US builds a $100 million African drone base to fight Boko Haram
The Department of Defense announced on Friday that it is investing $100 million in a drone base located in Agadez, in central Niger. The base will serve as a central surveillance hub in the fight against both Boko Haram and roaming militant groups linked to al Qaeda.
“At the request of, and in close coordination with, the Government of Niger, United States Africa Command is establishing a temporary, expeditionary cooperative security location in Agadez, Niger,” a US Africa Command spokesperson told Reuters via email. “Agadez is an ideal, central location to enable ISR collection (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) to face the security threat across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin region.”
The US already has a military presence in both Agadez and the national capital, Niamey. With the establishment of this new drone base, which is located adjacent to an existing US airfield, those capital forces will likely transition to Agadez, centralizing America’s ISR (Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) efforts in the region. Any intel gathered by these drones will be shared among America’s regional partners including Nigeria, Chad and Mali.
Via: Business Insider
Source: Reuters
What to expect to see from Google’s October 4th event
It’s that time of the year when tech companies trot out their newest wares hoping to cash in on the holiday season buying spree and Google is no different. On October 4th the search giant is holding an event to show off, well something, but most likely some new phones. The company is mum on the details but of course that hasn’t stopped the rumor and leak machines from spinning up and pumping out what we can expect from the Android maker’s celebration of consumerism.
Pixel phones
After years of branding their reference design Android phones, “Nexus” it looks like Google is taking a cue from its high-end Chromebook line. The company is expected to announce not just one, but two new “Pixel” phones. Expect to see a five-inch Pixel and a 5.5-inch Pixel XL for fans of cramming giant gadgets into their jeans. Both phones are expected to sport 4GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 821 processor, 12-megapixel camera, fingerprint sensor (expected to remain on the back like the 2015 Nexus) and hopefully better battery life. The Pixel will have a 1080p display while the XL will mostly likely have a quad HD screen.
Rumors also suggest the headphone jack isn’t going anywhere. Which is nice because it’ll be one less adapter you’ll have to drag around town. All that technology and access to music via legacy products will cost a premium though. According to Android Police, the HTC designed Pixel phones will start at $649. (Ouch.)
More Nougat
Running those yet-to-be-announced-but-yeah-we-know-they’re-coming-phones will be Android Nougat 7.1, an update to the recently launched OS. While point-one updates are usually about bug fixes, this one is rumored to bring round icons and a redesigned launcher to the Pixels. Whether these new features will make their way to older Nexus phones remains to be seen.
Google Home
The expected announcements won’t just be focused on phones. There’s a good chance that the Amazon Echo competitor Google Home will show up on stage. Announced at I/O this past summer, the voice-based Bluetooth speaker/assistant is expected to cost $129. No rumors on a launch date, but logic says that it’ll launch sometime before the holiday season.
Chromecast Ultra
Continuing with the in-home technology announcement fun, Android Police reports that a more robust version of the Chromecast is in the cards. The awesomely named, Chromecast Ultra will stream 4K and UHD content though it will cost $69. It’ll join the cheaper Chromecast line that streams 1080p and audio.
Another router
And finally, there are reports that Google will launch another router to join the OnHub. But instead of being a hub just for networking and IoT, the rumored Google WiFi (clearly the company ran out of cool names after the Chromecast Ultra) will compete with the Eero home networking mesh system. It’s also expected to have smart features to control your connected home. The system will be sold on a per unit basis so users can add coverage to their home on an ad hoc basis, each fetching $129.
Wildcard: Andromeda
There are some rumbling that Google will announce a third operating system. The hybrid of Chrome OS and Android is allegedly being built for laptops and tablets, and will bring together the best of both worlds. Recently Chrome OS got access to the Google Play store. But Andromeda might be a more robust solution. The company is expected to announce the OS with it launching sometime next year.
If Google does unleash all that gear on the public October 4th, it’s going to be one the largest hardware releases ever for a company that’s known more for indexing the internet and creating the operating system on your exploding Samsung phone.
Whatever happens, we’ll be there reporting the news as it unfolds.
Rosetta probe’s love affair with a comet ended predictably
Goodbye, Rosetta. After 12 years of getting up close and personal with Comet 67P, your service has come to an end. At approximately 7:19 am Eastern the spacecraft descended upon the comet one last time, snapping pictures and analyzing gases before crashing into its final resting place, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. Reuters reports that scientists in the control room clapped and hugged after screens indicated a loss of communication. Rosetta followed the comet around for over 6 billion kilometers since 2004. Shine on, you crazy diamond.
Thank you @ESA_Rosetta, well done! #CometLanding
— Jan Woerner (@janwoerner) September 30, 2016
Source: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Reuters
The Pax Era aims to be the Keurig of vaporizers
Out of all the ways to ingest THC, oil concentrates are far and away the messiest, stickiest and most irritating method. Unlike shatter, crumble or even wax, all of which maintain their shape and texture to some degree, oils have a knack for getting everywhere. It’s especially tricky when you’re trying to dribble minuscule amounts of oil into teensy Smurf-sized cartridges used by mixed-media vapes (I’m looking at you, DaVinci Ascent). The new Era pen vape from PAX, however, solves that issue by taking a page out of the Keurig playbook and operating on a pod-based system.
Each 500mg cartridge is fully self-contained and single-use. That guarantees the sticky stuff inside never comes near your fingers or lips. Plus, the Era has an insanely short air path — just through the cartridge itself really — which means you’ll never have to clean the vape. What’s more, the standardized pod design will enable any third party company to make and sell these cartridges.
Of course, thanks to America’s hodgepodge of state and federal cannabis laws, there are as of now only two places in which the pods are can legally be sold: California and Colorado. Bloom Farms and The Lab are currently licensed to make the pods.
But perhaps the coolest feature is the Pax App. Now hold on. I know I talk a bunch of shit about every IoT device acts as though it needs an app. But this is actually super handy. For one thing, the single app acts as a central hub for both the Era and the upcoming PAX 3. So rather than controlling an item, you’re commanding the entire product ecosystem.
With it, you’ll be able to adjust the Era’s temperature output from 480 to 730 degrees F — first in 10 degree increments by swiping left to right, then finely adjusting it in single degree increments by swiping up and down. The settings screen enables users to adjust the LED color scheme and brightness as well as toggle Puff Mode and lock/unlock the device. The device lock is actually a really smart feature, as it prevents kids or thieving roommates from using the vape without your permission. Supposedly, you can play one of three games with the device: PaxRun, PaxSays and PaxSpin. I have no idea how to play any of them as the app provides precisely zero explanation on how to do so.
Additionally, the Era boasts an insanely long battery life. I was able to make it nearly through the entire test pod — four days of consistent puffing — before having to recharge it (which took all of one hour). And unlike the PAX 2 and 3, which require a special charging dock, the Era plugs uses a micro-USB port so there’s one less accessory you need to carry. The Era retails for $60 at the PAX website while the pods are going for $40 a pop at Bloom Farms and The Lab. That’s a bit more expensive than what a half gram of loose oil will run you but the convenience and ease of use easily makes up for the added price.
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus Case From Pad & Quill
For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with popular accessory maker Pad & Quill to give MacRumors readers a chance to win an expertly crafted case designed for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Pad & Quill makes a wide range of accessories for Apple’s iOS devices, all made by hand from high-quality wood and leather, and its new line of iPhone 7 cases are no exception.
The Luxury Pocket Book iPhone 7 Case, the first case we’re giving away, is a book-style case that’s designed to both house and protect the iPhone 7. It features a cover made from full-grain American saddle leather to keep the iPhone 7’s screen safe from scratches when in a pocket, and it has a birch wood cradle that holds the iPhone in place in case of a drop or impact while still leaving ports fully accessible.
Designed to perfectly fit the iPhone 7 or the iPhone 7 Plus, it comes with a wood frame to protect the area around the camera and a bookmark accent to complete the look. Inside the cover, there’s space for up to five cards (six in the iPhone 7 Plus version) along with a clear ID pocket and a hidden cash pocket.
Available in several tasteful color combinations, the Luxury Book iPhone 7 case is priced at $99.95 while the iPhone 7 Plus version is priced at $109.95.
We’re also giving away some of Pad & Quill’s Woodline cases for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, priced at $49.95. Available in four hard woods, including American Cherry, Rosewood, Premium American Walnut, and Zebra Wood, the Woodline is billed as the “world’s thinnest, strongest wood case” for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
The Woodline case snaps onto the two devices and has been crafted to fit perfectly with access to all ports. It’s got an ultra-strong polymer core, able to keep the iPhone safe from drops. The case measures in at less than a millimeter thin and is 5x stronger than steel at the same weight. The wood is polished and resistant to scratches so it will look great for a long time.
Three MacRumors readers will win one of Pad & Quill’s Luxury Book Cases and three MacRumors readers will win one of Pad & Quill’s Woodline cases, all in the size and color of the winner’s choosing. If you don’t have an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus, you can still enter – Pad & Quill is also offering its Luxury Book and Woodline cases for the iPhone 6/6s/6 Plus/6s Plus to winners.
To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (September 30) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 7. The winners will be chosen randomly on October 7 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen. Prizes will be shipped in mid to late October.
Tags: giveaway, Pad & Quill
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Sticker App ‘Phoneys’ Nixed by Apple for Mimicking Messages Chat Bubble Design
Over the past week, a sticker pack that mimics the design of the iconic bubbles in the Messages app has rocketed to the top of the Messages App Store charts, but its popularity will be short-lived as Apple is going to pull it from the App Store.
Phoneys, currently the number two paid app in the Messages App Store in the United States, features chat bubble stickers that you can place over real messages, making it look like friends and family have said humorous things they didn’t actually say. Examples include “You’re my hero,” “The sports team I pull for sucks,” and “My political views are totally wrong.”
Given the popularity of Phoneys, it has, unsurprisingly, attracted Apple’s attention, and the Cupertino company has taken issue with the app. In a phone call, an Apple employee told Phoneys developer Adam Howell that his sticker pack can’t use the San Francisco font and it can’t emulate the look of Messages chat bubbles. Furthermore, Apple said “prank” apps are not allowed in the App Store.
Apple’s lawyers weren’t happy that Phoneys got through the review process. The stickers couldn’t be blue or green, they couldn’t use San Francisco as the typeface, and the app could no longer be marketed as a “prank” app, because Apple doesn’t approve prank apps (even though I myself had never used the word “prank” when marketing Phoneys, others did, and I certainly understood where he was coming from).
Apple is not pulling the app from the App Store immediately, but has given Howell a week to change the look of the app so that the text bubbles no longer resemble Messages chat bubbles. He’s been asked to change them to “comic book cartoon bubbles,” and if that doesn’t happen, Phoneys will be removed by Apple.
Howell has not yet decided whether he’ll leave the app as is for the people who already purchased it or if he’ll update it with a new look as instructed by Apple so that he can continue providing updates and new content going forward.
Phoneys continues to be available from the App Store in its current incarnation for $0.99 [Direct Link], but potential buyers should know that it’s either never going to see another update or it’ll be updated to look significantly different.
Tags: App Store, iMessage
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Samsung’s LED Flip Cover is one of the coolest cases for your Galaxy Note 7
If you’re one of the many who purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, you know it’s easily the best looking Android smartphone of the year. The curved metal edges flow beautifully into curved front and rear glass making for a device that grabs attention as soon as you pull it out of your pocket. That beauty comes with a risk – no matter what version of Gorilla Glass used, it still can shatter or scratch given the right conditions. That’s generally why most owners of the Galaxy Note 7 use a case and for a phone of such beauty. So why not consider a case that accentuates the device rather than just protects it?
I recently picked up the official Samsung Galaxy Note 7 LED flip cover in Blue and think it is pretty darn cool.
Let’s check it out.
Build and Usage
The LED flip cover is an official case from Samsung for the Galaxy Note 7. It’s a wallet style case where you clip your phone into it and a flap folds over to protect the front. It’s made of an ultra soft, yet textured plastic with an internal frame that acts as a skeleton to offer drop protection.
It fits over the sides of the Note 7 rather cleanly and is made from a hard clear plastic which allows the color of the phone to show through. As a wallet case it is made as good as any I’ve come across, but its unique feature is the NFC enabled LED lights that show notifications, phone calls, texts, alarms and more.
You can even customize your own icons once you download the proper support.
Even though Samsung provides instructions on how to download the additional features as you see in the image above, the phone automatically detects the case the first time you install it and offers you a direct download. It’s certainly a smart case and is easy enough for anyone to use.
The LED lights on the front are activated by simply opening and closing the case or pressing the power button on the Note 7. It is also activated when a notification pops up to indicate:
- Time
- Music playing
- Unread messages
- Phone calls
- Missed calls
- Alerts
- Low battery
There’s also a card slot on the interior of the case which has enough room for up to two credit cards. By not offering more slots, it keeps the case and phone thin enough to not be noticeable in your pocket.
The case doesn’t come cheap with a price tag of $59.99, but you can find it for under $40 at Amazon. It comes in black, gold and blue like shown in the images. I grabbed the blue for added color to my all black Note 7 and absolutely love it.
Images can’t do justice to how good this case feels. The case is so well designed that it feels like it belongs on the Note 7 like tires belong on wheels. I appreciate the excellent looks as the Note 7 is an expensive phone that deserves to be shown off, even if it is in a case.
Summary
It’s well documented that Gorilla Glass 5 is prone to scratching so a flip case like protects the back, sides and front while maintaining a slim profile.
It’s isn’t easy to recommend spending $59.99 on a case when there are high quality alternatives from companies like Caseology, BodyGuardz and Spigen. However the LED notification panel on the front is pretty freaking cool and the case is one of the best made pieces you can add to your Note 7. I grabbed mine from Amazon for $35 and think it is a bargain at that price.
If you’re on the fence about this case, Best Buy carries the LED Flip Cover in stores and price matches sites like Amazon. Pictures don’t do this case justice.
Get the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 LED Flip cover at Amazon, Best Buy or Samsung.
TinyBouncer: Jump your way into fun (App Review)
TinyBouncer is an Indie style game that involves a whole lot of bouncing and swiping. Jumping on a bouncy caterpillar, you have to gain sufficient height to reach the distance goal, while also weaving through the endless amount of diverse obstacles. The game requires concentration and a will to accomplish in order to advance.
The app is developed by NEKKI.
Setup
TinyBouncer is more or less your typical Indie game. It has minimal setup, and you can start playing right after downloading without adjusting any settings or preferences. What makes it stand out, however, is the fact that the game file is relatively large as compared to similar games, although the game, at 50MB, is still not that big.
Gameplay
About to start the jumping
When I first opened the game, I was immediately drawn in by the catchy background music. It’s fast paced, and provides the rhythm for one to play. Usually, I would not play a game with the music on, but TinyBouncer is an exception. It really helps me concentrate with what I’m doing. It’s similar to retro music and falls in nicely with the type of game.
Another thing was the clean design, which went hand-in-hand with the attractive graphics. Again, it’s typical to see in an Indie game, but it nevertheless leaves a good impression and really builds up the game. The game utilizes a geometric design throughout the app and also ties in a bug/animal theme, a unique combination which gives the game character. The design is well executed and ties in all elements together, elements which most would not really think of adding together.
Moving on to the actual gameplay, your goal is to jump to the height g
oal by jumping off a caterpillar. Each jump takes you further, but you have to touch the left or right side of the screen in order to dodge obstacles. It’s actually kind of tricky as you have to avoid them again when falling back down. It’s not something I would dub as original, but I would say it’s something well executed.
As you progress, you get to different levels and stages that increase in difficulty and get a slight theme change. Along the way, you can also pick up floating coins which you can use to buy different characters, which come with more benefits as they get more expensive. Such upgrades include increased jumping power and faster swiping speed. I did get to use some of these, and they do make a small difference that should help to get further in the game.
Adverts are, of course, present and do subtract from the game slightly. They are not intrusive or super-annoying, but are nevertheless there and do pop up in the rare occasion. It’s definitely something I could accept, however.
The game ran without a hitch on my Huawei P9 Lite.
Conclusion
TinyBouncer is a well executed Indie game that takes an unoriginal idea and turns into something unique. If it’s your type of game, chances are that you’ll spend hours on it. The graphics are great, the gameplay works just fine, and the game as a whole is a neatly polished packaged just waiting to be played.
App Link: TinyBouncer
Best Android Phones with Expandable Memory
Looking for the best phones with expandable memory to store your movies and music? You’ve come to the right place.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
See at AT&T
See at Sprint
See at T-Mobile
See at Verizon
See at Amazon
The Galaxy S7 edge is the total package. The phone features a stunning metal-and-glass exterior backed by an excellent 5.5-inch display. The dual curved display is easily one of the best you’ll find on a phone, and differentiates the S7 edge from the pack. The handset is powered by Qualcomm’s beastly Snapdragon 820 SoC, and offers 4GB of RAM along with 32GB storage. The 12MP camera is outstanding, and the 3600mAh battery ensures you get at least a day’s worth of usage from a full charge.
Best of all, Samsung re-introduced the microSD slot after leaving it out on the Galaxy S6 series. The phone accommodates microSD cards up to 256GB, which should be more than sufficient for all your movie or music needs. If all that isn’t enough, the S7 edge is water resistant with an IP68 rating.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is one of the best smartphones you can currently buy.
One more thing: If you don’t want to be tied down to a contract, Samsung has started selling the S7 edge unlocked in the U.S. The unlocked model has global LTE bands, making it compatible with several carriers overseas.
Why the Galaxy S7 edge is the best
A gorgeous phone loaded with features.
Samsung was criticised in years past for launching boring phones, but the manufacturer responded magnificently with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. The Galaxy S7 edge is an evolution of that industrial design, with the phone featuring rounded edges and a curved back to go along with the dual curved display, allowing it to nestle comfortably in your hand.
The 5.5-inch QHD Super AMOLED display is one of the best in the business, offering deep blacks and excellent contrast levels. Then there’s the microSD card, which allows you to store up to 256GB, more than enough to take your media collection along. Samsung decided to not incorporate Marshmallow’s Adoptable Storage feature, which treats an SD card volume like internal storage. Instead, when you insert an SD card into the S7 edge, it is mounted as a separate volume.
Samsung is known to throw in gimmicky features (Air View, anyone?), but this time around the South Korean manufacturer has shown restraint and focused on utilities customers will actually end up using. Water resistance is one such feature. The S7 edge is dust-proof, and the IP68 certification allows the phone to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) of water for 30 minutes without any issues.
Talking about software, the latest iteration of TouchWiz feels modern, and Samsung has been proactive in rolling out monthly software patches. The phone is still on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, but is expected to pick up the Nougat update soon.
The 3600mAh battery lasts a day even on heavy usage, and on occasions when you need a quick top-up, you can rely on Samsung’s Adaptive Fast Charging. The phone also offers wireless charging, and is compatible with both Qi and Powermat charging standards.
With Adoptable Storage
HTC 10
See at Sprint
See at Verizon
See at Amazon
See at HTC
HTC hasn’t fared well in the high-end segment over the last two years, but the HTC 10 represents a return to form. The phone sports a gorgeous aluminum unibody design with a beveled chamfer that circles the back. The curved back ensures that the phone fits comfortably in your hand, and the 5.2-inch screen size allows for one-handed use. From a design standpoint, the HTC 10 is one of the best phones you can buy today.
The phone offers the latest internals. You’ll find a Snapdragon 820 SoC under the hood, and there’s 4GB of RAM and 32GB on-board storage. The 12MP camera is one of the best fielded by the company to date, and there’s a 3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 that gives you a full day on a charge. The handset has a great DAC if you like listening to Hi-Fi audio from your phone. Coming to the software side of things, Sense 8 is one of the best manufacturer skins around. HTC has committed to rolling out the Nougat update to the HTC 10 in Q4 2016.
The HTC 10 also comes with a dedicated microSD slot that can accommodate SD cards up to 256GB. Unlike the S7 edge, the HTC 10 supports Marshmallow’s Adoptable Storage, which allows you to reformat the external SD card storage and mount it as a part of the internal system storage. You’ll be able to use the entire storage — 32GB internal and a possible 256GB with the SD card — as a unified volume, but the downside is that you won’t be able to remove the SD card and use it for anything else.
Bottom line: The HTC 10 is the strongest competitor to the Galaxy S7 edge.
One more thing: If you buy the phone direct from HTC, you get 12 months of HTC’s Uh Oh Protection for free, which covers screen cracks, water damage, and switching carriers.
The mid-range option
ZTE Axon 7
See at Amazon
The ZTE Axon 7 is a standout phone in the mid-range segment. Available for $399, the phone offers a great 5.5-inch QHD display with minimal bezels, resulting in a compact size. You also get stereo speakers at the front, a 20MP ISOCELL camera and a fingerprint sensor at the back, and a 3250mAh battery that runs a day and a half. There’s a decent DAC onboard as well if you’re looking to listen to high-fidelity tunes on your phone.
Under the hood, the Axon 7 is running the Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, and a microSD slot that works with Adoptable Storage. The microSD slot can accommodate a 256GB card. On the software front, you get Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with several ZTE customizations on top.
Bottom line: The Axon 7 is a compelling device in the mid-tier segment, and is worthy of your consideration.
One more thing: The Axon 7 comes with ZTE’s Passport 2.0 protection plan in the U.S., which offers a two-year warranty against hardware defects.
Best budget pick
Moto G4 Plus
See at Amazon
This year’s Moto G4 Plus offers a lot of firsts. The phone fields a 5.5-inch Full HD display for the first time, and there’s a fingerprint sensor at the front as well. Also a first for the Moto G series is a 16MP camera, which is one of the best in the budget segment. The $199 option offers 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage, and there’s a model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage that costs $299.
All phones in the Moto G4 series come with a microSD slot that can accommodate a 128GB SD card. The Moto G4 Plus is powered by a Snapdragon 617 SoC, and on the software side of things the phone is running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Motorola proprietary software features like Moto Display and Moto Actions are included, allowing you to quickly glance at unread notifications even when the screen is off and launch the camera with a double twist motion.
Bottom line: The Moto G4 Plus is a great $200 option if you’re looking for a budget phone with expandable storage.
One more thing: The phone is sold unlocked on Amazon, and has the requisite LTE bands for AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint.
Best $100 phone
BLU R1 HD
See at Amazon
If you’re looking for a handset with expandable storage that costs less than $150, look no further than the BLU R1 HD. The phone is sold unlocked on Amazon, and the variant with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage comes in at just $109. For that amount, you’re getting a 5-inch 720p display, MediaTek MT6735 SoC, 8MP camera, 5MP front shooter with an LED flash, and a 2500mAh battery.
The phone has a dedicated microSD slot with support for up to 64GB of expandable storage. The 5-inch display is backed by Gorilla Glass 3, and the metal trim offers an upmarket feel. Overall, a very decent phone for the asking price.
Bottom line: For $109, the BLU R1 HD offers a lot of value.
One more thing: The phone works on AT&T and T-Mobile, but is incompatible with Verizon and Sprint.
Conclusion
If you want a phone that has expandable storage, the Galaxy S7 edge is your best option. The phone comes with the latest hardware, has a stunning design, and sports the best display and camera you can currently buy. Water resistance and wireless charging make it an even more compelling choice. Add all that and throw in a microSD slot that supports up to 256GB of expandable storage and you’ll find why the S7 edge is the best Android phone around.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
See at AT&T
See at Sprint
See at T-Mobile
See at Verizon
See at Amazon
The Galaxy S7 edge is the total package. The phone features a stunning metal-and-glass exterior backed by an excellent 5.5-inch display. The dual curved display is easily one of the best you’ll find on a phone, and differentiates the S7 edge from the pack. The handset is powered by Qualcomm’s beastly Snapdragon 820 SoC, and offers 4GB of RAM along with 32GB storage. The 12MP camera is outstanding, and the 3600mAh battery ensures you get at least a day’s worth of usage from a full charge.
Best of all, Samsung re-introduced the microSD slot after leaving it out on the Galaxy S6 series. The phone accommodates microSD cards up to 256GB, which should be more than sufficient for all your movie or music needs. If all that isn’t enough, the S7 edge is water resistant with an IP68 rating.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is one of the best smartphones you can currently buy.
One more thing: If you don’t want to be tied down to a contract, Samsung has started selling the S7 edge unlocked in the U.S. The unlocked model has global LTE bands, making it compatible with several carriers overseas.
How to get a PlayStation VR on launch day
Where can I get a PlayStation VR on launch day?
With Sony’s multiple pre-order waves evaporating minutes after they were opened, a lot of people hoping to get their hands on PlayStation VR before 2017 are faced with a single option. It’s time to find a store to camp out in front of the night before launch in hopes of snatching up one of the few extras that will be available at select retailers. We’ve all done it, and if you’ve tried PlayStation VR in a demo station you know it’s worth it. Here’s where you need to go if you want to increase your chances of being one of the first to have this VR experience in your home.
Read more at VR Heads!
AIVAnet 