FAA ‘strongly advises’ against Galaxy Note 7 use, charging on planes

The Note 7 recall saga continues, with government agencies now getting involved.

As Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 recall picks up speed, with retailers and carriers taking in and replacing phones, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has officially recommended that travelers not use or charge Note 7s on flights. Going a step further, the FAA says that you shouldn’t put a Note 7 in your checked luggage either — bring it with you on board, but turn it off, is the message.

The recommendation follows a Labor Day Weekend here in the U.S. where thousands of Note 7s likely took flight, even after the recall was initiated. Three different airlines in Australia have also put in place a “ban” of sorts on bringing Note 7s on planes over fear of fires or explosions.

The FAA’s full statement reads:

In light of recent incidents and concerns raised by Samsung about its Galaxy Note 7 devices, the Federal Aviation Administration strongly advises passengers not to turn on or charge these devices on board aircraft and not to stow them in any checked baggage.

Phones catching fire on planes isn’t anything new or particularly uncommon (insofar as it also happens to phones back on the ground). But in light of Samsung acknowledging that it has an issue with Note 7 components that can lead to just that, it makes sense that the FAA would put out such a notice. It does land in an odd grey area, though — the FAA isn’t attempting to outright ban passengers from bringing Note 7s on board, it’s just making a smart recommendation.

Our recommendation, as ever, is to just return your Note 7 and get a replacement phone. It’s inconvenient, for sure, but Samsung is offering to give you a phone that no longer has the faulty battery components and you should take it. The little bit of hassle is worth it to not have to worry about these sorts of things — whether you’re flying or not.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Galaxy Note 7 recall: Everything you need to know
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

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Pokemon Go for Apple Watch: How it works and when you can get it

Apple’s iPhone events are becoming more predictable each year, but the company somehow managed to surprise everyone this time around.

Unfortunately, thanks to reliable leaks from parts suppliers and noted analysts, the media already knew that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were coming, and most of the phones’ features, such as an improved camera system, water resistance, and lack of a headphone jack, were figured out as well. But there was one announcement from the event that caught people off guard – and it had nothing to do with the new iPhones.

Apple brought Pokemon Go developer Niantic Labs on stage to announce that Pokemon Go is finally coming to the Apple Watch. Here’s everything we know about the new watch app, including why it’s perfect for the wrist, how it’s expected to work, and when you can get it.

• Apple will release iOS 10 update for iPhones and iPads on 13 September
• Apple made these wireless AirPods and Lightning EarPods for iPhone 7
• Apple Watch Nike Plus is designed to be your perfect running partner
• Finally! Apple shows off new Apple Watch Series 2 models
• Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are official
• How to watch iPhone 7 and 7 Plus launch
• Mario coming to iOS with Super Mario Run
• Pokemon Go is coming to Apple Watch by end of 2016

Pokemon Go: Why is it coming to Apple Watch?

Pokemon Go is about getting up and moving. Players/trainers must move their feet and explore the real world in order to capture Pokemon. However, while the game is capable of logging a players’ distance walked and then rewarding them with new Pokemon, there is no way to integrate that same walking data into other health apps – not even Apple’s own Health app.

Pokemon Go players who are interested in active and healthy lifestyle choices are likely bummed that they can’t play while also accurately track how many steps they’ve taken or calories they’ve burned. But the Pokemon Go app for Apple Watch – especially for the Series 2 watch with built-in GPS – changes that. The new app promises to let players track their gameplay as workouts.

Players will even be able to see a calorie counter as they look for nearby Pokemon at a glance. Beyond the obvious advantages for the athletic-minded, having Pokemon Go on the wrist could allow players to be more alert. They no longer have to reach for and open their phones, enabling them to keep their eyes on the road ahead of them rather then their smartphone displays.

Pokemon Go: How does it work on Apple Watch?

It’s still unclear how Pokemon Go for Apple Watch app will entirely work, but thanks to a brief demo during Apple’s Special Event on 7 September, we do know about some of the app’s features and functionality.

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Pokemon trainers using the standard Pokemon Go app need to walk in order to hatch their eggs. Well, from a complication on the new watch face, they’ll be able to see how far they need to walk to hatch eggs.

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The main screen in the new watch app shows a trainer’s current level – as well as the XP needed to get to the next level.

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all walks are recorded as workouts, helping players progress toward their activity goals. It looks like players will be able to end and resume their workout activity from within the new watch app, too.

Apple

While walking, players can see how far they’ve walked and their calories burned. Also, at a glance, they can see which Pokemon are nearby.

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Players will be alerted when Pokemon appear. Unfortunately, players must still take out their iPhones to actually capture Pokemon.

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When players reach a PokeStop, a buzz on their wrists will let them know. They’ll see an image of the location along with relevant information about the place. Then, in order to collect items such as potions, they can just swipe on the Apple Watch screen.

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Players will also get alerts for achievements (like when they earn a gold medal, which they can only get if they visit 2,000 PokeStops).

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Players will get alerts when their eggs hatch, too, followed by an animation that shows what hatched.

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After ending workouts, players will see a Summary screen of all their activity, including total distance, time, and active calories. They’ll also see all the items they’ve collected along the way.

Pokemon Go: When can you get it for Apple Watch?

Apple and Niantic Labs said Pokemon Go would arrive for Apple Watch before the end of 2016.

• Apple will release iOS 10 update for iPhones and iPads on 13 September
• Apple made these wireless AirPods and Lightning EarPods for iPhone 7
• Apple Watch Nike Plus is designed to be your perfect running partner
• Finally! Apple shows off new Apple Watch Series 2 models
• Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are official
• How to watch iPhone 7 and 7 Plus launch
• Mario coming to iOS with Super Mario Run
• Pokemon Go is coming to Apple Watch by end of 2016

Microsoft might unveil Surface all-in-one PC in three sizes this October

Microsoft is reportedly bringing the Surface brand to all-in-one PC desktops.

According to ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft will hold a hardware event in late October to launch a new Surface-branded device currently going by the codename Cardinal. The device is thought to be an all-in-one PC that may come in 21-inch, 24-inch, and 27-inch screen sizes – something that Windows Central has also claimed. Cardinal could use the same Perceptive Pixel screen technology found in Surface Hub.

Although ZDNet was unsure if two or three different sizes were in the works, as well as whether the device’s codename is actually its real name, the site reminded readers that Microsoft had a patent published in 2016 for an all-in-one modular PC. It’s also unclear if Microsoft plans to use its October event to update its existing Surface tablets with newer processors and possibly other minor feature upgrades.

Other Surface devices, like the expected Surface Book 2 and Surface Pro 5, will most likely be unveiled in spring 2017. A Surface Phone is not expected until much later. As for the Atom-based Surface 3, it won’t get an update this calendar year.And finally, ZDNet noted that Microsoft’s autumn hardware event landed on 6 October last year in New York City.

So, this year’s launch, which apparently has its own Project Rio codename, will likely be held in NYC again this October. It might even be held on 26 October. Keep in mind the Project Rio codename has been used by Microsoft in the past for a game-streaming service that’s since been axed.