sweaty palms at a distance.

The Note 7’s size is ultimately similar to the Note 5, but trims a couple of millimetres across the front – but you’d think it was more, having handled both devices side-by-side – for a comfortable fit in the hand.

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There’s also a microSD slot up top for expansion. And the whole device is also waterproof (IP68 rated), as is the integrated S-Pen stylus, to avoid any unwanted rain, bath or, um, toilet incidents.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: New S-Pen

Should you get caught in a downpour then you can still pop-out the S-Pen and continue working as normal. Droplets on the screen don’t distract the phone’s attention as you may expect – we tried to emulate a smattering of rain with some water and the screen didn’t try to register those as inputs like phones typically do when wet (specifically, though, this is when the S-Pen is in use). It’s even possible to use the S-Pen with the phone fully immersed in water – if, you know, you like to use the phone in the bath.

The S-Pen is the defining factor of what makes the Note a Note. Not that you have to use it – it’s a perfectly quality Android phone nonetheless – but it expands controls and features, plus is more advanced than before.

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First up, the 200mm-long and 20mm-wide S-Pen is more intricate than before, with a 0.7mm diameter tip and 3g weight. Secondly, the Note 7’s screen is extra sensitive, with 4,096 levels of pressure detectable, so the deftest of touches will make a difference to pen strokes and input.

Oh, and to the people who have placed the S-Pen in backwards in some older Note devices: that’s no longer possible in the Note 7. The click-down top is the tiniest bit wider than the main unit to prevent that.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: New software smarts

Current Note users will know about Air Command, the S-Pen’s multi-functional menu to write memos and notes, Smart Select to acquire specific content and share between apps in dual-screen mode, and the ability to annotate over on-screen content. This time around Smart Select adds the ability to create animated GIFs up to 15-seconds long, which is fun.

In the Note 7 the core Air Command principle remains much the same, but with some additions: Magnify, which enhances a square on-screen area by 150-300%, depending on the S-Pen’s position; and Translate, which plugs into Google Translate and can translate words on-page or even from photographs, one word at a time (but not in sentences or paragraphs, thus rendering it largely pointless). We’re not entirely sold on those additional functions, in part because they bulk out the Air Command’s icons to six. It’s just busier than it needs to be.

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The best new S-Pen feature, in our view, is one that doesn’t appear in Air Command at all: Screen-Off Memo. This allows you to extract the S-Pen without turning the phone on, to make quick notes on the always-on display (it’s white scrawl on the black background) and even pin alert pop-ups to the screen to return to later, without unlocking the device.

All notes are now accessible via the Samsung Notes app, which lives in the app drawer, to act as a hub for all your note-based content, divided into relevant categories (handwriting, drawing, image, pen-up). You can even create your own sub-folders to divide content.

And if that sounds like everything is a bit too accessible, then the addition of a Secure Folder feature allows you to separate, say, personal and work content behind a Knox-secure folder. That means chip-level security so nobody will go breaking into those work files.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Iris scanner

Fingerprint scanners are so last year. Well, not entirely – the Note 7 still has one of those, on its front, which doubles-up as the home button, in the same manner as the Galaxy S7. It works well, although we much prefer such scanners to be positioned on the rear of phones this large, like the Huawei Mate 8.

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However, the Note 7 employs iris scanning technology, which utilises an infrared camera to scan your eyes for ultra-fast sign-in. It’s very similar to the technology that Fujitsu demonstrated at MWC 2015, but Samsung claims this is its own tech at work. We’re glad there’s no dazzling light intrusion with this scanner like there is with the Microsoft Lumia 950 and XL devices.

So how does it work? The software takes an infrared scan of your irises, which are even more distinguished than the detail in a fingerprint, through an easy-to-follow step-by-step setup. You can only register the one user, rather than multiples, so the “irises” comment in the setup menu is a misnomer. Once done, simply hold the phone around 30cm from your face, with eyes entering the virtual circles displayed on the screen (there are some comical pre-set overlays of robots, animals and more if you prefer to hide – nice one Samsung), and it’ll sign-in almost immediately.

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When it works well, it’s quicker than a fingerprint scanner. When it doesn’t work – things like bright sunlight have infrared rays of its own in, which disrupts the ability to read; while glasses reflections can also cause problems – it can be little frustrating. Still, there’s the fingerprint and typical PIN/pattern logins too if you prefer.

If only airports could have this technology in place to speed up getting through the gates, we’d be forever happy.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Screen delights

The 5.7-inch panel in the Note 7 is the same 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution as the Note 5, but it’s not the same screen. It’s capable of 800-nits maximum brightness, hence its ability to deliver Mobile HDR video (note, it’s not 4K HDR like the rumoured Sony Xperia X Premium).

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The potential of Mobile HDR is the most exciting part about the Note 7’s screen – but one that couldn’t be demonstrated as there’s zero content yet. We fully expect a partnership will be announced at the Samsung Unpacked launch event (on August 2) to make the most of this feature. And if you’re wondering what the heck HDR is, then take a browse at our feature. Although, obviously, the Note 7 isn’t a TV – and, indeed, the phone uses Super-AMOLED, it’s not SUHD like Samsung’s TVs, so will function differently – making us extra interested to see what results are like.

READ: What is HDR and what content can I watch?

Brushing aside that big HDR feature for a moment and the screen is rather special in its own standing. It offers the usual hyper-real colour palette and deep blacks of Samsung Super-AMOLED devices, with ample resolution.

Indeed, there’s a rather dense pixel count, but here’s where the latest Gear VR virtual reality headset can make the most of that. As the Note 7 uses USB Type-C, the new Gear VR has updated on this front too – plus it’s darker to avoid reflections, has a better headstrap than before and the lenses are better defined too (a 101-degree view improves on 96-degrees of the old device).

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Like the Galaxy S7 edge, the Note 7 also makes use of its curved screen edges for software purposes. There are quick-access apps via a side-swipe, including People Edge for your favourite people, and Edge Panels for at-a-glance information about your favourite topics, such as weather, sport, news, Twitter feed and more.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Spec skinny

To match the looks, Samsung has, by and large, gone all-in on the specification. The Note 7 will feature the company’s Exynos chip set, with an octa core processor (quad 2.3GHz and quad 1.6GHz; 64-bit, 14nm process) paired with 4GB RAM. No sign of 6GB RAM here, which we thought might feature as a future-proof part of the feature set.

There’s a 3,500mAh battery on board, too, which should keep things flowing for a day of use (unless you play Pokemon Go all day long, of course). And with that USB Type-C port, fast-charge is possible for rapid top-ups as required. And with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow at the phone’s core, features such as Google Doze will kick-in when it’s not in use to preserve the battery for longer.

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On the cameras front there’s the same Dual Pixel camera arrangement as per the Galaxy S7 (and edge). That’s a 12MP rear camera, with optical image stabilisation and f/1.7 aperture, paired with a 5-megapixel, f/1.7 front-facing snapper. And we know just how good those fared in the S7’s sake, so the Note 7 is almost certainly up there with the best on the photography front.

First Impressions

The Note series’ one-year hiatus wasn’t in vain, as the Note 7 marks a rapturous return to UK shores. Its top-spec design, waterproofing, Mobile HDR-capable screen, iris scanner and new S-Pen all help see to that.

On the downside some of the new S-Pen software seems like overkill – one-word-at-a-time Translate ought to offer more functionality, surely? – and we fully expect the price point will be, well, massive.

Stand up and take note: as stylus-equipped, big-screen phones go we’ve seen none better than the Note 7.

What are the new S-Pen features for the Galaxy Note 7? New Air Command and features explored

If you’re already familiar with the Samsung Galaxy Note series then you’ll know about the power of the S-Pen (Samsung’s fancy name for the included, integrated stylus which comes with the device).

The Note 7 is the latest big-screen phone in the series, which is not only destined for a UK release unlike the absent Note 5, but comes complete with a bunch of new S-Pen applications and features. Here’s an overview of what to expect.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen: What’s new in Air Command?

As with all recent Note devices, removing the S-Pen from its dock will fire-up Air Command, a series of application shortcuts specifically designed for stylus use displayed in an semi-circular overlay on the screen. In the Note 5 this comprised Action Memo, Smart Select, Screen Write, S Note and Add Shortcuts.

In the Note 7 the Smart Select and Screen Write options remain, but everything else has changed. The quick shortcuts option has vanished, Create Note replaces Action Memo, while new additions Translate, Magnify and Glance take the list to six in total.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen: New features overview

Smart Select allows you to draw on screen as before to make selections of words and images, even copy said selections and share them between apps. This time around there’s a new feature to create animated GIFs up to 15-seconds long from, say YouTube clips, which is a fun addition.

Screen Write is the same as before, allowing you to take screen grabs to annotate and scrawl on with additional notes.

Magnify is used to enhance a square on-screen area by 150-300 per cent – selectable in 50 per cent increments, as defined by you – depending on the S-Pen’s position.

Translate, which plugs into Google Translate and can translate words on-page or even from photographs, translates in real-time, but only for one word at a time So no sentences or paragraph selection, which we think massively limits the potential of this app.

Glance is there to take a peek into an app by hovering the S-Pen over an app icon. Ideal for jumping into emails while doing something else.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen: New Notes

Now the absence of Action Memo might seem baffling, but fret not, in the Note 7 Samsung is taking a different approach to note-taking, with the Create Note option. It’s less like a yellow sticky Post-It note this time around is all.

All your notes now appear in the Samsung Notes app, which lives in the app drawer, to act as a hub for all your note-based content, divided into relevant categories – handwriting, drawing, image, pen-up – to simplify content access.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: What’s the difference?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S7: What’s the difference?

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen: Screen-Off Memo

Our favourite new S-Pen feature, however, doesn’t concern Air Command at all. As the Note 7 has an always-on Super AMOLED display, even when the phone isn’t fully active its black-out display can show incoming notifications.

By extracting the S-Pen when the phone is in this inactive state, it activates Screen-Off Memo, where it’s possible to take quick notes on this black screen in white text. Ideal for quick-saving notes when there’s no time to sign-in rapidly.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 S-Pen: What else is new?

From a physical point of view the Note 7’s S-Pen is more accurate than before, thanks to 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity – twice that of the Note 5.

The S-Pen has been redesigned so that it can’t be placed into the Note 7’s body upside down either, which was an issue some experienced with earlier Note devices.

And, to match the Note 7’s waterproofing (IP68), the S-Pen is also fully water- and dust-resistant. It can even be used to write on the screen when fully submerged in water, and Samsung has been clever enough to identify the pen pressure and ignore any unwarranted splashes also on the screen – so you won’t get caught out when it’s raining.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: What is it and how does it work?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Apple iPhone 6S: What’s the difference?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What’s new?

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Rumour vs reality

You may have heard by now that Samsung has finally officially announced its new Note. Yes, officially. No more rumours. Well, at least not when it comes to the Galaxy Note 7.

If you’re a Note fan and you’ve been following the leaks over the past few months, chances are you probably feel as though you already know what’s coming in the new device. Afterall, there wasn’t a great deal left unsaid or unseen for that matter.

Rumours don’t always become reality though. So which leaks were true and which were false? Here is how the rumours of the Galaxy Note 7 compare to the reality.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 design: Rumour vs reality

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have a similar design to the Galaxy S7 edge with the addition of an S-Pen.Reality: True, the Galaxy Note 7 is very similar to the Galaxy S7 edge in terms of design. It is a little squarer, a little bigger, and of course has the S-Pen however.

Rumour: There will be a curved and flat model of the Galaxy Note 7.Reality: False. Curved is your only option.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will measure 153.5mm x 73.9mm x 7.9mm.Reality: True, the measurements were exactly on point. The Galaxy Note 7 also weighs 169g.Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will be IP68 water and dust resistant.Reality: True, the Galaxy Note 7 is indeed IP68 water and dust resistant. You can dunk it for 30 mins into 1.5-metres and it should survive.

Rumour: There will be both an iris scanner and fingerprint sensor on board the Galaxy Note 7.Reality: True. There is both an iris scanner, which you can read about in our separate feature, and fingerprint sensor featured.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have a new and improved S-Pen.Reality: True, the S-Pen has been redesigned. It is simpler and smarter than before and will even work when the screen is wet. It is also waterproof like the phone itself.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will arrive in silver, black and blue.Reality: True. The three initial colours of the Galaxy Note 7 will be Titanium Silver, Black Oynx and Blue Coral, but a gold model hasn’t been ruled out.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 display: Rumour vs reality

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will increase its display to 5.8-inches.Reality: False. The Galaxy Note 7 sticks with the traditional 5.7-inch size.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will stick with a Quad HD resolution.Reality: True. The Galaxy Note 7 has a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution for a pixel density of 515ppi.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will feature a Super AMOLED display.Reality: True. The Galaxy Note 7 does indeed have a Super AMOLED display. It also has Mobile HDR, making it capable of showing mobile HDR content when it becomes available. The latter wasn’t in the rumours.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 camera: Rumour vs reality

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have Super OIS and infrared-based autofocus.Reality: False, at least from the current information we have.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have a Dual Pixel 12-megapixel rear camera like the Galaxy S7 edge and S7.Reality: True. The Galaxy Note 7 does indeed have the same camera as the other two Samsung flagships.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have a 5-megapixel front camera.Reality: True, the Galaxy Note 7 also has the same front-facing camera as the Galaxy S7 edge and S7.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have dual-rear cameras.Reality: False. There is just one lens on the rear of the Galaxy Note 7.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will come with a technology called Smart Glow that shows notifications via a ring of light around the rear camera.Reality: False. The Galaxy Note 7’s rear camera has no extra technology to the Galaxy S7 edge and S7.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 might have a new 1/2.3-inch sensor with a lens offering an f/1.4 aperture.Reality: False. The sensor rumoured hasn’t yet been confirmed, but even if it is being made, it clearly wasn’t ready for the Note 7.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hardware specs: Rumour vs reality

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will come with either a Qualcomm Snapdragon or Exynos chipset.Reality: True. The Galaxy Note 7 will feature an Exynos chip in the UK. Other regions are still to be detailed.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will come with 6GB of RAM.Reality: False. The Galaxy Note 7 has 4GB of RAM.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will come in 64GB, 128GB and possibly 256GB storage options.Reality: Unclear at the moment.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have microSD support.Reality: True, the Note 7 does bring back microSD support. Yay.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have USB Type-C.Reality: True. The Galaxy Note 7 does have USB Type-C over Micro-USB for faster charging and data transfer.

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will have a 4000mAh, 4200mAh or 3600mAh battery.Reality: False. The Galaxy Note 7 has a 3500mAh battery, which is smaller than the S7 edge.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 release date: Rumour vs reality

Rumour: The Galaxy Note 7 will hit US stores on week of 15 August.Reality: We don’t yet know so fingers crossed.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 conclusion: Rumour vs reality

Unlike many devices, the majority of the rumours surrounding the Galaxy Note 7 actually came true.

There were a few that ended up being the stuff of fantasies, such as the huge battery capacity, the idea of curved and flat models, the extra camera features and the substantial RAM claims.

Overall though, we have a beautifully designed device with many of the features that were rumoured actually making an appearance.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hub

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What’s new?

With the launch of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung added a number of fresh features and updates to its stylus-toting phablet.

If you’ve had a Note before, there are plenty of reasons to upgrade to the new one, especially if your last taste was the Note 4 from two years ago.

In fact, even if you managed to get your hands on the Note 5, the 7 could still be a worthy hardware update for you. Here is everything that’s new in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: S-Pen hardware

Undoubtedly the Note’s biggest unique selling point is the bespoke stylus. The S-Pen has set the standard for natural and reliable on-screen scribbles. In fact, it’s hard to think of any smartphone stylus that’s as enjoyable to use as the Samsung-made tool, and this year’s is even better.

New touchscreen technology has enabled Samsung to make some changes to the design. Specifically, the screen is now twice as responsive as the Note 5 with 4,096 levels of pressure. That means they’ve been able to make the tip smaller, and build a pen that’s now just 20mm wide and weighs practically nothing at 3g.

The pen itself is now IP68 water resistant, so you can write on the screen even when it’s raining, or submerged. And, because the phone detects when the stylus is out of its silo, and where it is, it can ignore water contact on the screen and just accept the input from the pen. It’s virtually as accurate when wet as it is when dry.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7: S-Pen software

As well as the new hardware features for the S-Pen, the software has been revamped with a number of new tricks designed specifically for the new tiny stylus.

While lock-screen scribbling was available on the Note 5, this year’s improvement will allow you to write directly on your standby screen, and then pin (or save) the notes to your lock screen. That means you can access them anytime from the always-on display, without unlocking your phone. A small icon appears under the clock or calendar on the lock screen.

The Air Command menu which shows up when the S-Pen is removed has a few new features too. Glance lets you preview apps by hovering your pen over their thumbnail.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview: Take note, this is the big-screen phone to beat
• What are the new S-Pen features for the Galaxy Note 7? New Air Command and features explored

You can also now create GIFs from any video playing onscreen. Simply draw a rectangle around the video, then set it to record, and your phone will make a GIF. It’s a cool tool, just be careful not to break any copyright or licensing laws.

Also among the new Air Command menu options is a new translate feature. A little like Google’s translate app, you can draw over one word at a time on the web, or in photos, and the phone translates it to a language of your choice. As well as that, you can magnify web pages up to 300 per cent using the S-pen.

The new Air Command features are all welcome additions to the S-Pen’s software arsenal, as is the new ability to customise what shows up in the menu. You can remove features you never use, or add ones that aren’t automatically included.

There’s also a brand new Samsung Notes app, which acts as a hub for any clips, scribbles or notes you make with your S-Pen. In essence, it’s all the old S-Pen optimised apps turned in to one single app. Some of the new paint tools found in the Notes are genuinely breathtaking. You can mix colours, and it can detect how hard your pressing and adjust the stroke onscreen to match that pressure. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Iris Scanner

It’s not the first time we’ve seen an iris scanner in a smartphone, but it is the first time on a mainstream Android device. Samsung’s iris scanner can quickly recognise your iris on setup, and then unlocks your phone almost instantly when you’re in good (but not too good) indoor light.

You can read more about the iris scanner in our explainer feature, but in essence, it’s an infrared camera that quickly recognises the individual pattern in your eye.

Because it’s infrared, and your iris pattern is so unique, it can be thrown off by many types of condition changes. Thankfully, the phone still has the home-button fingerprint sensor for those times when the eye-scanner is thrown off by bright light, sunglasses or contact lenses.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 iris scanner: What is it and how does it work?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What’s new?

Pocket-lint

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Design

The easiest way to describe the Galaxy Note 7’s design is to say it looks like a slightly bigger, squarer version of the Galaxy S7 Edge. Its front and back glass panels are curved towards the edges so that it looks symmetrical from almost any angle.

Colour wise, unlike last time out, we’re getting three colours and none of them are white. Samsung will launch in three subtle hues, all with slightly pearlescent finishes: Black Onyx, Silver Titanium and Blue Coral.

Of all of them, the blue finish is the newest, with a stunning blue colouring offset with an almost gold finished metal frame. It’s truly beautiful in both images and in person.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Note 5 vs Note 4: What’s the difference?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Galaxy S7 edge vs Galaxy S7: What’s the difference?

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Mobile HDR

HDR video content is the future of home entertainment, and Samsung wants to make sure its most powerful smartphone is up to date with the latest video technology. The Note 7 isn’t just Samsung’s first phone with Mobile HDR built in, but the first ever smartphone launched with the feature. 

HDR means High Dynamic Range, and brings moving images to life in a way that offers better colour depth, and better distinction between light and dark. In many ways, it’s far more important than how many pixels are onscreen, and it’s coming to your next smartphone. 

Pocket-lint

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: USB Type-C

The Galaxy Note 7 is the first mainstream Samsung smartphone to feature a USB Type-C port.

We were surprised when it wasn’t included in the S7 and S7 Edge, but they were kept as Micro-USB most probably because Samsung would have had to redesign the Gear VR headset. Which they have now done for the Note 7.

Which leads us nicely to…

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Gear VR for Note 7

Samsung has redesigned the Gear VR headset to include a UBS Type-C connector for the Note 7, but also and perhaps more importantly, to make it easier to wear and watch content.

The new all-black finish is designed to cut out any errant reflections which could otherwise ruin your viewing experience. There’s a redesigned home button on it, to make it easier to go back to the home menu, as well as a more comfortable head strap.

As you can tell, then, there’s plenty about the Note 7 to make it a tempting proposition. If your last phone was the Note 4, you’re going to love this one.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hub
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 vs Apple iPhone 6S: What’s the difference?

What is Mobile HDR? Why Samsung’s Note 7 screen is a window into high dynamic range’s future

If you’re up to speed with current television technologies, then you’ll be aware that HDR – which stands for high dynamic range – is the latest and greatest thing for picture quality, promising the broadest range between the brightest whites and deepest blacks and maximum colour.

And now HDR is coming to phones, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 the first available device to feature Mobile HDR. What does it mean for the future of mobile screen technology?

What is Mobile HDR? Screen requirements

HDR requires a screen capable of exhibiting brighter whites and deeper blacks than a standard screen is capable. In televisions there are differing levels of HDR ability, with Samsung’s SUHD panels, such as that of the KS9500, offering greater-than 1,000-nits output (that’s the measure of maximum brightness).

In the case of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which uses a Super-AMOLED screen, it’s capable of 800-nits at its brightest. As this is an OLED panel, however, that level of brightness is still considered to be a premium grade.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 preview
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

What is Mobile HDR? Versus 4K / UHD Premium

With televisions and UHD Blu-ray, HDR goes hand-in-hand with 4K content. In the case of the Note 7, those are two separate entities, because the phone’s 2560 x 1440 resolution doesn’t achieve 4K resolution.

Furthermore 4K screens and content adhere to a wider 10-bit colour gamut, meaning a potential palette of over 1-billion colours – that’s far more of the visible spectrum than is available from the 8-bit standard of most current LCD screens.

The Note 7 uses a Super-AMOLED panel, meaning more colours are available than a standard LCD panel, but not as many colours as true 10-bit colour of the best 4K TVs.

However, Sony is rumoured to be releasing a 4K HDR capable phone, the Xperia X Premium, later this year. That, potentially, could be the reference device for Mobile HDR’s potential – from a resolution, colour and dynamic range perspective.

• What is UHD Premium and why does it matter?
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7: What’s new?

What Mobile HDR content is available?

Just because you have an HDR-capable screen – whether TV or otherwise – doesn’t mean it’s always active. Content needs to be produced for HDR output – and currently there are only a handful of shows available via Netflix, Amazon and others.

So at present it’s all theory, because at the early demo of the Galaxy Note 7 we attended there was no Mobile HDR content available. Not even YouTube HDR, which was confirmed by Google in January 2016, was available.

The key take-away, therefore, is which content providers will produce content for Mobile HDR and make it accessible via mobile devices. We fully expect a partnership with relevant providers to be announced in due course. That’s when it will get truly exciting.

• What is HDR and what TVs support HDR content
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hub