Samsung on its knees begging LG for phone batteries

Samsung could be turning to LG for help in supplying batteries for the Galaxy S8, following the number of exploding Galaxy Note 7s. Samsung’s ill-fated phablet was barely on sale a month before production was stopped following a high number of overheating devices.

• Samsung Galaxy S8: What we want to see and what’s the story so far?

The Note 7 used batteries made by Samsung SDI, the company’s battery making subsidiary and China’s ATL. The Maeil Business Newspaper has now quoted a Samsung executive as saying Samsung is now “looking at diverse suppliers, including LG Chem”.

There was a possibility Samsung could resource LG Chem batteries to help save the Galaxy Note 7, but it would have taken too long to develop and make the batteries.

A deal hasn’t been struck yet, and it’s likely Samsung is trying to evaluate all possible routes as it probably doesn’t want to turn to a rival to help out if it can be helped.

• No flat bezel Samsung Galaxy S8 for 2017, tipped to have Edge screen only
• Samsung Galaxy S8 to have dual camera like the iPhone 7 Plus

The Galaxy S8 had been rumoured to have its launch date brought forward in order for Samsung to start regaining customer loyalty, but those rumours have since been quashed, and a February 26 release date is on the cards. It’s expected to come with a 3.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor with 6GB RAM, 30-megapixel rear-facing camera and a near 4K 2160 x 4096 display.

Alpha 1S robot review: The dancing robot that offers lots more

Alpha 1S is the latest robot to enter the Pocket-lint office and it’s one that hopes to win our hearts with its dancing prowess.

But is this an expensive toy for execs or something you can use to not only entertain the kids, but also educate them as well? We’ve been playing to find out.

Alpha 1S robot review: Bigger than you think, but not that big

Robots are always hard to size up. Promotional videos and pictures can deceive you into thinking they are either the size of a fully grown adult or smaller than a sausage dog. 

The Alpha 1S by Ubtech Robotics stands 398mm tall (15.3 inches), weighs 1.63kg, and has 16 Servo joints which enable it to move, punch, kick, and dance its way into your heart. This robot is big enough to make an impact on your desk, but small enough to still be classed as cute.

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Featuring white armour and an array of colour LEDs that flash from within its exposed skeleton, the Alpha 1S comes with a rechargeable battery pack – worn as a rucksack. It’s here that Ubtech recommend picking up Alpha rather than his head – although good luck trying to explain that to your kids.

Those 16 servo joints are noisy too, especially when the Alpha gets into those dancing moves. Once charged, the fast-moving Alpha 1S will move continually for an hour.

Alpha 1S robot review: Kicking and punching

“These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you”, as the song goes. And given half the chance, we suspect that’s what the Alpha 1S would be happy to do.

Rather than feature controls on the robot itself, or come with a convoluted remote control, the Alpha 1S robot is controlled via your iPhone or Android smartphone. The app is fairly basic, but allows you to quickly check the charging status, control the robot, or download various movement programmes from the app’s “Action Square” section.

You can also use the app to update the robot’s firmware when needed, manage settings like being able to play while charging, or go one step further and try to create your own movements by programming it yourself.

The “Gamepad” area is effectively a replacement for a dedicated remote. Depending on whether you chose Gladiator or Soccer player will determine what you are able to do. Soccer involves lots of kicking of the legs (you provide the ball), while Gladiator involves punching. It’s laugh-out-loud fun, but not very robotic.

Alpha 1S robot review: Dancing and more

It’s dancing that the Alpha 1S is probably most known for, holding the Guinness World Record for the most dancing robots simultaneously – a 540-strong army of them if you’re interested.

The dance routines available fall under the “Action Square” in the app. There are dozens you can chose from, all downloadable and seemingly all free. Options include Show, Dance, Sport, Story, Educate, and Children’s song. And individual programmes range from doing yoga exercises to reading a story or simply dancing.

In each case, you can quickly download the programme you want straight to the app, have it automatically synced to the robot, and then press play for it to be performed.

The whole process is effortless and you’ll be up and running in seconds rather than minutes. It is certainly a long way on from the hours it used to take us programming a Big Trak in the 1980s.

Music or audio is provided via your phone, and the only thing that stands in the way of really enjoying the experience as the robot jigs and jostles around is those noisy servos.

We’ve set the Alpha 1S dancing around floors and tables. If it is the latter then you really need to stand ready to catch it when – as it has a tendency of trying to hurl itself off unaware of its surroundings. Silly robot.

The Alpha 1S also has a computer programming option that allows more detailed programming such as loading music and very specific timed movements. It takes the programming to another level for robot experimentation, however this is so convoluted and so awkward that we suspect not even the most dedicated teenager will persevere with it. 

First Impressions

The Alpha 1S is ultimately Robosapien for the new generation. Only this time it comes with an app, downloadable extra programmes and lots more granular control over its movement. It also comes with a price tag that is five times the price of the original Robosapien. Yep, it’s £399 – so perhaps more exec than pre-school.

For robot fans a lot has moved on since Robosapien (for the better in our minds), but the principles still apply, and while that might be amazing for some, for others it will be something that you’ll tire of quickly – even if you can keep downloading new programmes.

Frustratingly with the Alpha 1S its lack of sensors relative to its surroundings, noisy servos, and that it’s limp when not powered (it annoyingly collapses when the battery is up – so you can’t even let him stand on a shelf looking cool) are all notable shortcomings for a toy of this price.

Still, your kids are going to love it… so long as they don’t break it.

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Monster Elements review: Bass by the bucket load

In a world where headphones are worn almost like jewellery, rather than be fine examples of craftsmanship and audio balance, it’s no surprise to see brands like Monster take advantage.

The company’s latest wireless offering, the Elements over-ear, is so bling even Mr. T would think twice before adorning his neck with them. However, the big question is whether or not the quality of these headphones – in both design and sound terms – can match the ostentatiousness. 

Monster Elements review: Design

Monster has a reputation for building big, plastic, inelegant headphones – and the latest wireless Elements set don’t do anything to go against that trend.

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These are chunky headphones built almost entirely from plastic and PVC. Most available finishes are chromed – whether that’s the silver, gold, rose gold or platinum black – meaning a shiny faux metallic appearance. They’re hardly the most premium looking cans we’ve tried.That said, the plastic does mean the earphones are relatively lightweight and easy to wear.

Unlike other companies – like Audio Technica who try to use plastic, but in a more stylish and thoughtful manner with good fixtures and hinges – the Monster earphones are rattly, and creak a lot when being handled. The hinges, which can fold inwards to stow the headphones away, also click loudly, as do the adjusting arms when shortening or lengthening them to fit your head.

Hardly the quality of experience we expect from a £300 pair of headphones.

As an “A+ for effort” the earcups pivot upwards away from the ears, just in case you need to have one ear uncovered while listening to audio. Call this “DJ mode”. Sadly, like the rest of the build, it feels almost as though you’d break the headband when attempting to swing the earcup around.

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Despite this, the perfectly circular ear-cups are padded with a generous layer of memory foam stuffed inside a leather-ish ring and offer a comfortable feel.

The same can’t be said of the rubber coated padding on the headband, though: it’s decidedly uncomfortable when sitting on top of your head. It’s not as forgiving as a soft leather lining might be.

From a purely design-focused perspective, if you’re looking for fashionable headphones that you might see adorning your favourite sports person’s neck, then these are ideal. If you want something better made, or more subtle and attractive, there are plenty of other options out there for the same price point.

Monster Elements review: Features

While the design may leave a lot to be desired, the feature list on the Monster Elements earphones is certainly worthy of attention.

Firstly, these are wireless and use Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX technology to ensure the connection is reliable and consistent. In our testing, they performed well and didn’t cut out at any time. In fact we had to walk two rooms away before the connection started showing signs of cutting out.

If the battery dies, or you just prefer the zero-latency qualities of using an old-school wire, you can use the included 3.5mm audio cable, or a micro USB to micro USB cable.

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Just above the right ear cup, at the base of the headband, there’s a touch-sensitive panel. You can play or pause with a single tap, skip forwards by double-tapping or change the volume by swiping up or down.

We didn’t find this to be a very reliable experience. Often times we’d double-tap to skip, and have to do it multiple times before it was picked up. Other times, it misunderstood the gesture as a swipe upwards, then adjust the volume instead. Clearly the capacitive sensor isn’t as accurate or sensitive as it should be. Or, perhaps is too sensitive.

Another downside to these controls is that none of them work when you’re plugged in using an audio cable. They only work when the headphones are connected by Bluetooth.

One element that is superb with the Monster headphones is battery life. We listened to at least three or four hours of music a day over the space of a few days, and there was still barely a difference in the available capacity. Monster claims you can listen to more than 24-hours of music on a single charge, and we’re inclined to agree.

Monster Elements review: Sound

If you like bass in bucket loads, you’ll be pleased the level of low-end is about as ostentatious as the shiny chrome finish. In that way, these really are Monster headphones with the sound you’d expect.

The advantage of having so much bass response at your disposal is that music of all kinds feels really full and immersive. It’s especially desirable listening to bass-heavy dance or R&B tracks, yet equally welcome folky ballads from the likes of Foy Vance.

Other times that much bass is about as comfortable as pressing your ear directly against the skin of a bass drum.

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The obvious disadvantage is that with so much emphasis on the bass leaves the other frequencies feeling lost and a little muddied. You can still hear the highs and mediums, but they don’t ring out and aren’t given prominence.

Apart from using your music app’s built-in equaliser (if it has one) you can change the sound profile by switching between “Natural” and “Club” modes by double-clicking the single multi-function button on the base of the right earcup. This basically switches between “lots of bass” and “even more bass”. 

With all that said, the aptX Bluetooth connection and support for High Res audio quality means you could still hear the fine details in your music – if you’ve got the file quality and a capable output device.

Verdict

If your preference is to have loud and pumping low-level bass then the Monster Elements delivers that in bucket loads. Likewise, if you like to wear big, shiny headphones around your neck like your favourite athletes, these over-ears certainly fit that profile too.

However, with a build quality as plastic as it is and audio output that’s unrefined, it’s hard to recommend these Monster headphones – especially at their £300 asking price.

Overall, there are plenty of other options out there with a similar or better experience at lower prices… you just won’t get the Monster logo. But if the battle is on with Beats then it ought to be an epic showdown.

Google Chromecast: How to set up Chromecast and get started with it

So, you finally caved and bought a Chromecast.

It’s not exactly a big splurge, but some of you may have been putting it off because it seems complicated to figure out and set up. Well, that isn’t the case. The whole purpose of Google’s HDMI dongle is that it’s suppose to be easy; easier for you to take a YouTube video on your phone, or a Netflix stream on your tablet, or a web browser tab on your computer, and wirelessly send it to your TV so you can see it on a big screen.

To help you make use of Chromecast’s abilities sooner rather than later, Pocket-lint has detailed everything you need to know, including how to set it up and get started with it in no time. We’ve even discussed in more detail what the device is and what can do. But we’re only focusing on Chromecast, which is for TVs, and not on Chromecast Audio, a different version of Chromecast for speakers.

What is Google Chromecast?

Google launched the first Chromecast in 2013. It’s an affordable HDMI dongle that lets you wirelessly “cast” content to a television. It basically makes most TVs smart. Then, in 2015, Google launched Chromecast 2. It’s faster, more responsive, and just as affordable. And it arrived with an updated Chromecast app that serves as a one-stop shop for finding compatible apps and specific content across those apps.

In 2016, Google introduced Chromecast Ultra, which works identically to its predecessors but uniquely offers the ability to cast 4K streams. Google also offers an Audio version of Chromecast. Unlike the video-focused versions, it lets you wirelessly “cast” audio to speakers. That means your old speakers will essentially be turned into modern day speakers capable of playing music streamed from your smart devices.

For more information on Chromecast, check out these guides:

• Chromecast 2 review: Make any TV smart, effortlessly
• What is Google Cast for Audio?
• Chromecast now has a guest mode: Here’s how to turn on the feature
• What is Google Chromecast and why should you care?
• Roku Streaming Stick vs Google Chromecast
• Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Google Chromecast vs Roku Streaming Stick
• What is Google Chromecast and why should you care?

How does Chromecast work?

With Chromecast, you can send (aka “cast”) movies, TV shows, photos, and websites from your computer or mobile device to your TV. Simply tap the Cast button in the Chrome browser on your computer, or tap the Cast button from a Cast-enabled app such as YouTube on your mobile device, and the content will instantly appear on your big TV. Visit this Google page to browse the thousands of apps and sites that support Chromecast.

You can cast movies, TV shows, and photos from Cast-enabled apps on Android smartphones, Android tablets, iPhones, and iPads. You can also cast entire sites or tabs from the Chrome browser on Windows desktops, Windows laptops, Mac desktops, Mac laptops, and Google Chromebooks. There’s no remote required. To manage your Chromecast devices, simply use the Google Cast app or Google Cast browser extension.

Visit this Google page to see what else you can do with Chromecast.

What does Chromecast require?

You need the following in order to use Chromecast:

• A TV/display with an HDMI input
• Access to an open power outlet or open USB port on your TV/display
• Access to Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4G network for Chromecast first generation or Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac 2.4/5G network for Chromecast second generation and Chromecast Ultra)
• Google Cast mobile app on a compatible Android device or iOS device
• Chrome browser on a compatible Windows computer, Mac computer, or Chromebook computer

How do you set up Chromecast?

set up your Chromecast

• Chromecast (first generation): Plug one end of the USB power cable into your Chromecast and the other end of the cable into the power supply and then into a nearby power outlet. If you do not have access to an open outlet, you can also power your Chromecast by plugging the USB power cord directly into an open USB port on your TV. From there, plug your Chromecast into any open HDMI input on your TV.
• Chromecast (second generation and Ultra): Plug one end of the USB power cable into your Chromecast and the other end of the cable into the power supply. From there, plug your Chromecast into any open HDMI input on your TV, and plug the power supply into an open outlet.

Once your Chromecast is plugged in and powered, you should see the Chromecast home screen on your TV. If you do not see it, use the input or source button on your TV’s remote to change the input until you see the Chromecast home screen.

set up your mobile device

On your mobile device, tablet, or laptop, download the Google Cast app. Then, follow the app’s set up instructions (also available here). The app will automatically find your Chromecast and prompt you to connect it to the same Wi-Fi network connected to your mobile device. It’s important that your Chromecast and mobile device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you cannot cast from your mobile device to your TV.

You will also see an option to name your Chromecast, which is handy if you have multiple Chromecast devices and want to cast to a specific one. If you’re having difficulty setting up your Chromecast through the Google Cast app, contact the Chromecast Support Team for more assistance.

set up your Chrome browser

First of all, make sure you’re using the latest version of Chrome by navigating to Settings > About Google Chrome. Then, update your Chrome browser to the latest version. If you’re having trouble, here’s how to update Chrome. Once that’s done, navigate to chromecast.com/set up from the Chrome browser to set up Chromecast for your computer. Alternatively, install the Google Cast extension for your Chrome browser.

Both options will automatically find your Chromecast and prompt you to connect it to the same Wi-Fi network connected to your computer. It’s important that your Chromecast and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you cannot cast from Chrome to your TV. If you’re having difficulty setting up Chromecast on your computer, contact the Chromecast Support Team for more assistance.

How do you cast with Chromecast?

Cast from your mobile device

Open a Cast-enabled app. In the corner, tap the Cast button, then tap the Chromecast device you’d like to cast to, and wait for the content to appear on your TV. When you’re connected, the Cast button will turn colour. You can also cast your Android screen to your TV. Simply open the Google Cast app and tap the navigation drawer. From there, tap the Cast Screen button and select your Chromecast device.

Cast from Chrome on your computer

There are several ways to cast content from the Chrome browser on your computer. First, go to a cast-enabled site like youtube.com or netflix.com, then click the Cast icon in the bottom right corner of the video player, and wait for the site to appear on your TV. Alternatively, navigate to the Chrome Settings menu in the Chrome toolbar, then click”Cast…”, and choose the Chromecast device you would like to cast to.

You could also open a tab in Chrome browser, then right click on the webpage, and click Cast. Although it’s not required, you can install the Google Cast extension in order to get the Cast icon in your browser toolbar. From there, simply click the icon, then choose the Chromecast device you would like to cast to, and wait for the contents of your tab in Chrome to appear on your TV. This FAQ page has more info about casting tabs.

Want to know more?

Visit this FAQ page to learn more about casting from a Cast-enabled app versus a Chrome tab. Also, Pocket-lint has a guide on 10 ways to enhance your Chromecast streaming experience.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 with curved edges, 2K screen and iris scanner to launch on October 25

Chinese manufacturer of affordable smartphones Xiaomi, has confirmed it will be unveiling the new Mi Note 2 in a live stream from Beijing on October 25 at 7am UK time. The invite confirms the phone will have two-sided dual curves, which while we don’t know exactly what that means, sounds promising.

But what other features will the Mi Note 2 come with? Pocket Now has shared what look like legitimate Xiaomi presentation slides, picked up by Chinese media site Weibo. The slides point to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage, putting it firmly on par with the other flagship phones we’ve seen this year.

There’s also a slide that appears to confirm an iris scanner, likely to work in a similar way to the one found in the now-deceased Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

Pocket Now also says the Mi Note 2 will get a 5.7-inch 2K display, dual 23- and 12-megapixel rear-facing cameras, 3D touch actions and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded in the glass screen, like the one found in the Mi 5s.

• Xiaomi’s new smartphones feature embedded fingerprint scanners and dual lens cameras

For thos specs, you’d expect the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 to cost somewhere in the region of £600-£700, but Pocket Now says the device will likely go on sale for around 3000 Yuan, or $445. There’s no word on official pricing or worldwide availability, but we’ll be making sure we tune in to Xiaomi’s live stream to find out all the details.