VRHeads is giving away a scary PlayStation VR prize pack!
Jump into a new world of fun with PlayStation VR!
PlayStation VR is here! With its impressive lineup of games and affordability, it’s shaping up to be one of the best VR headsets to arrive on the market. We had so much fun with our last PSVR giveaway, that we figured we’d do it again! First, let’s all congratulate the winner of that last contest, VRHeads reader Chemy JMHT!!
Now, on to the next one! It’s time to get scared in VR, and here are the details you need to get yourself entered.
Read more at VR Heads
Daily Briefing: Pixel reviews, Snapdragon dominance, and Samsung battery folly
October 18, 2016: Launch day.
I love review embargo day. So much work and planning goes into that one moment where everything needs to go off without a hitch. If everything goes well, you shouldn’t notice. You should just see the posts and videos appear as they should, magically and effortlessly. If something goes wrong, the complaints come quick and often. I won’t say what happened, because it was corrected very quickly, but today had its fair share of excitement behind the scenes. That’s why this job is so much fun!
And then, when everything calms down, you survey the competition. Everyone covers new devices differently, of course: some from a wider-market perspective, including phones from other platforms; others take a more narrow approach, drilling down into a few important features for a built-in audience. Either way, there was a lot of great coverage of Google’s new phones today, and some that was, well, pretty bad. I’m all for people taking an opposing opinion to mine, but this review came off as rushed and spiteful. It was also incorrect in a number of key ways.
The most interesting part about reading other sites’ reviews is inspecting tone. Some people come at it from a wide-eyed perspective of a true fan, a champion of that product and the brand. Others take a more measured approach, opting to acknowledge the bad with the good. And others still go into the review with a preconceived notion. There’s a market for all of these takes, but I think there is more value in finding ways to be optimistic about the future. Even if what you’re talking about is just a slab of metal and glass.
A slab of metal and glass that has changed the world in under a decade.
The Google Pixel reviews are in
ICYMI, we reviewed the Pixel. Twice. It’s a great set of phones, and probably the best Android experience you can get right now. Other people seem to agree, too. The highlights? The camera is close to the Galaxy S7 and beats the iPhone 7 in most situations. The software additions are individually minor but add up to a big improvement. And the phone is wicked-fast.
Samsung sets up Note 7 exchange booths at airports
Samsung is setting up trade-in booths for the Note 7 at airports around the world to process exchanges for customers that have been traveling with the device. More
Unlocked LG V20 to cost $799 at B&H, Newegg
Unlocked LG V20 will retail for $799 at B&H and Newegg. All customers will receive an LG G Pad for free. More
Australia will get the world’s first gigabit LTE network
Qualcomm is partnering with Netgear, Ericsson, and Australian carrier Telstra in rolling out the world’s first gigabit LTE network in the country. The network is slated to go live before the end of the year, and once it does, customers will be able to leverage gigabit speeds with Netgear’s Mobile Router MR1100 hotspot. More
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 653, 626, and 427 now official!
Qualcomm has rolled out incremental updates to its mid-range and entry-level SoCs. The Snapdragon 653, 626, and 427 support dual cameras, Quick Charge 3.0, and a Category 7 X9 LTE modem. More
Give folks free Wi-Fi, and they’ll use it for porn
Google’s public Wi-Fi initiative is seeing a lot of usage in Indian railway stations:
More than anything, porn sites have been watched and downloaded by the people at Patna railway station.
Unlike other smartphone manufacturers, Samsung tested its own Note 7 batteries
Samsung’s been working overtime to do damage control for the Galaxy Note7, but a new report suggests it could have avoided the entire fiasco if it would have just done what every other manufacturer does: Test its smartphone batteries with a certified third-party lab.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the batteries used in the Note7 were vetted by Samsung’s own internal battery testing lab. The company claims that its own testing did not reveal any problems in both the original and replacement Note7 devices. But most manufacturers—including Apple, Lenovo, and even Microsoft—all contract smartphone battery testing through a third-party lab certified by CTIA, the U.S.’s wireless industry trade group. Those labs ensure that battery packs comply with standards set by the IEEE, though testing through these particular labs is purely optional.
Samsung said it plans to significantly change the way its tests batteries from here on out, though it’s unfortunate it had to go through two recalls before uprooting its process.
Alphabet shares hit record on positive Google Pixel reviews
Good news for Google parent, Alphabet, after primarily positive reviews for the company’s first phone sent the shares to highs not seen since 2004, when Google first traded publically. Shares briefly hit $828 before sliding to $826. No word if Google Assistant gloated about it to Siri and Cortana.
A new Moto X may be on its way
Evan Blass of Venturebeat tweeted a familiar-looking, unreleased phone today, which could turn out to be another Moto X release. No fingerprint, rounded corners. Yeah, that’s about it. Meanwhile, read out Moto Z Play review.
Rogers CEO Laurence ousted after tension with owner family
This was out of left field. After seeing him present a new wireless product earlier this month, Rogers, Canada’s largest wireless carrier, announced this week that CEO and President Guy Laurence is stepping down, effective immediately. The company is bringing in former Telus CEO Joe Natale to replace him, though a non-compete clause is preventing him from starting for another couple of months. According to the Globe and Mail, Laurence’s unorthodox management style frequently butted heads with the Rogers family, a number of whom sit on the board.
That’s it for tonight! See you tomorrow.
Apple might unveil all-new MacBook Pro at 27 October event
Apple will hold another hardware event this autumn, but this time it’s for the next-generation MacBook Pro.
According to Recode, Apple is planning an event for 27 October, when it will unveil a new MacBook Pro. The line hasn’t been given a significant upgrade since 2012. It’s only added a Retina display, Force Touch trackpad, and some improved specs. An entire overhaul has been rumoured for some time. The new MacBook Pro could be slimmer with a flatter keyboard featuring an OLED strip.
This touchscreen strip, which will replace the standard function keys, is reportedly dubbed the “Dynamic Function Row”. You can read more about this upcoming MacBook Pro update in Pocket-lint’s rumour round-up here. Keep in mind there are two sizes of MacBook Pro: a 13-inch model that was last updated in March 2015, and a 15-inch model that was last updated in May 2015. So, a new MacBook Pro with all new specs is expected.
Bloomberg also previously claimed that Apple’s autumn hardware event will showcase new MacBook Pro laptops, as well as a new iMac desktop, new MacBook Air, and new standalone 5K display. The last event Apple held in October was back in 2014, when the company revealed the iPad Air 2, the latest version of the iMac, and shared details on the OS X Yosemite operating system.
Stay tuned to Pocket-lint’s Apple hub for the latest news.
Microsoft will hold another event one week after its October event
This is interesting: Microsoft has scheduled two events one week apart.
The company is holding an event in New York City on 26 October, when it’s expected to unveil new hardware, including an all-in-one Surface PC. It might also announce some Xbox and Windows 10 news. But don’t expect too much news in terms of software, because Microsoft has sent invites to the media for another New York City event. This one, which will be held 2 November, will supposedly focus on software and the Office suite.
- Microsoft’s October event: What to expect and where to watch
CEO Satya Nadella, Office CVP Kirk Koenigsbauer, and “special guests” will be there to discuss how Microsoft will “empower every team to achieve more”, which suggests the event will be very business-targeted. However, because Nadella is making an appearance, we can expect something interesting. ZDNet speculated Microsoft might show off its Facebook Workplace and Slack competitor, Skype Teams.
Microsoft owns Skype, and it doesn’t like that Slack is currently dominating in the messaging software space for large teams, so the company is reportedly getting ready to do something about it. According to MSPowerUser, Microsoft is developing a new messaging software that offers much of the same functionality found in Slack. The project is called Skype Teams, and it’s geared toward businesses, large teams, newsrooms, and more.
- Microsoft might launch a Slack-like app called Skype Teams
Microsoft’s two-hour event will likely also cover Office/Office 365 commercial products. Microsoft officials aren’t being too forthcoming at the moment, so stay tuned to Pocket-lint’s Microsoft hub for the latest details.
Enter the Xbox One S Giveaway to win this cutting-edge gaming console
You read that headline correctly. Enter this giveaway, and you can have a chance of winning your very own Xbox One S.
The only console with 4K Blu-ray, 4K video streaming, and HDR, the Xbox One S can turn any entertainment center into a gaming powerhouse. Just sign up, and you’ll have a shot at getting your hands on one for free.
The Xbox One S is 40 per cent smaller than its predecessor, but don’t let its size fool you. This console is packed with its own internal power supply and a whopping two terabytes of internal storage.
Boasting High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, the Xbox One S also delivers richer colors on screen and allows for greater contrast between lights and darks. That way, the Xbox One S gives your in-game graphics an even greater sense of depth.
Speaking of games, the Xbox One S is supported with a myriad of exclusive titles. From Forza Horizon 3 to Gears of War 4, this console gets you exclusive access to some of this year’s most anticipated games.
Of course, this console does more than just gaming. With its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and streaming capability, the Xbox One S can stream 4K content from sites like Netflix and Hulu with jaw-dropping detail. And with its IR Blaster, you can also configure your console to turn on other devices. That way, you can activate your TV or cable receiver without having to fumble for a remote.
This zenith of gaming technology normally goes for £316, but you can get your hands on one for free by signing up for the Xbox One S Giveaway.
Get a lifetime of login security with Sticky Password Premium (80 per cent off)
Elaborate passwords can help keep hackers out of your online accounts, but they’re useless if you can’t remember them.
That’s why you should let Sticky Password Premium do the memorizing for you. Trusted by millions of users, Sticky Password Premium makes managing secure passwords seamless and effortless. Get a lifetime subscription for just £24.72 ($29.99 USD).
Sticky Password Premium bolsters your online security by generating tough, encrypted passwords for all your accounts. Instead of having to memorizing each password, you can rely upon Sticky Password to manage all of them using a single master password known only to you. You can choose to store your password information on the Cloud or locally. Either way, you’ll have access to all your important data on all your devices, whether they’re PC, Mac, Android, or iOS.
On top of managing your passwords, Sticky Password Premium also streamlines the login process. Using the information you put into Sticky Password’s protected storage, you can automatically login to accounts on recognized sites. What’s more, you can even auto-fill forms online using Sticky Password. That way, Sticky Password does double duty, securing your logins with tough passwords, while still making them accessible for the person they’re protecting.
A lifetime subscription to Sticky Password Premium is normally £123.63, but Pocket-lint readers take 80 per cent off the retail price, bringing the final price down to just £24.72 ($29.99 USD).
Apple reportedly unveils new Macs on October 27th
Even before Apple’s September event, rumors swirled that the company would save any Mac-related updates for an October presentation. As the month has gone on, however, fans have wondered whether or not or not anything would happen. Isn’t it a little late to send out press invitations? Supposedly, you can relax. Recode sources claim that Apple will introduce new Macs at an event on October 27th. This would be a smaller-scale affair than the iPhone 7 introduction (possibly held on Apple’s campus), but that doesn’t mean that it would be devoid of interesting products. If you believe the rumors, just the opposite is true.
While the leak doesn’t give any hints as to what you can expect, there have already been plenty of rumors. The headliner may be overhauled 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros that include OLED touch strips and fingerprint readers, but ditch conventional ports in favor of multiple USB-C connections. You could also see a stand-alone 5K display and refreshed MacBook Airs with USB-C. And of course, nearly every other computer in Apple’s lineup is due for an upgrade of some kind — you could see a slew of revisions, even if some of them never get mentioned on stage. The purported unveiling is just over a week away, so you won’t have long to find out whether or not the story is true.
Source: Recode
Candy Crush is becoming a game show
Candy Crush, the once ubiquitous mobile game behemoth that’s now played almost exclusively by my aunt, is getting its own game show. CBS announced on Tuesday that it is teaming up with King Games and Lionsgate to produce the hour-long series. Details on game mechanics are still sparse but the network did explain that 2-person teams will “use their wits and physical agility to compete on enormous, interactive game boards.” The series will be executive produced by Matt Kunitz, the guy behind Fear Factor and Wipeout, however there’s no word yet on who will host or when the series will premier.
This move follows the recent successes of retro-style game shows like Celebrity Family Feud as well as mobile game crossovers like the Angry Birds movie and the upcoming Fruit Ninja feature. This is what we get for complaining about how Hollywood was only interested in rebooting existing franchises.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: CBS
Bill Belichick is through with the NFL’s Surface tablets
You’d think Patriots coach Bill Belichick is feeling over the moon right now. After all, his golden boy Tom Brady is finally back from a four-game suspension, handed to him by the NFL for his role in a cheating scheme now widely known as “Deflategate.” But no, Belichick isn’t happy. Instead, the Super Bowl-winning coach is lashing out at tablets. And while he doesn’t mention Microsoft’s Surface by name, that’s the device the league pays $80 million dollars a year for teams to use on the sidelines. It’s also the one he just smashed in a game against the Bills earlier this month.
“As you probably noticed, I’m done with the tablets,” Belichick said at a press conference today, in response to a question about issues he had with the tech during the Patriots’ latest game. “I’ve given them as much time as I can give them. They’re just too undependable for me,” he added. “I’m going to stick with pictures as several of our other coaches do as well because there just isn’t enough consistency in the performance of the tablets.
Belichick says he “just can’t take it anymore,” noting that he’s going back to relying on printed images to view and analyze plays. “It’s a personal decision. “I’ll use the paper pictures from here on because I’ve given it my best shot,” he added. “I’ve tried to work through the process but it just doesn’t work for me and that’s because there’s no consistency to it.”
The NFL gave us the following statement: “Microsoft is an integral, strategic partner of the NFL and implementing their technology on our sidelines has increased the efficiency and speed of collaboration between coaches and players to an all-time high. Within our complex environment, many factors can affect the performance of a particular technology either related to or outside of our partner’s solutions. We continue to work with all of our partners to ensure the best systems are in place to most effectively assist the clubs in the execution of their game plan.”
As for Microsoft, the company told Engadget that it respects Belichick’s decision, but naturally doesn’t agree with his comments about the Sideline Viewing System not being reliable. Unfortunately, the fact is there’s plenty of proof to suggest otherwise.
Here’s the full statement from Microsoft: “We respect coach Belichick’s decision, but stand behind the reliability of Surface. We continue to receive positive feedback on having Surface devices on the sidelines from coaches, players and team personnel across the league. In the instances where sideline issues are reported in NFL games, we work closely with the NFL to quickly address and resolve.”
Here’s Belichick’s full answer as to why he hates the tablets. Lasted five minutes and 25 seconds. pic.twitter.com/wcSqebtQRu
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) October 18, 2016
Source: Patriots
Ecuador confirms it cut Assange’s internet for US election interference
Last night Wikileaks confirmed Ecuador — whose London embassy its founder has been holed up in since June 2012 — was responsible for cutting off Julian Assange’s internet access. Now the Ecuadorean government has explained why it changed the WiFi password, claiming it’s due to Wikileaks releasing documents meant to interfere with the US presidential election. Specifically, its statement says “The Government of Ecuador respects the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states.” As such, it has “exercised its sovereign right to temporarily restrict access to some of its private communications network.”
While the asylum it has granted Assange remains in effect, enabling him to participate in these releases via its embassy’s network was apparently too much. Wikileaks said last night that it has “activated the appropriate contingency plans” and released another batch of emails from the account of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman.
BREAKING: Ecuador admits it cut off Assange’s internet due to his use of it to interfere in the U.S. election. pic.twitter.com/VNJ6sdHhHj
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) October 18, 2016
Source: Ecuadorean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AP
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